James B. DeStephens, MD
(352) 371-1804
Do You Or Someone You Love Suffer From Coronary Heart Disease?
Imagine...a non-surgical option that could significantly improve your symptoms or someone you care about and is completely covered by health insurance
Do You Or Someone
You Love Suffer From Coronary Heart Disease?
Imagine...a non-surgical option that can significantly improve your symptoms or someone you care about and is completely covered by health insurance
What is Non-Invasive Cardiology?
Dr. DeStephens is a dedicated non-invasive cardiologist, specializing in the diagnosis and management of heart conditions using advanced, non-surgical techniques. Non-invasive cardiology focuses on evaluating heart health through a range of diagnostic tests and procedures that do not require any incisions or surgical interventions. The evaluation of heart conditions can be generally defined by the following services:
Cardiac Imaging
Electrocardiogram
(ECG)
Stress Testing
Holter & Event Monitoring
Cardiac Risk Assessment
Hypertension Management
Preventative Cardiology
Dr. Destephens combines expertise in the latest non-invasive techniques with a patient-centered approach, ensuring thorough and compassionate care for each individual. Whether you need routine heart evaluations or advanced diagnostic testing, Dr. DeStephens is committed to providing high-quality, non-invasive cardiac care to support your heart health and overall well-being.
Take Control of Your Heart Health With
Enhanced External Counter Pulsation (EECP) Therapy
An FDA-Approved Natural Bypass Alternative
EECP is widely considered the most effective non-invasive treatment for heart conditions such as angina, and symptoms associated with heart disease such as chest pain, shortness of breath, and fatigue.
Using advanced counter pulsation technology synced up to one’s heartbeat, EECP Flow Therapy treatments increase the flow of oxygenated blood to the heart by increasing the volume and velocity of blood through the body.
In essence, it mimics physical exercise without straining the heart. This results in the creation of new collateral blood vessels that improve circulation, reduce the severity of symptoms, and enable patients to regain their quality of life–all without surgery.
Because EECP enhances collateral or small vessel circulation throughout the body, it is not surprising to find that it has been found to be successful in addressing other arterial circulation issues such as vascular dementia, night blindness due to lack of circulation to the retinas and even kidney disease if it is found to be related to kidney damage from either uncontrolled high blood pressure or diabetes both of which cause damage to those arteries.
This picture demonstrates the heart and vascular structure changes after ECP
TRUSTED
Trusted by providers at leading institutions like Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, and Johns Hopkins.
COVERED
Covered my Medicare and most commercial insurance policies
PROVEN
75% of patients see significant and sometimes dramatic improvement without surgery.
LONG-LASTING
EECP has clinically proven benefits that last for years after treatment. If symptoms return in the future, additional EECP can be scheduled.
Am I candidate for EECP Treatment?
Have you been diagnosed with coronary artery disease?
Do you suffer from chest pain, tightness, shortness of breath or fatigue?
Tried medications but still suffering from these symptoms?
Have you been told you have chronic heart failure but have stable symptoms?
Are you looking for alternatives to surgery or other invasive treatments?
If you answered yes to any of the above questions, you may be candidate for EECP
Am I candidate for EECP Treatment?
Looking to improve your memory and cognitive function?
Experiencing progressive dementia ?
Do you suffer from kidney failure from high blood pressure and or diabetes?
Do you suffer from peripheral neuropathy from diabetes?
Do you suffer from Macular Degeneration?
Have you been diagnosed with restless leg syndrome?
Are you looking for alternatives to surgery or other invasive treatments?
If you answered yes to any of the above questions, you may be candidate for EECP
What is Coronary Arterial Disease (CAD)?
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a common type of heart disease. It affects the main blood vessels that supply blood to the heart, called the coronary arteries. In CAD, there is reduced blood flow to the heart muscle. A buildup of fats, cholesterol and other substances in and on the artery walls, a condition called atherosclerosis, usually causes coronary artery disease. The buildup, called plaque, makes the arteries narrow.
Coronary artery disease often develops over many years. Symptoms are from the lack of blood flow to the heart. They may include chest pain and shortness of breath. A complete blockage of blood flow can cause a heart attack.
Treatment for coronary artery disease may include medicines and surgery. Eating a nutritious diet, getting regular exercise and not smoking can help prevent coronary artery disease and the conditions that can cause it.
Coronary artery disease also may be called coronary heart disease.
What are the common symptoms of CAD?
