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Dr. Alexandra Villa-Forte, MD, MPH

(Dr. Alexandra Villa Forte, MD)

(83 Ratings)

Specializes in: Adult Rheumatology

Professional interests include: scleritis, polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), knee arthritis, and more.

9500 Euclid Avenue Mail Code A50
Cleveland, OH 44195

(216) 444-5632

Dr. Alexandra Villa-Forte, MD, MPH is a rheumatologist in Cleveland, OH specializing in adult rheumatology. Dr. Alexandra Villa-Forte, MD, MPH is affiliated with Cleveland Clinic and Cleveland Clinic Main Campus.

Office Locations

Address:

9500 Euclid Avenue Mail Code A50
Cleveland, OH 44195

Some issues Dr. Alexandra Villa-Forte, MD, MPH can help you with:

Heart Problems

The heart is one of the most important organs in the body. This smooth muscle expands and contracts rhythmically an entire lifetime, pumping blood to the lungs and then to every other cell in the body. When heart problems occur, it becomes difficult for the body to get the nutrients and oxygen it needs via the blood. So while there are a variety of illnesses and disorders that affect the heart, most of them cause weakness, exhaustion and shortness of breath. The most common heart conditions include heart disease, angina, arrhythmia, and valve disorders.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women. This includes coronary artery disease, heart attacks, congestive heart failure, and congenital heart disease. Some conditions, such as genetics, cannot be controlled. But there are many other things one can do to lower their risk for heart disease. Controlling high blood pressure and cholesterol levels, reducing or stopping smoking, exercising more and losing weight if needed, and eating a diet low in sodium can all protect the heart.

Angina is a squeezing type of chest pain that happens when the muscles around the heart don't get enough oxygen. It can be regular or infrequent. Usually, angina is caused by coronary heart disease. However, not all chest pain is angina. Chest pain can also be caused by a lung infection or panic attack, for example, so it is important to have any sudden pain checked.

Arrhythmia is the word for when the heart beats too fast, too slow, or irregularly with skipped beats. It can feel frightening, and depending on the type it can be dangerous, but in most cases arrhythmia is not serious and can be treated. It is very common, especially in older adults.

Heart valve problems can happen in any one of the the heart's four valves that keep blood flowing where it needs to go. Babies can be born with problems in their heart valves, or valves can be damaged by infections. The valves can stiffen and become less mobile, or they can stop closing properly and 'leak' when the heart beats. Valve problems can usually be repaired surgically.

Joint Aspiration

A joint is any area of the body where two bones connect. Due to injury or disease, the space between the two bones can sometimes become swollen and inflamed, which leads to pain and a loss of mobility. Injection and aspiration are two tools that physicians use to treat joint pain locally without needing to perform surgery.

Both injection and aspiration are techniques that involve inserting a needle connected to a syringe directly into the joint. Aspiration involves the removal of excess fluid, and injection is the placement of medication directly into the joint space via the needle. Both procedures may be performed at the same time. In both cases a local anesthetic may be used, the skin will be cleaned and disinfected, and then the needle will be inserted. In some cases, especially if the injection or aspiration is in a large and deep joint such as the hip or spine, ultrasound may be used to guide the needle to the exact location desired.

In some cases, irritation to the joint can cause fluid to build up so significantly that the joint hurts and can no longer move well. Aspiration removes some of the excess fluid and relieves the pressure. In addition, aspiration can be used to provide a sample of joint fluid if it needs to be examined microscopically for the presence of white blood cells, bacteria, or crystal formations.

Certain injuries and diseases that affect joints are inflammatory in nature, such as rheumatoid arthritis, tendonitis or gout. These diseases may be helped by the local injection of anti-inflammatory medications directly into the affected joint. In this case, corticosteroids such as methylprednisone are usually used. Relief from the pain may be felt right away and may last for weeks or even months.

In some cases, such as with osteoarthritis, the cartilage buffer between the two bones wears down and pain comes from bones rubbing against each other. In this case, injection of a lubricating agent such as hyaluronic acid may be beneficial. It provides a slippery cushion between the bones to relieve pain that can last for months.

