Dr. Amr Barakat, MD

About Dr. Amr Barakat, MD

Dr. Amr Barakat, MD is a Cardiology specialist practicing at Ascension Medical Group St. Vincent's Cardiology in Jacksonville, FL. He is dedicated to providing high-quality, comprehensive, and patient-centered cardiovascular care, registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458. He meticulously focuses on comprehensive diagnosis, treatment, and prevention strategies for heart and blood vessel diseases, ensuring optimal cardiovascular health for his patients of all ages. He is currently welcoming new patients; please call (904) 388-1820 to schedule an appointment.

Dr. Barakat, a board-certified cardiologist specializing in electrophysiology, understands that care for your heart shouldn't wait. He approaches each patient with a compassionate and personalized touch, listening attentively to understand their unique health needs and delivering tailored solutions. His practice incorporates evidence-based medicine, patient education, and collaborative decision-making, creating a supportive and reassuring environment. He earned his medical degree from the United Arab Emirates University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, and is Board Certified in Cardiovascular Disease, Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology, and Internal Medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine. He specializes in diagnosing all types of cardiovascular disease, providing preventive cardiology care to manage various risk factors, including high blood pressure and cholesterol, heart attack and stroke risk, AFib heart rhythm disorders, and congestive heart failure. Dr. Barakat works collaboratively with patients to develop individualized care plans. He provides consultations primarily in English.

Cardiovascular Conditions Addressed

Dr. Amr Barakat addresses a wide range of Cardiovascular health concerns, including:

• Rheumatic Tricuspid Disease: Rheumatic tricuspid disease involves malfunction of the tricuspid valve due to a prior infection of rheumatic fever.
• Pericardial Disease: Pericardial disease encompasses various disorders that impact the pericardium's function and structure.
• Acute Venous Embolism Thrombosis: A blood clot in a vein, often in the leg, can cause swelling, pain, and sometimes serious complications.
• Carotid Artery Disease: Carotid artery disease affects the arteries in your neck, potentially reducing blood flow to your brain and increasing stroke risk.
• Ventricular Fibrillation: Ventricular fibrillation is a deadly heart rhythm disorder characterized by rapid, uncoordinated contractions of the ventricles, resulting in a lack of blood flow.
• Chronic Congestive Heart Failure: With chronic congestive heart failure, your heart is weakened and can't effectively circulate blood, causing symptoms like shortness of breath and swelling.
• Syncope: Syncope is a sudden, temporary loss of consciousness, often caused by a decrease in blood flow to the brain.
• Pulmonary Hypertension: It's a condition where blood pressure in the arteries leading to your lungs is abnormally high, straining your heart.
• Pulmonary Edema: Pulmonary edema is a buildup of fluid in the lungs, causing shortness of breath.
• Ventricular Tachycardia (VT): Ventricular tachycardia is a rapid heartbeat originating in the lower chambers of the heart.
• Second Degree Heart Block: With second-degree heart block, the electrical impulses that coordinate your heartbeats are partially blocked, which can cause an irregular rhythm.
• Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation: Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation is a type of irregular heartbeat where the heart beats rapidly and erratically, but these episodes come and go suddenly.

Please note: This list highlights some common health concerns that Dr. Amr Barakat addresses and is for informational purposes only; it does not constitute medical advice. The range of conditions a Cardiology manages is broad, and this list is not exhaustive. For a comprehensive understanding of how he can assist with your Patient's specific health needs or to discuss any particular symptoms, it's always best to schedule a consultation. Accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plans are developed based on individual patient evaluations.

