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Dr. Douglas R. Bree, MD, FACC

Accepting New Patients

(7 Ratings)

Specializes in: Interventional Cardiology and Adult Cardiology

Southern Illinois University School of Medicine (2000)

Professional interests include: angiogram (angiography), arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats), atrial septal defect, and more.

13300 Hargrave Road Suite 410
Houston, TX 77070

(281) 737-0950

Dr. Douglas R. Bree, MD, FACC is an interventional cardiologist in Houston, TX specializing in interventional cardiology and adult cardiology. He graduated from Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in 2000 and has 24 years of experience. Dr. Douglas R. Bree, MD, FACC is affiliated with Houston Methodist and TMH PHYSICIAN ASSOCIATES PLLC.

Office Locations

Address:

13300 Hargrave Road Suite 410
Houston, TX 77070

Some issues Dr. Douglas R. Bree, MD, FACC can help you with:

Angiogram (Angiography)

Angiography is the use of x-rays to examine blood vessels, especially in order to identify any blocked or misshapen vessels that may cause problems. The test itself is called an angiogram. Some of the disorders that angiograms can be used to diagnose include:

Blockages and narrowing
Weakened walls and bulging, called an aneurysm
Malformations and misshapen blood vessels
Kidney artery conditions
Aorta artery conditions
Vein problems, including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and blood clots or embolisms

During an angiogram, the doctor inserts a very thin, flexible tube called a catheter into a blood vessel through an opening in the groin or arm. The catheter is threaded through the body to the site of the suspected problem, where a small amount of dye is injected into the bloodstream and x-rays are taken. The dye makes the surrounding blood vessels visible via x-ray.

If necessary, certain procedures can be performed after an angiogram while the catheter is in place. Angioplasty is the use of a catheter to widen narrowed or blocked arteries. Stents are like tiny coiled springs that hold blood vessels open, and they can be placed during a catheterization. Damaged heart valves can also be repaired or replaced.

A typical angiogram takes about an hour to perform, but it may be longer if the catheterization is used to perform procedures on the blood vessels. It may be uncomfortable at times but is usually not painful. Afterwards, patients may be monitored for up to six hours to make sure any bleeding from the insertion site has stopped. They are given fluids to help flush the dye from their body. For a day or two after an angiogram it is important for patients to drink plenty of fluids and keep strenuous activity to a minimum.

Angioplasty

Angioplasty is a common, minimally invasive procedure performed to restore blood flow in arteries and veins that have become narrowed or blocked. Age or illness can cause plaque to build up at certain spots within the veins and arteries, and if enough collects, it can restrict the flow of blood. Angioplasty uses a tiny balloon at the end of a small, flexible tube to inflate within the narrowed section and open it up again.

Angioplasty may be performed in several different areas of the body and for a variety of reasons, most often:

Peripheral arterial disease, which reduces blood flow in the arms or legs
Atherosclerosis, or general hardening of the arteries
Carotid artery stenosis, or narrowing of the arteries in the neck that supply the brain
Coronary artery disease, or narrowing of the arteries near the heart
Renal vascular hypertension, or narrowing of the arteries in the kidney, leading to increased blood pressure

During angioplasty, a patient is given a sedative while lying on a table under an x-ray machine. A catheter (a thin, flexible, and hollow tube) is inserted into the patient's skin in the arm or groin and guided into the blocked artery. Dye is injected via the catheter, and x-rays are used to position the tip of the catheter exactly at the blockage. The tiny balloon is guided through the catheter and inflated with saline. It pushes the plaque out of the way, squishing it against the walls of the artery. The balloon may be inflated and deflated several times to let blood pass by. A stent, a tiny tube of metal mesh like a spring, may be inserted to help keep the artery open. Then the x-ray is used again to check that blood is flowing properly, the catheter is removed, and the tiny incision is bandaged.

There are no nerves within veins and arteries, so an angioplasty is generally not painful. However, there may be some discomfort at the site of the incision and when the balloon is inflated. Overall, angioplasty is a very effective and low-risk procedure, useful for helping patients avoid more difficult bypass surgery.

