Southeast Cardiology Clinic

One might say that a cardiologist gets to the heart of your health issues. The word “cardiologist” is actually from two Greek words: kardia meaning “heart,” and logos, which means “word.” In any event, the Southeast Cardiology Clinic of Dothan, Alabama is a full-service cardiology practice staffed by four cardiology specialists who are committed to providing their patients with the highest degree of health care and treatment of heart disease, hypertension and circulatory disorders. At least one of the four is on-call twenty-four hours in order to respond to emergencies. Each of the four physicians are board certified and is either a Fellow or a Candidate in the American College of Cardiologists.

 

Heart disease accounts for half of the premature deaths in the U.S. today, and about 12 million worldwide. It is estimated that 60 million Americans have some form of cardiovascular disease; the daily death toll is 2600 (cancer claims about 1300 per day). The most common form is coronary artery disease, and researchers have found that there are risk factors that can increase one’s chances of developing such disorders. Some of these risk factors, such as Type I diabetes, gender, age and heredity cannot be changed. However, there are many risk factors over which the individual has a great deal of control.

 

Among the more treatable and easily controlled risk factors are hypertension, high cholesterol, obesity, smoking and inactivity. Steps one can take to improve cardiovascular health include moderate exercise 3-5 times per week; weight reduction; increasing one’s intake of whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables while decreasing the intake of animal-based foods and a moderate amount of alcohol can greatly reduce the risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

 

Chest pain by itself does not necessarily indicate that a heart attack is oncoming. However, if the pain is severe, worsens with exertion, and is accompanied by a feeling of weight pressing down on the chest with shortness of breath, paramedics should be alerted immediately. Time is of the essence; with rapid treatment, most heart attack victims make a full recovery. If a heart attack feels imminent, the best course of action is to call 911, then take two or three aspirins by chewing them. This will get the medication into the bloodstream faster, and prevent clotting that could otherwise result in serious heart damage.

 

The doctors at the South East Cardiology Clinic are Neslon S. Gwinn III, Thomas E. Young, Christopher Centafont, and Andreas Muench. In addition to their primary office in Dothan, South East Cardiology Inc. maintains outreach clinics in Enterprise as well as Marianna, Florida and Blakely, Georgia.  The office accepts Medicare and Medicaid patients as well as Blue Shield, Champus and certain HMO networks.