Philip Blair, CEO of Surgery Center Services of America, spoke with Becker's about ASC companies' biggest growth focus and why cardiology is so important for ASCs. 

Although the mean annual wage among all cardiologists is $421,330, that can vary based on factors including experience and practice setting, according to the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics occupational employment statistics survey.

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia has received a multimillion dollar gift from the Topolewski family to advance pediatric heart valve research through the Topolewski Pediatric Heart Valve Center and establish an endowed chair in pediatric cardiology.

Cardiology procedures are continuing to migrate to the ASC setting, leaders said at a March 22 California Ambulatory Surgery Association summit with payers and industry stakeholders. 

US Heart and Vascular has partnered with Memorial Katy Cardiology Associates, a Houston-based cardiovascular physician practice.

HonorHealth has broken ground on a cardiovascular ASC in Scottsdale, Ariz., as part of a $60 million expansion project at HonorHealth Scottsdale Shea Medical Center, according to a May 16 report from the Daily Independent.

Individuals in their 20s and 30s with mental disorders face a higher risk of having a heart attack or stroke, according to a study published April 28 in the European Journal of Cardiology.

As the prevalence of cardiovascular disease and illness continues to grow in the U.S., so does the demand for cardiovascular care. It is estimated that the U.S. cardiovascular market size sits around $50 billion, according to a May 2 report from JD Supra.

US Heart & Vascular has partnered with Nashville, Tenn.-based healthcare investment firm Rubicon Founders to expand USHV's capabilities. 

Cardiology is the fastest-growing ASC specialty, according to Avanza's "2022 Key ASC Benchmarks and Industry Figures" report. Here are three newly opened or announced cardiology ASCs and one new telehealth offering, as reported by Becker's in April: 

Eight cardiologists formerly employed by Rome, Ga.-based Harbin Clinic have signed contracts committing to AdventHealth Redmond, also in Rome, in response to Harbin's upcoming merger with Atrium Health Floyd, according to an April 27 report from the Rome News-Tribune. 

Cardiologists make an average of $353,970 annually in the U.S., according to the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics occupational employment statistics survey.

Nashville-based US Heart & Vascular announced a partnership with Wichita-based Heartland Cardiology, marking its first expansion into Kansas.

Investors have begun to shift their focus toward cardiology for growth opportunities.

The global pediatric interventional cardiology market is expected to experience a compound annual growth rate of 6.6 percent between 2023 and 2030.

As investors continue to back ASC bread-and-butter specialties such as gastroenterology and orthopedics, it is worth examining if cardiology has the same growth potential in the surgery center space. 

Here are five figures that provide insight into cardiologist compensation, burnout and more:

Cardiology has been recognized as a prime growth specialty for ASCs, so why aren't there more cardiovascular-focused surgery centers?

Newport Beach, Calif.-based Hoag is one of three sites enrolling patients in a post-market study collecting clinical outcomes for a new mitral valve replacement option. 

Morgantown, W.Va.-based Mon Health System will begin offering cardiology telemedicine services to its patients in Parkersburg, W.Va.