Lee Health Heart Institute

Lee Health offers patients a secure, online way to access medical records. Patients can log into MyChart to access results. You also have the ability to go to any hospital and obtain a paper copy of your medical records at the release of medical information desk.  

Yes, you do need a referral for a cardiothoracic surgeon or cardiology specialist.  You cannot make an appointment through MyChart, please call the physicians office to make an appointment. Once you have had your initial appointment, you can make follow up appointments through MyChart.

Any time you have a significant heart or related condition, you may require the attention of a cardiologist. Their skills and training are required for decisions about heart catheterization, balloon angioplasty, heart surgery and other procedures.

Your cardiologist will review your medical history and perform a physical examination which may include checking your blood pressure, weight, heart, lungs and blood vessels. While some problems may be diagnosed from this examination, your cardiologist may order an ECG, x-ray or blood tests. In addition, an ambulatory ECG, echocardiogram, exercise test, heart catheterization and/or nuclear imaging may be required.

If your general doctor or cardiologist feels that surgery may be the best treatment for your heart condition and medication alone will not be enough, then you will be referred to a cardiac surgeon for further evaluation. The surgeon will review your medical records and tests, especially the heart catheterization results, if bypass, cardiac valve or heart surgery for a congenital defect is being considered. The cardiac surgeon will then discuss your case with you and your doctors, to give further advice about the risks and benefits of surgery.

Cardiac surgeons perform many operations in our hospitals, including - coronary artery bypass, heart rhythm surgery, valve replacement or repairs, and repairs of complex heart problems present from birth (congenital heart disease). They also are qualified to operate on organs other than the heart, such as the lungs, esophagus and blood vessels.

Cardiothoracic Surgeons generally perform surgery of the heart and chest. Cardiologists work with surgeons to manage patients and determine whether the patient needs surgery. They might also work together to treat irregular heart beat problems.

Lee Health and Cleveland Clinic are committed to excellence through patient care and quality outcomes. Patients will benefit from the opportunities that will be provided through new treatments and therapies and accelerated access to the resources of Cleveland Clinic’s expertise.