Cardiology Medical Assistant Career – What You Need To Know

By SCMA On 27/09/2017  

Medical Assistants in a Cardiology clinic besides doing the day to day activities of a Cardiologist office must be capable of conducting Electrocardiograms tests and also help patients in understanding the medications and diet prescribed by a cardiologist.

Here we give a brief idea about Cardiology and some of the common terminologies used in the clinic.

1. Cardiology is the study and treatment of heart disorders. Blood is pumped through the circulatory system by the contractions of a double pump, the heart.
2. Body Mass Index (BMI) = a calculation of body fat based on one's length and weight.
3. Cardiac rehabilitation = treatment method after cardiac hospitalization to help patients maintain or retain independence.
4. Claudication = Complaints of pain in one's limb while walking.
5. Cyanotic = a condition in which the skin appears bluish and/or purplish due to the lack of oxygen in the blood.
6. Ejection Fraction = the percent of blood in the left ventricle that is pumped out of the heart during systole.
7. Hemangioma = a buildup of blood vessels that may appear reddish-bluish and swollen on the skin.
8. Hemorrhage = an internal or external uncontrolled bleed
9. Hypertension = blood pressure levels elevated above normal.
10. Hypotension = blood pressure levels below normal.
11. Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea = shortness of breath at night.
12. Stenosis = narrowing of an artery.

Reference

1. Specialty Certified Medical Assistant, Cardiology Study Guide and Practice Exam.(p.8).Certitrek Publishing
2. Kaplan. Medical Assistant Exam Strategies, Practice & Review with Practice Test (Kaplan Medical Assistant Exam Review) (p. 90). Kaplan Publishing.