Students studying biology during their higher secondary phase must be looking for best career choices. Studying biology opens various career opportunities, but one of the prime yet highly preferred ones is becoming a Doctor.
A Doctor could be a specialist in multiple individual fields; however, the one we will discuss here is about a Cardiologist. By the end of this discussion, you will get detailed answers about how to become a cardiologist after 12th? The scope of employment for a Cardiologist and many more.
Becoming a Cardiologist isn’t a simple task, and one requires deep academic learning, experience and intensive training to enter the professional field. The academic life for a Cardiologist is a learning and competitive field where they learn the base of their medical journey.
Doctors have life dependencies of their patients, and thus one inch of mistake can cost someone exceptionally much (life). Let’s learn in-depth about the process of becoming a Cardiologist after 12th.
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Who is Cardiologist doctor?
Cardiologists are the specialized doctors who diagnose and treat various conditions of our Heart and the Cardiovascular system (blood vessels). The Heart is the lifeline of the human body. In contrast, the cardiovascular system is responsible for permitting blood to circulate and maintain the flow of oxygen, nutrients, blood cells, hormones, and CO2 in the system that helps a human keep a healthy life.
While an individual deals with any heart-related symptoms, they consult to a regular physician who refers the patient to a Cardiologist doctor. After that, the Cardiologist study, evaluate your problematic symptoms, learn about your medical history and later prescribe you some required diagnoses. With some severe data on the patients’ report, the Cardiologist may perform some of the medical procedures, including angioplasty, inserting a pacemaker to the Heart, heart catheterizations, or place stents to keep the arteries open.
Cardiology is a too complex field, and thus for further heart, lungs, or blood vessels related operations, your Cardiologist will refer you to a Cardiovascular surgeon. However, apart from the surgery, your entire medical treatment remains under your Cardiologist only, even when they refer you to other specialist doctors.
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How to Become a Cardiologist After 12th?
Studying Cardiology is one of the leading medical journeys after 12th; thus, one needs to undergo various courses, degrees, training and internship programs. The journey is quite long, and one needs to obtain a license and board certification before they full-allegedly perform their Cardiologist practice as a reputed doctor.
Job descriptions of a Cardiologist
Nuclear Cardiologist- They study and diagnose heart-related problems by using nuclear image techniques.
Cardiovascular surgeon– They are permitted to perform surgeries of Heart, blood vessels, and lungs.
Cardiology Director– They have the senior-most post of the Cardiology department and are head of the same.
ECG (electrocardiographic) Technologist– They are responsible for assisting the doctors and fulfilling the diagnosis procedure.
Cardiac Catheterization Technologist– They are responsible for diagnosing and intervening the cardiac catheterizations and other cardiac-related procedures.
Interventional Cardiologist– They are permitted to perform invasive procedures and conduct test for diagnosing the disease.
Invasive Non-Interventional Cardiologist– They are permitted to conduct cardiac catheterization.
Non-invasive Cardiologist– They are allowed to treat the disease with medicinal means but not permitted to perform surgeries.
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Eligibility and Requirements to Become a Cardiologist:
Candidates who have studied and passed their Senior Secondary (11th and 12th Class) with PCB are the only eligible ones for studying cardiology and becoming a Cardiologist after 12th.
- For starting your cardiologist journey, the first step is to appear for the Medical Entrance Exam conducted at the National level. Currently, NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) is the renowned entrance exam for the medical field which was earlier known by the name AIPMT (All India Pre-Medical Test). NEET is an undergraduate medical test and the single entrance source for complex medical studies.
- Another step after you have cleared the NEET is earning an MBBS degree, from a renowned medical college. Admission in colleges depends upon various factors including Student’s 12th percentage or rank in NEET. The MBBS study will require 5 ½ years which includes both study and a year of mandatory internship.
- Next, the candidates have to pursue their Post Graduate course that leads to Doctor of Medicine (MD) in general medicine. The study of MD requires 3 years of college dedication. However, even the MBBS degree holders too have to appear for a medical entrance exam like BHU MD/MS test, AIIMSPG, All India Post Graduate Medical Entrance Exam or similar for studying MD.
- After completing the PG degree holders’ degree, they have to appear for a super-specialized advanced course of DM in Cardiology. DM here means Doctorate of Medicine. The course requires 3 years of studying before the candidate finally becomes a Cardiologist doctor/ Physician.
- Candidates who have completed their DM studies receive the Medical Council of India’s license and are further eligible to practice as a cardiologist.
The entire journey of becoming a Cardiologist after 12th requires 11 ½ years, including 5 ½ years of MBBS + 3 years MD + 3 years of DM in cardiology.
Entrance Exams for a Cardiologist
Various entrance exams are compulsory to be passed before beginning with the study for becoming a Cardiologist. The Entrance exams are categorized into two levels, National and Institutional.
