Dr. Chris Finton, MD

Dr. Chris Finton, MD is a Cardiology specialist at Treasure Coast Thoracic Surgeons in Melbourne, FL, dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Cardiovascular care. He is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the 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 committed to a collaborative, evidence-based approach to care, ensuring a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. Please call (321) 434-5396 to confirm if Dr. Finton is currently accepting new patients.

Dr. Chris Finton, MD is a cardiologist in Melbourne, FL with over 45 years of experience in the medical field. He graduated from the University of Florida in 1978 and earned his medical degree from the same institution. With this extensive experience, he brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to his patients and their families. Dr. Finton is Board Certified in Cardiovascular Disease by the American Board of Internal Medicine, and Board Certified in Internal Medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine. He offers consultations in German.

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

• Sick Sinus Syndrome: Managing sick sinus syndrome, a condition affecting your heart's rhythm, is vital for preventing potentially life-threatening events through proactive healthcare and medication if needed.
• First Degree Heart Block: Although often asymptomatic, first-degree heart block is a condition best addressed through regular check-ups to prevent future cardiac complications.
• Syncope: Syncope, or fainting, can be a sign of an underlying heart problem, so seeking medical attention promptly is crucial for preventing serious complications.
• Heart Attack (Acute Myocardial Infarction): Managing cardiovascular risk factors like high blood pressure and cholesterol effectively lowers your chances of experiencing a heart attack, preserving your heart health.
• Cardiomegaly: Preventing heart disease often involves monitoring for cardiomegaly, as an enlarged heart can indicate increased cardiovascular risk and the need for lifestyle changes or medical intervention.
• Pulmonary Hypertension: Preventive care is crucial for pulmonary hypertension: by addressing this condition early, you can significantly improve your long-term heart health and quality of life.
• Congestive Heart Failure: Preventing heart disease includes understanding CHF, a condition where your heart weakens and struggles to pump efficiently, increasing your risk for serious complications – making proactive health management crucial.
• 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.
• Arrhythmias: Early detection of arrhythmias is key to preventing long-term heart damage and maintaining a healthy heart rhythm.
• Chronic Pulmonary Heart Diseases (incl. Pulmonary Hypertension): Pulmonary hypertension and other chronic lung diseases put extra pressure on your heart; regular checkups and treatment are vital for heart health.
• Wolff-Parkinson-White Pattern: A Wolff-Parkinson-White pattern is a heart condition identified by an unusual pattern on an electrocardiogram (ECG), and understanding this pattern helps us prevent future episodes of rapid heartbeats and potential heart damage.
• Congenital Heart Defects: Congenital heart defects are heart problems present at birth, and early detection through prenatal care and newborn screenings can help prevent serious complications later in life.

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

• Pharmacologic Nuclear Stress Test: By taking a pharmacologic nuclear stress test, you're taking a proactive step towards preventing future cardiovascular events by identifying potential blockages or weaknesses in your heart's blood vessels.
• Cardiovascular Stress Test: Take a proactive step towards heart health with a cardiovascular stress test; it checks how well your heart functions during physical activity to identify hidden risks of heart disease or stroke.
• Cardiovascular Diagnostic Test: Gain valuable insights into your cardiovascular health with a diagnostic test, which helps identify risk factors and guide personalized strategies to prevent heart issues.
• 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.
• 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.
• Peripheral Arterial Disease Screening (PAD): Protecting yourself from heart disease starts with a PAD screening, which checks for blockages in your leg arteries that could signal wider circulatory problems.
• Nuclear Stress Testing: As part of your heart health journey, a nuclear stress test provides a detailed look at your heart's function during exercise, helping to detect potential problems and prevent serious events like strokes.
• Dobutamine Thallium Stress Test: As part of your heart health journey, a dobutamine thallium stress test can reveal if your heart is getting enough blood, enabling early detection and management of potential problems.
• 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.
• Coronary Angiogram: For comprehensive heart health assessment, a coronary angiogram helps identify narrowed or blocked arteries, allowing for prompt treatment to prevent future heart attacks, strokes, or other life-threatening events.
• Structural Heart Disease Evaluations and Treatment: Take control of your heart health by scheduling a structural heart disease evaluation; it helps identify structural issues, enabling early intervention and a better prognosis.
• Arrhythmia Screening: Take a proactive step towards heart health with arrhythmia screening—it checks for abnormal heart rhythms that could indicate underlying conditions.

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. Chris Finton 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 attending regular checkups and following a personalized proactive health plan, a patient successfully managed their sick sinus syndrome, significantly reducing the risk of serious heart rhythm issues and enjoying a more stable, healthy life.
• By adhering to a proactive heart health plan, including regular check-ups, a patient gained valuable peace of mind, knowing they were proactively managing their risk of future cardiac complications.

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. Chris Finton:

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

A cardiologist is a medical doctor specializing in the heart and blood vessels. You should see a cardiologist if you experience symptoms such as chest pain or shortness of breath, have a family history of heart disease, or have risk factors like high blood pressure or high cholesterol needing specialized management.

What can I expect during my first visit with Dr. Chris Finton?

Your first visit with Dr. Finton will be a comprehensive cardiovascular assessment. We'll review your medical and family history, conduct 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 within your reach. Knowing and managing your blood pressure and cholesterol, not smoking, regular physical activity, and a heart-healthy diet are key. These proactive steps empower you to significantly lower your risk of a heart attack.

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. Finton better understand your future risk of a heart attack and guide the intensity of your prevention strategy.

How do you treat high blood pressure (hypertension)?

We aim to treat high blood pressure not just by lowering numbers, but by preventing long-term damage to your heart, brain, and kidneys. Our approach involves foundational lifestyle changes like diet and exercise, and we'll add medication when needed to safely reach a personalized target blood pressure.

What is a cardiac stress test?

A cardiac stress test evaluates how your heart performs during physical activity. You walk on a treadmill while your EKG and blood pressure are monitored. It's a key non-invasive tool to detect potential blockages in the coronary arteries.

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 to the heart.

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

LDL, or "lousy" cholesterol, builds up plaque in your arteries, potentially causing blockages. HDL, or "healthy" cholesterol, helps remove LDL from your body. Dr. Finton's practice helps manage both to prevent heart disease.

Treasure Coast Thoracic Surgeons
1355 Hickory St Ste 202
Melbourne FL 32901
Phone: (321) 434-5396

Dr. Chris Finton, 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): 1932149960

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. Chris Finton 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.