Your Palatka cardiologist, right down the road
First Coast Cardiovascular Institute (FCCI) runs a full cardiology office and outpatient cath lab at 205 Zeagler Drive in Palatka, so Putnam County families can get heart and vascular care without the long drive to Jacksonville.
What a cardiologist does
A cardiologist is a doctor who focuses on the heart and blood vessels. At FCCI, that care covers prevention, testing, diagnosis and treatment, all from one practice. FCCI describes itself as a one-stop shop: its specialists work under one roof, which can save you the time and cost of bouncing between offices.
FCCI offers board-certified care in:
- Cardiovascular medicine: treating, managing and preventing heart and blood vessel disease
- Interventional cardiology: treating heart problems with thin tubes called catheters instead of open surgery
- Electrophysiology: heart rhythm problems like atrial fibrillation (AFib)
- Endovascular medicine: treating diseased blood vessels, including leg arteries
- Nuclear cardiology, echocardiography and non-invasive vascular testing
Not every service happens in every office. Call the Palatka office at 386.325.2836 and the team will tell you what can be done right here and what may happen at another FCCI location.
When to make an appointment
Many people see a cardiologist because their family doctor sends them. You can also call on your own. Common reasons to book a visit include:
- Chest discomfort that comes and goes with activity
- Shortness of breath that is new or getting worse
- A racing, pounding or irregular heartbeat
- High blood pressure that is hard to control
- Leg pain or cramping when you walk
- Swelling in your legs or ankles
- A wound on your leg or foot that will not heal
- A family history of heart disease
Some heart symptoms cannot wait for an appointment. Sudden chest pressure, gasping for air, passing out, or a drooping face, weak arm or slurred speech all mean calling 911 right away, and letting the ambulance do the driving.
If your symptoms are steady and not an emergency, the Palatka office at 205 Zeagler Drive, Suite 101 can see you. Call 386.325.2836 on a weekday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. and say what has been bothering you, and the team will find the right visit.
Care close to home in Putnam County
Choosing a local cardiologist does not mean settling for less. FCCI has been caring for hearts in Northeast Florida since 2002, has grown to more than 30 providers, and runs an accredited outpatient cath lab right here in Palatka since 2016.
In 2016, FCCI opened its second freestanding cath lab right here in Palatka. That means many heart and leg artery procedures can be done in an outpatient setting in town, and the lab is accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care.
If you ever need to be in the hospital, FCCI provides coverage at HCA Florida Putnam Hospital 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Just ask for a physician from First Coast Cardiovascular Institute when you are admitted.
Many of the visits and tests a cardiologist orders can stay in Palatka, where FCCI has run an accredited outpatient cath lab since 2016.
How to get started
Getting in is simple. Call 386.325.2836 during office hours, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The front desk will check your insurance, find a time and tell you what to bring. New patients are welcome.
Bring your insurance card, a photo ID, a list of your medicines and any recent test results. If your doctor referred you, they can send records to the office. FCCI also offers TeleVisits for some appointments, using a text link with no app to download.
Should a heart problem ever land you in HCA Florida Putnam Hospital, you do not have to start over with strangers. FCCI physicians cover that hospital day and night, so ask for First Coast Cardiovascular Institute when you arrive.
Talk with a specialist.
New patients are welcome. Call 386.325.2836, Mon to Fri, 8am to 5pm, or request a visit online.
Do I need a referral to see a cardiologist in Palatka?
Some insurance plans require one and some do not. Call 386.325.2836 and the front desk will check your plan.
Where is the Palatka office?
At 205 Zeagler Drive, Suite 101, Palatka, FL 32177. Phone 386.325.2836, fax 386.325.2736.
What are the office hours?
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Saturday and Sunday. For emergencies, call 911.