Heart and valve care in Panama City
Heart and valve problems can lead to heart attack or progressive heart failure. That’s why it is important to consider treatment options as early as possible. The heart specialists at Ascension Sacred Heart Bay diagnose and treat heart and valve disease and are trained in the latest heart care testing, treatments and surgery, including minimally invasive procedures.
Every appointment starts with a conversation about your health needs and concerns. Then, your cardiologist will work with you to create a personalized heart care plan that may include surgery. Your cardiologists are part of a national team of doctors who share best practices and research and collaborate on advanced treatment options. And, with cardiology offices across Northwest Florida, you can expect supportive and compassionate heart care, close to home.
The right treatment for heart and valve problems
Heart valve problems occur when the valves do not close completely, allowing blood to flow backward. To prevent serious health problems, your cardiologist may recommend surgery such as:
- Left atrial appendage closure (WATCHMAN ™)
- Patent foramen ovale (PFO) and atrial septal defect (ASD) closure
- Minimally invasive catheter-based surgery, including transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR)
Whenever possible, your doctor will use minimally invasive surgical techniques. During a minimally invasive procedure, tiny incisions are made. Minimally invasive surgery may shorten your recovery time and lower your risk of infection.
A multispecialty team, dedicated to your heart care
When you choose Ascension Sacred Heart Bay for your heart surgery, you have an experienced team of specialists in structural heart and valve surgery dedicated to your care. Your multispecialty care team brings together the expertise of cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, cardiac interventionists, and cardiac imaging specialists to diagnose and treat complex heart valve disease. The Heart Institute at Ascension Sacred Heart Bay is the only comprehensive heart and vascular program in the Panama City area. We are the only hospital performing open-heart surgery in the area, and our team leads the tri-county in the number of heart surgeries performed every year.
Minimally invasive heart valve replacement
If you have aortic valve disease, your doctor may recommend replacing your aortic valve. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), a minimally invasive procedure, may be an option if you are considered high risk for open-heart surgery due to age, previous heart surgery, stroke or other chronic conditions. TAVR treats aortic valve stenosis, one of the most common heart valve problems. Aortic valve stenosis is the narrowing of the aortic heart valve, which prevents the valve from opening and closing properly. Symptoms of aortic stenosis include chest pain, fatigue, rapid heartbeat and feeling faint, tightness and shortness of breath with activity.
During the TAVR procedure, your heart valve is replaced so that oxygen-rich blood can flow the right direction through your heart and body. Ask your doctor about a TAVR evaluation to see if valve replacement is right for you.
Structural heart care team at Ascension Sacred Heart Bay
Gregory England, MD
Cardiothoracic Surgery
Richard Eubanks, MD
Cardiothoracic Surgery
Amir Haghighat, MD
Interventional Cardiology, Cardiology
Nghia Hoang, DO
Cardiac Electrophysiology, Cardiology
Saeed Khaja, DO
Cardiac Electrophysiology, Cardiology
Samir Patel, MD
Interventional Cardiology, Cardiology
Get a second opinion from a heart valve specialist
When you are facing a new diagnosis or deciding on a surgical or therapeutic treatment plan, there’s a lot to think about. At Ascension Sacred Heart Bay, we make it easy for you to get a second opinion. Our specialists and care team can:
- Answer questions
- Connect you to heart and vascular specialists for minimally invasive surgery, including TAVR, MitraClip, WATCHMAN and ablation.
- Discuss options for restoring or correcting your heart’s rhythm
- Review your medical records and healthcare history
Before your appointment, check with your insurance company to find out if a second opinion is covered. We can request your medical records on your behalf, so that they can be shared with your care team before your arrival.
Heart care that focuses on the whole you
At Ascension Sacred Heart Bay, your care team supports you before, during and after an AFib procedure. Every appointment with your doctor starts with a conversation about new symptoms, concerns or questions. We’ll connect you with cardiac rehab, help you manage your medications and monitor your heart health over time.
Frequently asked questions about heart and valve
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What is the most common type of heart disease?
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common type of heart disease in the United States. When plaque builds up within your artery walls, it can create a partial or total blockage. This condition decreases blood flow and can cause heart attack or another heart problem. Cardiologists at Ascension sites of care deliver advanced care for all types of heart conditions, including structural heart disorders that affect a heart valve, inflammation of the heart muscle and congenital heart conditions that affect the structures of the heart.
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What is the difference between a cardiologist and interventional cardiologist?
Cardiologists primarily diagnose and treat heart conditions with medications, but they may perform procedures such as cardiac catheterization or placing stents. An interventional cardiologist has the expertise to deliver catheter-based treatments for heart disease. To reach the heart, your doctor inserts a thin, flexible tube through an artery in the groin, arm or neck. This tube allows your doctor to check for partial or total blockages in the artery. During an angiogram catheterization, your doctor can also measure blood pressure within the heart and evaluate the blood flow through your heart’s chambers.
Interventional cardiologists specialize in minimally invasive heart valve (TAVR and MitraClip™) replacement or valve repair.
Minimally invasive surgery may be an option for your care with a goal of a shorter recovery time and lower risk of infection. If you need more advanced care, such as open-heart surgery, we’re with you through surgery, recovery and beyond. Together, your team of doctors deliver advanced heart and vascular care to help improve your heart function.
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What are symptoms of heart valve disease?
Heart valve disease can be caused by aging, infection or injury. You can also be diagnosed with congenital heart valve disease, meaning you were born with your condition. Common symptoms of heart valve disease include:
- Chest pain
- Fainting
- Fatigue
- Irregular heartbeat
- Shortness of breath or trouble breathing
- Swelling in the ankles and legs
Some people with heart valve disease experience no symptoms. If you are an older adult or have had other health conditions such as rheumatic fever, heart attack and arrhythmia, talk to your doctor about your risk for heart valve disease.
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What are the signs of heart valve problems?
Healthy heart valves can fully open and close with your heartbeat to allow blood to flow properly, but a diseased valve can not. Heart valve disease can develop over a short or long period of time. Some signs of a heart valve problem can include:
- Chest pain
- Dizziness or fainting
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Irregular heartbeat
- Rapid weight gain
- Shortness of breath
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Can heart valve disease be treated?
Advanced care for your heart valve condition may include therapeutic or surgical options. Heart surgeons at Ascension sites of care provide diagnostic tests and minimally invasive procedures such as TAVR (transcatheter aortic valve replacement). Your care plan may also include cardiac rehabilitation and follow-up care to get you back to your home, family and the activities you love. Talk to your doctor about what treatment options are right for you.
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How do I find a heart valve specialist near me?
Heart and valve problems can lead to heart attack or progressive heart failure, so it’s important to talk to your doctor about early treatment options. For some heart valve conditions, surgery may be recommended. Whenever possible, our national care team of heart specialists perform cardiac surgeries using minimally invasive techniques, which may help shorten your recovery time and lower your risk of complications. Find a heart specialist near you.