Dr. Richard Sola, MD

Dr. Richard Sola, MD is a Cardiology specialist practicing at his clinic in Safety Harbor, 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, and is currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey. Call (727) 725-6246 to schedule.

Dr. Richard Sola, MD is a cardiologist in Safety Harbor, FL with over 40 years of experience in the medical field. Dr. Sola has extensive experience in Interventional Cardiac Procedures, Adult Congenital Heart Conditions, and Heart Conditions. He earned his medical degree from Universidad Central Del Caribe School Of Medicine in 1981 and is Board Certified in Cardiovascular Disease, Internal Medicine, and Interventional Cardiology by the American Board of Internal Medicine. With over 40 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 affiliated with Mease Countryside Hospital and Morton Plant Hospital, and is accepting new patients and telehealth appointments. He offers consultations in Spanish.

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

• Pericardial Disease: Regular heart health screenings and prompt treatment of any infections can contribute to preventing pericardial disease and preserving heart function.
• Subacute Endocarditis: Subacute endocarditis, a gradual infection of the heart valves, underscores the need for swift medical attention to any suspected infection and careful management of existing heart conditions to avoid severe consequences.
• Sinus Bradycardia: Sinus bradycardia is a slow heart rhythm that, if left unmanaged, can sometimes lead to dizziness or fainting, highlighting the importance of regular heart checkups for early detection and prevention of complications.
• Acute Endocarditis: Managing underlying conditions, such as rheumatic fever or heart valve problems, is key in preventing acute endocarditis, a severe infection affecting the heart's inner lining.
• Coronary Artery Dissection: Regular check-ups and lifestyle changes, such as healthy eating and exercise, are key to preventing coronary artery dissection and maintaining overall cardiovascular health.
• Aortic Ectasia: Aortic ectasia, a widening of the aorta, is often asymptomatic, highlighting the importance of proactive cardiovascular screenings for early detection and intervention.
• 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.
• Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation: Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) is a type of irregular heartbeat that comes and goes, and catching it early through regular checkups can help prevent serious complications like stroke.
• Noninfective Endocarditis: Early detection of conditions that can contribute to noninfective endocarditis, such as autoimmune diseases or certain valve disorders, is crucial for preventing long-term heart damage.
• Hypertensive Chronic Kidney Disease: Hypertensive chronic kidney disease means high blood pressure is damaging your kidneys, and early detection through regular checkups can help prevent further harm and protect your heart health.
• 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.
• Supraventricular Tachycardia: Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is a fast heart rhythm originating above the ventricles, and early detection through regular checkups can help prevent serious complications like stroke or 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. Richard Sola offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Cardiovascular Diagnostic Test: Protecting your future starts with a cardiovascular diagnostic test, a simple procedure that can detect early signs of heart disease or stroke, enabling proactive treatment.
• Treadmill Stress Test: This simple test helps determine if your heart is strong enough to handle physical activity and can reveal potential problems early on, allowing for timely intervention to prevent heart attacks or stroke.
• Thrombolysis: As part of your proactive heart health plan, thrombolysis is a critical treatment option for quickly addressing blood clots that are causing a heart attack or stroke.
• Coronary Angiogram: A coronary angiogram is a procedure that uses X-ray imaging to visualize your heart's blood vessels, helping doctors detect blockages that could lead to a heart attack or stroke.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Removal or Revision of Pacemaker or Cardioverter and-or Defibrillator: Taking proactive steps to ensure your pacemaker or defibrillator continues to function optimally helps maintain a healthy heart rhythm and prevents life-threatening complications.
• 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.
• 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 Catheterization (incl. Coronary Angiography): This procedure involves a thin tube inserted into your blood vessels to visualize your heart and coronary arteries, helping identify potential problems before they cause serious symptoms like chest pain or shortness of breath.
• 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.

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. Richard Sola 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 attending regular heart health screenings, a patient proactively identified and addressed potential issues, significantly reducing their risk of pericardial disease and maintaining a healthy heart. This proactive approach provided the patient with lasting peace of mind.
• By diligently following a proactive heart health plan, a patient significantly reduced their risk of subacute endocarditis, gaining peace of mind and confidence in their long-term 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. Richard Sola:

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 need expert management.

What can I expect during my first visit with Dr. Richard Sola?

Your first visit with Dr. Sola will be a comprehensive cardiovascular assessment. We'll review your medical and family history, perform a physical exam, and obtain an EKG. We'll also discuss your lifestyle and risk factors to create 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, avoiding smoking, staying active, and eating a heart-healthy diet. These proactive steps empower you to significantly reduce your risk of a heart attack. By making these lifestyle choices, you're actively shaping your heart's future.

What is a cardiac ablation procedure?

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

How do you treat high blood pressure (hypertension)?

We aim to not just lower your blood pressure numbers, but also prevent long-term damage to your heart, brain, and kidneys. Our approach is two-pronged: we start with foundational lifestyle changes like diet and exercise, and then add medication when necessary to safely reach your personalized target blood pressure.

What is a pacemaker, and who needs one?

A pacemaker is a small electronic device implanted under the skin to help regulate a slow or irregular heartbeat. It's needed when the heart's natural electrical system isn't working correctly, ensuring the heart beats at a proper, steady rate.

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 heart murmur?

A heart murmur is an extra sound heard when listening to the heart. Many murmurs are innocent and harmless; Dr. Sola is an expert at determining the cause, often using an echocardiogram to see if the murmur is related to a heart valve problem that needs monitoring or treatment.

1840 Mease Dr Ste 202
Safety Harbor FL 34695
Phone: (727) 725-6246

Dr. Richard Sola, 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): 1245228626

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. Richard Sola 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.