Dr. Steven Class, MD

Dr. Steven Class, MD is a Cardiology specialist practicing at his clinic in Sarasota, FL, and 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). His focus is firmly rooted in prevention, recognizing that 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. Please call (941) 917-4250 to confirm if he is currently accepting new patients.

Dr. Steven Class, MD is a cardiologist in Sarasota, FL with over 30 years of experience in the medical field. He has extensive experience in Adult Congenital Heart Conditions and Heart Conditions. He earned his medical degree from University Of Florida in 1993, is Board Certified in Cardiovascular Disease by the American Board of Internal Medicine, and is affiliated with Sarasota Memorial Hospital and Sarasota Memorial Hospital Venice. 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 accepting telehealth appointments. Dr. Class 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. Steven Class provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• 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.
• Tricuspid Valve Disease: Tricuspid valve disease, if detected early and managed properly, can prevent serious complications like heart failure and irregular heartbeat, improving your long-term heart health.
• Benign Heart Tumors: Even though benign, heart tumors can still affect your cardiovascular system. Regular screenings help catch them early, allowing for appropriate management and prevention of future issues.
• Prinzmetal Angina: Prinzmetal angina, a type of chest pain, is best prevented through early detection and management of risk factors like smoking and stress, to reduce the chance of heart attacks.
• Acute Congestive Heart Failure: Acute congestive heart failure is a serious condition where your heart suddenly can't pump enough blood to meet your body's needs, highlighting the importance of proactive heart health management to prevent such emergencies.
• First Degree Heart Block: Although often asymptomatic, first-degree heart block is a condition best addressed through regular check-ups to prevent future cardiac complications.
• Hypertensive Heart without Failure: Your high blood pressure is impacting your heart's health, even though you don't have heart failure yet. Managing your blood pressure now helps prevent more serious complications down the line.
• Patent Ductus Arteriosus: Preventing complications from Patent Ductus Arteriosus involves regular checkups and early treatment if diagnosed, allowing for better heart health and reduced risks of future heart disease.
• Chronic Pulmonary Heart Diseases (incl. Pulmonary Hypertension): Chronic lung conditions like pulmonary hypertension can strain your heart, making early detection and management crucial for preventing heart damage.
• Coronary Artery Aneurysm: Preventing a coronary artery aneurysm from growing or rupturing involves proactive management of conditions like high blood pressure and high cholesterol to protect your heart's arteries.
• Syncope: Preventing sudden fainting spells (syncope) involves identifying and managing any heart rhythm irregularities or other health issues that may be causing them.
• Atherosclerosis: Atherosclerosis is a gradual buildup of plaque in your arteries, and understanding your risk factors early on can help prevent heart disease and stroke.

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

• Insertion of Left Ventricular Lead for Pacemaker or Cardioverter and Defibrillator: This procedure involves inserting a wire into your heart's left ventricle to help prevent dangerous heart rhythms that can lead to stroke or sudden cardiac death.
• Cardiac Catheterization (incl. Coronary Angiography): As a proactive step in managing your heart health, a cardiac catheterization provides detailed images of your heart's blood vessels, helping detect and treat issues that could lead to heart attack or stroke.
• Heart Valvuloplasty of Mitral Valve Without Replacement: Proactively safeguarding your heart health, this procedure repairs a faulty mitral valve without needing a complete replacement, reducing strain and improving heart function.
• 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.
• Automatic Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) Implantation: As a proactive measure against life-threatening heart rhythm disturbances, an ICD is implanted to monitor and correct irregular heartbeats, potentially saving your life.
• Electrocardiogram (EKG): An EKG is a crucial preventative measure for identifying silent heart conditions before they cause symptoms, giving you the opportunity to take proactive steps to prevent heart attacks and strokes.
• Dobutamine Thallium Stress Test: This non-invasive test helps detect coronary artery disease early, allowing for prompt treatment and reducing your risk of a heart attack or stroke.
• 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.
• Arrhythmia Screening: Arrhythmia screening helps detect irregular heartbeats early, potentially preventing serious complications like stroke and heart failure.
• Aortic Valve Surgery: Aortic valve surgery is a procedure to repair or replace a damaged aortic valve, improving blood flow to your body and reducing your risk of heart failure and stroke.
• Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI): As part of your proactive heart health plan, PCI helps restore blood flow to your heart muscle, potentially preventing serious complications like a heart attack.
• 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.

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. Steven Class 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 understanding their sinus tachycardia and proactively managing their lifestyle, a patient felt empowered to make informed choices about their heart health and reduce the risk of future cardiovascular events. This proactive approach brought a sense of peace and control over their well-being.
• By diligently following a proactive heart health plan, a patient significantly reduced their risk of developing serious tricuspid valve disease complications, leading to greater peace of mind and a healthier future.

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. Steven Class:

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. Steven Class?

Your first visit with Dr. Class 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 your lifestyle and risk factors, allowing us 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 is achievable. Knowing and managing your blood pressure and cholesterol, not smoking, regular physical activity, and a heart-healthy diet are key preventive steps. These actions empower you to significantly reduce your risk of a heart attack.

What is a cardiac stress test?

A cardiac stress test evaluates how your heart performs during physical activity. You walk on a treadmill while your EKG and blood pressure are monitored. It's a key non-invasive tool to detect potential blockages in the coronary arteries.

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

What is heart failure?

Heart failure means the heart isn't pumping blood as efficiently as it should, not that it has stopped working. It's a chronic condition, but manageable. Dr. Class uses medications and lifestyle changes to improve heart function and reduce symptoms like shortness of breath and swelling.

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 uses a catheter, leading to a much faster recovery for eligible patients.

1950 Arlington St Ste 400
Sarasota FL 34239
Phone: (941) 917-4250

Dr. Steven Class, 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): 1841292380

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. Steven Class 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.