Orlando Health Heart & Vascular Institute

08/11/2026

❤️ Orlando Health Dr. P. Phillips Hospital is expanding access to innovative heart failure care!

The hospital’s cardiac catheterization team recently implanted its first pulmonary artery pressure sensor, a device about the size of a paper clip that continuously monitors pressure in the heart. Rising pressure can signal early fluid buildup and worsening heart failure, giving care teams an opportunity to intervene sooner.

The procedure was performed as part of the hospital’s heart failure care, with Jacqueline Dawson Dowe, MD, cardiologist with Orlando Health Heart and Vascular Institute, among the physicians involved in this advanced care.

This new technology gives the Orlando Health team another way to monitor patients closer to home between visits, adjust treatment sooner and help keep patients ahead of worsening heart failure.

08/06/2026

Your resting heart rate offers key insights into your overall heart health. 🧡

A lower resting heart rate typically signals better cardiovascular health, while a higher rate could indicate stress or underlying issues. Tracking your numbers is key in understanding your baseline heart health and if there's a need for medical intervention.

08/05/2026

07/30/2026

What happens if a student-athlete has an abnormal ECG? 🤔

Sports cardiologist Dr. Patrick Chang from Orlando Health Heart and Vascular Institute explains what an abnormal ECG may mean, the next steps in the evaluation process and why an abnormal result doesn't automatically mean an athlete can't play sports.

07/28/2026

Advanced heart care is now even closer to home for Seminole County residents! 🎉

Dr. Mohamed Elshazly, a cardiologist and cardiac electrophysiology physician with Orlando Health Heart and Vascular Institute, performed the first WATCHMAN™ procedure at Orlando Health Lake Mary Hospital. The WATCHMAN™ procedure is a minimally invasive treatment that helps reduce stroke risk for eligible patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib) by closing the left atrial appendage, where most AFib-related blood clots form.

For many patients, it offers an FDA-approved alternative to long-term blood thinners.

This milestone underscores Orlando Health's commitment to expanding access to innovative, evidence-based cardiovascular care for patients and families throughout Seminole County. Kudos to Dr. Elshazly and the cardiovascular surgery team

07/21/2026

How do you know when it's time to see a cardiologist? 💔
Symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, heart palpitations or uncontrolled high blood pressure are all worth paying attention to and could warrant a cardiologist check-up.

👉 Swipe through to learn when it's time to schedule a visit.

07/16/2026

What is a , and why might your provider recommend one? 🫀

Zachary Kustin, PA, with Orlando Health Heart & Vascular Institute, explains treadmill stress tests, nuclear stress testing, and stress echocardiograms to help you better understand your heart health.

07/15/2026

The sudden loss of U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham has brought attention to a rare but life-threatening condition: an aortic dissection.

It occurs when there is a tear on the inner wall of the main artery that carries blood from your heart to other parts of your body.

Dr. Sandeep Gupta, a board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon at Orlando Health Heart & Vascular Institute, explains the causes, symptoms and treatment.

🔗 Learn more: https://www.orlandohealth.com/content-hub/what-is-an-aortic-dissection-and-why-is-it-so-dangerous

07/13/2026

🚩What are heart health red flags for teens athletes?

Sports cardiologist Dr. Patrick Chang from the Orlando Health Heart and Vascular Institute breakdown the signs and symptoms that could indicate heart issues. There is new legislation called the (SB 1070) requiring all high school student-athletes (grades 9–12) to complete at least one ECG screening before participating in interscholastic sports in Florida. Knowing the first signs of a heart problem can also help prevent sudden cardiac arrest for young athletes.

07/09/2026

What causes heart failure? 🤔

Dr. Shahid Qamar, cardiologist with Orlando Health Heart and Vascular Institute, explains that common health concerns, like high blood pressure and diabetes, are serious risk factors for developing heart failure over time.