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.

ambulatory monitoring	21
cardiac procedures	574
catheterization	38
diagnostic procedures	41
doctor visit	729
hospital care	571
inpatient care	555
lab tests	157
minimally invasive procedures	60
nuclear scan	137
outpatient care	16
stress testing	261
ultrasound (sonogram)	300
vascular procedures	87

**Gender**
Male	425
Female	493

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	502
Black	250
Hispanic	134
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	355
From 75 to 84	270
85 and over	121
Less than 65	172

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	74
Stroke	16
Ischemic Heart Disease	72
Depression	28
Chronic Kidney Disease	50
Asthma	13
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	23
Heart Failure	49
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	29
Diabetes	57
Dementia	25
Cancer	9

ambulatory monitoring	19
cardiac procedures	587
catheterization	18
diagnostic procedures	21
doctor visit	828
hospital care	507
inpatient care	508
lab tests	223
minimally invasive procedures	29
nuclear scan	143
stress testing	266
ultrasound (sonogram)	333
vascular procedures	70

**Gender**
Male	389
Female	459

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	541
Black	174
Hispanic	103
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	341
From 75 to 84	252
85 and over	132
Less than 65	123

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	71
Stroke	16
Ischemic Heart Disease	70
Depression	29
Chronic Kidney Disease	46
Asthma	12
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	25
Heart Failure	47
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	24
Diabetes	52
Dementia	24
Cancer	10

cardiac procedures	576
catheterization	23
diagnostic procedures	26
doctor visit	700
hospital care	449
inpatient care	450
lab tests	60
minimally invasive procedures	36
nuclear scan	132
stress testing	265
ultrasound (sonogram)	288
vascular procedures	25

**Gender**
Male	786
Female	1018

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	1264
Black	278
Hispanic	170
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	748
From 75 to 84	578
85 and over	286
Less than 65	192

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	73
Stroke	16
Ischemic Heart Disease	66
Depression	23
Chronic Kidney Disease	47
Asthma	17
Osteoperosis	12
Atrial Fibrilation	27
Heart Failure	43
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	23
Diabetes	43
Dementia	20
Cancer	12

cardiac procedures	628
catheterization	29
diagnostic procedures	32
doctor visit	813
hospital care	514
inpatient care	515
lab tests	41
minimally invasive procedures	28
nuclear scan	138
stress testing	274
ultrasound (sonogram)	338
vascular procedures	44

**Gender**
Male	443
Female	523

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	685
Black	160
Hispanic	81
Asian	28
Other	12
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	404
From 75 to 84	305
85 and over	148
Less than 65	109

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	15
Ischemic Heart Disease	63
Depression	25
Chronic Kidney Disease	48
Asthma	25
Osteoperosis	12
Atrial Fibrilation	26
Heart Failure	40
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	23
Diabetes	43
Dementia	22
Cancer	12

cardiac procedures	743
catheterization	30
diagnostic procedures	33
doctor visit	892
hospital care	656
inpatient care	639
lab tests	376
minimally invasive procedures	29
nuclear scan	141
outpatient care	17
stress testing	283
ultrasound (sonogram)	447
vascular procedures	49

**Gender**
Male	633
Female	848

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	1024
Black	277
Hispanic	115
Asian	43
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	617
From 75 to 84	466
85 and over	235
Less than 65	163

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	71
Stroke	14
Ischemic Heart Disease	64
Depression	27
Chronic Kidney Disease	55
Asthma	11
Osteoperosis	11
Atrial Fibrilation	28
Heart Failure	44
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	23
Diabetes	46
Dementia	25
Cancer	13

cardiac procedures	654
catheterization	24
diagnostic procedures	27
doctor visit	801
hospital care	410
inpatient care	411
lab tests	322
minimally invasive procedures	37
nuclear scan	120
stress testing	234
ultrasound (sonogram)	422
vascular procedures	52

**Gender**
Male	580
Female	736

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	960
Black	209
Hispanic	96
Asian	37
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	552
From 75 to 84	424
85 and over	212
Less than 65	128

