Dr. Aalok Patel, MD

Dr. Aalok Patel, MD is a Cardiology specializing in preventive cardiovascular care at his clinic in Ocala, FL. He is a dedicated partner in proactive health, registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). Your cardiologist is your primary partner in preventing heart disease and stroke, collaborating with you to create a long-term health plan, coordinate essential screenings, and manage cardiovascular risk factors for a lifetime of wellness. He serves all ages, focusing on proactive health and risk reduction, and is currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey. Call (352) 401-9888 to schedule.

Dr. Aalok Patel, MD is a cardiologist in Ocala, FL with over 10 years of experience in the medical field. He has extensive experience in Interventional Cardiac Procedures. He earned his medical degree from University Of Missouri, Kansas City Campus in 2010 and is Board Certified in Cardiovascular Disease, Internal Medicine, and Interventional Cardiology by the American Board of Internal Medicine. With over 10 years of dedicated experience in Cardiovascular care, he brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to his patients and their families. He is affiliated with AdventHealth Orlando and Oviedo Medical Center. He is accepting new patients and committed to collaborative, evidence-based medicine, empowering patients to take an active role in their health. Dr. Patel provides consultations primarily in English.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Aalok Patel is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on proactive strategies to protect and enhance your long-term health.

By working together, you and Dr. Aalok Patel can create a clear, actionable plan to address your unique risk factors and health goals.

A proactive approach to health involves understanding and managing potential risks. Dr. Aalok Patel provides expert care for a range of conditions, focusing on early detection and effective management to support your long-term wellness. Common areas of focus include:

• Second Degree Heart Block: Having a second-degree heart block means your heart's electrical system isn't working perfectly, leading to irregular heartbeats; proactive monitoring and treatment can significantly reduce your risk of stroke and other heart problems.
• Hypertensive Heart Disease: Hypertensive heart disease means your high blood pressure is damaging your heart, making prevention through blood pressure control crucial to avoid serious complications.
• Sick Sinus Syndrome: Sick sinus syndrome is a heart rhythm disorder where your heart's natural pacemaker doesn't work properly, making early detection and management crucial to prevent serious complications like fainting or heart failure.
• Sinus Tachycardia: While not always a cause for immediate concern, persistent sinus tachycardia highlights the importance of regular heart health check-ups and proactive risk assessment to prevent future cardiovascular events.
• Mitral Valve Disease: Early diagnosis of mitral valve disease is crucial, as treatment can significantly reduce the risk of stroke and other life-threatening events.
• Chronic Pulmonary Heart Diseases (incl. Pulmonary Hypertension): Protecting your heart starts with healthy lungs: managing chronic pulmonary diseases helps avoid future heart problems and complications.
• Atrial Fibrillation: Early diagnosis and control of atrial fibrillation are vital in reducing your chances of experiencing a stroke or other heart-related issues.
• Third Degree Heart Block: Preventing serious heart complications like stroke requires proactive management of conditions such as third-degree heart block, a rhythm disorder that disrupts the heart's coordinated beating, emphasizing the need for timely medical intervention.
• Tricuspid Valve Disease: Regular checkups are key to preventing heart problems; early detection of tricuspid valve disease allows for timely intervention and management to keep your heart strong.
• First Degree Heart Block: Understanding and managing first-degree heart block through regular monitoring and healthy lifestyle choices can significantly reduce your risk of developing more severe arrhythmias.
• Acute Coronary Syndrome: Acute Coronary Syndrome is a time-sensitive medical event, emphasizing the need for proactive cardiovascular health management to lessen the likelihood of developing this potentially life-threatening condition.
• Atrial Septal Defect: An atrial septal defect (ASD) is a hole in the heart's upper chambers that may go unnoticed, emphasizing the importance of regular cardiac screenings and timely intervention to avert future complications.

This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes only. The best way to understand your personal health and create a prevention plan is to schedule a consultation. Accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plans are developed based on individual patient evaluations.

