Dr. George Pilcher, MD is a Cardiology specialist dedicated to providing compassionate, comprehensive Cardiovascular care for older adults. He practices at his clinic in Jacksonville, FL, and is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine, practicing under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). He understands the unique cardiovascular needs of individuals 65 years and older, and general cardiologists provide expert diagnosis and management of complex heart conditions common in this population. Working collaboratively with your primary care physician and other specialists, Dr. Pilcher ensures comprehensive, personalized care tailored to your specific needs. He is currently welcoming new patients; please call (904) 388-1820 to schedule an appointment.
Dr. George Pilcher, MD is a cardiologist in Jacksonville, FL, with over 45 years of experience in the medical field. He brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to his patients and their families. Dr. Pilcher has extensive experience in Adult Congenital Heart Conditions, Interventional Cardiac Procedures, and Heart Conditions. He earned his medical degree from Augusta University Medical College of Georgia in 1978 and completed his residency in Cardiology at Emory University Hospital. He is Board Certified in Cardiovascular Disease, Internal Medicine, and Interventional Cardiology by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Dr. Pilcher is affiliated with Ascension St Vincent's Riverside and is committed to a collaborative, evidence-based approach to medicine, fostering a supportive environment where patients and their families feel heard and empowered in their healthcare decisions. He provides consultations primarily in English.
A cornerstone of effective senior care is a strong patient-doctor partnership. Dr. George Pilcher is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on holistic strategies to protect health and enhance quality of life.
Dr. George Pilcher is a compassionate partner in your senior's health journey, providing comprehensive cardiovascular care with a focus on the individual. He collaborates closely with primary care physicians and other specialists to ensure personalized treatment plans for complex heart conditions, prioritizing the unique needs and goals of each patient and their family.
By working together, you, your family, and Dr. George Pilcher can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Specific Plans Accepted
Aetna
Cigna
Also Accepts These Carriers
- Aetna HMO
- Ambetter
- Anthem
- Blue Card PPO
- Blue Choice HMO
- Blue Choice Option POS
- Blue Choice PPO
- Blue Choice-GA HMO-POS
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia
- Blue Essential Open Access-GA HMO
- Blue Essential Open Access-GA POS
- Blue Essential-GA PPO
- Blue HRA Blue Choice-GA PPO
- Blue HRA Blue Open Access-GA POS
- Blue HSA Blue Choice-GA PPO
- Blue HSA Blue Open Access-GA POS
- Blue Open Access (Select Network)-GA POS
- Blue Open Access (Small Grp)-GA POS
- Blue Open Access POS
- Blue Open Access-GA HMO
- BlueChoice Healthcare Plan-GA
- BlueChoice-GA HMO
- BlueChoice-GA POS
- BlueChoice-GA PPO
- CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Choice Care PPO
- Choice Plus POS II
- Cigna HMO
- Cigna PPO
- Curative
- Curative EPO
- Curative PPO
- Curative PPO Plus
- EPO-GA
- First Health
- First Health (Coventry Health Care) PPO
- Healthy Support Open Access-GA POS
- Healthy Support-GA PPO
- HealthyBlue 2.0
- HealthyBlue Advantage
- Humana
- MultiPlan
- MultiPlan PPO
- National (BlueCard Basic) PPO
- National (BlueCard) PPO
- Open Access Plus
- Pathway Enhanced (Small Grp)-GA
- Pathway Guided Access Products-GA HMO
- Pathway Guided Access-GA
- Pathway Products - Pathway Network-GA HMO
- Pathway X (on Exchange)-GA HMO
- Pathway X Guided Access-GA
- Pathway X Guided Access-GA HMO
- Pathway-GA HMO
- Preferred PPO
- Select HMO
- State Health Network - SHBP-GA
- Superior Health Plan
- Traditional / Indemnity-GA
- Traditional Health Plan-GA
Effective management of health is key to well-being in later life. Dr. George Pilcher provides expert, compassionate care for a range of conditions common in older adults, with a focus on managing symptoms and maintaining function. Common areas of focus include:
- Hypertensive Heart and Chronic Kidney Disease: If you have both high blood pressure and chronic kidney disease, this combined condition requires careful monitoring and treatment to protect your heart and kidneys; this management can help you live a more comfortable life.
