Dr. Michael Koren, MD

Dr. Michael Koren, MD is a Cardiology specialist 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). As a partner in preventive health featured on weprevent.org, Dr. Koren practices at First Coast Heart & Vascular Center in Jacksonville, FL, and is committed to collaborating with you to create a long-term health plan, coordinate essential screenings, and manage cardiovascular risk factors for a lifetime of wellness. Your cardiologist is your primary partner in preventing heart disease and stroke, working alongside you to maintain optimal heart health.

Dr. Koren serves all ages, focusing on proactive health and risk reduction. He is currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey. Call (904) 605-3050 to schedule. Dr. Koren graduated, with honors, from Harvard Medical School and completed his postgraduate training at Cornell Medical Center, New York Hospital, and Sloan-Kettering, where he served as a 3rd-year Chief Resident in Medicine and published several important scientific papers. He relocated to the Jacksonville area in 1991 and founded Apex Cardiovascular Group in 2000, before joining First Coast Heart & Vascular Center in 2018. His expertise encompasses preventative cardiology, heart rhythm disorders, valvular disease, and nuclear cardiology. He is Board Certified in Cardiovascular Disease by the National Board of Physicians and Surgeons, and Board Certified in Internal Medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine. His extensive experience includes publications in prestigious journals like the New England Journal of Medicine, Circulation, and The Lancet. Dr. Koren's dedication to compassionate care, combined with his cutting-edge knowledge and experience, makes him an exceptional partner in your health journey. He offers consultations in Spanish.

Our mission is to provide compassionate, state-of-the-art cardiovascular services. While our access to state-of-the-art technology is impressive, the real strength of our practice lies in the old-fashioned approach to medicine – listening to and being there for our patients. Dr. Koren is a highly skilled and experienced physician with a deep commitment to preventive cardiology. He is dedicated to providing the highest quality care and empowering patients to take control of their cardiovascular health.

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

• Second Degree Heart Block: Because a second-degree heart block disrupts the normal electrical signals that control your heart's rhythm, it's vital to address it to mitigate your risk of potentially life-threatening arrhythmias and maintain good heart health.
• Mitral Valve Stenosis: Mitral valve stenosis, a narrowing of the mitral valve in your heart, can be managed effectively through regular checkups and lifestyle changes to prevent serious complications like heart failure.
• 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.
• Venous Compression: Venous compression can contribute to various cardiovascular problems; early detection and treatment are vital steps in preventive cardiology.
• Wolff-Parkinson-White Pattern: The Wolff-Parkinson-White pattern signifies an extra electrical connection in your heart, potentially leading to fast heart rhythms; managing this condition minimizes your chances of heart-related complications.
• Chest Pain: If you have chest pain, getting a timely diagnosis is key to preventing potentially life-threatening complications and improving your long-term cardiovascular health.
• Tetralogy of Fallot: Tetralogy of Fallot is a serious heart defect present from birth, requiring early diagnosis and ongoing management to prevent life-threatening complications.
• Hypertensive Heart Disease: High blood pressure, if left unmanaged, can weaken your heart muscle, leading to hypertensive heart disease; regular checkups and lifestyle changes are key to prevention.
• Noninfective Endocarditis: Noninfective endocarditis, while not caused by infection, can damage your heart valves and lead to serious complications, highlighting the importance of regular heart check-ups and managing underlying conditions to prevent its development.
• Hyperlipidemia: Hyperlipidemia means you have high levels of fats in your blood, increasing your risk of heart attack and stroke; regular checkups and lifestyle changes can help control it.
• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA): An abdominal aortic aneurysm is a bulge in the aorta, your body's largest artery, that can rupture and cause life-threatening bleeding, making regular screenings crucial for early detection and prevention.
• Arrhythmias: Arrhythmias, or irregular heartbeats, are a preventable cause of many cardiovascular diseases, so regular checkups and lifestyle changes are important for prevention.

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

• Cardioversion: Take a proactive step toward better heart health: cardioversion can restore your heart to a healthy rhythm, significantly lowering your risk of future cardiovascular events.
• HeartAware Online Risk Screening: Get a clear picture of your heart health with HeartAware's convenient online risk assessment, helping you take control of your cardiovascular future.
• Peripheral Artery Catheterization: As a preventative measure, peripheral artery catheterization helps identify blockages in your leg and foot arteries, enabling timely treatment to reduce your risk of stroke and heart attack.
• 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.
• Electrocardiogram (EKG): Don't wait for symptoms; proactively assess your heart health with an EKG, a simple test that can detect underlying issues and help prevent serious cardiovascular events.
• Insertion of Left Ventricular Lead for Pacemaker or Cardioverter and Defibrillator: This procedure places a lead in your heart's left ventricle to help your heart pump effectively and prevent serious complications like stroke or heart failure, improving your overall cardiac health.
• Peripheral Arterial Disease Screening (PAD): A PAD screening helps detect narrowed arteries in your legs and feet, allowing for early treatment to prevent serious complications like heart attack or stroke.
• Dobutamine Thallium Stress Test: As part of your heart health journey, a dobutamine thallium stress test can reveal if your heart is getting enough blood, enabling early detection and management of potential problems.
• Cardiac Imaging: Cardiac imaging offers a comprehensive view of your cardiovascular system, providing crucial information to identify silent conditions like coronary artery disease or heart valve problems, facilitating preventive measures and improving your long-term heart health.
• Arrhythmia Screening: Arrhythmia screening helps detect irregular heartbeats early, potentially preventing serious complications like stroke and heart failure.
• Cardiac Ultrasound: A cardiac ultrasound is a simple yet powerful tool for preventing serious heart problems; it helps identify potential issues like weakened heart muscles or abnormal blood flow before they worsen.
• 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.

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 Koren 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 significantly reduced the risk of serious heart rhythm issues associated with second-degree heart block, gaining peace of mind and a healthier future.
• By attending regular checkups and adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle, a patient successfully managed their mitral valve stenosis, preventing future complications and enjoying a healthier, more active 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. Michael Koren:

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. Michael Koren?

Your first visit with Dr. Koren will be a comprehensive cardiovascular assessment. We will review your medical and family history, conduct 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 involves managing blood pressure and cholesterol, not smoking, regular physical activity, and 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 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. Koren is an expert in managing AFib with medications and procedures to control the rhythm and prevent strokes.

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

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

What is a cardiac ablation procedure?

Cardiac ablation is a minimally invasive procedure to treat certain fast heart rhythms. A specialist uses catheters to target and eliminate the problematic heart tissue using heat or cold energy, often resolving the arrhythmia.

First Coast Heart & Vascular Center
3901 University Blvd S Ste 221
Jacksonville FL 32216
Phone: (904) 605-3050

Dr. Michael Koren, 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): 1083645782

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 Koren 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.