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National Level Entrance examination
| EXAM | FOR COURSE | CONDUCTORS |
| NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) | MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, veterinary and other medical/paramedical courses | NTA (National Testing Agency) |
| NEET PG (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Post-Graduate) | MD/MS/PG Diploma/DNB post-MBBS | NBE (National Board of Examinations) |
| FMGE (Foreign Medical Graduate Examination) | Licensing Examination for practicing in India (For candidates who have studied Medicine in any Foreign country) | NBE (National Board of Examinations) |
| NEET SS {National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Super Speciality Courses)} | DM, MCh | NBE (National Board of Examinations) |
Institutional Level Entrance examination
| EXAM | FOR COURSE | CONDUCTORS |
| AIIMS PG (All India Institute of Medical Science Post Graduation) | MD, MS, DM, M.Ch, MDS | AIIMS, New Delhi (All India Institute of Medical Science) |
| AIIMS SS {All India Institute of Medical Science (Super Speciality Courses)} | DM, MD | AIIMS, New Delhi (All India Institute of Medical Science) |
| JIPMER PG (Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research, Post Graduate) | MD | JIPMER (Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research) |
| PGIMER (Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research) | MD, MS | PGIMER, Chandigarh (Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research) |
Though all of these entrance examinations hold their individual importance, NEET is the sole important test for applying for admissions in India’s MBBS colleges.
Cardiology Course- Exam Pattern
The Examination is conducted in two parts:
- Paper I – 1 hour 20 minutes
- Paper-II – 2 hours
There are both positive and negative marking. (Positive marking means +(the number) for every correct answer and negative marking means –(the number) for every incorrect answer.
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Courses in Cardiology
| Courses | Eligibility | Duration |
| MBBS | 12th with PCB + Entrance examination (NEET) Score card | 5 ½ (Study + Internship) |
| B.Sc in Cardiac Care Technology | 12th from a reputed Board | 3 years |
| PG Diploma in Clinical Cardiology Course (PGDCC) | MBBS (MCI recognised) | 2 to 4 years |
| B.ScCardio Vascular Technology | 12th with PCB | 3 years |
| Doctor of Medicine in Cardiology | Graduation Subjects: Physics, Chemistry , Mathematics and Biology with minimum 60% | 3 years |
| Post Graduate Diploma in Community Cardiology | MBBS or Equivalent qualification recognized by MCI or SMC + Entrance exam (depends upon the institution) | 2 to 4 years |
| Master of Science in Cardio logical nursing | B.Sc or Equivalent | 2 years |
| M. Ch Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery | MD or MS with minimum 55% + NEET-SS score card and counselling | 3 years |
| M. Ch in Cardiology | MBBS, MD, MS with minimum 55% + NEET- SS score card | 3 years for MS degree holders and 5 years for MBBS degree holders |
| DNB Cardio Thoracic Surgery | MBBS recognized by MCI + NEET PG + 1- year compulsory rotating internship | 6 years |
* M. Ch stands for Master of Chirurgiae, a Latin term for Master in Surgery.
How Many Years to Become a Cardiologist After 12th?
It takes about 10 to 13 years to become a cardiologist after 12th in India. If a candidate continuously studied all the required courses and completed their internship without a break, it would take precisely 11 ½ years to become a Cardiologist. The period includes:
- MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery): 5 ½ years
- MD (Doctor of Medicine): 3 years
- DM (Doctorate of Medicine) in cardiology: 3 years
Employment sector for Cardiologist
Doctors are regarded as one of the most employable and respected professions, and thus Cardiologists can find vast employment opportunities in India and every corner of the World. Some of the industries that offer job/ practice opportunities to cardiologists are:
- Private Hospitals
- Government Hospitals
- Private Cardiology Clinics
- Armed Forces Medical Services
- Specialist Hospitals
- Medical research institutions
- Universities (as lecturers)
If not job, Cardiologists can also practice privately.
How to Become a Cardiologist After 10th?
After 10th in India, becoming a cardiologist is not at all possible; however, the journey starts right after your pass your 10th Boards. The stream of studying and passing your senior secondary classes impacts a lot on your career choices and opportunities further.
If you have appeared for your 10th boards or have passed your 10th board, the first step towards your Cardiologist career is to opt for Science stream in class 11th with PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) as subjects. Maths can be your option for pursuing your Medical career, but Biology is a must to study subject if you are looking to become a Cardiologist further.
Another step starts when you pass your 12th with PCB. For further procedure, read the “Eligibility and Requirements to become cardiologist” section above.
PROS and CONS of Becoming a Cardiologist
PROS
- High job prospects, always in demand.
- One of the highest-paid professionals in the medical industry.
- Heart-related surgeries are the most challenging ones; thus, the job brings the doctors the utmost respect.
- A cardiologist has a non-invasive occupation; thus, surgeries are not their necessary work focus.
- Saves multiple lives daily.
CONS
- Becoming a Cardiologist requires immense efforts, dedication, handwork.
- The study of Cardiology is costly.
- The course, internship and practice in all require about 15 years of any candidate.
- Long and unconventional work hours.
- Stressful job has to deal patiently with both physical and emotional condition of their patients.
Summary
Studying Cardiology and Becoming a Cardiologist requires blood and sweat with years of dedication, handwork and patience. However, you can only start the process if you have a particular interest in the Medical Industry and profession.
A cardiologist is well paid medical professional, and the average salary for the same profession in India is about 28.2 lakhs INR. While starting their career, they are nearly paid 90,000 INR to 12,000,0 INR quickly. If you are open towards a challenging work environment, excessive workload, odd working hours but an admirable and well-earned job, becoming a Cardiologist after 12th is ideal for you.
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