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Dr. J Christopher Merritt, MD, FACC

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(Dr. James Christopher Merritt, MD)

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Specializes in: Interventional Cardiology and Adult Cardiology

Emory University School of Medicine

Professional interests include: pain, angina, coronary artery disease, and more.

7 John Maddox Drive NW
Rome, GA 30165

(706) 368-8500

Dr. J Christopher Merritt, MD, FACC is an interventional cardiologist in Rome, GA specializing in interventional cardiology and adult cardiology. He graduated from Emory University School of Medicine. Dr. J Christopher Merritt, MD, FACC is affiliated with Atrium Health Floyd, AdventHealth, HARBIN CLINIC LLC, ADVENTIST HEALTH SYSTEM GEORGIA INC and AdventHealth Medical Group Cardiology at Rome.

Office Locations

Address:

7 John Maddox Drive NW
Rome, GA 30165

Some issues Dr. J Christopher Merritt, MD, FACC can help you with:

Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common type of heart disease. It happens when the blood vessels carrying blood to the heart, called coronary arteries, narrow and harden. This occurs when cholesterol, a type of fat found in the blood, builds up to form plaque, which sticks to the inner walls of the arteries. As plaque accumulates, less blood can flow through the arteries, which may lead to the following:

Angina, which is chest pain that occurs when the heart does not receive enough blood flow.
Heart attack, which happens if the arteries leading to the heart are completely blocked.
Arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat, which can develop if the heart does not have enough blood supply.
Heart failure, which may occur if a heart attack damages the heart and it becomes too weak to pump enough blood to the rest of the body.

Certain factors may increase risk for the disease, like smoking, lack of exercise, being overweight, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes. CAD tends to develop over decades, so it can go undetected until it has become quite severe. A diagnosis may be established using such tests as:

Electrocardiogram (ECG), which records the heart's electrical activity over a period of time. ECGs can detect whether there is enough blood flow to the heart or if a heart attack has occurred.
Echocardiogram (echo), which creates images of the heart using sound waves. Echos can show whether the heart is able to pump blood normally.
Stress tests, where an ECG or echo is combined with exercise, like riding a stationary bike or walking on a treadmill. This test is done to find out if the heart can function properly while performing a strenuous activity.

Treatments for the disease include medications such as vasodilators, like nitroglycerin, which dilates (widens) the coronary arteries. CAD may also be treated by a procedure called angioplasty with stent placement, where a balloon is inflated inside a diseased artery to flatten the plaque deposits against the artery walls, creating more room for blood to flow.

In some severe cases of the disease, multiple arteries may be blocked, and an open heart surgery called coronary artery bypass surgery may be necessary. This operation transplants a vessel from another part of the body to form a graft that goes past the narrowed arteries, thus enabling blood to flow around those arteries.

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	33
angioplasty	82
blood draw	306
cardiac procedures	1432
cardioversion	27
catheterization	327
diagnostic procedures	181
doctor visit	1701
emergency care	23
hospital care	911
inpatient care	889
lab tests	595
minimally invasive procedures	410
nuclear scan	216
outpatient care	22
preventive care	52
stent placement (stenting)	84
stress testing	543
thyroid function tests	48
ultrasound (sonogram)	571
vascular procedures	180

**Gender**
Male	1222
Female	1111

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	2171
Black	134
Hispanic	15
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	894
From 75 to 84	760
85 and over	286
Less than 65	393

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	73
Stroke	9
Ischemic Heart Disease	75
Depression	24
Chronic Kidney Disease	41
Asthma	6
Osteoperosis	6
Atrial Fibrilation	29
Heart Failure	45
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	29
Diabetes	44
Dementia	13
Cancer	11

ambulatory monitoring	43
angioplasty	60
blood draw	313
cardiac procedures	1450
cardioversion	23
catheterization	265
diagnostic procedures	157
doctor visit	1817
emergency care	18
hospital care	772
inpatient care	757
lab tests	602
minimally invasive procedures	344
nuclear scan	228
outpatient care	15
preventive care	29
stent placement (stenting)	62
stress testing	579
thyroid function tests	39
ultrasound (sonogram)	615
vascular procedures	156

**Gender**
Male	1271
Female	1181

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	2278
Black	141
Hispanic	13
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	922
From 75 to 84	786
85 and over	315
Less than 65	429

