Glossary of terms

Caution: If you are experiencing a life-threatening condition please call 000 for emergency assistance.

General Practitioner

Also referred to as a GP or family doctor, a GP is the first point of contact in most non-emergency, medical matters. A GP is typically responsible for coordinating the care of patients, whether managed within the general practice or referred on to other specialists. Please be aware, under medicare, before visiting a specialist, patients must get a referral from a GP to be eligible for any medicare reimbursement of specialist fees. Please refer to Medicare for further information.

General Cardiologist

A cardiologist is a medical doctor who specialises in disorders of the heart, heart structures including blood vessels, arteries and the electrical system.

Interventional Cardiologist

Is a trained cardiologist who specialises in disorders of the heart with a particular interest in conditions related to the blood vessels, arteries and structures within the heart such as heart valves. Conditions that may be treated by an interventional cardiologist include heart attacks, coronary angiography, and valvular heart conditions such as aortic stenosis.

Cardiologist Electrophysiologist

Is a trained cardiologist who specialises in heart rhythm disorders such as atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, syncope and other heart arrhythmias. Procedures they perform may include atrial fibrillation ablation and pacemaker and defibrillator implantation.

Cardiologist Echocardiologist

Is a trained cardiologist who specialises in the use of cardiac ultrasound and other similar technologies to diagnose and manage many heart conditions. These cardiac specialists perform echocardiography and other cardiac imaging techniques to measure the effectiveness of the hearts’ pumping ability and diagnose abnormalities of the structures within the heart.

Cardiologist Heart Failure Specialist

Is a trained cardiologist who specialises in the diagnosis and management of heart failure and may be involved in a heart transplant program. These specialists have a specific interest in treating and managing people with heart failure.

Cardiologist Lipid Specialist

Is a trained cardiologist who specialises in the treatment of conditions related to the lipid system, particularly Hypercholesterolemia, and the ongoing management of these complex conditions.

Paediatric Cardiologist

Is a trained Paediatrician who has completed specialist training in the field of cardiology. They may be a general cardiologist or have a particular interest in many areas of the heart including, heart failure, arrhythmia management and other congenital conditions.

Cardiothoracic Surgeon

Is a trained surgeon who has completed specialist training in surgery related to the heart, lung and other structures within the chest, such as the aorta and coronary arteries. They may provide a surgical opinion and treatment for a wide range of conditions affecting these structures such as the aortic valve and congenital conditions, and work as part of a heart team to provide support in managing patients with their conditions.

Accredited Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) Practitioner

Is a suitably qualified cardiologist or cardiothoracic surgeon who has specifically been accredited to perform TAVI procedures as part of a multidisciplinary team otherwise known as a “Heart Team.”

TAVI Coordinator

A Registered Nurse who is experienced in the management of patients who have been referred to a multidisciplinary heart team for treatment of specific conditions.