Dr. Michael Cunningham, MD

Dr. Michael Cunningham, MD is a Cardiology specialist at a clinic in Jacksonville, FL, dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive cardiovascular care. He 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, and is currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey. Call (904) 450-8500 to schedule.

Dr. Michael Cunningham, MD is a cardiologist in Jacksonville, FL with over 30 years of experience in the medical field. His extensive experience encompasses Heart Conditions and Adult Congenital Heart Conditions. He earned his medical degree from the University of Virginia School of Medicine in 1991 and completed an internship at Shands Hospital at the University of Florida in 1992. He is Board Certified in Cardiovascular Disease by the American Board of Internal Medicine, and affiliated with Ascension St Vincent's Riverside and Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville. With over 30 years of dedicated experience in Cardiovascular care, he brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to his patients and their families. 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. Cunningham provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Subacute Endocarditis: Catching subacute endocarditis early is crucial, as it can lead to heart valve damage and other life-threatening complications if left untreated, emphasizing the need for proactive healthcare.
• Atrial Fibrillation: Atrial fibrillation, if left untreated, can lead to significant heart problems, so regular checkups and lifestyle changes are important for prevention.
• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA): Early detection of an abdominal aortic aneurysm, a weakening and bulging of the aorta, through screenings is vital to preventing a potentially fatal rupture.
• Nonrheumatic Mitral Stenosis: Nonrheumatic mitral stenosis, a condition affecting the mitral valve, highlights the importance of proactive heart health management to avoid severe complications like shortness of breath and fatigue.
• Ventricular Fibrillation: Ventricular fibrillation is a serious heart rhythm disorder, but prompt treatment and preventative measures can help avoid its severe consequences.
• Sinus Tachycardia: While not always a cause for immediate concern, persistent sinus tachycardia highlights the importance of regular heart health check-ups and proactive risk assessment to prevent future cardiovascular events.
• 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.
• Acute Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): Managing DVT effectively means receiving prompt medical attention and following your doctor's treatment plan to prevent potentially fatal consequences and ensure better cardiovascular health.
• Ventricular Septal Defect: To prevent heart strain and potential future problems, it's important to effectively manage a ventricular septal defect (VSD), a hole between the heart's two lower chambers, with regular medical care.
• Congestive Heart Failure: Managing high blood pressure and cholesterol are key to preventing congestive heart failure, a serious condition that impacts the heart's ability to pump blood effectively.
• Rheumatic Aortic Valve Disorders: Rheumatic aortic valve disorders, often stemming from untreated strep throat, can be prevented by early detection and treatment of infections, protecting your heart valves and preventing future heart problems.
• Second Degree Heart Block: Second-degree heart block is a type of heart rhythm disorder where the electrical signals that control your heartbeat are partially blocked, making early detection and management crucial to prevent serious complications like heart failure.

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

• Nuclear Stress Testing: Protecting your heart's future starts with a nuclear stress test, which uses a small amount of radioactive material to create images showing how well blood flows to your heart muscle, thus allowing for early detection of coronary artery disease.
• 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.
• Structural Heart Disease Evaluations and Treatment: Take a proactive step towards a healthier heart by undergoing a structural heart disease evaluation to detect potential problems early and prevent serious complications.
• Pharmacologic Nuclear Stress Test: By taking a pharmacologic nuclear stress test, you're taking a proactive step towards preventing future cardiovascular events by identifying potential blockages or weaknesses in your heart's blood vessels.
• Tilt Table Testing: This test helps doctors understand if changes in blood pressure or heart rate are causing your symptoms, allowing for proactive management of heart health.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• HeartAware Online Risk Screening: Don't wait for symptoms; use HeartAware's online screening to detect potential heart issues early, giving you a head start on prevention and treatment.
• Cardiovascular Diagnostic Test: Gain valuable insights into your cardiovascular health with a diagnostic test, which helps identify risk factors and guide personalized strategies to prevent heart issues.
• Cardioversion: Cardioversion is a procedure that uses electrical shocks to restore a normal heart rhythm, helping prevent strokes and other complications from irregular heartbeats.
• Vascular Duplex Ultrasonography and Plethysmography: As a proactive step toward better cardiovascular health, this ultrasound and plethysmography exam helps your doctor assess your blood flow, identifying any blockages or abnormalities that may increase your risk of heart disease or stroke.

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. Michael Cunningham 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 diligently following a proactive heart health plan, a patient was able to significantly reduce their risk of subacute endocarditis, ensuring a healthier future. This proactive approach brought peace of mind, allowing them to confidently navigate daily life.
• By diligently following a personalized plan of regular checkups and lifestyle modifications, a patient significantly reduced their risk of atrial fibrillation, gaining valuable peace of mind and confidence in their cardiovascular health.

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. Michael Cunningham:

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 expert management.

What can I expect during my first visit with Dr. Michael Cunningham?

Your first visit with Dr. Cunningham will be a comprehensive cardiovascular assessment. We'll review your medical and family history, perform a physical exam, and obtain an EKG. This will also include a discussion of lifestyle and risk factors, 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 within your reach. Knowing and managing your blood pressure and cholesterol, 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 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 is not usually life-threatening, it significantly increases the risk of stroke. Dr. Cunningham is an expert in managing AFib with medications and procedures to control the rhythm and prevent strokes.

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 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 regain confidence and a better quality of life.

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. Cunningham better understand a patient's future risk of a heart attack and guide the intensity of their prevention strategy.

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 in the wrist or groin up to the heart.

4205 Belfort Rd Ste 2069
Jacksonville FL 32216
Phone: (904) 450-8500

Dr. Michael Cunningham, 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): 1548253461

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. Michael Cunningham 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.