Your internist's role in heart care
A cardiologist handles procedures and the specialized decisions. Your internist handles everything in between: the blood pressure, the diabetes, the cholesterol, the kidney function, the medication list that keeps growing, and the day-to-day questions. For many patients, we are the doctor they see most often, and we keep the whole picture together.
Conditions we manage
- Coronary artery disease, including care after a heart attack, stent, or bypass
- Heart failure, with attention to weight, swelling, breathing, and the medicines that keep you out of the hospital
- Atrial fibrillation, including blood thinner management and rate control
- Peripheral artery disease and leg circulation problems
- Risk reduction for patients with a strong family history who have not had an event
Working with your cardiologist
We refer to cardiologists in The Woodlands and Conroe, share your records, and follow up on their findings with you. When a cardiologist changes a medicine, we make sure it fits with everything else you take. When you leave the hospital, we want to see you within a week or two to review the discharge plan.
Prevention
Most heart disease is preventable or at least slowable. Controlling blood pressure and cholesterol, managing diabetes, not smoking, and staying active are the levers. A Medicare Annual Wellness Visit includes a heart risk review, and we can order a coronary calcium score when it would change the decision about treatment.
Common questions
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I already have a cardiologist. Do I still need an internist?
Yes. Your cardiologist focuses on your heart. Your internist manages your overall health and the conditions that feed heart disease, and makes sure your care fits together.
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How soon should I be seen after a hospital stay?
Within seven to fourteen days. Call us as soon as you are home and tell the staff you were just discharged so we can prioritize the visit.
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Can you manage my blood thinner?
Yes. We manage warfarin, Eliquis, Xarelto, and similar medicines, including the lab monitoring warfarin requires.
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Do you accept Medicare for heart disease care?
Yes. We accept Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and UnitedHealthcare, and we are part of the WellMed care network.