What is a cardiac surgeon?

A cardiac surgeon (also called a cardiothoracic surgeon) specializes in disorders of the heart, lungs, esophagus, and chest. Becoming a cardiac surgeon requires four years of medical school, a five-year residency in general surgery, and two additional years of training in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery.

If your cardiologist recommends that your condition is best treated by surgery, you will be referred to a cardiac surgeon. Cardiovascular patients are referred to these surgeons for procedures such as bypass surgery, valve surgery and the correction of structural defects of the heart.

A cardiac surgeon performs heart transplants as well as coronary bypass surgery, in addition to multiple surgeries that are performed on the lungs.

If you have existing cardiovascular disease and your cardiologist recommends that your condition may best be treated by surgery, you will be referred to a cardiac surgeon (also called a cardiothoracic surgeon). A cardiac surgeon specializes in disorders of the heart, lungs, esophagus and chest. Becoming a cardiac surgeon requires four years of medical school, a five-year residency in general surgery and two additional years of training in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery. Cardiovascular patients are referred to these surgeons for procedures such as bypass surgery, the correction of structural defects of the heart and acquired heart valve defects.