Dr. Bharath Rathakrishnan, MD

About Dr. Bharath Rathakrishnan, MD

Dr. Bharath Rathakrishnan, MD is a Cardiology specialist dedicated to providing high-quality, comprehensive, and patient-centered Cardiovascular care at his clinic in South Miami, FL. He is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). He is committed to providing 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, and they can schedule an appointment by calling (305) 666-4633.

Dr. Rathakrishnan is a board-certified cardiologist specializing in interventional and structural cardiology. His passion lies in improving patients' quality of life and long-term outcomes through minimally-invasive procedures. He is highly skilled in transradial percutaneous coronary interventions, utilizing intravascular imaging for optimal results with coronary stenting, and performing complex interventional procedures including rotational atherectomy, intravascular lithotripsy, and mechanical circulatory support. His expertise also extends to structural heart interventions, such as transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), mitral valve repair with MitraClip, and closure of Patent Foramen Ovale and Atrial Septal Defects. He is Board Certified in Cardiovascular Disease, Internal Medicine, and Interventional Cardiology by the American Board of Internal Medicine. His aim is to understand patients' goals and wishes and make decisions about their treatment plan together. Dr. Rathakrishnan provides consultations primarily in English.

Cardiovascular Conditions Addressed

Dr. Bharath Rathakrishnan addresses a wide range of Cardiovascular health concerns, including:

• Primary Pulmonary Hypertension: Primary pulmonary hypertension is a type of high blood pressure affecting the arteries in your lungs, requiring specialized medical attention.
• Peripheral Vascular Disease (PAD: Peripheral vascular disease (PAD) is a condition where blood vessels outside of the heart and brain become narrowed, reducing blood flow to the limbs.
• Systolic Heart Failure: Systolic heart failure means your heart's lower chambers can't pump enough blood out to your body.
• Aortic Ectasia: Aortic ectasia is a widening of the aorta, the body's largest artery.
• 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.
• Hypertensive Heart with Failure: High blood pressure is causing your heart to not function properly, resulting in heart failure.
• Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO): A PFO is a flap-like opening between the two upper chambers of the heart that may not close completely after birth.
• Congestive Heart Failure: In congestive heart failure, fluid builds up in your lungs and other parts of your body because your heart isn't pumping strongly enough.
• Angina: Experiencing angina means you should seek immediate medical attention as it could indicate a serious heart problem.
• Acute Coronary Syndrome: This refers to a range of heart emergencies, including heart attacks, where the heart muscle doesn't get enough oxygen.
• Mitral Valve Regurgitation: Your heart's mitral valve may not be closing properly, causing blood to flow in the wrong direction; this is called mitral valve regurgitation.
• Pericardial Disease: Pericardial disease encompasses various disorders that impact the pericardium's function and structure.

Please note: This list highlights some common health concerns that Dr. Bharath Rathakrishnan 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. Bharath Rathakrishnan offers a range of services to support your Patient's health and well-being, such as:

• Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement/Implantation (TAVR/TAVI): TAVR/TAVI involves placing a new aortic heart valve into the existing valve using a catheter guided by imaging, improving blood flow through the heart.
• Chest CT (incl. Heart and Lungs): This service provides a detailed X-ray image of your chest, heart, and lungs.
• Structural Heart Disease Evaluations and Treatment: If you have a heart condition related to the physical structure of your heart, this covers its diagnosis and treatment.
• Pharmacologic Stress Test: This test uses medicine to simulate exercise and evaluate your heart's response to stress.
• Dobutamine Thallium Stress Test: During a dobutamine thallium stress test, you'll receive a medication to increase your heart rate while images of your heart are taken, allowing doctors to assess its function.
• Valve Repair or Replacement (Aortic: Our cardiovascular service provides expert care for aortic valve repair or replacement.
• Stress Test: This stress test evaluates your heart's response to exertion.
• Cardiac Catheterization with Robotic Assist: Robotic assistance improves the accuracy and precision of cardiac catheterization, a procedure to diagnose and treat heart disease.
• Arrhythmia Screening: An arrhythmia screening involves tests to see if your heart beats too fast, too slow, or irregularly.
• Electrocardiogram (EKG): An electrocardiogram (EKG) is a simple test that measures the electrical activity of your heart to check for rhythm problems and other heart conditions.
• Mitral Valve Repair: If your mitral valve isn't working correctly, mitral valve repair surgery can help improve blood flow and heart function.
• Automatic Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) Implantation: An automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is a small device implanted under the skin to detect and correct dangerously fast heartbeats.

Please note: This list highlights some of the key services that may be offered by Dr. Bharath Rathakrishnan. 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. Bharath Rathakrishnan:

What is a Cardiologist?

A cardiologist is a medical doctor specializing in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of heart and blood vessel diseases. They are experts in conditions such as coronary artery disease, heart failure, arrhythmias, and high blood pressure.

What should I expect during my first visit with Dr. Bharath Rathakrishnan?

Your first visit with Dr. Rathakrishnan will include a detailed review 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 discussed based on your individual needs.

Does Dr. Bharath Rathakrishnan accept my insurance?

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

Why do I need to wear a Holter or event monitor?

A Holter or event monitor is a portable EKG device worn for one or more days to record your heart's rhythm during normal daily activities. This helps us detect arrhythmias that might not show up during a standard office EKG.

What does a heart failure diagnosis mean?

A heart failure diagnosis means your heart isn't pumping as efficiently as it should. We'll work together on a personalized management plan, combining lifestyle changes and medications to improve your heart function, reduce symptoms, and enhance your quality of life.

What is a cardiac stress test?

A cardiac stress test evaluates how your heart functions during physical activity. It involves walking on a treadmill or riding a stationary bike while connected to an EKG machine. This helps diagnose coronary artery disease and assess your heart's performance under exertion.

How does Dr. Bharath Rathakrishnan treat high blood pressure (hypertension)?

Dr. Rathakrishnan's approach to high blood pressure involves a comprehensive strategy. This includes personalized lifestyle counseling on diet, exercise, and stress reduction, as well as prescribing medications when necessary. The goal is to achieve and maintain healthy blood pressure levels to prevent future complications.

Does Dr. Bharath Rathakrishnan perform bypass surgery (CABG)?

Dr. Rathakrishnan, as a cardiologist, diagnoses coronary artery disease and performs procedures like stenting. If bypass surgery (CABG) is necessary, he will refer you to a qualified cardiac surgeon and work closely with them throughout your care.