What degree do you need to be an open heart surgeon?

In the United States, to become a cardiovascular surgeon, one must obtain an undergraduate degree (usually 4 years), and then obtain a medical degree (4 years). He/she then completes a general surgery residency program (often 5 years) and finally completes a cardiovascular/thoracic surgery fellowship (3-4 years). Thus, the entire length of training after high school is typically 16-17 years.