A Heart Specialist You Can Trust Before Your Surgery

Dr. Raghav Sharma, MD, brings 8 board certifications and deep expertise in interventional and endovascular cardiology to every pre-operative evaluation. At Heartwell Cardiology in Winter Park, FL, Dr. Sharma and his team perform all necessary cardiac testing in-house, providing patients and their surgical teams with the thorough, reliable clearance they need to move forward with confidence.

What Is Cardiac Clearance?

Cardiac clearance, also called pre-operative cardiac evaluation, is a medical assessment that determines whether your heart is healthy enough to safely undergo surgery or a procedure involving sedation or anesthesia.

Before a surgeon or anesthesiologist can proceed, they often require a cardiologist's sign-off confirming that the cardiovascular system can handle the physical stress of the procedure. This is particularly important for patients with existing heart conditions, risk factors, or those undergoing more complex surgeries.

At Heartwell Cardiology, cardiac specialist Dr. Sharma evaluates your heart function through a personalized combination of testing, which may include an EKG, echocardiogram, cardiac evaluation, or stress testing, and provides a comprehensive clearance report for your surgical team.

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Benefits of Getting Cardiac Clearance at Heartwell Cardiology

Key benefits include:

  • Reduced surgical risk by identifying potential cardiovascular concerns before they become complications
  • Peace of mind for both patients and surgical providers
  • All testing completed in one office, streamlining the process before your procedure date
  • A personalized evaluation tailored to your specific surgery and anesthesia type
  • Clear communication between Dr. Sharma and your surgical team

Why Choose Heartwell Cardiology for Pre-Op Cardiac Clearance in Orlando?

What sets Heartwell Cardiology apart is the ability to handle everything under one roof. Rather than bouncing between multiple specialists and imaging centers, patients receive their full cardiac evaluation, including any required testing, right here in our Winter Park office.

Dr. Sharma's board certifications in Internal Medicine, Interventional Cardiology, and six additional specialties ensure that your pre-operative evaluation is thorough, accurate, and held to the highest clinical standard. Surgical teams throughout the Orlando area trust Dr. Sharma's clearance reports because they know the evaluation behind them is comprehensive.

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Are You a Candidate for Cardiac Clearance?

You may need pre-op cardiac clearance if you are scheduled for or considering any of the following:

  • A surgical procedure requiring general or local anesthesia
  • A procedure involving sedation of any kind
  • An elective aesthetic or cosmetic procedure
  • A surgery and you have a history of heart disease, arrhythmia, or cardiovascular risk factors
  • A procedure and your surgeon or anesthesiologist has specifically requested cardiac evaluation
  • Any operation and you are over a certain age or have not had a recent cardiac workup

If you're unsure whether you need clearance, Dr. Sharma's team is happy to help you find out.

What to Expect With Cardiac Clearance at Heartwell

Before Your Appointment

  • Call or book online to schedule a regular appointment; no special clearance appointment type needed
  • Bring your scheduled surgery date (if confirmed)
  • Bring the type of anesthesia planned, or note whether sedation will be used
  • Bring any relevant medical records, prior cardiac testing, or a referral from your surgeon

During Your Appointment

  • Dr. Sharma will perform a thorough cardiac evaluation and review your medical history
  • Testing will be ordered and completed based on your specific surgical needs, which may include an EKG, echocardiogram, or stress test
  • Most required testing can be completed the same day, in-office

After Your Appointment

  • Dr. Sharma will provide a detailed clearance report for your surgical or procedural team
  • Any concerns identified will be discussed with you directly before proceeding
  • Follow-up care or additional monitoring can be arranged if needed
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Related Cardiac Testing Services

If additional evaluation is needed as part of your clearance, Heartwell Cardiology offers a full range of in-house diagnostic services, including:

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Schedule Your Cardiac Clearance in Orlando Today

Don't let uncertainty slow down your surgical timeline. Dr. Raghav Sharma, MD, and the Heartwell Cardiology team are ready to provide the thorough, efficient cardiac clearance you need, all in one visit. 
Contact our Winter Park office today to book your consultation and take the next step forward with confidence.

Cardiac Clearance FAQ

Do I need a referral from my surgeon to schedule a cardiac clearance at Heartwell Cardiology?

How far in advance of my surgery should I schedule my cardiac clearance?

Will my insurance cover cardiac clearance testing?

What happens if Dr. Sharma identifies a heart concern during my evaluation?

Can Dr. Sharma communicate directly with my surgeon or anesthesiologist?

Is cardiac clearance required for minimally invasive or outpatient procedures?

How long does a cardiac clearance appointment typically take?

What if I have already had recent cardiac testing done elsewhere?

Do I need a referral from my surgeon to schedule a cardiac clearance at Heartwell Cardiology?

A referral is helpful but not always required to schedule your appointment. Contact our office and we can help determine the best way to get started based on your situation.

How far in advance of my surgery should I schedule my cardiac clearance?

It is generally recommended to schedule your cardiac clearance at least two to four weeks before your procedure date. This allows enough time to complete any required testing and deliver your clearance report to your surgical team.

Will my insurance cover cardiac clearance testing?

Most major health insurance plans cover pre-operative cardiac evaluations when medically necessary. Heartwell Cardiology accepts most major insurance plans, and our team can help you confirm your coverage before your appointment.

What happens if Dr. Sharma identifies a heart concern during my evaluation?

If a concern is found, Dr. Sharma will discuss the findings with you directly and outline the appropriate next steps before any clearance is issued. Your safety is the priority, and no clearance will be provided until he is confident it is appropriate to do so.

Can Dr. Sharma communicate directly with my surgeon or anesthesiologist?

Yes, Heartwell Cardiology coordinates directly with your surgical team to ensure the clearance report is delivered accurately and on time. Clear communication between providers is a core part of how Dr. Sharma manages pre-operative care.

Is cardiac clearance required for minimally invasive or outpatient procedures?

Many outpatient and minimally invasive procedures still require cardiac clearance, particularly when sedation or anesthesia is involved. Your surgeon or proceduralist will typically specify whether clearance is needed when scheduling your procedure.

How long does a cardiac clearance appointment typically take?

Most appointments, including in-office testing, can be completed within a few hours depending on which evaluations are needed. Dr. Sharma's team works efficiently to keep the process as streamlined as possible for patients on a surgical timeline.

What if I have already had recent cardiac testing done elsewhere?

Bring any prior test results, imaging, or cardiology records to your appointment, as Dr. Sharma will review them as part of your evaluation. Depending on how recent and relevant they are, they may reduce the amount of additional testing needed.

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