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 empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Cardiovascular care, registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). Dr. Barakat's approach prioritizes prevention, understanding that your cardiologist is your primary partner in preventing heart disease and stroke. He collaborates 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. Please call (904) 388-1820 to schedule.

Dr. Barakat, a board-certified cardiologist with a special interest in electrophysiology, earned his medical degree from United Arab Emirates University. He is Board Certified in Cardiovascular Disease, Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology, and Internal Medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine. His commitment to collaborative, evidence-based medicine creates a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. He specializes in diagnosing all types of cardiovascular disease, including preventative care to manage high blood pressure and cholesterol, heart attack and stroke risk factors, AFib heart rhythm disorders, and congestive heart failure. Dr. Barakat provides consultations primarily in English.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Amr Barakat 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. Amr Barakat 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. Amr Barakat 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:

• Sinus Tachycardia: Experiencing a persistently rapid heartbeat (sinus tachycardia) warrants medical attention, as it could indicate a need for lifestyle changes or medication to reduce your risk of heart problems.
• Unstable Angina: Unstable angina signals a critical issue with your coronary arteries, making prompt diagnosis and treatment essential to avoid a heart attack or stroke.
• Atrial Flutter: Preventing serious heart complications like stroke starts with early detection of atrial flutter, a rapid heart rhythm that needs prompt medical attention.
• Cardiac Tamponade: Preventing heart damage that can lead to cardiac tamponade involves proactive management of conditions like pericarditis and prompt treatment of injuries affecting the heart's protective sac.
• Lipid Disorders: Untreated lipid disorders can significantly increase your chances of having a heart attack or stroke; proactive management is key to protecting your cardiovascular health.
• Rheumatic Tricuspid Disease: Managing rheumatic tricuspid disease effectively involves regular monitoring and often medication to control symptoms and prevent the disease from progressing, thereby ensuring a better quality of life.
• Mitral Valve Disease: Mitral valve disease, if detected early and managed properly, can prevent serious heart complications like heart failure and irregular heartbeats.
• Angina: Angina is chest pain or discomfort caused by reduced blood flow to the heart, and early recognition can help prevent a heart attack.
• Hypertensive Heart and Chronic Kidney Disease: Managing both high blood pressure and chronic kidney disease is vital for protecting your heart and kidneys; taking prescribed medications and following a healthy lifestyle can help prevent future health issues.
• Sinus Bradycardia: Sinus bradycardia is a slow heart rhythm that, if left unmanaged, can sometimes lead to dizziness or fainting, highlighting the importance of regular heart checkups for early detection and prevention of complications.
• Atherosclerosis: Atherosclerosis is a condition where cholesterol and other substances clog your arteries, making early detection and management crucial for preventing serious cardiovascular events.
• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA): Preventing a potentially fatal event, regular checkups help detect abdominal aortic aneurysms, a weakening of the aorta that, if left untreated, can rupture.

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. Amr Barakat 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: This procedure places a lead in your heart's left ventricle to help your heart pump effectively and prevent serious complications like stroke or heart failure, improving your overall cardiac health.
• Dobutamine Thallium Stress Test: A dobutamine thallium stress test helps your doctor assess your heart's ability to handle increased workload, identifying potential blockages that could lead to heart attack or stroke.
• 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.
• Arrhythmia Screening: Take a proactive step towards heart health with arrhythmia screening—it checks for abnormal heart rhythms that could indicate underlying conditions.
• Tilt_Testing: Tilt table testing helps doctors identify the cause of fainting or dizziness, potentially preventing serious heart-related complications.
• Cardiac Ultrasound: Protect your heart by getting a cardiac ultrasound – a non-invasive scan that provides detailed images of your heart's structure and function, aiding in the early diagnosis of heart conditions.
• Cardiac Myocardial Perfusion Imaging: As a proactive measure to maintain your cardiovascular health, cardiac myocardial perfusion imaging offers a detailed picture of your heart's blood supply, enabling early detection of coronary artery disease and reducing your risk of future heart events.
• Cardiac Catheterization (incl. Coronary Angiography): As a proactive step in managing your heart health, a cardiac catheterization provides detailed images of your heart's blood vessels, helping detect and treat issues that could lead to heart attack or stroke.
• Ablation for Cardiac Arrhythmias: Proactive heart health management includes exploring cardiac ablation, a treatment that helps prevent life-threatening arrhythmias and improves overall heart function.
• 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.
• Pharmacologic Nuclear Stress Test: To help prevent heart attacks and strokes, this test uses medication and imaging to assess your heart's response to stress, helping identify blockages or other issues that need attention.
• Electrocardiogram (EKG): Don't wait for symptoms; proactively assess your heart health with an EKG, a simple test that can detect underlying issues and help prevent serious cardiovascular events.

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. Amr Barakat 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 understanding the factors contributing to their rapid heartbeat and making healthy lifestyle changes, a patient significantly reduced their risk of heart problems, achieving a sense of peace and control over their health.
• By adhering to a proactive heart health plan, a patient significantly reduced their risk of unstable angina, gaining valuable peace of mind and renewed confidence in their well-being.

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. Amr Barakat:

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

A cardiologist is a medical expert specializing in 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 such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol needing expert management.

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

Your first visit with Dr. Barakat will be a comprehensive cardiovascular assessment. We will review your medical and family history, perform a physical exam, obtain an EKG, and discuss lifestyle and risk factors. This is the first step in creating 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. By proactively addressing these areas, you significantly improve your chances of a healthy heart.

How do you treat high blood pressure (hypertension)?

We aim to not only lower your blood pressure numbers, but also prevent long-term damage to your heart, brain, and kidneys. This involves foundational lifestyle changes like a heart-healthy diet and regular exercise, combined with medication when necessary to achieve a personalized target blood pressure.

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. Barakat uses medications and lifestyle changes to improve heart function and reduce symptoms like shortness of breath and swelling.

What is a calcium score screening?

A calcium score screening is a special CT scan of the heart that measures the amount of calcified plaque in the coronary arteries. It's a powerful preventive tool to help Dr. Barakat better understand your future risk of a heart attack and guide the intensity of your prevention strategy.

What is the difference between 'good' (HDL) and 'bad' (LDL) cholesterol?

Good" (HDL) cholesterol is helpful, carrying "bad" (LDL) cholesterol away from the body. "Bad" cholesterol, or LDL, is lousy because it builds up plaque in your arteries, potentially causing blockages. Dr. Barakat helps manage both types to prevent heart disease.

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 is performed through a catheter, leading to a much faster recovery for eligible patients.

1824 King St Ste 300
Jacksonville FL 32204
Phone: (904) 388-1820

Dr. Amr Barakat, 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): 1508270448

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. Amr Barakat 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.