A pediatric cardiologist is a physician who has completed 3 years of training in Pediatrics, and then completed another 3 years of training in the diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart disease. After this training there may or may not be a year or two in "subspecialization", such as treatment of complicated heart rhythm abnormalities, special "interventional" procedures or echocardiography of unborn babies (fetal echocardiography).

Many years ago, a child born with a major heart problem was not expected to live to adulthood. But this has changed profoundly. Surgery can now correct or markedly improve almost all congenital heart problems. These patients should remain, as needed, under the care of a pediatric cardiologist. Why should that be so? Because adult cardiologists specialize in acquired heart disease, mainly coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol and related problems. They have not been trained to tackle congenital heart problems. So, if you as an adult have a major congenital heart problem, try to find a physician group where you can be cared for by a team of pediatric AND adult cardiologist. And if you require further surgery, try by all means to locate a "pediatric" heart surgeon.

In summary: a pediatric cardiologist is a physician trained in the treatment of heart defects present at birth ("congenital"). Whether the patient is a child or an adult, that is secondary.