Cardiovascular Doctors

Take the First Step

If you believe you are at risk for heart disease, it’s time to take the first step in improving your cardiac health. Visit your primary care provider to discuss your heart health to see if you need a referral to one of our heart specialists. If you do not have a primary care provider, follow the steps below to get started:

Find the right provider and clinic

At Novant Health Heart & Vascular Institute, your initial and primary contact for cardiovascular care will generally be a cardiologist. These physicians specialize in preventing, diagnosing and treating conditions affecting heart function and the circulatory system. That includes providing ongoing care, including regular checkups, prescription renewals, referring you to other heart and vascular specialists if needed and following-up after scheduled and emergency procedures.

Surgical subspecialties

Your cardiologists may refer you to one of the following surgical specialists for further evaluation:

• Cardiothoracic surgeons, who specialize in surgeries on the heart, lungs and other tissues and structures in the chest
• Cardiovascular surgeons, who focus more narrowly on surgeries involving the veins and arteries that connect to your heart
• Vascular surgeons, who specialize in surgeries to improve blood flow in the veins and arteries outside of the heart and brain, including in the neck

Other subspecialties

Depending on your condition, you may also be referred to, and receive care, from:

• Electrophysiologists – You might be referred to one of these specialists for evaluation if you have you have an abnormal heart beat, or arrhythmia. They specialize in diagnosing and treating electrical problems of the heart with medications and other treatments, including implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) and/or pacemakers.
• Interventional cardiologists – These doctors specialize in performing catheter-based procedures, including angiograms and stent placement, to diagnose and treat heart and vascular conditions.

Emergency care locations

If you or a loved one are experiencing the warning signs of a heart attack, call 911 immediately.

All Novant Health emergency rooms are equipped with advanced tools and procedures to treat heart attacks, strokes, trauma and other conditions that require immediate care as well as children of all ages.

Upon arrival at any Novant Health emergency room, your condition will be evaluated by a triage nurse. Critically ill patients receive treatment before those with less severe conditions. We provide care as quickly as possible, and our team is always available to answer your questions.

Find Emergency Care