Dr. Robert Eckart, DO is a Cardiology specializing in the comprehensive cardiovascular care of older adults. He is dedicated to providing compassionate and personalized care for individuals 65 years and older at Heart Specialists of Sarasota in Sarasota, FL. As a partner in senior health, Dr. Eckart is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). General cardiologists provide expert diagnosis and management of complex heart conditions common in older adults, working collaboratively with your primary care physician and other specialists to ensure comprehensive, personalized care.
Dr. Robert Eckart, DO is a cardiologist in Sarasota, FL with over 25 years of experience in the medical field. He brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to his patients and their families. His extensive experience encompasses Adult Congenital Heart Conditions, Heart Conditions, and Cardiac Implantable Device Procedures. Dr. Eckart earned his medical degree from Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine in 1998 and completed his residency in Cardiology at Tripler Army Medical Center in 2001, followed by fellowship training at Brooke Army Medical Center and Brigham And Womens Hospital in 2006. He is Board Certified in Cardiology, Cardiovascular Disease, and Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology by the American Board of Medical Specialties and the American Board of Internal Medicine. He is affiliated with HCA Florida Englewood Hospital and currently welcomes new patients. Please call (941) 392-4558 to schedule an appointment. Dr. Eckart offers consultations in Spanish.
A cornerstone of effective senior care is a strong patient-doctor partnership. Dr. Robert Eckart is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on holistic strategies to protect health and enhance quality of life.
Dr. Eckart is a compassionate and dedicated partner in your senior's health journey, providing comprehensive cardiovascular care. He collaborates closely with primary care physicians and specialists to ensure a personalized approach to diagnosis and management of heart conditions common in older adults. His focus is not only on treating the condition but also on understanding each individual's unique needs and goals, fostering a supportive environment for optimal well-being.
By working together, you, your family, and Dr. Robert Eckart can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Specific Plans Accepted
Curative
Also Accepts These Carriers
- Aetna
- Anthem
- Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Blue Card
- Blue Card PPO
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida
- Blue Preferred Patient Care PPO
- Buckeye Community Health Plan
- CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Choice Care (Humana)
- Choice Care PPO
- Choice Plus
- Choice Plus POS II
- ChoiceCare Network
- Cigna
- Curative EPO
- Curative PPO
- Curative PPO Plus
- Elderplan
- First Health
- First Health (Coventry Health Care)
- First Health (Coventry Health Care) PPO
- Health Net
- HealthKeepers Plus
- HealthKeepers Plus POS
- HealthyBlue Advantage
- Humana
- Inc. d/b/a Florida Blue
- LocalPlus
- Medicare
- Medicare HMO
- MultiPlan
- MultiPlan PPO
- National (BlueCard) PPO
- Navigate
- Navigate HMO
- Preferred Patient Care
- Tricare
- United Healthcare
- UnitedHealthCare
Effective management of health is key to well-being in later life. Dr. Robert Eckart 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:
- Syncope: Fainting (syncope) can be scary, but understanding its causes, such as heart rhythm problems or low blood pressure, allows for effective management to improve your safety and independence.
- Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO): Sometimes, a small opening in the heart, called a patent foramen ovale (PFO), may persist from birth, and while often harmless, it can rarely cause problems like stroke and needs evaluation by a cardiologist.
- Aortic Ectasia: With careful monitoring and potentially medication or surgery, aortic ectasia, a widening of the main artery from the heart, can be managed to help you live a full and active life.
- Supraventricular Tachycardia: SVT is a condition involving a fast heart rate starting in the upper heart chambers, leading to symptoms such as palpitations and lightheadedness. Fortunately, many effective treatments are available to help manage these symptoms and enhance your quality of life, allowing you to stay active and engaged.
- Nonrheumatic Tricuspid Disease: Nonrheumatic tricuspid valve disease affects the valve that separates the heart's upper and lower right chambers. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms and improving heart function to maintain your independence.
- Hypertension: Managing hypertension involves working closely with your doctor to find the right medication and lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise, to lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk of stroke, heart attack, and kidney disease, enabling you to live a fulfilling life.
- Biventricular Heart Failure: In biventricular heart failure, both the lower and upper chambers of your heart struggle to pump blood effectively; however, treatment can significantly improve your symptoms and help you stay active.
- Typical Atrial Flutter: Atrial flutter is an irregular heartbeat where the upper chambers of your heart beat too fast, but with treatment like medication or procedures, we can help regulate your heart rhythm and improve your energy levels.
- Acute Coronary Syndrome: Experiencing chest pain or discomfort? It could be acute coronary syndrome, a condition requiring immediate medical attention; early diagnosis and treatment can lessen the severity of the condition, potentially helping you remain active and healthy.
- Mitral Valve Disease: Mitral valve disease happens when the mitral valve in your heart doesn't open or close properly, affecting blood flow and potentially causing fatigue or shortness of breath, but treatments like medication or surgery can help manage symptoms and improve your quality of life.
- Chronic Congestive Heart Failure: Chronic congestive heart failure means your heart isn't pumping blood as efficiently as it should, making everyday tasks feel harder, but with the right treatment, you can manage your symptoms and enjoy a better quality of life.
