Dr. Thomas Hughes, DO

Dr. Thomas Hughes, DO is a Cardiology specialist practicing at his clinic in Fort Myers, FL, dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Cardiovascular care. He is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and adheres to 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, and is currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey. Please call (239) 343-6350 to schedule.

Dr. Hughes brings over 45 years of dedicated experience in Cardiovascular care, a wealth of clinical knowledge, and compassionate care to his patients and their families. He earned his medical degree from A. T. Still University Kirksville College Of Osteopathic Medicine in 1977 and completed a Cardiology Fellowship at The Cleveland Clinic. He is Board Certified in Cardiology and Internal Medicine by the American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine, and currently practices General Cardiology at Lee Health in Bonita Springs, Florida, having earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame. Dr. Hughes 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. He provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Rheumatic Tricuspid Disease: Protecting your heart from rheumatic tricuspid disease starts with preventing rheumatic fever through early diagnosis and treatment of strep throat, demonstrating how proactive health care significantly reduces cardiovascular risks.
• 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.
• Aortic Embolism and Thrombosis: Early detection and management of conditions like high blood pressure and high cholesterol are vital in reducing your risk of developing aortic embolism and thrombosis, safeguarding your heart health.
• Coronary Artery Aneurysm: Coronary artery aneurysms can be effectively managed with lifestyle changes and medical treatments, emphasizing the importance of preventive care to safeguard heart health.
• Hypotension: Maintaining healthy blood pressure levels, including addressing hypotension, is crucial for preventing heart disease and stroke.
• Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): Early detection of coronary artery disease is crucial, as timely intervention with medication and lifestyle adjustments can prevent serious complications like heart attacks and improve your quality of life.
• Rheumatic Aortic Valve Disorders: Rheumatic aortic valve disorders, often stemming from untreated strep throat, can be prevented by early detection and treatment of infections, protecting your heart valves and preventing future heart problems.
• Hypertensive Heart and Chronic Kidney Disease: If you have high blood pressure and chronic kidney disease, it's essential to work with your doctor to control these conditions and lower your risk of cardiovascular events like stroke.
• Rheumatic Mitral Stenosis: Rheumatic mitral stenosis, a condition affecting the heart's mitral valve, underscores the value of preventive care in managing potential complications from untreated infections.
• Atherosclerosis of Aorta: Atherosclerosis of the aorta is a buildup of plaque in your body's largest artery, increasing your risk of heart attack, stroke, and other serious health problems—making early detection and lifestyle changes crucial for prevention.
• Third Degree Heart Block: Preventing serious heart complications like stroke requires proactive management of conditions such as third-degree heart block, a rhythm disorder that disrupts the heart's coordinated beating, emphasizing the need for timely medical intervention.
• Typical Atrial Flutter: Managing atrial flutter effectively through lifestyle changes and medication helps prevent serious complications like blood clots and stroke, safeguarding your long-term 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. Thomas Hughes offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Cardioversion: Cardioversion is a life-saving procedure to treat dangerous irregular heartbeats that could lead to heart failure, stroke, or even sudden death.
• Cardiac MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) of Heart or Chest: A cardiac MRI is a detailed scan of your heart and chest that helps detect early signs of heart disease, allowing for timely intervention and preventing serious problems later.
• Structural Heart Disease Evaluations and Treatment: Invest in your cardiovascular future by having a structural heart disease evaluation; this check-up identifies structural problems that might increase your risk of heart disease or stroke.
• Cardiac Myocardial Perfusion Imaging: Cardiac myocardial perfusion imaging is a non-invasive scan that helps doctors assess how well blood flows to your heart muscle, allowing for early detection of potential heart problems and preventing future heart attacks or strokes.
• 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.
• Pacemaker Insertion or Replacement: This procedure involves placing or replacing a small device to maintain a steady heart rhythm, reducing your risk of life-threatening heart issues.
• Tilt_Testing: Tilt table testing helps doctors identify the cause of fainting or dizziness, potentially preventing serious heart-related complications.
• Cardiac Electrophysiology: This advanced heart test, cardiac electrophysiology, helps pinpoint the cause of irregular heart rhythms, enabling preventative measures to protect against future strokes or heart attacks.
• 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.
• Cardiovascular Stress Test: This non-invasive test evaluates your heart's response to stress, allowing for early diagnosis of coronary artery disease and helping prevent serious heart events.
• Cardiac Imaging: Cardiac imaging offers a comprehensive view of your cardiovascular system, providing crucial information to identify silent conditions like coronary artery disease or heart valve problems, facilitating preventive measures and improving your long-term heart health.
• Nuclear Stress Testing: To take a proactive step toward a healthier heart, a nuclear stress test helps doctors identify areas of reduced blood flow, enabling early diagnosis and prevention of heart disease.

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. Thomas Hughes 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 promptly addressing strep throat infections, a patient significantly reduced the risk of developing rheumatic tricuspid disease, ensuring a healthier heart for years to come. This proactive approach provided peace of mind and empowered them to take control of their cardiovascular health.
• By adhering to a proactive cardiac health plan, including regular check-ups, a patient successfully identified and managed first-degree heart block, ensuring peace of mind and reducing the risk of future cardiac 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. Thomas Hughes:

What is a Cardiologist, and when should I see one?

A cardiologist is a medical doctor 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 such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol that require expert management.

What can I expect during my first visit with Dr. Thomas Hughes?

Your first visit with Dr. Hughes will be a comprehensive cardiovascular assessment. We will review your medical and family history, conduct 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 involves knowing and managing your blood pressure and cholesterol, not smoking, regular physical activity, and a heart-healthy diet. These steps empower you to significantly reduce your risk of a heart attack.

What is a cardiac ablation procedure?

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

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 surgery. It strengthens the heart, reduces risk factors, and helps patients safely regain confidence and quality of life.

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's 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.

How is Peripheral Artery Disease (P.A.D.) related to heart disease?

Peripheral artery disease (P.A.D.) is caused by the same process as coronary artery disease—atherosclerosis. This plaque buildup affects the arteries in the legs and feet. Having P.A.D. is a significant warning sign, indicating a substantial risk of heart attack and stroke.

How do you treat high blood pressure (hypertension)?

We focus on preventing long-term damage to your heart, brain, and kidneys by addressing high blood pressure. This involves foundational lifestyle changes like diet and exercise, and when necessary, we add medication to safely reach a personalized target blood pressure. Our goal is to not just lower numbers, but to protect your overall health.

9800 S Healthpark Dr Ste 320
Fort Myers FL 33908
Phone: (239) 343-6350

Dr. Thomas Hughes, DO 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): 1174599484

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. Thomas Hughes 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.