Dr. Arwa Saidi, MD

Dr. Arwa Saidi, MD is a Cardiology specialist at UF Health Congenital Heart Center in Gainesville, FL, dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Cardiovascular care. Registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), she is a trusted partner in preventive health. 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. She serves all ages, focusing on proactive health and risk reduction, and is currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey. Call (352) 273-7770 to schedule.

With over 35 years of dedicated experience in Cardiovascular care, Dr. Saidi brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to her patients and their families. She earned her medical degree from the Royal College P&S of Ireland in 1988, completing an internship and then a fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine, further specializing in Cardiology. She is Board Certified in Adult Congenital Heart Disease, Internal Medicine, Pediatric Cardiology, and Pediatrics, by the American Board of Internal Medicine, the American Board of Pediatrics, demonstrating her comprehensive expertise. Dr. Saidi, a physician at the UF Health Congenital Heart Center, is also board-certified in Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Pediatric Cardiology, and Adult Congenital Heart Disease. She offers consultations in Arabic.

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

• Heart Disease: Heart disease encompasses various conditions impacting your heart's health, making proactive prevention through healthy habits and timely medical interventions vital for a longer, healthier life.
• Hypertensive Heart with Failure: Having high blood pressure that's led to heart failure emphasizes the critical need for early detection and control of hypertension to protect your heart and prevent this serious condition.
• Primary Pulmonary Hypertension: Managing primary pulmonary hypertension effectively involves regular check-ups and medication to lower your lung blood pressure, thus preventing further damage to your heart and lungs.
• Hypotension: While high blood pressure is commonly known, low blood pressure (hypotension) can also be a risk factor for dizziness and falls, highlighting the importance of regular check-ups.
• Aortic Dissection: Aortic dissection is a serious tear in the aorta, your body's largest artery, and early detection through regular checkups and awareness of risk factors is crucial for preventing life-threatening complications.
• Ventricular Septal Defect: A ventricular septal defect is a birth defect involving a hole in the heart's lower chambers; proper management and monitoring can significantly reduce the risk of future heart-related complications.
• Septic Embolism: A septic embolism, a serious complication of infection, can damage your heart and increase your risk of stroke, highlighting the importance of prompt infection treatment to protect your cardiovascular health.
• Hypertensive Chronic Kidney Disease: Having both high blood pressure and chronic kidney disease significantly increases your risk of heart problems and stroke; managing both conditions is crucial for preventing serious complications.
• Congenital Aortic Valve Disorders: Managing a congenital aortic valve disorder involves proactive steps to reduce strain on the heart and prevent future heart problems, improving your long-term cardiovascular health.
• Acute Endocarditis: Protecting your heart from acute endocarditis involves understanding your risks and taking steps like practicing good oral hygiene to reduce the risk of infection spreading to your heart.
• Pulmonary Hypertension: Pulmonary hypertension, if left untreated, can lead to heart and lung damage; proactive management and regular monitoring are essential for preventing irreversible harm.
• Atherosclerosis: Managing atherosclerosis effectively means proactively lowering your risk of heart attack and stroke through lifestyle changes and medical intervention.

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. Arwa Saidi offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Cardiac Catheterization with Robotic Assist: Cardiac catheterization with robotic assist is a minimally invasive procedure that helps doctors visualize your heart's blood vessels to detect blockages early, preventing future heart attacks or strokes.
• Mitral Valve Repair: Take control of your heart health: mitral valve repair is a procedure that fixes a damaged mitral valve, reducing your risk of heart failure and stroke.
• Treadmill Stress Test: A treadmill stress test helps your doctor assess your heart's health under exertion, allowing for early detection of potential heart problems and helping prevent future heart attacks or strokes.
• Pulmonary Valve Graft: A pulmonary valve graft is a proactive surgery to replace a damaged pulmonary valve, helping prevent heart failure and improving blood flow to the lungs.
• Cardiac Imaging: Cardiac imaging uses advanced technology like X-rays, ultrasounds, or CT scans to create detailed pictures of your heart and blood vessels, helping doctors detect problems early and prevent serious heart conditions like heart attacks and strokes.
• Cardiac Catheterization (incl. Coronary Angiography): Cardiac catheterization allows doctors to accurately assess the health of your coronary arteries, helping prevent future heart attacks and strokes by enabling early detection of blockages and enabling appropriate treatment.
• Automatic Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) Implantation: As a proactive measure against life-threatening heart rhythm disturbances, an ICD is implanted to monitor and correct irregular heartbeats, potentially saving your life.
• Tilt Table Testing: This test helps doctors understand if changes in blood pressure or heart rate are causing your symptoms, allowing for proactive management of heart health.
• Coronary Angiogram: As part of your preventative care, a coronary angiogram offers a clear picture of your heart's blood flow, helping your doctor develop a personalized plan to manage your cardiovascular risk factors.
• Cardiac Myocardial Perfusion Imaging: To proactively safeguard your heart health, a myocardial perfusion imaging test provides detailed pictures of your heart's blood flow, aiding in the early diagnosis of blockages that could lead to serious cardiovascular events.
• Arrhythmia Screening: Take a proactive step towards heart health with arrhythmia screening—it checks for abnormal heart rhythms that could indicate underlying conditions.
• Nuclear Stress Testing: Nuclear stress testing is a safe and effective way to proactively check your heart's health and help prevent future heart attacks or strokes by detecting blockages in your arteries.

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. Arwa Saidi 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 adhering to a personalized heart-healthy plan, a patient reduced their risk factors for heart disease, gaining confidence in their ability to proactively manage their well-being.
• By proactively managing blood pressure through lifestyle changes and regular check-ups, a patient significantly reduced their risk of developing hypertensive heart failure, ensuring a healthier future.

These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results may vary and depend on many factors specific to each patient. She 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. Arwa Saidi:

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 like high blood pressure or high cholesterol that require expert management.

What can I expect during my first visit with Dr. Arwa Saidi?

Your first visit with Dr. Saidi will be a comprehensive cardiovascular assessment. We will review your medical and family history, conduct a physical exam, perform 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 within your reach. 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 empower yourself to significantly reduce your risk of a heart attack.

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 often involves foundational lifestyle changes like diet and exercise, and when needed, we safely add medication to achieve a personalized target blood pressure.

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.

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

Good" (HDL) cholesterol is like a helpful scavenger, removing "lousy" (LDL) cholesterol from your body. "Lousy" cholesterol builds up plaque in your arteries, potentially causing blockages. Dr. Saidi helps manage both types to prevent heart disease.

What is a cardiac ablation procedure?

Cardiac ablation is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat certain types of fast heart rhythms. A specialist uses catheters to pinpoint and eliminate the problematic heart tissue using heat or cold energy, often resolving the arrhythmia.

What is a pacemaker, and who needs one?

A pacemaker is a small electronic device implanted under the skin to help regulate a slow or irregular heartbeat. It's needed when the heart's natural electrical system isn't working correctly, ensuring the heart beats at a proper, steady rate.

UF Health Congenital Heart Center
1600 SW Archer Rd
Gainesville FL 32610
Phone: (352) 273-7770

Dr. Arwa Saidi, 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): 1063473585

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. Arwa Saidi 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.