Chest Tightness or Pressure (Angina)
Chest tightness or pressure is a hallmark symptom of coronary arterial disease (CAD). This sensation is often described as a squeezing, heaviness, or constricting feeling in the chest, which may be mistaken for simple indigestion. It typically occurs during physical exertion, emotional stress, or after heavy meals, reflecting a reduced blood flow to the heart muscle due to narrowed or blocked coronary arteries. The discomfort may be transient or persist, and it can sometimes radiate to the shoulders, neck, jaw, or arms. This symptom warrants prompt medical evaluation to determine its cause and to assess the overall cardiac health, as it may indicate a significant reduction in coronary blood flow and potential risk for more serious cardiac events.
Shortness of Breath
(Dyspnea)
Dyspnea, or shortness of breath, is a common symptom associated with coronary arterial disease (CAD). It is characterized by an uncomfortable or excessive feeling of breathlessness that may occur during physical activity, at rest, or while lying flat. This symptom arises due to the heart's reduced ability to efficiently pump blood, leading to decreased oxygen supply to the tissues. In CAD, this impaired blood flow is often caused by narrowed or blocked coronary arteries. Dyspnea can range from mild to severe and may be accompanied by other symptoms such as fatigue or chest discomfort. It is a critical sign that warrants medical evaluation to assess heart function and identify any underlying cardiac issues.
Our Staff
James Destephens, MD
Internal Medicine & Non-Invasive Cardiology Specialist
Chad Olsen
Office Manager
Hear From Our Patients
After being advised by my heart doctor that immediate bypass surgery was necessary due to severe blockages, I sought a second opinion from Dr. DeStephens. He thoroughly reviewed my case and determined that while I did have blockages, they were not severe enough for surgery at that moment. Instead, he recommended ECP therapy, a non-surgical outpatient treatment that promotes new circulation. I underwent the 7-week ECP course, and since then, I’ve been free of heart pain during my daily activities. Thanks to Dr. DeStephens' approach, I avoided surgery and improved my heart health through a less invasive method.
Jone Doe - Happy Client
I’ve been seeing doctor DeStephens for over a year now. His staff is always friendly and helpful. Doctor DeStephens is one of the most caring and skilled physicians I have ever been a patient of. He takes a lot of time with you to find out how you are both physically and emotionally. He has a very whole-body approach to medicine. I would highly recommend doctor DeStephens to any of my family and friends. I actually have. My wife and a few coworkers now see DeStephens on my recommendation and they love him too.
John Doe - Happy Client
I was referred to Dr. DeStephens by my cardiologist after having 3 separate heart attacks and then being in heart failure from all the damage that had been done to my heart. My heart doctor told me that my heart arteries were so bad that I was not a candidate for either stents or bypass surgery. And at the age of almost 80, I was too weak to even consider a heart transplant. My cardiologist referred me to Dr. DeStephens for EECP. My heart failure was such that I couldn’t walk across the room without getting shortness of breath and chest pain in spite of being on what I was told to be maximum medicines. Half way through the first round my chest pain went away and I was able to walk about the house slowly without problems. I finished the first round and Dr. DeStephens recommended a second round. Two weeks later was my 80th birthday. I had about 100 of my friends and relatives there to celebrate. I spent half the night on the dance floor without pain or shortness of breath whereas before I couldn’t have even walked across the dance floor without both shortness of breath and chest pain. No one knowing how bad I had been could believe what they saw. Its been a miracle. I had my life back!
John Doe - Happy Client
I’m in my mid 40’s already with a quadruple bypass surgery and multiple heart stents when I started to have angina heart pain again. I went back to my cardiologist and he told me I was no longer a candidate for either more bypass or stents since it would be technically too difficult. He also said that I was already maxed out on my heart meds so that there wasn’t any medication adjustment that could be made. When I pressed him he suggested that he could give me pain medicine so that my angina wouldn’t hurt so much. I pressed him further and he said that if I had 1 or 2 heart attacks that it might put me into heart failure and if so that I could possibly qualify for heart transplant surgery but there was nothing else that he could offer. I decided to research other options on my own and came upon EECP and that Dr. DeStephens was the only doctor in the Gainesville area that was offering it. Dr. DeStephens put me through a standard course of EECP doubling up on treatments so that I could finish up in 3.5 weeks instead of the standard 7 week course. About a month later I had to call him from the Atlanta airport because for the first time in 4 years I was able to carry my own bags in the airport without pain. Everyone with coronary heart disease needs to know about this as a non- invasive option that Dr. DeStephens calls the “Natural bypass alternative.” I have a brand new life with increased natural circulation. And I can always do it again if my symptoms come back.
John Doe - Happy Client
Our Location
2341 NW 41st Street Suite B
Gainesville, FL 32606
(352) 371-1804
Copyright© 2024 James B DeStephens. All rights reserved
(352) 371-1804