It's no secret that heart disease is one of the largest drivers of healthcare expenses in the U.S. However, cardiologists may be able to play a role in bringing these expenses down by implementing an EHR system to manage their patients with the chronic disease.

A recent report from the Agency for Healthcare Quality and Research highlighted the high costs of heart disease. The report stated that heart disease accounted for just under $91 billion in direct healthcare expenses in 2008, making it the most expensive condition to treat.

However, medical professionals are already beginning to see the use of EHRs reverse this trend. For example, a study conducted by the eHealth Initiative showed that the technology can improve cardiac care, making it more efficient and less costly.

"With use of a care plan enabled by the EHR, we were able to streamline the care process for these patients and more efficiently track their progress," said Victor Villagra, the president of Health and Technology Vector, a consulting firm that contributed to the study.

Going back to the healthcare reform of 2009 through the current debates over Medicare and Medicaid spending, healthcare costs have received a lot of attention. Simply making greater use of EHRs in cardiology settings may be one way to address the problem.