Musculoskeletal Problems

The musculoskeletal system refers collectively to the bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, and nerves. It is what gives the body structure and movement. Because this system encompasses so much of the body, musculoskeletal problems are extremely varied and can happen almost anywhere. There are musculoskeletal problems that affect only the joints, those that affect the bones, those that affect tendons and ligaments, and those that can happen in any area of the body but cause pain and numbness.

Joint problems include bursitis and arthritis. Bursitis is the inflammation of a fluid-filled sac cushion on the outside of a joint, causing symptoms including pain and swelling. Arthritis is the inflammation and damage of a joint due to wear and tear or disease. There are several treatments for arthritis, but if the damage progresses far enough, joint replacement may be necessary. In joint replacement, a metal or plastic implant is surgically placed within the joint to make movement easier.

Bone problems include scoliosis, fractures, and osteoporosis. Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine, making the normally straight spine look like a 'C' or 'S.' It is treated with braces or surgery. Osteoporosis is a disease that causes bones to weaken and break easily. It's most common in women, especially older women. Fully half of all women over 65 have osteoporosis. Fractures are any break in the bone. They can be a simple crack or a severe and complicated shatter. Osteoporosis causes fractures in people who have it, but other causes are trauma (such as a fall) or overuse.

Tendon and ligament problems most often result from injury or overuse. Two good examples are ligament tears and tendonitis. The most common ligament tear is the ACL tear in the knee. This ligament supports and stabilizes the knee and is most often torn during sports activities. Tendonitis happens when a tendon, which connects muscles and bones together, becomes irritated and inflamed. This happens most often in older patients who push their bodies too far, leading to pain and swelling. Treatment for both tendon and ligament problems usually includes rest, ice, and supporting the area to let it heal.

Pain and numbness problems can be caused by overuse, disease, an injury, or a compressed nerve. Lower back pain and carpal tunnel syndrome are two of the most common conditions patients encounter. Lower back pain may be caused by sore muscles that have been overworked, or an injury to the disks separating the vertebrae in the spine. Lower back pain usually goes away on its own within a few days, but it may require medical treatment depending on the cause. Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the nerve at the base of the palm becomes trapped or pinched. Symptoms include tingling, pain, numbness, or weakness in the hand. Treatment involves rest and sometimes steroid injections.

Because the musculoskeletal system involves so much of the body, problems here can be incredibly varied in their type and severity. Some musculoskeletal problems will go away on their own or only require rest, while others may require medication, physical therapy, or even surgery.

doctor visit	301

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	176
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	88
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	58

Hypertension	68
High Cholesterol	48
Stroke	8
Ischemic Heart Disease	41
Depression	30
Chronic Kidney Disease	28
Asthma	15
Osteoperosis	22
Atrial Fibrilation	12
Heart Failure	23
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	23
Diabetes	29
Dementia	5
Cancer	10

doctor visit	268

**Gender**
Male	65
Female	131

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	156
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	78
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	65

Hypertension	65
High Cholesterol	51
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	34
Depression	27
Chronic Kidney Disease	32
Asthma	16
Osteoperosis	15
Atrial Fibrilation	15
Heart Failure	23
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	16
Diabetes	31
Dementia	0
Cancer	8

doctor visit	296

**Gender**
Male	138
Female	296

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	354
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	206
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	114

Hypertension	66
High Cholesterol	53
Stroke	6
Ischemic Heart Disease	33
Depression	25
Chronic Kidney Disease	34
Asthma	16
Osteoperosis	18
Atrial Fibrilation	14
Heart Failure	24
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	17
Diabetes	32
Dementia	6
Cancer	9

doctor visit	353

**Gender**
Male	108
Female	158

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	221
Black	33
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	117
From 75 to 84	80
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Hypertension	66
High Cholesterol	46
Stroke	6
Ischemic Heart Disease	35
Depression	24
Chronic Kidney Disease	39
Asthma	21
Osteoperosis	18
Atrial Fibrilation	10
Heart Failure	21
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	16
Diabetes	31
Dementia	7
Cancer	7

doctor visit	339

**Gender**
Male	94
Female	159

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	212
Black	29
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	118
From 75 to 84	72
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Hypertension	71
High Cholesterol	51
Stroke	7
Ischemic Heart Disease	40
Depression	28
Chronic Kidney Disease	41
Asthma	14
Osteoperosis	14
Atrial Fibrilation	13
Heart Failure	22
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	17
Diabetes	35
Dementia	10
Cancer	8

