Skip to Content

Cardiology

Cardiology is the medical treatment of the heart and parts of the circulatory system as they relate to the heart. Cardiologists specialize in diagnosing and treating conditions related to the cardiovascular system.

HCAH_Specialty_Cardiology

Cardiologists in Sun City Center, Florida

HCA Florida South Shore Hospital's Heart and Vascular Center helps people who have cardiovascular diseases and conditions.

We offer the latest technology to diagnose and manage heart and vascular problems, such as congestive heart failure. Whether you need advanced heart surgery or help preventing heart disease, we will help you get the personalized care you deserve.

Is your heart healthy?

Understanding your heart health is critical to getting the care you need. We offer a health risk assessment to help get you started.

Understanding your heart health is critical to getting the care you need. We offer a health risk assessment to help get you started.

Our cardiovascular treatments and care

We offer many diagnostics, treatments and services to help you have your healthiest heart.

Our cardiac catheterization services

Our Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory offers state-of-the-art equipment for the diagnosis and interventional treatment of heart conditions.

Some of these services include:

  • Abdominal aortic aneurysm repair
  • Carotid stenting
  • Coronary angiography
  • Diagnostic cardiac catheterization
  • Echocardiography
  • Electrocardiogram (known as an EKG or ECG)
  • Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) insertion
  • Loop recorder implantation
  • Nuclear cardiology
  • Pacemaker insertion
  • Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) heart attacks
  • Peripheral angiography
  • Peripheral vascular diagnostics and interventions
  • Stress testing
  • Tilt table testing
  • Transesophageal echocardiography

Heart disease prevention

Living a heart healthy lifestyle can help prevent heart disease and the health conditions associated with it. Some tips to avoid heart disease include:

  • Don’t smoke or use tobacco
  • Exercise for 30 minutes most days of the week
  • Eat a heart-healthy diet

If you would like a free heart healthy cookbook, call us at (813) 634-0172.

Heart attack treatment

Our catheterization services are offered next to our emergency room (ER) to streamline treatment for patients coming to the hospital with heart attack symptoms. We also promote the importance of early heart attack care. In fact, our emergency department personnel are prepared 24/7. They are highly trained to treat patients experiencing heart attacks and other cardiac emergencies.

If you believe someone is having a heart attack, immediately call 911.

The importance of early heart attack treatment

When it comes to heart attacks, the more time that passes without treatment, the greater the damage to the heart can be. However, when someone is having a heart attack, they may have an unwillingness to accept it or attribute the symptoms to another cause. They may not want to ask for help or “cause a scene.” This delay and denial can be extremely dangerous.

This contributes to the statistic that heart attacks are the number one killer of Americans. It’s important to know the symptoms of a heart attack, recognize them and seek emergency medical treatment quickly.

Common heart attack symptoms

A heart attack can present itself in several ways. It can cause sudden pain, gradual pain or discomfort that increases for several hours or even days. Heart attack symptoms also differ in men and women.

Male heart attack symptoms

The most common heart attack symptoms for men include aching, burning, discomfort, fullness, pressure and tightness in the chest.

Female heart attack symptoms

For women, the most common signs of heart attack include:

  • Pressure or tightness in the lower chest, which may even feel like a stomachache
  • Shortness of breath
  • Unexplained fatigue
  • Weakness
Other heart attack symptoms

Additional symptoms of heart attack for men and women include:

  • Clamminess or sweating
  • Nausea or indigestion
  • Dizziness or nervousness
  • Neck, back or jaw pain
  • Feeling of “impending doom” or dread

One or more of these symptoms are present in nearly half of all heart attacks. They usually appear within 24 hours before the acute attack but can begin two to three weeks before the coronary event.

The symptoms may last from a few minutes to several hours and can suddenly increase before the attack. Knowing the signs of heart attack may help you save a life — even your own or the life of someone you love.

Heart attack risk factors

There are several factors that put you at higher risk of having a heart attack, including:

  • Aging
  • Diabetes
  • Family history of heart disease
  • High blood pressure (hypertension)
  • High cholesterol
  • Obesity
  • Physical inactivity
  • Smoking
  • Stress

The more risk factors you have, the more likely you are to have a heart attack. Our cardiology team offers heart screening services and helps patients better understand their heart attack risk and options for leading a healthier life.

Stroke treatment

Heart problems and strokes can often be related, as strokes tend to have many of the same risk factors as heart attacks. That’s why we are proud to be an Advanced Primary Stroke Center, as designated by The Joint Commission. This designation shows that we offer advanced, skilled stroke care when you need it most.

Thrive Blog

Read our blogs to learn about preventive care and ways you can lead a healthier lifestyle.

American Heart Month: How to take care of your heart 

February 06, 2023
Tayla Holman
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, but it is preventable with lifestyle changes, a healthy diet and physical activity.

American Heart Month: How to take care of your heart 

February 06, 2023
Tayla Holman
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, but it is preventable with lifestyle changes, a healthy diet and physical activity.

6 surprising signs your heart health is at risk 

February 01, 2023
Learn more about risk factors for heart disease, including the link between dental health and heart disease.

7 habits that could be sabotaging your heart health 

February 01, 2023
Could you be putting your heart health at risk without knowing it? We asked HCA Florida Healthcare cardiologist Dr. Allan Stewart to weigh in on seven bad habits for heart health and tips on how to break them.