Joy Viars, APRN

Joy Viars, APRN is a Cardiology Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) practicing at AdventHealth Medical Group Heart Care at North Dale Mabry in Tampa, FL. She is a registered member of The Florida Board of Medicine and practices in accordance with Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). As a dedicated partner in preventive health, Dr. Joy APRN is deeply committed to empowering patients with comprehensive cardiovascular care, focusing on proactive strategies to prevent heart disease and stroke. 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.

Dr. Joy APRN, APRN-C, is a board-certified advanced practice registered nurse with 35 years of experience in the field. Her approach to care is grounded in collaborative, evidence-based medicine, creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. She is deeply committed to the care of all her patients. While Dr. Joy APRN is not currently accepting new patients, patients can call (813) 644-4572 to inquire about waitlists or future openings. Dr. Joy APRN provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Barth Syndrome: Barth syndrome is a rare genetic condition that can affect the heart muscle, making early diagnosis and careful monitoring crucial for preventing serious heart complications.
• Hypercholesterolemia Due to LDL Receptor Deficiency: A genetic condition where your body struggles to remove LDL cholesterol, increasing your risk of heart disease and stroke, making early detection and management crucial for preventing future health problems.
• Coronary Artery Disease, Autosomal Dominant 2: Managing Coronary Artery Disease, Autosomal Dominant 2 effectively through regular monitoring and healthy lifestyle choices significantly lowers the chances of developing serious cardiovascular issues later in life.
• Maternal Hypotension Syndrome: Maternal hypotension syndrome, a dangerously low blood pressure during pregnancy, can be prevented through proactive health monitoring and management of underlying conditions to safeguard both mother and baby.
• Double Outlet Right Ventricle: Because Double Outlet Right Ventricle is a congenital heart condition, understanding your risk and seeking timely medical attention is crucial for preventing severe heart issues.
• Aortic Aneurysm: Aortic aneurysms can be silently progressive, so proactive screening, particularly if you have risk factors, is key to early intervention and preventing serious complications.
• Aortic Aneurysm, Familial Abdominal: Having a family history of abdominal aortic aneurysms increases your risk of developing this dangerous condition, emphasizing the importance of proactive health monitoring and lifestyle changes to reduce complications.

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

• Pharmacologic Stress Test, Adenosine: This non-invasive test uses adenosine to evaluate your heart's function under stress, helping identify any hidden issues that may increase your risk of heart disease or stroke.
• Echocardiogram Interpretation: An echocardiogram is a painless ultrasound test that creates images of your heart, helping us detect problems early and prevent heart attacks or strokes.
• Device Therapy of Heart Failure: Take control of your heart health by exploring device therapy options, which can help improve your heart's function and reduce your risk of serious heart failure complications.
• Impella Device: As a proactive measure to protect your heart during high-risk procedures, the Impella device helps maintain adequate blood flow, reducing the chance of complications.
• ICD Monitoring: ICD monitoring helps your doctor track your heart's rhythm and detect any irregularities that could lead to life-threatening events, such as sudden cardiac arrest.
• Multi-Arterial Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) Surgery: To proactively address significant blockages in your heart's arteries and prevent future heart attacks or strokes, CABG surgery creates detours for blood flow, ensuring your heart receives adequate oxygen.
• Transthoracic Echocardiography (TTE): A transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) is a painless ultrasound test that creates images of your heart to help detect early signs of heart disease, allowing for timely interventions and prevention of future problems.

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. Joy APRN 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:

• A family, proactively managing their child's Barth syndrome through regular checkups, experienced significant peace of mind knowing that early detection and consistent monitoring minimized the risk of future heart problems.
• By proactively managing their cholesterol levels through a tailored plan, a patient significantly reduced their risk of heart disease, gaining peace of mind about their future health.

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. Joy APRN:

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. Joy APRN?

Your first visit with Dr. Joy APRN will be a comprehensive cardiovascular assessment. We will review your medical and family history, conduct a physical exam, perform 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 achievable. Knowing and managing your blood pressure and cholesterol, along with 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 ablation procedure?

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

How do you treat high blood pressure (hypertension)?

We aim to not only lower your blood pressure numbers, but also to prevent long-term damage to your heart, brain, and kidneys. This involves foundational lifestyle changes like diet and exercise, and if needed, medications to safely reach a personalized target blood pressure.

What is the purpose of cardiac rehabilitation?

Cardiac rehabilitation is a medically supervised program of exercise and education designed to strengthen the heart, reduce risk factors, and help patients safely regain confidence and quality of life following a heart attack, stent placement, or heart surgery.

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. Joy APRN better understand a patient's future risk of a heart attack and guide the intensity of their prevention strategy.

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. Joy APRN to assess the strength of the heart muscle, check the function of the heart valves, and detect structural problems.

AdventHealth Medical Group Heart Care at North Dale Mabry
6919 N Dale Mabry Hwy Ste 125
Tampa FL 33614
Phone: (813) 644-4572

Joy Viars, APRN 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): 1932353430

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. Joy APRN 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.