Frequently Asked Questions

Cardiology is a specialty involving the care of the cardiovascular system. The heart (cardia) is the most critical organ in the body. The transport vessels or vasculature are also part of the cardiovascular system. Stiffening of the arteries or blood vessels over time leads to high blood pressure.

The heart includes three main systems which include the electrical, mechanical, & plumbing systems similar to a house. The electrical system involves conduction through the heart to stimulate contraction or the pumping function of the heart to send blood to all the vital organs in the body. Arrhythmias or abnormal heart rhythms fall into the abnormal electrical category. Mechanical issues occur when the pumping function of the heart fails such as congestive heart failure or valvular problems of the heart. The valves are like doors which open and close thousands upon thousands of times even while you are reading this. Next is the plumbing system of the heart. The coronary arteries run on top of the heart to supply blood flow to the heart itself. If these coronary arteries become blocked, heart attacks occur.

A cardiologist is a specialized physician. After completing four years of undergraduate coursework, Dr. Anne Ford then spent four more years in medical school to become an MD.

Next, to care for complex patients and cover the entire intricate human body, a 3-year internal medicine residency is required. Afterwards comes a cardiovascular fellowship, which is highly competitive, and only a few spots are opened each year. These fellowships range from 2-4 years, and additional training is required to become an electrophysiologist or electrician of the heart.

Interventional cardiologists are the plumbers of the heart who insert stents or tubes to open up blocked arteries in acute heart attacks. A general cardiologist is analogous to the general contractor who makes the initial diagnosis and refers within the specialty.

At Heart Forward MD, we provide a more personalized and innovative approach to your cardiac care. We value top-notch service and treat you like a family member. We know that your heart is critical, and we strive to care for all aspects of your heart, not just physical but also spiritual & emotional, because all three are intertwined. We want to promote your longevity and work together to achieve your cardiac goals.

Yes, we accept traditional insurance.

Yes, for our monthly memberships combined with traditional insurance, if you choose to pay upfront to cover our 1-year program, we offer a 10% discount for paying upfront with cash or check payments.