- Aortic Valve Disease: Aortic valve disease affects the heart's main outflow valve, sometimes requiring intervention to improve blood flow and reduce symptoms like fatigue and chest discomfort, allowing you to enjoy your favorite activities with less limitation.
- Cardiomyopathy: It's a disease affecting the heart muscle's ability to pump blood efficiently; however, treatment focuses on managing symptoms and improving your quality of life to ensure you can continue to live comfortably.
- Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA): If you have an abdominal aortic aneurysm, it means there's a bulge in a large artery in your abdomen. Treatment options, including monitoring or surgery, aim to prevent a potentially life-threatening rupture, allowing you to enjoy your life more fully.
- Sick Sinus Syndrome: With sick sinus syndrome, your heart's electrical system has trouble sending the right signals, causing irregular heartbeats; however, treatment like medication or a pacemaker can help regulate your heart rhythm and reduce symptoms like shortness of breath and fainting, improving your daily life.
- Pericardial Disease: With pericardial disease, the thin sac around your heart becomes irritated or filled with fluid, potentially causing discomfort; early diagnosis and proper treatment can help you stay active and maintain your independence.
- Alcoholic Cardiomyopathy: Alcoholic cardiomyopathy is a weakening of the heart muscle caused by excessive alcohol consumption, which can be managed by reducing or stopping alcohol intake, improving overall health, and potentially medication to support heart function.
- First Degree Heart Block: It's a common, often harmless heart rhythm problem called first-degree heart block where the electrical signals that make your heart beat are slightly delayed, usually requiring no treatment beyond regular check-ups.
- Hypertensive Heart without Failure: Hypertensive heart disease means your heart is working harder than it should due to high blood pressure, but it's not yet failing to pump blood effectively.
- Ventricular Fibrillation: If someone experiences ventricular fibrillation, their heart beats erratically, which can lead to fainting or sudden cardiac arrest; immediate treatment, like defibrillation, is crucial to restore a normal heartbeat and save their life.
- Chronic Congestive Heart Failure: Chronic congestive heart failure is a condition where the heart weakens over time, impacting its ability to circulate blood effectively, but with proper medical care, you can lessen the impact on your daily life and maintain your independence for longer.
- Coronary Vessel Malformation: Having a coronary vessel malformation means the heart's blood vessels didn't develop quite normally. Treatment strategies, if needed, are tailored to your specific condition and aim to reduce symptoms and improve your quality of life, assisting you to remain independent.
This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes. An accurate diagnosis and a personalized care plan can only be developed through a direct consultation with a qualified medical professional based on your specific health history.
To provide comprehensive and person-centered care, Dr. George Pilcher offers a range of services designed to diagnose, manage, and support the health of older adults:
- Cardiac Imaging: To better understand your heart condition, your doctor may recommend cardiac imaging, a non-invasive procedure using images to detect problems like blockages or valve issues, ensuring you receive the most appropriate care.
- Aortic Valve Surgery: This surgical intervention helps manage the symptoms associated with aortic stenosis or regurgitation, allowing seniors to remain more active and independent.
- Cardiovascular Stress Test: This test helps doctors determine if your heart is getting enough blood flow during activity, aiding in the management of chest pain or shortness of breath.
- Pacemaker Insertion or Replacement: Replacing an old or malfunctioning pacemaker allows for continued support of a healthy heart rhythm, optimizing your cardiovascular function and contributing to overall well-being.
- Removal or Revision of Pacemaker or Cardioverter and-or Defibrillator: If your existing device is causing problems or no longer meets your needs, removal or replacement will help restore optimal cardiac function.
- Coronary Angiogram: To understand the severity of your heart disease, your doctor might recommend a coronary angiogram, a test that provides detailed images of your heart's arteries and helps determine the need for procedures like angioplasty or stents.
- Cardiac Ultrasound: As part of your overall heart health assessment, a cardiac ultrasound helps doctors evaluate the effectiveness of your current medications and adjustments needed.
- Ablation for Cardiac Arrhythmias: As part of a comprehensive heart health plan, ablation can precisely target and eliminate areas of the heart causing abnormal electrical signals, improving heart function.
- Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI): As part of your heart health plan, PCI can help your doctor clear blockages in your coronary arteries, allowing your heart to function more efficiently.
