I've been very impressed with the medical care my mom has received at First Coast Cardiovascular Institute. We have had several appointments at the Fleming Island location over the years, but they have recently moved their offices to Kingsley Ave in Orange Park. The entire staff - from the moment we walked in until the time we left - were professional, courteous and gave wonderful customer service every time. Dr. El Sabbagh and Tatiana Grant, his physician assistant, along with the entire staff were clear and thoughtful at explaining test results. We first started seeing Dr. El Sabbagh after my mom's stroke in September, 2022 after her stay in OPMC. Each visit, we truly felt listened to with every question He's incredibly caring and passionate about his work, and it definitely shows. It's easy to talk to him, and he has a fantastic way of listening, which is something rare to find in a cardiologist or any specialist. If you're considering a great cardiology group, considering getting the Watchman Implant, and/or need a doctor you can trust, I recommend Dr. El Sabbagh. First Coast Cardiovascular Institute has consistently provided great care through its staff and excellent doctors. read more

See all

I absolutely HATE writing this review but I fear if I don't someone may die. I LOVE my physicians. Dr Lamba and Dr El Sabbagh are top notch and I truly feel that they care about me. My issue is with the billing/office staff. I wound up needing a loop recorder due to unexplained bradycardia and syncope. The billing person gave me my quote which was rough but at no pint let me know that every month when they pulled the data it would be a $240 charge. That's a car payment that I was not prepared for. Patients should be aware of this be wise it may not be within their budget for that much monthly. Second, on my way home from getting my loop recorder I had a 5 min long syncopal episode and generally felt like crap the entire day. My husband are both ER RNs and VERY well versed with cardiology. We immediately called the office thinking this kind of event warranted an immediate pull and discussion with the doctor. It took 10 days and 8 phone calls to get a call back from an MA. The message never got passed on to my EP who at my follow up found I had 8 pauses greater than 13 seconds in the first 7 hours after having the loop recorder placed. It was a complete surprise to him despite us calling the clinic like a crazy ex. Most recently I called to have them pull data as I was feeling some serious symptoms. 9 unreturned phone calls and 9 unreturned voicemails (even to practice managers Angela and Michelle) I only received a callback from Sophie (only after reaching out online via the contact us) who heard me out and said she'd have it reviewed the next morning and call me that following morning. I work mid shifts and don't get off until the middle of the night. I woke up early to make sure I wouldn't miss her call. That phone call never came despite more episodes. This stupid loop recorder also only allows me to tag events 5x a day like it's the free version of chat gpt . No one here follows through with what they say they will. I only found out I'm continuing to have concerning amounts of pauses from a colleague of mine who works with FCC who called in to see what was happening. At this point I have no clue until I see my EP in a week. If I, a health literate healthcare professional myself is having these kind of issues I can only imagine your average layperson patient. I could make contact with aliens in outer space easier than getting a callback from the 'medical' staff here. This is a patient safety issue 100%. I am a 43 year old mother of 2 toddlers and this condition could literally result in sudden cardiac arrest and death yet these MAs dgaf to return a phone call nor report anything to the providers. My life might not mean a darned thing to anyone in this office but I can guarantee you I matter to my spouse and the 4 year old boy and 17 month old girl who call me momma. Do better. read more

I asked a simple question and was told by the fake ass doctor to shut up so before I excused myself I told him to stfu

Amy Williams who is in charge of the referrals is very unprofessional short and rude on the phone. I had to be on the phone with her a couple times and she treats me as if I'm a child. I've been ran through the ringer with this place trying to get referrals out and approval for insurance and they have not been helpful do not recommend. Horrible experience. Hardly answer the phone in the first place. read more