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	9
Ischemic Heart Disease	75
Depression	26
Chronic Kidney Disease	43
Asthma	7
Osteoperosis	6
Atrial Fibrilation	28
Heart Failure	46
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	31
Diabetes	44
Dementia	13
Cancer	11

ambulatory monitoring	29
angioplasty	72
blood draw	384
cardiac procedures	1532
cardioversion	21
catheterization	360
diagnostic procedures	224
doctor visit	1919
emergency care	28
hospital care	801
inpatient care	776
lab tests	859
minimally invasive procedures	450
nuclear scan	209
outpatient care	25
preventive care	106
stent placement (stenting)	74
stress testing	560
thyroid function tests	34
ultrasound (sonogram)	616
vascular procedures	223

**Gender**
Male	3010
Female	2962

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	5534
Black	360
Hispanic	36
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	2204
From 75 to 84	1846
85 and over	746
Less than 65	1176

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	73
Stroke	9
Ischemic Heart Disease	75
Depression	28
Chronic Kidney Disease	44
Asthma	21
Osteoperosis	5
Atrial Fibrilation	27
Heart Failure	46
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	31
Diabetes	43
Dementia	14
Cancer	10

ambulatory monitoring	35
angioplasty	178
blood draw	471
cardiac procedures	1671
cardioversion	25
catheterization	521
diagnostic procedures	242
doctor visit	1862
hospital care	967
inpatient care	927
lab tests	1829
minimally invasive procedures	601
nuclear scan	213
outpatient care	40
preventive care	113
stent placement (stenting)	180
stress testing	569
thoracic (chest) imaging	94
thyroid function tests	36
ultrasound (sonogram)	559
vascular procedures	254
X-rays	94

**Gender**
Male	1568
Female	1508

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	2855
Black	191
Hispanic	14
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	1166
From 75 to 84	940
85 and over	400
Less than 65	570

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	9
Ischemic Heart Disease	75
Depression	29
Chronic Kidney Disease	51
Asthma	34
Osteoperosis	5
Atrial Fibrilation	26
Heart Failure	49
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	32
Diabetes	44
Dementia	15
Cancer	10

ambulatory monitoring	37
angioplasty	126
blood draw	220
cardiac procedures	1539
cardioversion	28
catheterization	369
diagnostic procedures	181
doctor visit	1554
hospital care	781
inpatient care	757
lab tests	1431
minimally invasive procedures	459
nuclear scan	202
outpatient care	24
preventive care	64
stent placement (stenting)	128
stress testing	524
thoracic (chest) imaging	81
ultrasound (sonogram)	618
vascular procedures	192
X-rays	81

**Gender**
Male	1376
Female	1471

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	2608
Black	201
Hispanic	18
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	1036
From 75 to 84	862
85 and over	428
Less than 65	521

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	9
Ischemic Heart Disease	75
Depression	32
Chronic Kidney Disease	55
Asthma	9
Osteoperosis	6
Atrial Fibrilation	26
Heart Failure	51
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	33
Diabetes	45
Dementia	17
Cancer	10

ambulatory monitoring	29
angioplasty	172
blood draw	265
cardiac procedures	1554
cardioversion	32
catheterization	481
diagnostic procedures	224
doctor visit	1578
hospital care	836
inpatient care	800
lab tests	1383
minimally invasive procedures	581
nuclear scan	135
outpatient care	36
preventive care	89
stent placement (stenting)	174
stress testing	333
thyroid function tests	13
ultrasound (sonogram)	713
vascular procedures	236

**Gender**
Male	1565
Female	1541

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	2837
Black	224
Hispanic	21
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	1129
From 75 to 84	1019
85 and over	431
Less than 65	527

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	10
Ischemic Heart Disease	75
Depression	33
Chronic Kidney Disease	58
Asthma	8
Osteoperosis	7
Atrial Fibrilation	27
Heart Failure	52
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	35
Diabetes	45
Dementia	18
Cancer	10

**Gender**
Male	1376
Female	1420

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	2564
Black	179
Hispanic	26
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	976
From 75 to 84	950
85 and over	375
Less than 65	495

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	11
Ischemic Heart Disease	74
Depression	36
Chronic Kidney Disease	59
Asthma	8
Osteoperosis	7
Atrial Fibrilation	27
Heart Failure	56
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	35
Diabetes	43
Dementia	21
Cancer	11

ambulatory monitoring	17
angioplasty	176
blood draw	159
cardiac procedures	1421
cardioversion	17
catheterization	448
diagnostic procedures	196
doctor visit	1075
hospital care	686
inpatient care	648
lab tests	948
minimally invasive procedures	521
nuclear scan	114
outpatient care	38
preventive care	78
stent placement (stenting)	156
stress testing	249
thyroid function tests	15
ultrasound (sonogram)	684
vascular procedures	215

**Gender**
Male	1333
Female	1314

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	2423
Black	168
Hispanic	25
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	958
From 75 to 84	865
85 and over	377
Less than 65	447