- Heart Valvuloplasty of Mitral Valve Without Replacement: To avoid open-heart surgery, valvuloplasty allows doctors to repair a narrowed mitral valve, improving heart function and reducing the need for more extensive interventions.
- Cardiovascular Diagnostic Test: Using various non-invasive techniques, these tests help your cardiologist detect and diagnose a wide range of heart conditions, ensuring you receive appropriate and effective medical care.
- Pulmonary Thrombectomy: As part of your comprehensive care plan, pulmonary thrombectomy helps manage blood clots that have traveled to your lungs, enhancing your overall health and well-being.
Service availability can change. To understand which services are appropriate for your specific health needs, please schedule a consultation to develop a personalized care plan.
All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for Cardiology in Florida.
Dr. George Pilcher is dedicated to partnering with older adults and their families to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how compassionate care can make a tangible difference in a patient's life:
- With careful monitoring and treatment for hypertensive heart and chronic kidney disease, a senior couple found greater peace of mind, enjoying extended walks in the park and more time together.
- After careful evaluation and treatment for aortic valve disease, a senior couple felt much less fatigued and more confident navigating their home, enabling them to enjoy their daily walks again.
These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results vary and depend on many factors specific to each person. He will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.
- Primary Location:
Practice
3801 E Highway 98 Ste 100100, Port St. Joe, FL, 32456
Phone: (850) 229-5752
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- HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital Port St. Lucie (Residency Hospital)
- American Board of Internal Medicine (Cardiovascular Disease)
- American Board of Internal Medicine (Internal Medicine)
- American Board of Internal Medicine (Interventional Cardiology)
Here are answers to some common questions about Cardiovascular care with Dr. George Pilcher:
- What is a Cardiologist, and why might a senior need to see one?
- Dr. Pilcher and his team are heart specialists. A cardiologist partners with you to manage your heart health, especially important for seniors with existing heart conditions, new symptoms, or risk factors. This care helps maintain independence and a good quality of life.
- What can I expect during my first visit with Dr. George Pilcher?
- Your first visit with Dr. Pilcher will be a comprehensive and unhurried conversation about your heart health. We will review your medical history and medications, conduct a physical exam, and obtain an EKG. This is the first step in creating a personalized care plan that respects your goals.
- What are the most important heart health tips for seniors?
- Dr. Pilcher's practice emphasizes heart health through regular activity, like a daily walk; taking medications as prescribed; and a heart-healthy diet. Understanding and recognizing warning signs, like chest pain or shortness of breath, empowers you to seek prompt medical attention. Partnering with your doctor keeps you informed and in control of your heart health.
- What is a cardiac stress test, and is it safe for seniors?
- A cardiac stress test shows how your heart responds to activity. It's done safely on a treadmill while your EKG and blood pressure are monitored. Our team supervises the test and it can help identify potential blockages.
- What is a Holter monitor?
- A Holter monitor is a small, portable EKG that you wear for a day or two. It's used to catch infrequent heart rhythm problems that might not show up during a regular office visit, helping to diagnose the cause of palpitations or dizziness.
- What does a 'heart failure' diagnosis mean?
- A heart failure diagnosis means your heart isn't pumping blood as efficiently as it should, but it doesn't mean your heart has stopped. Dr. Pilcher will work with you to manage this long-term condition with medications and lifestyle changes to improve symptoms like breathlessness and swelling, allowing you to live more comfortably and actively.
- What is Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)?
- Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a common irregular heartbeat that often occurs in older adults. It is highly manageable, and the primary goal of treatment is to prevent stroke by using blood thinners and to control symptoms with other medications.
- What is Peripheral Artery Disease (P.A.D.)?
- Peripheral Artery Disease (P.A.D.) is a condition where narrowed arteries in the legs reduce blood flow. It's closely linked to heart health, often a precursor to heart attack and stroke. Common symptoms include leg pain during walking.
1824 King St Ste 300
Jacksonville FL 32204
Phone: (904) 388-1820
Dr. George Pilcher, MD 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): 1306849583
Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.
The information on this profile, provided by infoaging.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with healthcare partners for yourself or a loved one. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the physician named. Cardiology like Dr. George Pilcher are skilled in helping seniors and their families navigate their health journey. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. Always consult with a qualified medical professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your care plan.