Heart Care Center
Southwest Florida's leader in Cardiac Care
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Symptoms of Chest Pain
Are you having chest pain?
If so, let someone know immediately.
Did you know heart attacks have beginnings?
These “beginnings” occur in over 50% of patients. Most importantly, if recognized in time, these “beginnings” can be treated before the heart is damaged! The early symptoms of a heart attack include:
- Anxiety
- Back pain
- Chest pressure, squeezing or discomfort
- Fatigue
- Feeling of fullness
- Jaw pain
- Nausea
- Pain that travels down one or both arms
- Shortness of breath
Also, people may experience mild chest symptoms, such as pressure, burning, aching, or tightness. These symptoms may come and go until finally becoming constant and severe. Call 911, don't wait more than 5 minutes!
Did you know?
85% of heart damage occurs within the first two hours of a heart attack. Know the subtle danger signs of a heart attack and act upon them immediately - before heart damage occurs!
Alarming statistics
- Heart disease caused approximately 1 of every 6 deaths in the United States in 2006.
- In 2011, an estimated 785,000 Americans will have a first-time heart attack, and an estimated 470,000 will have a repeat heart attack.
- Every 25 seconds, an American will have a coronary event, and every minute, someone will die of one.
By working together, we can change these sobering statistics!
Heart Attack Warning Signs
News
Read the following news articles:
Cardiothoracic Surgeon Follows Her Dream to Charlotte County, October 17, 2016
Vascular surgeon Justin Boccardo, M.D., Helps His Patients Stay Closer to Home, October 13, 2016
We're Hitting the Road to Teach People How They Can Save Lives with Hands-Only, July 18, 2016
Bayfront Health Port Charlotte Becomes First in Charlotte County to Offer Patients a New Heart Failure Monitoring Solution, June 22, 2016
The Southwest Florida Heart Center at Bayfront Health Port Charlotte is Mending Hearts, May 13, 2016
Bayfront Health Medical Group Surgeon Named to 2016 America's Best Physicians List, April 27, 2016
Heart attack warning signs can be different in women, February 17, 2016
Listen to our medical professionals on the local radio shows. Click on the show to listen:
Justin Boccardo, MD speaks about Vascular Surgery - Aired February 18, 2016
Heart and Cath Talk - Aired February 11, 2016
Heart and Navigator (involved with open heart surgery) - Aired December 03, 2015
MEGA Heart® at Bayfront Health
A Port Charlotte man suffering from heart problems has a new option.
Best in cardiac care
All seven Bayfront Health heart care centers are state-of-the-art facilities. Each features a dedicated cardiac intensive care unit, performs interventional cardiac procedures, and showcases a distinguished team of cardiac physicians and staff. Using the most advanced technology in the region, our heart care centers are fully equipped to prevent and treat all aspects of cardiovascular disease.
- Rapid heart attack response times
- Advanced diagnostic and imaging technology
- Regionally and nationally renowned cardiac and thoracic surgeons
- Advanced heart failure and heart rhythm disorder care
- Six strategically located Accredited Chest Pain Centers, two with PCI
- Special heart arrhythmia program at Bayfront Health St. Petersburg
- Advanced Cardiac Care Certification and Gold Seal of Approval by The Joint Commission (Venice Regional); one of only three in Florida
- Recognized Top Performers at Spring Hill, Brooksville and Dade City hospitals
Cardiac care is available at all Bayfront Health hospitals.
Southwest Florida Heart Center
The Southwest Florida Heart Center is a full‐service cardiac center in Charlotte County.
Featuring all private rooms, the 50,000‐square‐foot facility includes:
- 19‐bed cardiovascular intensive care unit
- 16-bed post interventional cardiac cath unit
- 8-bed pre/post interventional cardiac holding unit (IVH)
- 2 open heart surgery suites
To learn more and view a virtual tour, go to Southwest Florida Heart Center.
In July 2014, Bayfront Health Port Charlotte and the Southwest Florida Heart Center formed Charlotte County’s first chapter of Mended Hearts™. Mended Hearts is a national and community-based non-profit organization that provides support to those diagnosed with heart disease.
Mended Hearts volunteers include heart patients, their families, and others impacted by heart disease. Its members draw on personal experience as they offer peer-to-peer support to patients, family members and caregivers through hospital, online and phone visiting programs, support group meetings and educational forums.
For over 60 years, Mended Hearts has facilitated a positive patient experience by offering hope and education. We are proud to bring Mended Hearts to Charlotte County to continue their work in our community. To learn more, call the Mended Hearts information desk at the Southwest Florida Heart Center at 941-766-4686, or email mendedheartpc@gmail.com.
If you are a heart survivor or family caregiver, we would like to invite you to our special educational and support session. Click here for upcoming dates.
We offer patients access to a complete spectrum of cardiac services. No matter what type of heart condition you are experiencing, our united team of physicians is ready to coordinate with your primary doctor or cardiologist to deliver the expert care you need, close to home. We are home to some of the most skilled cardiologists, electrophysiologists, cardiovascular surgeons, vascular surgeons, and health care professionals dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cardiovascular disease. That means better outcomes and improved quality of life for patients.
