About 60% of cardiologists’ overall happiness stayed the same year-over-year, according to a new report from Medscape.
The report, “Following Their Own Advice: Medscape Cardiologist Mental Health Report 2026,” published Aug. 21, surveyed 5,159 full-time physicians practicing in the U.S.
Here are 15 things to know from the report:
- Across happiness, work-life balance, family relationships and friendships, roughly 40% to 60% of cardiologists reported no change from three years ago.
- Eighty-seven percent of cardiologists said their friendships have stayed the same or gotten worse over the last three years. Physicians overall reported similar erosion, at 84%.
- About one-third of cardiologists said they don’t give their own health enough attention, in line with physicians overall. Only 22% called their health and wellness a “top priority.”
- Three-quarters of cardiologists said they believe happiness and work-life balance are achievable goals.
- Cardiologist burnout dipped slightly year-over-year, falling from 42% in the 2025 report to 38% in 2026. Female physicians overall reported significantly more burnout than male physicians — 53% of female physicians reported burnout symptoms, compared to 39% of male physicians.
- Seventeen percent of cardiologists reported having no religious or spiritual belief, down from 24% three years earlier.
- About two-thirds of cardiologists said they’d take a pay cut in exchange for more family and personal time.
- Sixty-three percent of cardiologists said consistent, sufficient sleep eludes them. Thirteen percent said they use over-the-counter sleep aids to cope.
- Eighty-six percent of cardiologists said hobbies and outside interests are important or very important for relaxation and mental well-being, up slightly from 82% last year.
- About half of cardiologists (51%) said they’re trying to spend less time online.
- Seventy-eight percent of cardiologists described their marriage as “good” or “very good.”
- Vacation time varied widely, as 23% of cardiologists took five or more weeks per year, while 21% took two weeks or less on average.
- Ninety-nine percent of cardiologists said family and personal time is “very” or “somewhat” important, yet about nine in 10 of those with children under 21 felt their kids needed more of their time and attention.
- One-third of cardiologists said they abstain from alcohol completely and another 29% have less than one drink per week — up from 27% and 24%, respectively, in last year’s report. Twenty-two percent of cardiologists who drink said they’re actively trying to cut back.
- Exercise habits slipped. In last year’s report, 37% of cardiologists said they exercised at least four times per week, compared to 19% in the 2026 report. Diet fared better, with a majority of cardiologists reporting a healthy diet overall, though one in five said they could do better.
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