I was referred to First Coast Cardiovascular by my primary care doctor because I had an "episode" of uncontrolled high blood pressure for several months and because high blood pressure, heart attacks, and strokes do run on both sides of my family; and because I've had two strokes myself. My appointment was today, Monday, September 30, 2019 at FCC's San Jose Boulevard office at 2;15 p.m. with Dr. Sumant Lamba. As requested, I arrived around 2 pm to check in and complete any paperwork since I was a new patient to the practice. The nurse who did my preliminary vitals and who took my weight was standoffish. She was upset that I hadn't been referred to the practice by a hospital and that my blood pressure - 126/70 and EKG were normal. Dr. Sumant Lamba was also upset with my normal readings apparently. Instead of a polite, pleasant greeting, he angrily demanded to know why I was there as soon as he walked in the door and closed it behind him. I responded by saying that my primary care doctor wanted me to see a cardiologist because of my uncontrolled blood pressure. "You have normal blood pressure," he snapped. "Why are you here?" Again I repeated myself. "Your EKG's normal," he angrily told me. At this point, any patience I had evaporated. "My primary care doctor wanted me to see a cardiologist because of my blood pressure was uncontrolled. I agreed because I do not like taking Metoprolol ..." "What medications are you taking?" again he snapped at me. I refereed to the printed list I had given the nurse. "Why are you taking Telmisartan and Hydrochlorothizde? Why aren't you taking them separately?" he demanded harshly. At this point I was trying extremely hard not to loose my temper. "Because at the time when I was first prescribed Telmisartan and Hydrochlorothizde in the form of Macardis back in 1996, it was considered the gold standard of treating high blood pressure for people with a past history of strokes and my doctor... "That's not true," he interrupted. At this point Dr. Lamba was furious and it showed on his face. "I can't treat you. You're self diagnosing. We won't charge you for the visit," he said. Keep in mind that Dr. Lamba didn't know my past medical history, which includes two strokes. "No I'm not, and I've already paid for today's visit." "Well, I'll have the receptionist refund you. I will treat you if you want." "No Dr. Lamba, I don't want you as my doctor. You want an uninformed yes man as your patient, and I'm not that." I walked out of the practice. Based on today's experience, I would not recommend Dr. Lamba, nor would I recommend First Coast First Coast Cardiovascular to anyone. read more

Worst and unprofessional medical staff and doctors, I will not recommend anyone never the less trust them again with health issues, run from this people get better care somewhere else keep in mind that your insurance are paying them is not free!!! So they should be more profesional. It's a nightmare to talk to a real person also make sure to check your records the add information to your records that could affect your insurance and care benefits without you knowing it (Dr's making notes on your records about issues that they never discuss nor talk to you about it) Never seen so many unprofessional personnel working at the same place starting with Dr's some of the dr's like Dr. Daniel Thielemann very unprofessional has no manners at all, I would not recommend him nor recommend the practice he's in first cardiovascular institute, they don't return your calls if they do they will call you after hours to play the game that if you call back you won't get through. I will recommend you to get a better Dr. someone that would care for you health issues and not the money they're getting pay for..... they lie to you they told you they are going to do something and do something else!!! Again be careful and get you better place for your health issues!!!! You're more important than that!!!! read more

I have had exceptional care from FCCI. Our family has been going there for 12 years (since our move from out of state). In Wisconsin I had a high blood pressure problem that put me in the hospital on 3 separate occasions. The doctors finally said it was stress and said I should retire. After living here for 2 years, I had another episode that sent me to the ER. We are talking 200+/100+. Dr. Al Saghir found that I had FMD, did an angioplasty which cleared up everything. They monitor my health and now 12 years later, needed a stent for my other kidney. I highly recommend them. I found everyone extremely professional. read more

I've visited this location on two occasions both of which were wonderful experiences. The stress test taken here was done in a timely manner and the professionalism exuded by the tech was second to none. The other visit pertaining to sleep apnea was with Dr. Thielemann. This Gentleman is the most personable yet professional Doctor I've met since moving to this area. He went extremely far beyond our expectations to ensure that we received the best equipment needed for my condition. Even during his personal time he was in contact with me to ascertain whether or not I was in receipt of the items specified in his request to the insurance company. read more

The doctor was great. Unfortunately, the staff is not. I have tried for 2 months to have a nasal spray prescription called in with no success. I've left numerous messages and talked with someone. I continue to suffer with severe allergies which could be helped with this spray. In the meantime, I'm paying a $300.00 doctor bill. This isn't right. read more