Dr. Mahfouz El Shahawy, MD

Dr. Mahfouz El Shahawy, MD is a Cardiology specialist at the Cardiovascular Center of Sarasota in Sarasota, 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. He is currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey; please call (941) 392-4531 to schedule.

Dr. Mahfouz El Shahawy, MD is a cardiologist in Sarasota, FL with over 60 years of experience in the medical field. He graduated from the University of Vienna in 1962 and is affiliated with HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital. He is accepting new patients and telehealth appointments. With over 60 years of dedicated experience in cardiovascular care, he brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to his patients and their families. His education includes a medical degree from the University of Vienna (1962), an internship at Flushing Hospital (1966), and residency training in Cardiology at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, Mayo Grad School Med/Mayo Fndn, and Med College of Ga Hospital and Clinic. He further specialized with fellowship training at Medical College of Georgia Hospital and Clinic, and Mayo Clinic-Rochester (1971), deepening his expertise in the comprehensive medical care of all ages. 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 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. Mahfouz Shahawy offers consultations in Arabic.

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

• Congenital Heart Defects: Understanding and addressing congenital heart defects from birth is a cornerstone of preventive cardiology, minimizing the risk of debilitating heart conditions later in life.
• Supraventricular Tachycardia: Supraventricular tachycardia is a heart rhythm disorder that can be managed effectively to lower your risk of stroke and other cardiovascular issues, highlighting the importance of proactive heart health.
• Atrial Flutter: Atrial flutter is a type of irregular heartbeat that can be managed to reduce your chances of developing serious heart conditions, emphasizing the role of proactive healthcare.
• Tricuspid Valve Disease: Tricuspid valve disease is a condition that can be managed to prevent severe complications. By working with your doctor, you can reduce your risk and live a healthier life.
• 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.
• Hypotension: While high blood pressure is commonly known, low blood pressure (hypotension) can also be a risk factor for dizziness and falls, highlighting the importance of regular check-ups.
• Typical Atrial Flutter: Preventing atrial flutter from progressing is vital for maintaining a healthy heart; proactive strategies like managing blood pressure and adopting a healthy lifestyle can significantly help.
• 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.
• Heart Attack (Acute Myocardial Infarction): Early detection of heart attack symptoms is crucial for minimizing long-term damage to your heart, emphasizing the importance of proactive health management.
• Third Degree Heart Block: Third-degree heart block is a serious heart rhythm problem where the heart's upper and lower chambers beat independently, potentially leading to fainting or even cardiac arrest, highlighting the importance of regular heart checkups for early detection and prevention of serious complications.
• Cardiomyopathy: Protecting your heart from cardiomyopathy involves managing risk factors like high blood pressure and diabetes to avoid further damage and improve your heart's function.
• Rheumatic Mitral Stenosis: Managing rheumatic mitral stenosis effectively involves controlling related risk factors, like infections, to prevent further valve damage and maintain 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. Mahfouz Shahawy offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Cardiac Catheterization with Robotic Assist: To proactively safeguard your heart health, this advanced procedure uses robotic assistance for a precise examination of your heart's arteries, helping identify and address potential problems before they become serious.
• 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.
• Structural Heart Disease Evaluations and Treatment: Protect your heart's health with a structural heart disease assessment; this evaluation helps identify and address issues like valve problems or birth defects before they cause significant damage.
• 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.
• Ablation for Cardiac Arrhythmias: Cardiac ablation is a procedure that can help prevent dangerous heart rhythms by correcting abnormal electrical signals in your heart.
• Insertion of Left Ventricular Lead for Pacemaker or Cardioverter and Defibrillator: As a proactive step toward a healthier heart, this procedure implants a device that monitors your heart's rhythm and can deliver shocks to correct potentially life-threatening irregularities.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Pharmacologic Nuclear Stress Test: To help prevent heart attacks and strokes, this test uses medication and imaging to assess your heart's response to stress, helping identify blockages or other issues that need attention.
• Arrhythmia Screening: Protecting your heart starts with knowing its rhythm: an arrhythmia screening can identify irregularities and allow for timely intervention.
• 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.

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. Mahfouz Shahawy 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 proactively scheduling regular checkups, a family gained valuable insights into their child's heart health, allowing for early intervention and significantly reducing the risk of future complications. This proactive approach instilled peace of mind, empowering them to focus on their child's overall well-being.
• By understanding and managing their supraventricular tachycardia, a patient significantly reduced their risk of potentially serious cardiovascular complications, gaining peace of mind and a healthier outlook on 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. Mahfouz Shahawy:

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

A cardiologist is a doctor 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 expert management.

What can I expect during my first visit with Dr. Mahfouz Shahawy?

Your first visit with Dr. Shahawy will be a comprehensive cardiovascular assessment, including a detailed medical and family history review, physical exam, EKG, and discussion of 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 preventive steps. By proactively addressing these areas, you're significantly improving your chances of a healthy heart.

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. Shahawy 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 not only 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 when necessary, we'll add medication to safely reach a personalized target blood pressure for you.

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

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

Good" (HDL) cholesterol is like a helpful cleaner, removing "lousy" (LDL) cholesterol from your body. LDL cholesterol can build up plaque in your arteries, potentially leading to blockages. Dr. Shahawy helps manage both types to prevent heart disease.

Cardiovascular Center of Sarasota
1950 Arlington St Ste 300
Sarasota FL 34239
Phone: (941) 392-4531

Dr. Mahfouz El Shahawy, 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): 1982646055

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. Mahfouz Shahawy 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.