Cardiovascular Services Provided

Dr. Amr Barakat offers a range of services to support your Patient's health and well-being, such as:

• Chest CT (incl. Heart and Lungs): This chest CT scan examines your heart and lungs to identify any potential problems.
• Insertion of Left Ventricular Lead for Pacemaker or Cardioverter and Defibrillator: The doctor inserted a small wire into my heart's left ventricle to connect it to my pacemaker or defibrillator.
• Cholesterol Screening: This service helps check your cholesterol levels to assess your heart health.
• Coronary Angiogram: During a coronary angiogram, a thin tube is inserted into an artery, usually in the groin or wrist, to inject dye and obtain images of your coronary arteries.
• Tilt_Testing: This test involves lying on a specialized table that changes angle to assess how your heart and circulation react to changes in posture, helping diagnose conditions like vasovagal syncope.
• Electrocardiogram (EKG): An EKG is a painless test that uses small sensors on your skin to record your heart's electrical signals, providing a visual representation of your heartbeat.
• Pharmacologic Nuclear Stress Test: To evaluate your heart's function, this test uses drugs to stress your heart and a radioactive substance to produce images revealing blood flow patterns.
• Nuclear Stress Testing: This test uses nuclear imaging to assess blood flow to your heart muscle while you exercise or receive medication to increase your heart rate.
• Cardiac Catheterization (incl. Coronary Angiography): A cardiac catheterization is a procedure where a thin, flexible tube is inserted into a blood vessel to examine the heart and blood vessels.
• Tilt Table Testing: This test involves lying on a table that is tilted to see how your body reacts to changes in blood flow, which can be helpful in diagnosing conditions like fainting.
• Treadmill Stress Test: During a treadmill stress test, your heart's activity is tracked as you exercise to detect any abnormalities like blockages in your coronary arteries.
• Automatic Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) Implantation: To protect against sudden cardiac arrest, an ICD can be implanted to detect life-threatening heart rhythms and provide electrical therapy.

Please note: This list highlights some of the key services that may be offered by Dr. Amr Barakat. Service availability can change and not all services listed may be appropriate or offered to every patient. The scope of services provided by a Cardiology can vary. For a comprehensive understanding of all available services or to discuss your Patient's specific healthcare needs, it's always best to schedule a consultation. Some specialized procedures or advanced diagnostic tests may require referral to a subspecialist.

All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for Cardiology in Florida and adhere to the ethical and professional guidelines set forth by The Florida Board of Medicine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some common questions about care with Dr. Amr Barakat:

What is a Cardiologist?

A cardiologist is a medical doctor specializing in the heart and blood vessels. They diagnose, treat, and prevent heart conditions like coronary artery disease, heart failure, arrhythmias, and high blood pressure.

What should I expect during my first visit with Dr. Amr Barakat?

Your first visit with Dr. Barakat will involve a detailed discussion of your symptoms, risk factors, and family history. A physical exam and often an electrocardiogram (EKG) will be performed. Further testing, such as an echocardiogram or stress test, may be recommended depending on your individual needs.

Does Dr. Amr Barakat accept my insurance?

Dr. Barakat's office accepts a variety of insurance plans. To confirm your specific coverage for consultations and procedures, please call the office directly with your insurance information.

What is a cardiac catheterization or angiogram?

Cardiac catheterization, or angiogram, is a minimally invasive procedure used to diagnose and treat heart conditions. A thin tube (catheter) is guided to the heart to measure pressures and visualize the coronary arteries with dye, allowing identification of blockages.

What is the difference between a pacemaker and a defibrillator (ICD)?

A pacemaker helps regulate slow heartbeats by sending electrical signals to the heart. An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) monitors for dangerously fast heartbeats and can deliver a shock to restore a normal rhythm.

I've had fainting spells. How do you determine the cause?

Evaluating fainting involves a thorough investigation to rule out any serious cardiac causes. We use tools like EKGs, echocardiograms, tilt table tests, and heart rhythm monitors to pinpoint the underlying reason and ensure your safety.

What does a heart failure diagnosis mean?

A heart failure diagnosis means your heart isn't pumping blood as efficiently as it should. This is manageable with a combination of lifestyle changes and medications, allowing us to improve your heart function, reduce symptoms, and enhance your quality of life.

What is an echocardiogram?

An echocardiogram, or "echo," is a non-invasive ultrasound of the heart. Sound waves create moving pictures, allowing your cardiologist to assess the heart's size, shape, pumping function, and valve health.