- Hypertensive Chronic Kidney Disease: If you have high blood pressure and your kidneys aren't working as well as they should, that's hypertensive chronic kidney disease; consistent medical care can help you manage the condition and enjoy a better life.
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. Robert Eckart offers a range of services designed to diagnose, manage, and support the health of older adults:
- Pharmacologic Nuclear Stress Test: A pharmacologic nuclear stress test uses medication and a special camera to show how well your heart works during exercise, helping doctors identify areas of reduced blood flow.
- Peripheral Artery Catheterization: As part of your comprehensive heart health assessment, peripheral artery catheterization can provide crucial information about the health of your leg and arm arteries, leading to a more personalized care strategy.
- Cardiovascular Diagnostic Test: These tests provide crucial information about your heart's function and blood flow, assisting in the development of a personalized care plan to improve your heart health and overall well-being.
- Thrombolysis: Thrombolysis is a treatment that dissolves blood clots, improving blood flow to the heart and reducing damage from a heart attack, helping seniors recover faster.
- Pacemaker Insertion or Replacement: Pacemaker insertion is a procedure that can restore a normal heart rhythm, alleviating symptoms and preventing serious health complications often associated with slow heart rates.
- Treadmill Stress Test: This test measures your heart's response to exercise, helping your cardiologist manage existing heart conditions and adjust your treatment plan accordingly.
- Tilt Table Testing: This test can help determine if a drop in blood pressure upon standing is causing your lightheadedness or falls, improving your safety.
- Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation: As part of your comprehensive heart health plan, radiofrequency catheter ablation may be used to treat abnormal heart rhythms that could lead to more serious health problems.
- Vascular Duplex Ultrasonography and Plethysmography: Vascular duplex ultrasonography and plethysmography are non-invasive tests that help doctors assess blood flow in your arteries and veins, providing crucial information for managing conditions like peripheral artery disease.
- Insertion of Left Ventricular Lead for Pacemaker or Cardioverter and Defibrillator: As part of a comprehensive heart health plan, a tiny lead is inserted into the left ventricle to work with a pacemaker or defibrillator, helping regulate the heartbeat and preventing dangerous arrhythmias.
- Structural Heart Disease Evaluations and Treatment: Structural heart disease evaluations help doctors identify problems with your heart's structure, like valve issues or weakened heart muscle, allowing for early intervention and better management.
- Electrophysiology: By assessing your heart's electrical activity, electrophysiology helps your doctor determine the best treatment, whether it's medication, a pacemaker, or another intervention.
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. Robert Eckart 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:
- After receiving guidance on managing fainting episodes, a senior felt more secure at home and was able to resume their beloved weekly bridge club activities.
- Following a comprehensive evaluation and personalized care plan, a senior felt a significant reduction in the occasional light-headedness they experienced, and with the reassurance of a well-managed PFO, they were able to return to their favorite hobby of walking in the park with renewed confidence.
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 Medical Specialties (Cardiology)
- American Board of Internal Medicine (Cardiovascular Disease)
- American Board of Internal Medicine (Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology)
Here are answers to some common questions about Cardiovascular care with Dr. Robert Eckart:
- What is a Cardiologist, and why might a senior need to see one?
- Dr. Eckart and his team are cardiologists specializing in heart and blood vessel health. Seeing a cardiologist is important for seniors with existing heart conditions, new symptoms, or to manage risk factors, partnering together to maintain independence and quality of life.
- What can I expect during my first visit with Dr. Robert Eckart?
- Your first visit with Dr. Eckart will be a comprehensive and unhurried conversation about your heart health. We'll review your medical history and medications, perform 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. Eckart's practice emphasizes heart-healthy habits like regular, gentle exercise, taking medications as prescribed, and following a low-sodium diet. Knowing the warning signs of a heart attack or stroke is also crucial. Partnering with your doctor ensures optimal heart health as you age.
- 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. Eckart will work with you to manage this long-term condition using medications and lifestyle changes to improve symptoms like breathlessness and swelling, helping you live more comfortably and actively.
- What is a heart stent?
- A heart stent is a tiny mesh tube that acts like a scaffold to hold open a narrowed artery. It's placed during a minimally invasive procedure to restore blood flow and relieve chest pain.
- How can cardiac rehabilitation help me after a heart procedure?
- Cardiac rehabilitation is a supervised program designed to help you safely regain strength and confidence after a heart procedure. It provides education on diet, exercise, and stress management, empowering you to build a healthier future and reduce your risk of future heart problems.
- 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 a safe test done on a treadmill while your EKG and blood pressure are monitored. A supervised stress test helps identify potential blockages that could cause problems.
- What is Peripheral Artery Disease (P.A.D.)?
- Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a condition where the arteries in the legs narrow, reducing blood flow. It's often linked to heart health issues and is a significant risk factor for heart attack and stroke. Common symptoms include leg pain when walking, which typically improves with rest.
Heart Specialists of Sarasota
1950 Arlington St Ste 400
Sarasota FL 34239
Phone: (941) 392-4558
Dr. Robert Eckart, DO 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): 1366479404
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. Robert Eckart 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.