Dr. Richard Caputo, MD

Dr. Richard Caputo, MD is an Internal Medicine Physician dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive care at his clinic in Saint Augustine, FL. He is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). Internists are your primary partners in lifelong health, creating comprehensive preventive care plans, coordinating essential screenings, and managing complex adult diseases to ensure your overall wellness and optimal long-term health. He is committed to helping adults (18 years and older) achieve and maintain their best possible health through proactive strategies and personalized care plans. While Dr. Caputo is not currently accepting new patients, you can call (904) 829-0411 to inquire about waitlists or future openings.

Dr. Richard Caputo, MD is an internist in Saint Augustine, FL and has over 50 years of experience in the medical field. He graduated from New York Medical College in 1973 and completed an internship at Tampa General Hospital in 1974, followed by residency training in Internal Medicine at Northport VA Hospital in 1976. Further specializing, he pursued fellowship training in The Johns Hopkins Hospital in 1977, deepening his expertise in a specific area of patient health. With over 50 years of dedicated experience in Internal Medicine care, he brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to his patients and their families. He is Board Certified in Internal Medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine and affiliated with AdventHealth Palm Coast and UF Health Flagler Hospital. He is not accepting new patients. Dr. Caputo offers consultations in Italian.

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

• Vitamin B12 Deficiency: Early detection and management of vitamin B12 deficiency are crucial for preventing long-term health issues like fatigue and cognitive impairment.
• Vertigo: Preventive health includes addressing vertigo promptly, as it can interfere with daily life and indicate potential conditions requiring ongoing management.
• Diverticulitis: Maintaining a high-fiber diet and staying hydrated can help prevent diverticulitis, a painful condition affecting the digestive system, reducing your risk of serious complications.
• Acute Upper Respiratory Infection: Managing an acute upper respiratory infection effectively minimizes your chances of developing secondary bacterial infections, demonstrating the value of seeking prompt medical care and preventive strategies.
• Viral Hepatitis: Regular checkups, including liver function tests, are crucial for early detection of viral hepatitis, enabling timely treatment and preventing serious complications like cirrhosis or liver cancer.
• Limb Swelling: Limb swelling might indicate problems with your heart, kidneys, or circulation, making proactive monitoring and timely intervention crucial for managing your overall health.
• Hypogonadism: Managing hypogonadism effectively, often through hormone replacement, helps prevent related complications such as reduced energy levels, depression, and decreased libido.
• Fibromyalgia: Because fibromyalgia often impacts quality of life, preventative care including early intervention and ongoing health monitoring, guided by your internist, helps ensure optimal well-being.
• Chest Pain: Experiencing chest pain? Don't delay – proactive checkups and understanding your risk factors can help prevent future heart problems and improve your long-term health.
• Hypotension (Excluding Maternal): Understanding and managing your blood pressure is a key part of preventative health; low blood pressure, when consistently present, can impact your overall health and well-being.
• Cachexia: Cachexia is a severe weight loss that can be a sign of a serious underlying health problem, so early detection through regular checkups is crucial for preventing further complications.
• Pinkeye (Conjunctivitis): Practicing good hygiene, like frequent handwashing, is key to preventing pinkeye and reducing the chances of its spread within a community.

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

• Arterial Blood Gas Test (ABG): An arterial blood gas test helps your doctor check how well your lungs are bringing oxygen into your blood and removing carbon dioxide, allowing for early detection of lung problems.
• Electrocardiogram (EKG): Protecting yourself from serious heart problems begins with an EKG; this screening helps identify potential risks and allows for early diagnosis and treatment.
• Fecal Occult Blood Test for Colorectal Cancer: A simple fecal occult blood test helps detect hidden blood in your stool, allowing for early detection of potentially life-threatening colorectal cancer.
• Immunization Administration: Protecting yourself and your community starts with getting vaccinated; it's a simple step towards better overall health.
• Wellness Examination: Take charge of your health with a wellness examination; it's a comprehensive assessment that screens for various diseases and conditions, enabling early diagnosis and treatment.
• Percutaneous Vertebroplasty: Percutaneous vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that can help relieve pain and stabilize compression fractures in your spine, improving your quality of life and mobility.
• Pacemaker Therapy for Heart Failure: To proactively manage your heart failure, your doctor may recommend a pacemaker to regulate your heartbeat and reduce your risk of serious complications.

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 Internal Medicine Physicians in Florida.

Dr. Richard Caputo 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 Adult Patient's life:

• By attending regular checkups and following a personalized plan, a patient proactively managed their vitamin B12 levels, ensuring they avoided potential long-term health problems like fatigue and cognitive impairment.
• A patient, experiencing occasional dizziness, proactively consulted a physician, leading to early diagnosis and a tailored management plan, reducing the risk of future vertigo episodes and improving their quality of life.
• By focusing on a high-fiber diet and adequate hydration, a patient significantly reduced their risk of diverticulitis, leading to greater peace of mind and improved digestive 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 Internal Medicine care with Dr. Richard Caputo:

What is an Internist, and how are they different from a Family Physician?

An internist, like Dr. Caputo, is a primary care doctor who specializes in the care of adults. While family physicians treat patients of all ages, internists have extensive training in diagnosing and managing the various medical conditions that affect adults.

How does Dr. Richard Caputo manage patients with multiple chronic conditions?

Dr. Caputo excels at managing patients with multiple chronic conditions. He acts as the quarterback of your care team, coordinating specialists, optimizing medication regimens, and focusing on your overall well-being. He's dedicated to helping you live a full and healthy life.

What is your approach to preventive care for adults?

Dr. Caputo's approach to preventive care emphasizes a personalized, evidence-based plan tailored to each patient's individual needs. This includes key screenings for high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, and cancers (colorectal, breast, prostate), and ongoing discussions about lifestyle choices to minimize health risks and promote healthy aging. We partner with you to achieve optimal health outcomes.

How do you approach medication management, especially for patients on many prescriptions?

Dr. Caputo carefully reviews all medications, a process called polypharmacy management. This allows us to identify potential drug interactions and eliminate unnecessary prescriptions, ensuring your treatment plan is as simple and effective as possible.

Can you help manage my type 2 diabetes?

Yes, we can help manage your type 2 diabetes. Our comprehensive approach includes regular A1c monitoring, prescribing oral medications or insulin as needed, and counseling on diet and exercise to prevent long-term complications affecting your eyes, kidneys, and nerves.

What vaccinations are important for older adults?

Staying up-to-date on vaccinations is a key strategy for preventing serious illness in older adults. High-dose flu shots, Shingrix for shingles, and pneumonia vaccines (Prevnar 20 or Vaxneuvance and Pneumovax 23) are crucial for protecting against these common but serious health concerns.

Why do I need a pre-operative evaluation before surgery?

A pre-operative evaluation is a crucial safety step. Dr. Caputo will perform a thorough evaluation of your heart, lung, and overall health to identify and minimize any risks associated with anesthesia and the stress of surgery, ensuring the best possible outcome.

How do you help patients with healthy aging and geriatric concerns?

Dr. Caputo's practice focuses on helping patients maintain their independence and function as they age. Key assessments, including fall risk screening, cognitive health evaluations, and medication reviews, are integral parts of this care. This comprehensive approach helps ensure the safety and well-being of older adults.

301 Health Park Blvd Ste 214
Saint Augustine FL 32086
Phone: (904) 829-0411

Dr. Richard Caputo, 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): 1528062007

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. Internal Medicine Physicians like Dr. Richard Caputo 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 internal medicine physician about all aspects of your health and your personalized prevention plan.