**Why Are the Vast Majority of Cardiologists in Tampa, FL Foreign-Born and Only Practicing Pediatric Cardiology?**
*November 16, 2025 | Posted by 4Runner*
My wife, age 81, recently developed the need to see a cardiologist for non-valvular A-fib. This condition has been causing blood clots to enter her lungs, leading to pulmonary edema and severe breathing difficulties on two occasions. Each episode required EMT intervention and hospitalization.
These events have significantly impacted her health, causing her to lose most of her ability to walk and contributing to a decline in her mental clarity. Despite this, the hospital has not provided us with a referral to a cardiologist. They only advised that she needs to see one on an outpatient basis.
After her second hospitalization, she was referred to a skilled nursing facility for physical therapy because she is no longer able to walk on her own or even with my assistance. Due to her increased disability, I’m no longer able to transport her to medical appointments by myself and now rely on a wheelchair transport company, which adds complexity and expense to our situation.
Here is where the problem arises: I have discovered dozens of pediatric cardiologists practicing in Tampa. However, the only cardiologists treating adult or elderly patients are located many miles away, making transportation very difficult and costly.
Another concern is that nearly all the pediatric cardiologists practicing locally are foreign-born doctors and not American. This has been quite surprising to me. Why are there so many non-American doctors in Tampa practicing pediatric cardiology but so few in adult or elder cardiology? Who are they serving—are they primarily treating children of immigrants or “anchor babies”?
It is well known that the birthrate among American women is at its lowest in decades, while the birthrate for Hispanic and other foreign-born women remains comparatively high. This demographic trend might explain the demand for pediatric cardiologists in the area, but it doesn’t address the shortage of adult cardiologists.
If anyone on Free Republic knows of an American cardiologist—who is not a pediatric specialist—practicing locally in Tampa, please share that information. It would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
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