Dr. Julio Perez-Downes, DO

Dr. Julio Perez-Downes, DO is a Cardiology specialist practicing at his clinic in Jacksonville, 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 Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), Dr. Perez-Downes is affiliated with Mayo Clinic In Florida and welcomes new patients to embark on a journey toward optimal cardiovascular 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. Dr. Perez-Downes serves all ages, focusing on proactive health and risk reduction. He 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 is currently accepting new patients and can be reached at (904) 914-5758 to schedule an appointment. Dr. Julio Perez-Downes, DO, a cardiologist in Jacksonville, FL, is dedicated to collaborative, evidence-based medicine, creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. Dr. Perez-Downes primarily provides consultations in English.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Julio Perez-Downes 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. Julio Perez-Downes 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. Julio Perez-Downes 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:

• Chronic Pulmonary Heart Diseases (incl. Pulmonary Hypertension): Don't underestimate the link between your lungs and your heart: proactive care for chronic pulmonary diseases is key to preventing cardiovascular issues.
• Chest Pain: Chest pain might indicate a need for lifestyle changes or medical interventions to manage your cardiovascular risk factors and prevent future heart problems.
• Aortic Ectasia: Aortic ectasia is a widening of the aorta, your body's largest artery, and early detection through regular checkups can help prevent serious complications like aortic dissection.
• 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.
• Heart Disease: Protecting your heart starts with understanding heart disease—a range of conditions affecting your heart's ability to function properly—and proactively managing risk factors like high blood pressure and cholesterol.
• Hypertensive Heart and Chronic Kidney Disease: Hypertension and chronic kidney disease are interconnected conditions that can damage your heart and kidneys; proactive care, including medication and diet changes, is vital to prevent further harm.
• 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.
• Mitral Valve Regurgitation: Early detection of mitral valve regurgitation is crucial for preventing its progression and reducing your risk of heart failure and stroke.
• Type 2 Heart Block - Mobitz: Managing Mobitz type 2 heart block through consistent monitoring and treatment minimizes the risk of further heart complications and ensures your heart health stays stable.
• Congestive Heart Failure: Regular check-ups and attention to your overall heart health are vital for early detection of congestive heart failure, allowing for timely intervention and preventing further damage.
• Tricuspid Valve Disease: Protecting your heart includes understanding and managing tricuspid valve disease; early diagnosis and treatment reduce your risk of significant cardiovascular issues.
• Subacute Endocarditis: Preventing subacute endocarditis involves diligent hygiene practices, prompt treatment of infections, and regular monitoring for those with heart conditions or a history of intravenous drug use, protecting heart health.

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. Julio Perez-Downes 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: Cardiac ablation is a procedure that precisely targets and corrects abnormal electrical pathways in your heart, reducing your risk of serious heart events.
• Automatic Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) Implantation: For individuals at high risk of sudden cardiac death, an ICD implantation serves as a crucial preventative measure, continuously monitoring and correcting heart rhythm problems.
• 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.
• 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.
• Cardiac Myocardial Perfusion Imaging: Take a proactive step toward a healthier heart with myocardial perfusion imaging. This test visually assesses blood flow to your heart muscle, facilitating early diagnosis and treatment of conditions that could cause heart attacks or strokes.
• Cardiac Ultrasound: This heart screening uses sound waves to create pictures of your heart, allowing doctors to assess its health, detect abnormalities early on, and implement preventative measures.
• Cardioversion: Cardioversion is a procedure that uses electrical shocks to restore a normal heart rhythm, helping prevent strokes and other complications from irregular heartbeats.
• 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.
• Insertion of Left Ventricular Lead for Pacemaker or Cardioverter and Defibrillator: To safeguard against life-threatening heart conditions, a small lead is inserted into your heart's left ventricle to accurately detect and address irregular heartbeats.
• Tilt_Testing: As a preventative measure, tilt table testing can assess your risk of syncope (fainting), which could be linked to underlying heart problems.
• 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. Julio Perez-Downes 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 the potential connection between lung health and heart health, a patient proactively managed their condition, reducing the risk of future complications and gaining peace of mind. Regular checkups and lifestyle changes empowered them to confidently face the future.
• By understanding their chest pain triggers and adopting a heart-healthy diet and exercise plan, a patient significantly reduced their risk of future heart problems, gaining a renewed sense of well-being.

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. Julio Perez-Downes:

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 specialized management.

What can I expect during my first visit with Dr. Julio Perez-Downes?

Your first visit with Dr. Perez-Downes will be a comprehensive cardiovascular assessment, including a review of your medical and family history, a physical exam, an EKG, and a discussion of lifestyle and risk factors. This is the first step in creating a personalized heart health plan tailored to your specific needs.

What are the most important things I can do to prevent a heart attack?

Taking control of your cardiovascular health involves managing blood pressure and cholesterol, avoiding smoking, staying active, and eating a heart-healthy diet. These proactive steps empower you to significantly reduce your risk of a heart attack. We're here to support you every step of the way.

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, but manageable. Dr. Perez-Downes uses medications and lifestyle changes to improve heart function and reduce symptoms like shortness of breath and swelling.

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

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 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 Atrial Fibrillation (AFib), and is it dangerous?

Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a common type of irregular and often rapid heartbeat. While the irregular rhythm itself isn't usually life-threatening, it significantly increases the risk of stroke. Dr. Perez-Downes is an expert in managing AFib with medications and procedures to control the rhythm and prevent strokes.

4500 San Pablo Rd S
Jacksonville FL 32224
Phone: (904) 914-5758

Dr. Julio Perez-Downes, DO 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): 1194110320

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. Julio Perez-Downes 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.