Dr. Francisco Alvarado, MD

Dr. Francisco Alvarado, MD is a Cardiology specialist dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Cardiovascular care. He practices at his clinic in Atlantis, FL, and is a registered physician with The Florida Board of Medicine, practicing 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. Please call (561) 965-7300 to confirm if he is currently accepting new patients.

Dr. Francisco Alvarado, MD is a cardiologist in Atlantis, FL, affiliated with Lutheran Hospital of Indiana. He earned his medical degree from Florida Atlantic University and is Board Certified in Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology, Cardiovascular Disease, and Internal Medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine. He is committed to collaborative, evidence-based medicine, creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. Dr. Alvarado provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Pericardial Disease: Pericardial disease involves inflammation or infection of the sac surrounding your heart, and early detection through regular checkups can help prevent serious complications.
• Supraventricular Tachycardia: Experiencing a rapid heartbeat? Supraventricular tachycardia might be the cause, and understanding your risk factors helps you take proactive steps to prevent future episodes and protect your heart health.
• Systolic Heart Failure: Recognizing and addressing the symptoms of systolic heart failure early can significantly impact the disease's course, preserving your heart's function and preventing long-term health problems.
• Biventricular Heart Failure: Protecting your heart from biventricular heart failure involves understanding your risk factors and taking steps to manage them, such as following a healthy diet and exercising regularly, to avoid serious complications.
• Chronic Congestive Heart Failure: Chronic congestive heart failure, a serious condition, can be better managed through lifestyle changes and medication, thereby improving your heart's function and quality of life.
• Mitral Valve Disease: Mitral valve disease, a condition affecting the heart's valve, may be preventable or its progression slowed through lifestyle changes and proactive medical care.
• Third Degree Heart Block: Early identification of third-degree heart block, a condition where the heart's electrical signals are disrupted, is crucial in preventing life-threatening events like sudden cardiac arrest, showcasing the value of preventive cardiology strategies.
• Arrhythmias: Early detection of arrhythmias is key to preventing long-term heart damage and maintaining a healthy heart rhythm.
• 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.
• Sinus Bradycardia: Managing sinus bradycardia effectively involves understanding its potential risks and working with your doctor to minimize complications, improving your long-term heart health through preventative measures.
• Hypertensive Heart without Failure: A diagnosis of hypertensive heart disease (without failure) signals that high blood pressure is causing changes to your heart. It emphasizes the need for lifestyle changes and medical management to avoid future heart issues.
• Acute Coronary Syndrome: Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) is a serious heart condition requiring immediate medical attention, highlighting the importance of regular checkups and managing risk factors like high blood pressure and cholesterol to prevent it.

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

• Ablation for Cardiac Arrhythmias: As a preventative measure, consider cardiac ablation if you experience palpitations or irregular heartbeats; it can restore a normal heart rhythm.
• 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.
• Cardiac Catheterization with Robotic Assist: This procedure combines the precision of robotics with cardiac catheterization to provide detailed images of your heart, allowing for early detection of conditions like coronary artery disease and facilitating timely treatment.
• 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 Ultrasound: A cardiac ultrasound is a simple yet powerful tool for preventing serious heart problems; it helps identify potential issues like weakened heart muscles or abnormal blood flow before they worsen.
• Electrocardiogram (EKG): Protecting your future starts with an EKG, a non-invasive test that provides valuable insights into your heart's health, allowing for early diagnosis and treatment of heart disease.
• Peripheral Artery Catheterization: This procedure helps screen for potential blockages in your leg and foot arteries, allowing doctors to take steps to improve your circulation and reduce your risk of future complications.
• Tilt_Testing: Tilt table testing helps doctors identify the cause of fainting or dizziness, potentially preventing serious heart-related complications.
• Vascular Duplex Ultrasonography and Plethysmography: To proactively safeguard your heart health, consider a vascular duplex ultrasound and plethysmography; this non-invasive scan helps identify blockages or other issues in your arteries and veins before they become major problems.

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. Francisco Alvarado 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 proactive heart health plan, a patient was able to detect and address potential pericardial issues early, preventing more serious complications and maintaining a healthy heart.
• By understanding their risk factors and following a proactive health plan, a patient significantly reduced their chances of experiencing future episodes of supraventricular tachycardia, allowing them to live a healthier, more confident 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. Francisco Alvarado:

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 needing expert management.

What can I expect during my first visit with Dr. Francisco Alvarado?

Your first visit with Dr. Alvarado 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. These steps empower you to significantly reduce your risk of a heart attack.

How do you treat high blood pressure (hypertension)?

We aim to not just lower your blood pressure numbers, but also prevent long-term damage to your heart, brain, and kidneys. This involves foundational lifestyle changes like diet and exercise, and if needed, medication to safely reach a personalized target blood pressure.

What is the purpose of cardiac rehabilitation?

Cardiac rehabilitation is a medically supervised program of exercise and education designed to help patients recover from heart conditions like heart attacks, stents, or heart surgery. It strengthens the heart, reduces risk factors, and helps patients safely regain their confidence and quality of life.

What is a cardiac ablation procedure?

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

How is Peripheral Artery Disease (P.A.D.) related to heart disease?

Peripheral artery disease (P.A.D.) is caused by the same buildup of plaque (atherosclerosis) that leads to coronary artery disease, but it affects the arteries in the legs and feet. Having P.A.D. is a significant warning sign, as it indicates a very high risk of heart attack and stroke.

What is a heart murmur?

A heart murmur is an extra sound heard when listening to the heart. Many murmurs are innocent and harmless; Dr. Alvarado is an expert at determining the cause, often using an echocardiogram to see if the murmur is related to a heart valve problem needing monitoring or treatment.

5301 S Congress Ave
Atlantis FL 33462
Phone: (561) 965-7300

Dr. Francisco Alvarado, 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): 1295266740

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. Francisco Alvarado 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.