Dr. Stratego Castanes, MD

Dr. Stratego Castanes, MD is a Cardiology specialist practicing at her clinic in Miami, FL, dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Cardiovascular care. She is a registered member of The Florida Board of Medicine, practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). As a partner in preventive health featured on weprevent.org, she understands 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. She serves all ages, focusing on proactive health and risk reduction, and is currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey. Call (305) 596-6008 to schedule.

Dr. Stratego Castanes, MD is a cardiologist in Miami, FL with over 25 years of experience in the medical field. She earned her medical degree from Emory University School of Medicine in 1998 and is affiliated with South Miami Hospital. With this wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care, she brings a strong commitment to collaborative, evidence-based medicine and creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. Dr. Stratego Castanes is Board Certified in Cardiovascular Disease and Interventional Cardiology by the American Board of Internal Medicine. She is accepting new patients and telehealth appointments, and provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Mitral Valve Disease: Early diagnosis of mitral valve disease is crucial, as treatment can significantly reduce the risk of stroke and other life-threatening events.
• Heart Disease: Managing heart disease effectively involves understanding your risk factors, making positive lifestyle choices, and collaborating with your healthcare provider to control conditions and avoid future heart problems.
• Aortic Valve Disease: Preventing serious consequences from aortic valve disease relies on identifying and addressing it early, often through routine screenings and lifestyle changes.
• Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO): Having a PFO means you have a tiny opening in your heart from birth that may increase your chances of stroke if a blood clot forms; preventive measures like managing blood clotting factors are important to lower your risk.
• Hypertensive Heart without Failure: A diagnosis of hypertensive heart disease (without failure) signals that high blood pressure is causing changes to your heart. It emphasizes the need for lifestyle changes and medical management to avoid future heart issues.
• 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.
• Rheumatic Aortic Valve Disorders: Managing rheumatic aortic valve disease involves proactive steps to prevent further damage to your heart's aortic valve and avoid serious complications like heart failure, emphasizing the importance of regular checkups.
• Cardiomegaly: Preventing heart disease often involves monitoring for cardiomegaly, as an enlarged heart can indicate increased cardiovascular risk and the need for lifestyle changes or medical intervention.
• Heart Attack (Acute Myocardial Infarction): A heart attack happens when blood flow to part of your heart is blocked, causing damage; preventing heart disease through lifestyle changes and regular checkups significantly reduces your risk.
• Hypertensive Chronic Kidney Disease: Hypertensive chronic kidney disease is a serious condition that requires careful management to prevent heart disease and stroke; lifestyle changes and medication can make a big difference.
• Pulmonary Hypertension: Managing pulmonary hypertension effectively reduces the strain on your heart and lungs, lowering your risk of stroke and other life-threatening events.
• 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. Stratego Castanes offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Cardiac Catheterization with Robotic Assist: This procedure combines the precision of robotics with cardiac catheterization to provide detailed images of your heart, allowing for early detection of conditions like coronary artery disease and facilitating timely treatment.
• Automatic Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) Implantation: An automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is a proactive step to protect your heart by detecting and correcting dangerously irregular heartbeats that could cause sudden cardiac arrest.
• Cardiac Myocardial Perfusion Imaging: As a proactive measure to maintain your cardiovascular health, cardiac myocardial perfusion imaging offers a detailed picture of your heart's blood supply, enabling early detection of coronary artery disease and reducing your risk of future heart events.
• Thrombolysis: Thrombolysis is a treatment that can quickly dissolve blood clots causing heart attacks or strokes, significantly improving your chances of recovery and preventing long-term damage.
• Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI): PCI is a minimally invasive procedure that opens blocked arteries in your heart, improving blood flow and reducing your risk of heart attack and stroke.
• 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.
• 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.
• Cardiac Ultrasound: Protect your heart by getting a cardiac ultrasound – a non-invasive scan that provides detailed images of your heart's structure and function, aiding in the early diagnosis of heart conditions.
• Cardioversion: Cardioversion is a life-saving procedure to treat dangerous irregular heartbeats that could lead to heart failure, stroke, or even sudden death.
• Coronary Angiogram: To ensure early detection of potential heart problems, a coronary angiogram provides detailed images of your heart's blood vessels, enabling timely intervention and reducing your risk of serious complications.
• Pharmacologic Nuclear Stress Test: By taking a pharmacologic nuclear stress test, you're taking a proactive step towards preventing future cardiovascular events by identifying potential blockages or weaknesses in your heart's blood vessels.
• Pacemaker Insertion or Replacement: By ensuring a consistent heartbeat, pacemaker insertion or replacement can significantly improve your quality of life and decrease your risk of cardiovascular events.

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. Stratego Castanes 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 adhering to a proactive screening plan, a patient gained valuable peace of mind, significantly reducing their risk of future complications from mitral valve disease.
• By understanding their heart health risk factors and following a proactive plan with their healthcare provider, a patient felt empowered to make positive lifestyle changes, significantly reducing their risk of heart disease.

These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results may vary and depend on many factors specific to each patient. She 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. Stratego Castanes:

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 needing expert management.

What can I expect during my first visit with Dr. Stratego Castanes?

Your first visit with Dr. Stratego Castanes will be a comprehensive cardiovascular assessment. We will review your medical and family history, perform 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 is within your reach. Knowing and managing your blood pressure and cholesterol, not smoking, regular physical activity, and a heart-healthy diet are key preventive actions. By proactively addressing these areas, you empower yourself to significantly reduce your risk of a heart attack.

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 is performed through a catheter, leading to a much faster recovery for eligible patients.

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. Stratego Castanes 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.

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.

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 focuses on foundational lifestyle changes like diet and exercise, and we'll add medication when necessary to safely reach your personalized target blood pressure.

What is a cardiac stress test?

A cardiac stress test evaluates how your heart functions 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.

8740 N Kendall Dr Ste 218
Miami FL 33176
Phone: (305) 596-6008

Dr. Stratego Castanes, 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): 1427082114

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. Stratego Castanes 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.