Understanding Your Cardiovascular Care

While you are at UC San Diego Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center, a health care team composed of physicians, surgeons, nurses, technicians and other health care professionals will oversee your treatment.

• A cardiologist is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of heart diseases.
• A cardiothoracic surgeon operates in the chest area performing procedures such as a heart or lung transplant, coronary artery bypass, or valve repair and replacement.
• An interventional cardiologist performs non-surgical procedures on the heart, such as angioplasty, using catheters (long, flexible tubes that are threaded through the blood vessels).

Because UC San Diego Health System is San Diego’s only academic health system and teaching hospital, you may also be seen by residents, fellows, interns and medical students.

• Resident or fellow: Doctors who are training in a medical specialty
• Intern: First-year resident doctors
• Medical student: May be involved in your care as part of their schooling, but will only work under the supervision of the attending physician, a board-certified doctor who is responsible for your plan of care

It is normal for these doctors in training to rotate; as new doctors join the team, they will introduce themselves. Although these doctors may change, your health care team will remain the same and continue to work together to provide you with the best care possible.

Our nurses go above and beyond what is expected and willingly advocate for your needs. The skill, care and compassion of our nurses are evident from the minute you enter the building until the moment you leave.

We know how important it is for you to get as much information as you can about your care. Your health care team will answer questions and concerns that you or your family may have about your condition and treatment. Please feel free to ask questions about anything you do not understand.