doctor visit	358
hospital care	20
inpatient care	20

**Gender**
Male	82
Female	163

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	206
Black	24
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	118
From 75 to 84	69
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Hypertension	69
High Cholesterol	58
Stroke	5
Ischemic Heart Disease	33
Depression	28
Chronic Kidney Disease	39
Asthma	16
Osteoperosis	12
Atrial Fibrilation	12
Heart Failure	24
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	19
Diabetes	35
Dementia	9
Cancer	8

doctor visit	327

**Gender**
Male	88
Female	142

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	188
Black	24
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	111
From 75 to 84	64
85 and over	15
Less than 65	40

Hypertension	69
High Cholesterol	59
Stroke	6
Ischemic Heart Disease	38
Depression	27
Chronic Kidney Disease	47
Asthma	13
Osteoperosis	17
Atrial Fibrilation	13
Heart Failure	25
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	15
Diabetes	34
Dementia	6
Cancer	10

doctor visit	335

**Gender**
Male	79
Female	132

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	176
Black	20
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	100
From 75 to 84	65
85 and over	12
Less than 65	34

Hypertension	61
High Cholesterol	52
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	37
Depression	28
Chronic Kidney Disease	38
Asthma	13
Osteoperosis	15
Atrial Fibrilation	14
Heart Failure	20
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	16
Diabetes	25
Dementia	8
Cancer	11

doctor visit	659

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2013 - 2021

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Alexandra Villa-Forte, MD, MPH for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Alexandra Villa-Forte, MD, MPH treated as a rheumatologist in Cleveland, OH were hospital care and inpatient care.

doctor visit	361
hospital care	20
inpatient care	20

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2013 - 2021

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Alexandra Villa-Forte, MD, MPH.

**Gender**
Male	72
Female	131

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	13
Asian / Pacific Islander	0
Non-Hispanic White	168
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Hispanic	0
Other	0

**Age**
75 to 84	35
85 and over	2
Less than 65	31
65 to 74	93

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Alexandra Villa-Forte, MD, MPH From 2013 - 2021

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Alexandra Villa-Forte, MD, MPH treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, chronic kidney disease and ischemic heart disease.

Hypertension	53
High Cholesterol	41
Stroke	3
Ischemic Heart Disease	29
Depression	21
Chronic Kidney Disease	29
Asthma	12
Osteoporosis	13
Heart Failure	18
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	13
Diabetes	25
Atrial Fibrillation	10
Cancer	7
Dementia	5

Education & Training

She completed residency at Cleveland Clinic. She is certified by the Internal Medicine - Rheumatology and has a state license in Ohio.

Residency: Cleveland Clinic (2001)

Board Certification: Internal Medicine - Rheumatology

Licensed In: Ohio

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Alexandra Villa-Forte, MD, MPH is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

Cleveland Clinic

Cleveland Clinic Main Campus

Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Alexandra Villa-Forte, MD, MPH has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.99 out of 5 stars based on 83 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Alexandra Villa-Forte, MD, MPH from all over the web to help you find the right in Cleveland, OH.

4.99

Overall Rating

(83 Ratings)

Leave a Review

General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Alexandra Villa-Forte, MD, MPH. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

**Payments by Company**
Amgen Inc.	$20,140 Tavneos $20,140
Merck Sharp & Dohme Corporation	$18,050 NON-PRODUCT $1,760	$16,290
Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC	$5,000 $5,000
Genentech, Inc.	$120 Rituxan $120

**Types of Payments**
Consulting Fee	$34,164
Compensation for services other than consulting, including serving as faculty or as a speaker at a venue other than a continuing education program	$6,688
Honoraria	$1,925
Travel and Lodging	$413
Food and Beverage	$120

Biography

Dr. Alexandra Villa-Forte's area of specialization is adult rheumatology. Patients rated her highly, giving her an average of 5.0 stars (out of 5). Her areas of expertise include the following: steroid injections, knee arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis. For her residency, Dr. Villa-Forte trained at Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Villa-Forte (or staff) is conversant in French and Portuguese. She is affiliated with Cleveland Clinic Main Campus.