Our Team
Dr. Bassam Altajar, MD, FACC
Dr. Bassam “Sam” Altajar is a physician with extensive experience in preventive, consultative, and noninvasive cardiovascular medicine and more than three decades of clinical experience in Europe and the United States. Since 2002, he has provided cardiovascular care to patients throughout DeSoto and Hardee counties, developing longstanding relationships within these communities. His clinical interests include preventive cardiology, coronary artery disease, hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias, valvular heart disease, echocardiography, stress testing, ambulatory cardiac monitoring, and noninvasive cardiovascular medicine. Dr. Altajar is especially passionate about cardiovascular disease prevention and encourages patients to adopt healthy lifestyle habits that support long-term heart health.
Cardiovascular Services We Provide
Our cardiology team offers diagnostic and monitoring services to help detect and manage heart conditions, including:
- Echocardiograms
- Nuclear stress tests
- Heart rhythm monitoring
- Vascular testing
- Home sleep studies
- Cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation
- Cardiac surgical clearances
- Pacemaker monitoring
When your care needs go beyond what's available locally, our team can connect you with specialists at the TGH Heart and Vascular Institute in Tampa.
Connected to Tampa General's Heart and Vascular Institute
TGH DeSoto is part of Tampa General Hospital, home of the TGH Heart & Vascular Institute, recognized as #1 in Tampa Bay for Heart & Vascular Care by U.S. News & World Report for 2026-27, and provides a broad range of cardiovascular services, including interventional cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery, electrophysiology and heart failure care.
As a TGH DeSoto patient, you have access to that network. When your condition requires a higher level of care, our team can help coordinate your next step.
Frequently Asked Question
What services does the TGH DeSoto cardiology team provide?
Our team provides cardiovascular diagnostic and monitoring services, including echocardiograms, nuclear stress tests, heart rhythm monitoring, vascular testing, home sleep studies and cardiac rehabilitation.
When should I see a cardiologist?
You should see a cardiologist if you experience chest pain, shortness of breath, an irregular heartbeat or other cardiac symptoms. Your primary care provider may also refer you based on screening results.
What's cardiac rehabilitation?
Cardiac rehabilitation is a medically supervised program that combines exercise, education and counseling to support recovery after a heart event or procedure. TGH DeSoto offers cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation services.
Can TGH DeSoto connect me to specialists at Tampa General?
Yes. As part of the Tampa General network, our team can help coordinate a referral to the TGH Heart and Vascular Institute when a higher level of care is needed.
Schedule Your Appointment
The TGH DeSoto cardiology team is here to support your heart health. Call us at (863) 491-4226 to learn more and schedule an appointment or explore other services.