Dr. Joseph Alonso, MD

Dr. Joseph Alonso, MD is a Cardiology specialist practicing at Central Florida Heart Center - Ocala in Ocala, FL. He is a dedicated partner in preventive health, committed 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. Alonso understands the crucial role of early detection and risk management in preventing heart disease and stroke. He meticulously collaborates with each patient to create a personalized, long-term health plan, ensuring essential screenings and the effective management of 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) 789-6931 to schedule.

Dr. Joseph Alonso, MD, a 49-year-old cardiologist with 25 years of experience, practices in Ocala, FL, and is affiliated with HCA Florida West Marion Hospital, HCA Florida Ocala Hospital, and Munroe Regional Medical Center. He earned his medical degree from State University Of New York Upstate Medical University Norton College Of Medicine and is Board Certified in Cardiovascular Disease by the American Board of Internal Medicine. His approach to care is deeply rooted in collaborative, evidence-based medicine, ensuring a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. He is committed to providing personalized care, and for the convenience of his Spanish-speaking patients, Dr. Alonso offers consultations in Spanish.

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

• Tricuspid Valve Disease: Protecting your heart includes understanding and managing tricuspid valve disease; early diagnosis and treatment reduce your risk of significant cardiovascular issues.
• Prinzmetal Angina: Prinzmetal angina, a type of chest pain, is best prevented through early detection and management of risk factors like smoking and stress, to reduce the chance of heart attacks.
• Acute Endocarditis: Acute endocarditis, a dangerous heart infection, highlights the importance of proactive healthcare; regular checkups can help detect and manage risk factors before they lead to serious illness.
• Primary Pulmonary Hypertension: Because early diagnosis and treatment of primary pulmonary hypertension are essential to prevent life-threatening complications, regular health monitoring is vital.
• 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.
• Type 2 Heart Block - Mobitz: Understanding your risk for Mobitz type 2 heart block, a condition affecting the heart's rhythm, can help you work with your doctor to make lifestyle changes and manage your overall cardiovascular health effectively, preventing future heart problems.
• Heart Attack (NSTEMI): An NSTEMI, or a heart attack with partial blockage, emphasizes the need for early detection and intervention of cardiovascular risk factors to reduce the chances of future heart attacks and serious complications.
• Atherosclerosis of Aorta: Hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) in the aorta can lead to serious cardiovascular events. By adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle and working with your doctor to manage risk factors, you can actively prevent or delay this condition.
• Aortic Stenosis: Managing cardiovascular risk factors helps prevent aortic stenosis, a condition where your aortic valve doesn't open properly, restricting blood flow to your body and potentially causing heart damage over time.
• 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 and Chronic Kidney Disease: High blood pressure and chronic kidney disease often occur together, increasing your risk of heart attack and stroke; early detection and management are crucial for preventing serious complications.
• Hypertensive Chronic Kidney Disease: Protecting your heart and kidneys requires proactive management of high blood pressure, especially if you already have chronic kidney disease; regular monitoring and treatment are essential.

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

• 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.
• 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.
• Automatic Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) Implantation: Taking charge of your heart health, an ICD implantation helps prevent fatal arrhythmias by detecting and treating them automatically, ensuring your safety.
• Cardiac Catheterization (incl. Coronary Angiography): A cardiac catheterization helps doctors check your heart's arteries for blockages that could lead to a heart attack or stroke, allowing for early intervention and prevention.
• Treadmill Stress Test: Take charge of your cardiovascular health: a treadmill stress test provides valuable insights into your heart's response to stress, enabling early diagnosis and prevention of heart disease.
• Removal or Revision of Pacemaker or Cardioverter and-or Defibrillator: Regular assessment of your implanted cardiac device ensures its continued effectiveness in protecting against sudden cardiac arrest and other serious heart conditions.
• 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.
• Tilt Table Testing: As a diagnostic tool, tilt table testing can reveal whether heart-related issues are contributing to your symptoms, leading to early intervention and improved cardiovascular health.
• Tilt_Testing: To proactively address fainting spells or unexplained lightheadedness, a tilt table test can help determine if a heart condition is the underlying cause.
• Carotid Ultrasound: A carotid ultrasound is a painless test that uses sound waves to check for blockages in the arteries leading to your brain, helping prevent strokes.
• Pacemaker Insertion or Replacement: By ensuring a consistent heartbeat, pacemaker insertion or replacement can significantly improve your quality of life and decrease your risk of cardiovascular events.
• Cardiovascular Diagnostic Test: Take charge of your heart health with a cardiovascular diagnostic test; it screens for hidden conditions, helping you make informed lifestyle choices and reduce your risk of future heart disease.

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. Joseph Alonso 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 their risk factors and following a personalized plan, a patient proactively managed their tricuspid valve disease, significantly reducing the chance of serious heart problems and gaining peace of mind.
• By identifying and addressing stress triggers, a patient significantly reduced their risk of Prinzmetal angina episodes, achieving greater peace of mind and a healthier lifestyle.

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. Joseph Alonso:

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. Joseph Alonso?

Your first visit with Dr. Alonso 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 levels, not smoking, regular physical activity, and a heart-healthy diet are key preventive steps. By making these lifestyle choices, you empower yourself to significantly reduce your risk of a heart attack.

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 in the heart. 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 up to the heart.

What is a cardiac stress test?

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

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 that can be managed with medications and lifestyle changes, and Dr. Alonso will work with you to improve your heart function and reduce symptoms like shortness of breath and swelling.

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.

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. Joseph Alonso to assess the strength of the heart muscle, check the function of the heart valves, and detect structural problems.

Central Florida Heart Center - Ocala
3310 SW 34th St
Ocala FL 34474
Phone: (352) 789-6931

Dr. Joseph Alonso, 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): 1174553739

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. Joseph Alonso 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.