More than three decades ago, the idea of bringing personalized and compassionate heart care to the southside of Atlanta became a reality. Gopal Rao, M.D., F.A.C.C. opened his first cardiology practice in Riverdale before joining two other cardiologists in 1992 to establish Atlanta Heart Associates, P.C. (AHA). Today Atlanta Heart is the largest, independent cardiovascular practice in the metro Atlanta area with 200 employees, 30 providers, and multiple locations including the newest location at 3333 Jodeco Road in Stockbridge.

“Our success at Atlanta Heart is due to providing the best health care and concern for our patient’s satisfaction whether we see them in our offices or a hospital,” says Dr. Rao, managing partner and CEO of Atlanta Heart Associates, P.C.

With great success has come the challenge of meeting patient expectations in delivering timely, quality care to an ever-growing community. Recognizing the need to expand, Atlanta Heart Associates began building a new, all-encompassing, state-of-the-art facility. The new Atlanta Heart Associates office opened in March 2023, offering improved accessibility and shorter wait times, thanks to the doubling of parking spaces and exam rooms and double the parking spaces compared to the previous location on Country Club Drive.

“The new building stands as a beacon of enhanced healthcare accessibility and community well-being. Strategically situated to cater to the needs of a diverse population, the office’s centralized and easily accessible location ensures that community members can promptly seek cardiovascular care,” explains invasive cardiologist Andrew Doughan, M.D., F.A.C.C. “This expansion fosters a sense of community health awareness while the modern infrastructure, coupled with a team of skilled cardiologists and healthcare professionals, underscores our commitment to advancing cardiac care standards.”

Understanding when a visit to the cardiologist is needed is important. If you have high blood pressure, a family history of heart disease, diabetes, or high cholesterol levels, these are all conditions one should discuss with a cardiologist.

“It’s important to note that these conditions can have varying degrees of severity and may require different approaches to treatment and management,” explains Dr. Doughan.

“Atlanta Heart has been a staple in the community for years.” Kenneth Menchion, M.D., vascular surgeon

Atlanta Heart Associates offers a range of onsite testing and diagnostic services to evaluate heart health, including electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG), echocardiogram, stress testing, nuclear cardiology, blood tests, and vascular ultrasound. Patients seeking cardiovascular care at the new Jodeco Road office will be pleased to find onsite services also include a lipid clinic, telemetry monitoring, coumadin clinic, and pacemaker evaluations.

For electrophysiologist Akshay Gupta, M.D., F.A.C.C., F.H.R.S., a cardiologist who treats heart rhythm-related issues, the new location offers the option to now perform certain procedures in the office. He explains that patients with heart rhythm disorders where the specific abnormality in the heart rhythm has not been determined can now come to the Jodeco Road location of AHA and have a loop recorder implanted. “The very small device is inserted under the skin and can continuously monitor the patient’s heart rhythm for several years,” says Dr. Gupta. “This procedure is extremely simple, safe, and brief.”

The convenience of care in one location is important to each of the providers.

Vascular surgeon Kenneth Menchion, M.D. states “The new office allows his patients who may have mobility concerns to receive comfortable, convenient, timely, efficient care in one area.” There is no longer the need to move throughout the building to receive complete care.

“Ultimately, the new cardiology clinic serves as a vital hub for promoting heart health, preventing cardiovascular diseases, and providing top-tier medical care to the community it proudly serves,” says Dr. Doughan.      

Dr. Rao, a longtime Henry County resident himself, adds – the new Jodeco Road location of Atlanta Heart “is dedicated to the people of the community. It’s an exceptional place to come and receive comprehensive cardiovascular care.”