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	11
Ischemic Heart Disease	75
Depression	34
Chronic Kidney Disease	61
Asthma	7
Osteoperosis	7
Atrial Fibrilation	27
Heart Failure	57
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	32
Diabetes	47
Dementia	23
Cancer	11

ambulatory monitoring	42
angioplasty	304
blood draw	396
cardiac procedures	2255
cardioversion	25
catheterization	761
diagnostic procedures	320
doctor visit	2320
hospital care	923
inpatient care	891
lab tests	1826
minimally invasive procedures	895
nuclear scan	150
outpatient care	32
preventive care	166
stent placement (stenting)	278
stress testing	349
thyroid function tests	31
ultrasound (sonogram)	1034
vascular procedures	363

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2013 - 2021

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. J Christopher Merritt, MD, FACC for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. J Christopher Merritt, MD, FACC treated as an interventional cardiologist in Rome, GA were cardiac procedures, lab tests, hospital care and inpatient care.

ambulatory monitoring	34
angioplasty	143
blood draw	301
cardiac procedures	1590
cardioversion	24
catheterization	436
diagnostic procedures	214
doctor visit	1680
emergency care	23
hospital care	818
inpatient care	790
lab tests	1180
minimally invasive procedures	525
nuclear scan	179
outpatient care	28
preventive care	85
stent placement (stenting)	139
stress testing	449
thoracic (chest) imaging	87
thyroid function tests	30
ultrasound (sonogram)	673
vascular procedures	227
X-rays	87

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2013 - 2021

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. J Christopher Merritt, MD, FACC.

**Gender**
Male	1272
Female	1250

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	159
Asian / Pacific Islander	0
Non-Hispanic White	2327
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Hispanic	16
Other	0

**Age**
85 and over	335
75 to 84	802
Less than 65	455
65 to 74	928

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. J Christopher Merritt, MD, FACC From 2013 - 2021

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

Hypertension	60
High Cholesterol	59
Stroke	7
Ischemic Heart Disease	59
Depression	24
Chronic Kidney Disease	41
Asthma	10
Osteoporosis	4
Heart Failure	40
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	25
Diabetes	35
Atrial Fibrillation	21
Dementia	13
Cancer	8

Education & Training

Dr. J Christopher Merritt, MD, FACC graduated from Emory University School of Medicine. He completed residency at Emory University Affiliated Hospitals. He is certified by the Cardiovascular Disease: The American Board of Internal Medicine and has a state license in Georgia.

Medical School: Emory University School of Medicine

Residency: Emory University Affiliated Hospitals

Board Certification: Cardiovascular Disease: The American Board of Internal Medicine

Licensed In: Georgia

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. J Christopher Merritt, MD, FACC is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

Atrium Health Floyd

AdventHealth

HARBIN CLINIC LLC

ADVENTIST HEALTH SYSTEM GEORGIA INC

AdventHealth Medical Group Cardiology at Rome

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General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. J Christopher Merritt, MD, FACC. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

**Payments by Company**
Edwards Lifesciences Corporation	$1,051 Edwards SAPIEN 3 Ultra Transcatheter Heart Valve $876	EDWARDS SAPIEN 3 TRANSCATHETER HEART VALVE (THV) $62	Edwards SAPIEN 3 Transcatheter Heart Valve $54	SAPIEN 3 Ultra RESILIA $35	Transcatheter Heart Valves $24
Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc	$710 XARELTO $710
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP	$593 BRILINTA $581	FARXIGA $12
Medtronic Vascular, Inc.	$435 CoreValve Evolut $131	Resolute $110	3F $46	Heart Valves $40	Engager $23	Other $86
Boston Scientific Corporation	$371 LOTUS Edge $92	General - Structural Heart $90	STENTS $72	WATCHMAN Access System $56	Rotablator $36	Other $24
Other	$1,891 LifeVest $181	Impella $159	ELIQUIS $146	ENTRESTO $144	Xience Sierra Coronary Stent $138	Other $1,123

**Types of Payments**
Food and Beverage	$4,801
Education	$175
Grant	$75

Research Payments

Dr. J Christopher Merritt, MD, FACC has received 1 research payments totaling $125.

Biography

Dr. James Merritt is a specialist in adult cardiology and interventional cardiology in Rome, GA. Dr. Merritt has a special interest in obesity, heart failure, and angina. His education and training includes medical school at Emory University School of Medicine and residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He is professionally affiliated with AdventHealth and Atrium Health Floyd. Doctor.com reports that he is accepting new patients at his office in Rome, GA.