If you have heart disease or any type of heart issue, there's a good chance that you'll be referred to a cardiologist for some of your care.

Like many young people, Dawn Combs got really nervous when her primary care doctor referred her to see a cardiologist. "I think that what I was really afraid of was going in and finding out that there was something seriously wrong and having two kids."

Luckily, Dawn had good news, nothing serious, but in the meantime she's learned more about what a cardiologists roles really entails. One of those roles is education.

Dr. David Bailey, a cardiologist at the Southwest Florida Regional Medical Center states, "Cardiologists, like myself, are heart specialists. We're trained to look after patients hearts, to explain to the patient the medications that perhaps may be used, to explain lifestyle changes that the patient has to address and it also involves procedures or advance testing of the heart for the long term goal of the patient."

Another role is being on-call-for their patients. Dr. Bailey says, "Every group will have people really covered in some way with on-call. So, part of the lifestyle for us in part will be office based and part will be hospital based."

Before they can see their first patient, these highly trained physicians spent four years in medical school and then six to eight additional years in specialized training. "I'm living the dream. But in reality it's a lot of work. But it's a vocation it's not really a job. It's some sort of calling I think you have to have to do a good job" says Bailey.

Cardiology is a complex field, so many cardiologists specialize in different areas. Do your research to find the best one for you. You might also visit a cardiologist so you can learn about your risk factors for heart disease and find out what measures you can take for better heart health.