Dr. Joseph Balzano, MD

Dr. Joseph Balzano, MD is a Cardiology specializing in the proactive, comprehensive care of cardiovascular health at his clinic in Nokomis, FL. He is a registered member of The Florida Board of Medicine, practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). As a partner in preventive health on weprevent.org, Dr. Balzano is dedicated to empowering patients with a lifetime of wellness. 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 currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey. Call (941) 261-0160 to schedule.

Dr. Balzano's extensive background in cardiovascular care, coupled with his compassionate approach, makes him a trusted resource. With over 40 years of dedicated experience, he brings a wealth of clinical knowledge to his practice. He earned his medical degree from University Padova in 1984, followed by residency training in Cardiology at Brooklyn Hosp/Caledonian Ho (1987). He further specialized with fellowship training in Hackensack Medical Center, and Hackensach University Medical Center (1994), deepening his expertise in catheter-based treatment of ischemic heart disease. His specialties include vascular and endovascular medicine, cardiac and vascular ultrasound, cardiac stress testing, nuclear cardiology, echo cardiography, medical management of arrhythmias and permanent pacemaker implantation. He is Board Certified in Cardiovascular Disease by the American Board of Internal Medicine, and provides consultations primarily in English.

Dr. Balzano's 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 is dedicated to providing exceptional care, utilizing his expertise to proactively address cardiovascular health needs, and ensuring a positive patient experience.

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

• Unstable Angina: Unstable angina is a serious warning sign of potential heart attack, highlighting the importance of seeking immediate medical attention to prevent a life-threatening event.
• Prinzmetal Angina: Prinzmetal angina, a rare form of chest pain, highlights the importance of proactive cardiovascular health monitoring to catch and treat potential heart problems before they cause severe damage.
• Arrhythmias: An arrhythmia is an irregular heartbeat that, if detected early and managed properly, can help prevent serious heart problems like stroke or heart failure.
• Acute Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): Preventing DVT involves understanding your risk factors, such as prolonged immobility or surgery, and taking steps to reduce them, ensuring early detection and effective management to avoid severe complications.
• Aortic Embolism and Thrombosis: Regular check-ups and monitoring of cardiovascular health are essential for early detection of any underlying issues that can contribute to aortic embolism and thrombosis, allowing for prompt treatment and preventing serious consequences.
• Chronic Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): Chronic deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a serious condition where blood clots form in deep veins, often in the legs, increasing your risk of life-threatening complications like pulmonary embolism—preventative measures and early diagnosis are crucial.
• Noninfective Endocarditis: Noninfective endocarditis often stems from underlying heart conditions, emphasizing the importance of diligent cardiovascular health management to minimize this risk and its potential devastating effects.
• Atherosclerosis: Atherosclerosis is a condition where cholesterol and other substances clog your arteries, making early detection and management crucial for preventing serious cardiovascular events.
• Pulmonary Valve Disease: Protecting your heart involves understanding pulmonary valve disease, a condition that, when left untreated, can significantly impact your cardiovascular health.
• 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.
• Primary Pulmonary Hypertension: Primary pulmonary hypertension is a serious condition affecting blood flow to your lungs that often requires proactive management to reduce the risks of heart failure and other severe consequences.
• Atherosclerosis of Aorta: Protecting your aorta from atherosclerosis requires focusing on preventing and managing high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol. Early intervention is key in reducing the severity and long-term impact of this condition.

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

• Aortic Valve Surgery: Aortic valve surgery helps prevent life-threatening complications stemming from a narrowed or leaky aortic valve, improving your long-term cardiovascular health.
• 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.
• Pacemaker Insertion or Replacement: A pacemaker insertion or replacement helps regulate your heartbeat, preventing dangerous rhythms that can lead to stroke or heart failure.
• Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI): To keep your heart healthy, PCI can be used to clear blockages in your coronary arteries, helping prevent future cardiovascular events.
• Thrombolysis: To prevent devastating consequences of a blocked artery, thrombolysis uses medication to break up blood clots responsible for heart attacks and strokes, restoring blood flow to vital organs.
• Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement/Implantation (TAVR/TAVI): As a proactive measure against severe aortic valve disease, TAVR/TAVI is a procedure that helps improve blood flow to your body and reduces the likelihood of future heart-related events.
• 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.

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 Balzano 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 actively managing potential risk factors and following a proactive heart health plan, a patient significantly reduced the likelihood of developing unstable angina, fostering a sense of security and peace of mind.
• By diligently following a proactive cardiovascular health plan, a patient experienced reduced symptoms and significantly lowered their risk of future Prinzmetal angina episodes, fostering 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 Balzano:

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 requiring expert management.

What can I expect during my first visit with Dr. Joseph Balzano?

Your first visit with Dr. Balzano will be a comprehensive cardiovascular assessment. We'll review your medical and family history, perform a physical exam, and obtain an EKG. We'll also discuss lifestyle and risk factors to create 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. Know and manage your blood pressure and cholesterol, quit smoking, be physically active, and eat a heart-healthy diet. These actions empower you to significantly reduce your risk of a heart attack.

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. Balzano is an expert at determining the cause, often using an echocardiogram to see if the murmur is related to a heart valve problem that needs monitoring or treatment.

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. LDL cholesterol builds up plaque in your arteries, potentially leading to blockages. Dr. Balzano's practice helps manage both types of cholesterol to prevent heart disease.

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

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.

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

Peripheral artery disease (P.A.D.) is caused by the same process as coronary artery disease—atherosclerosis, or plaque buildup. However, P.A.D. affects the arteries in the legs and feet. Having P.A.D. is a significant warning sign, indicating a very high risk for heart attack and stroke.

200 Healthcare Way Unit 103
Nokomis FL 34275
Phone: (941) 261-0160

Dr. Joseph Balzano, 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): 1497765895

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 Balzano 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.