Dr. Steven Karas, MD

Dr. Steven Karas, MD is a Cardiology specialist practicing at his clinic in Melbourne, FL, committed 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. Please call (321) 725-4500 to confirm if Dr. Karas is currently accepting new patients.

Dr. Steven Karas, MD is a cardiologist in Melbourne, FL with over 40 years of experience in the medical field. He has extensive experience in Adult Congenital Heart Conditions, Heart Conditions, and Interventional Cardiac Procedures. With this wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care, he brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to his patients and their families. He earned his medical degree from Duke University in 1983 and is Board Certified in Cardiovascular Disease, Internal Medicine, and Interventional Cardiology by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Dr. Karas is affiliated with medical facilities such as Cape Canaveral Hospital and Viera Hospital, and offers consultations in Greek.

He approaches patient care with a collaborative, evidence-based philosophy, fostering an environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health management. His dedication to his patients and their families, coupled with his extensive training and experience, makes him a trusted and valuable partner in their journey toward optimal cardiovascular health.

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

• Benign Heart Tumors: Managing a benign heart tumor often involves regular monitoring to ensure it doesn't grow or cause problems. This proactive approach is key to maintaining optimal cardiovascular health.
• 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.
• Hypotension: Hypotension, or low blood pressure, might require medical attention as it can sometimes be a sign of a more serious health issue needing early intervention.
• Secondary Hypertension: Having secondary hypertension means something else is causing your high blood pressure, so finding and treating that root cause is crucial for preventing strokes and heart attacks.
• 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.
• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA): Managing cardiovascular risk factors like high blood pressure and smoking can significantly reduce your chances of developing an abdominal aortic aneurysm, a dangerous condition affecting the main artery.
• Aneurysm of Heart: Regular cardiovascular screenings can help detect a heart aneurysm early, allowing for timely treatment and reducing the risk of serious cardiac events.
• Primary Pulmonary Hypertension: Primary pulmonary hypertension is a disease where high blood pressure in the lung arteries can lead to heart damage; lifestyle adjustments and medical treatment can greatly improve long-term health.
• Chronic Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): Persistent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) needs careful management to prevent long-term damage to your veins, blood clots traveling to your lungs, and other serious health issues.
• Cardiomyopathy: Cardiomyopathy can be prevented or its progression slowed down through proactive lifestyle adjustments like maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and following a balanced diet.
• Chronic Venous Embolism Thrombosis: If you have a history of blood clots in your veins (chronic venous embolism thrombosis), it's essential to work closely with your healthcare team to develop a prevention plan. This minimizes your risk of serious complications such as pulmonary embolism and improves your overall health.
• Heart Attack (Acute Myocardial Infarction): Managing cardiovascular risk factors like high blood pressure and cholesterol effectively lowers your chances of experiencing a heart attack, preserving your heart health.

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

• 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.
• Vascular Duplex Ultrasonography and Plethysmography: To proactively safeguard your heart health, consider a vascular duplex ultrasound and plethysmography; this non-invasive scan helps identify blockages or other issues in your arteries and veins before they become major problems.
• Impella Device: The Impella device is a temporary heart pump that assists your heart's pumping action during complex heart procedures, helping to reduce risks and improve outcomes.
• 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.
• Pharmacologic Nuclear Stress Test: This test combines medication with special imaging to pinpoint areas of your heart that may not be receiving enough blood, enabling early diagnosis and preventative measures against heart disease and stroke.
• Aortic Valve Surgery: Aortic valve surgery helps prevent life-threatening complications stemming from a narrowed or leaky aortic valve, improving your long-term cardiovascular 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.
• Arrhythmia Screening: Early detection is key to managing heart health; arrhythmia screening helps identify irregular heartbeats, allowing for prompt diagnosis and treatment.
• 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.
• Cardiovascular Stress Test: A cardiovascular stress test helps your doctor assess your heart's health under exertion, enabling early detection of potential heart problems and preventing future issues.
• Cardiac MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) of Heart or Chest: A cardiac MRI offers a comprehensive view of your heart and chest, providing critical information to detect and monitor cardiovascular diseases early on, thus promoting better management of your risk factors and improving overall heart health.
• 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.

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 Karas 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 personalized monitoring plan, a patient experienced peace of mind knowing their benign heart tumor was being proactively managed, reducing the risk of future complications.
• By understanding the importance of regular check-ups and adopting a proactive heart health plan, a patient felt empowered to manage their sinus bradycardia and reduce potential complications.

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 Karas:

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 Karas?

Your first visit with Dr. Karas will be a comprehensive cardiovascular assessment. We'll review your medical and family history, conduct 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, incorporating regular physical activity, and adopting a heart-healthy diet. These proactive steps empower you to significantly reduce your risk of a heart attack.

What is a cardiac ablation procedure?

A 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, often curing the arrhythmia, using heat or cold energy.

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 in the heart. It is 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.

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

What is a cardiac stress test?

A cardiac stress test evaluates how your heart performs during physical activity. You'll 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 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. Karas to assess the strength of the heart muscle, check the function of the heart valves, and detect structural problems.

1223 Gateway Dr
Melbourne FL 32901
Phone: (321) 725-4500

Dr. Steven Karas, 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): 1245221910

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 Karas 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.