Taking proactive steps is central to long-term health. Dr. Aalok Patel offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Insertion of Left Ventricular Lead for Pacemaker or Cardioverter and Defibrillator: As a proactive step toward a healthier heart, this procedure implants a device that monitors your heart's rhythm and can deliver shocks to correct potentially life-threatening irregularities.
• Cardiac Catheterization (incl. Coronary Angiography): To proactively safeguard your heart health, a cardiac catheterization uses special imaging to detect narrowed or blocked arteries, enabling timely treatment and reducing your risk of future cardiovascular events.
• Aortic Valve Surgery: Aortic valve surgery is a procedure to repair or replace a damaged aortic valve, improving blood flow to your body and reducing your risk of heart failure and stroke.
• Tilt_Testing: Taking a proactive step toward better heart health, a tilt table test can help rule out heart rhythm issues that cause fainting or dizziness.
• Automatic Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) Implantation: For individuals at high risk of sudden cardiac death, an ICD implantation serves as a crucial preventative measure, continuously monitoring and correcting heart rhythm problems.
• Vascular Duplex Ultrasonography and Plethysmography: Take charge of your cardiovascular health with a vascular duplex ultrasound and plethysmography. This simple test provides crucial insights into your circulatory system, enabling early detection of conditions that could lead to a stroke or heart attack.
• Cardiac Myocardial Perfusion Imaging: Cardiac myocardial perfusion imaging is a non-invasive scan that helps doctors assess how well blood flows to your heart muscle, allowing for early detection of potential heart problems and preventing future heart attacks or strokes.
• Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair: Transcatheter mitral valve repair is a minimally invasive procedure that helps restore proper blood flow through your heart's mitral valve, reducing your risk of heart failure and improving your quality of life.
• Peripheral Artery Catheterization: As a preventative measure, peripheral artery catheterization helps identify blockages in your leg and foot arteries, enabling timely treatment to reduce your risk of stroke and heart attack.
• Impella Device: If you're facing a complex heart procedure, the Impella device acts as a temporary support system to enhance blood circulation, aiding your heart's performance during the surgery and recovery.
• Electrocardiogram (EKG): An EKG is a crucial preventative measure for identifying silent heart conditions before they cause symptoms, giving you the opportunity to take proactive steps to prevent heart attacks and strokes.
• Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement/Implantation (TAVR/TAVI): To proactively manage your heart health, consider TAVR/TAVI if you have a severely narrowed aortic valve; it's a life-enhancing procedure that helps restore normal heart function.

Service availability can change, and not all services listed may be appropriate for every patient. For a comprehensive understanding of all available services and to create your personalized screening plan, please schedule a consultation.

All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for Cardiology in Florida.

Dr. Aalok Patel is dedicated to partnering with Caregivers to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how a proactive approach can make a tangible difference in a Patient's life:

• By diligently following a proactive heart health plan, a patient significantly reduced their risk of developing second-degree heart block, gaining peace of mind about their heart's well-being.
• By diligently managing blood pressure with a proactive health plan, a patient significantly reduced the risk of developing hypertensive heart disease, gaining peace of mind and a healthier outlook on life.

These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results may vary and depend on many factors specific to each patient. He will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.

Here are answers to some common questions about proactive Cardiovascular care with Dr. Aalok Patel:

What is a Cardiologist, and when should I see one?

A cardiologist is a medical specialist who diagnoses and treats conditions of the heart and blood vessels. You should see a cardiologist if you experience symptoms like chest pain or shortness of breath, have a family history of heart disease, or have risk factors like high blood pressure or high cholesterol that need expert management.

What can I expect during my first visit with Dr. Aalok Patel?

Your first visit with Dr. Patel will be a comprehensive cardiovascular assessment. We will review your medical and family history, perform a physical exam, and obtain an EKG. We'll also discuss your lifestyle and risk factors to create a personalized heart health plan for you.

What are the most important things I can do to prevent a heart attack?

Taking control of your cardiovascular health is achievable. Knowing and managing your blood pressure and cholesterol, not smoking, regular physical activity, and a heart-healthy diet are key preventive steps. These actions empower you to significantly reduce your risk of a heart attack.

What is a TAVR procedure?

TAVR, or Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement, is a groundbreaking, minimally invasive procedure to replace a narrowed aortic valve. Unlike traditional open-heart surgery, TAVR uses a catheter, leading to a much faster recovery for eligible patients.

How do you treat high blood pressure (hypertension)?

We strive to not just lower your blood pressure numbers, but to prevent long-term damage to your heart, brain, and kidneys. This involves a two-pronged approach: we start with foundational lifestyle changes like diet and exercise, and add medication when needed to safely reach a personalized target blood pressure.

What is an echocardiogram?

An echocardiogram, or "echo," is a safe and painless ultrasound of the heart. It uses sound waves to create moving pictures of the heart, allowing Dr. Patel to assess the strength of the heart muscle, check the function of the heart valves, and detect structural problems.

What is a stent, and how is it placed?

A stent is a tiny, wire-mesh tube that acts as a scaffold to prop open a blocked artery. It's placed during a minimally invasive procedure, called an angioplasty, where a catheter is guided through a blood vessel in the wrist or groin to the heart.

What is heart failure?

Heart failure means the heart isn't pumping blood as efficiently as it should, not that it has stopped working. It's a chronic condition, but manageable. Dr. Patel will work with you to use medications and lifestyle changes to improve your heart function and reduce symptoms like shortness of breath and swelling.

1609 SW 17th St
Ocala FL 34471
Phone: (352) 401-9888

Dr. Aalok Patel, MD is regulated by the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice) in Florida and is licensed by The Florida Board of Medicine.

National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1265759898

Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.

The information on this profile, provided by weprevent.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with preventive health partners. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the physician named. Cardiology like Dr. Aalok Patel are skilled in helping patients create proactive health plans. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. It is always recommended to maintain open communication with your cardiology about all aspects of your health and your personalized prevention plan.