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	73
Stroke	15
Ischemic Heart Disease	63
Depression	27
Chronic Kidney Disease	49
Asthma	10
Osteoperosis	11
Atrial Fibrilation	29
Heart Failure	40
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	22
Diabetes	43
Dementia	22
Cancer	14

cardiac procedures	771
catheterization	36
diagnostic procedures	39
doctor visit	893
hospital care	492
inpatient care	493
lab tests	204
minimally invasive procedures	48
nuclear scan	133
stress testing	268
ultrasound (sonogram)	486
vascular procedures	57

**Gender**
Male	601
Female	772

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	1032
Black	181
Hispanic	100
Asian	40
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	540
From 75 to 84	461
85 and over	238
Less than 65	134

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	13
Ischemic Heart Disease	64
Depression	29
Chronic Kidney Disease	50
Asthma	10
Osteoperosis	12
Atrial Fibrilation	28
Heart Failure	38
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	22
Diabetes	41
Dementia	21
Cancer	13

cardiac procedures	599
catheterization	9
diagnostic procedures	12
doctor visit	738
hospital care	273
inpatient care	274
lab tests	56
minimally invasive procedures	8
nuclear scan	123
stress testing	246
ultrasound (sonogram)	362
vascular procedures	29

**Gender**
Male	543
Female	686

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	912
Black	157
Hispanic	100
Asian	36
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	488
From 75 to 84	435
85 and over	195
Less than 65	111

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	10
Ischemic Heart Disease	66
Depression	28
Chronic Kidney Disease	50
Asthma	10
Osteoperosis	11
Atrial Fibrilation	26
Heart Failure	38
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	22
Diabetes	41
Dementia	21
Cancer	12

angioplasty	24
cardiac procedures	1494
catheterization	82
diagnostic procedures	46
doctor visit	1209
hospital care	733
inpatient care	734
minimally invasive procedures	81
nuclear scan	280
stent placement (stenting)	24
stress testing	555
ultrasound (sonogram)	872
vascular procedures	60

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2013 - 2021

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Douglas R. Bree, MD, FACC for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Douglas R. Bree, MD, FACC treated as an interventional cardiologist in Houston, TX were cardiac procedures, hospital care, inpatient care and ultrasound (sonogram).

ambulatory monitoring	20
angioplasty	24
cardiac procedures	741
catheterization	34
diagnostic procedures	30
doctor visit	845
hospital care	512
inpatient care	508
lab tests	179
minimally invasive procedures	42
nuclear scan	149
outpatient care	16
stent placement (stenting)	24
stress testing	295
ultrasound (sonogram)	429
vascular procedures	52

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2013 - 2021

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Douglas R. Bree, MD, FACC.

**Gender**
Male	440
Female	553

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	168
Asian / Pacific Islander	18
Non-Hispanic White	692
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Hispanic	89
Other	1

**Age**
75 to 84	319
85 and over	156
Less than 65	113
65 to 74	404

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Douglas R. Bree, MD, FACC From 2013 - 2021

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Douglas R. Bree, MD, FACC treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, ischemic heart disease and chronic kidney disease.

Hypertension	60
High Cholesterol	58
Stroke	11
Ischemic Heart Disease	52
Depression	21
Chronic Kidney Disease	39
Asthma	10
Osteoporosis	8
Heart Failure	33
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	18
Diabetes	36
Atrial Fibrillation	21
Cancer	9
Dementia	18

Education & Training

Dr. Douglas R. Bree, MD, FACC graduated from Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in 2000. He completed residency at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. He has a state license in Texas.

Medical School: Southern Illinois University School of Medicine (2000)

Residency: Barnes-Jewish Hospital (2003)

Licensed In: Texas

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Douglas R. Bree, MD, FACC is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

Houston Methodist

TMH PHYSICIAN ASSOCIATES PLLC

Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Douglas R. Bree, MD, FACC has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 5.0 out of 5 stars based on 7 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Douglas R. Bree, MD, FACC from all over the web to help you find the right in Houston, TX.

Overall Rating

(7 Ratings)

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Overall Rating: 5.0 2024-07-19