Macon-Bibb County is home to 46 cardiology specialists according to Healthgrades, a concentration that reflects both the area’s healthcare infrastructure and the region’s significant cardiovascular disease burden. Central Georgia historically ranks above state and national averages for heart disease mortality, driven by factors including higher obesity rates, diabetes prevalence, and limited preventive care access in surrounding rural counties. Central Georgia Heart Center has been the largest and longest-standing cardiology group in Macon for over 30 years, headquartered on Forsyth Street, while Georgia Heart Physicians on First Street has served the region since 2000 with a 10-physician practice. Atrium Health Navicent The Medical Center provides the area’s most advanced cardiac intervention capabilities, including a cardiac catheterization lab and heart surgery program. Piedmont Heart Institute also operates cardiology services in the Macon market through Piedmont Macon Medical Center. Heart of Georgia Cardiology, located on Vineville Avenue, offers another independent option. The market is large enough to support subspecialties including interventional cardiology, electrophysiology, and heart failure management. Patients from a multi-county rural catchment area (Baldwin, Jones, Monroe, Twiggs, Wilkinson) travel to Macon for cardiology care unavailable in their home counties.
Top-Rated Cardiologists in Macon, Georgia
Central Georgia Heart Center
1062 Forsyth St, Suite 1B, Macon, GA 31201
centralgaheart.com
The largest and longest-standing cardiology group in Macon, Central Georgia Heart Center has served the region for over 30 years. The practice’s providers bring over 130 years of combined experience and perform thousands of procedures and diagnostic tests annually. Services include interventional cardiology (cardiac catheterization, balloon angioplasty, stenting), electrophysiology, echocardiography, nuclear stress testing, and remote cardiac monitoring. The practice also operates Central Georgia Vein Center. Hundreds of primary care physicians refer patients to this group.
Georgia Heart Physicians
654 First St, Suite 330, Macon, GA 31201
georgiaheartphysicians.com
Established in 2000, Georgia Heart Physicians is a 10-physician cardiology group practice headquartered on First Street in downtown Macon. The practice operates multiple satellite offices to serve population centers across Middle Georgia. Services include stress echocardiography, Holter monitoring, nuclear stress testing, cardiac catheterization, coronary angiography, angioplasty and stenting, and general cardiovascular disease management. The practice is affiliated with Fairview Park Hospital.
Heart of Georgia Cardiology
2064 Vineville Ave, Macon, GA 31204
hogc.net
Located in the former Bibb County Board of Education building on Vineville Avenue, Heart of Georgia Cardiology serves patients from its Macon office and satellite locations in Thomaston and Dublin. The practice provides comprehensive cardiology services including diagnostic testing, interventional procedures, and ongoing management of heart disease. The Vineville Avenue location offers convenient access for patients in central and south Macon.
Cardiologists in Macon: Common Questions
Why is heart disease a particular concern in the Macon, GA area?
Central Georgia has historically experienced higher rates of heart disease compared to state and national averages. Contributing factors include elevated rates of obesity, Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and smoking, combined with limited preventive care access in rural counties surrounding Macon. Bibb County’s socioeconomic disparities also play a role, as lower-income populations face barriers to regular cardiovascular screening. Macon cardiologists frequently treat patients who present with advanced disease because earlier symptoms were not addressed.
How much does a cardiology consultation cost in Macon, GA?
An initial cardiology consultation in Macon typically ranges from $200 to $400 without insurance. Diagnostic tests add to the cost: an echocardiogram can cost $500 to $1,500, a stress test $200 to $800, and a cardiac catheterization $5,000 to $15,000 or more depending on what is found and whether intervention is performed. Most cardiology practices in Macon accept Medicare, Medicaid, and major commercial insurance plans. Contact individual practices for current self-pay rates.
Do I need a referral to see a cardiologist in Macon?
Most insurance plans require a referral from your primary care physician to see a cardiologist, and the visit may not be covered without one. However, some PPO plans allow self-referrals. If you are experiencing acute symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or heart palpitations, seek emergency care at Atrium Health Navicent or call 911 rather than waiting for a referral. Contact your insurance provider to confirm referral requirements before scheduling.
Which hospitals in Macon have cardiac catheterization labs?
Atrium Health Navicent The Medical Center on the downtown campus and Piedmont Macon Medical Center both operate cardiac catheterization labs with interventional cardiology capabilities. Central Georgia Heart Center’s physicians perform procedures at affiliated hospitals. For complex cardiac surgery, including open-heart surgery and structural heart procedures, Atrium Health Navicent provides the region’s highest level of cardiac surgical care. Patients needing heart transplant evaluation are typically referred to Atlanta.
Can I get same-day cardiac testing in Macon?
Emergency cardiac testing (EKG, troponin levels, echocardiogram) is available immediately at Macon’s hospital emergency departments. For outpatient testing, scheduling depends on the specific test and practice. Routine EKGs may be done during a same-day office visit. Stress tests, echocardiograms, and Holter monitors typically require scheduling 1 to 2 weeks in advance. If your primary care physician suspects an acute cardiac issue, they can often arrange expedited testing through the cardiology practice.