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Home > WA Providers > Cardiac Surgeons

Dr. Timothy James, MD

(3 Ratings)

Specializes in: Cardiac Surgery and Thoracic Surgery

Yale School of Medicine (1988)

Professional interests include: coronary artery disease, heart problems

1802 S. Yakima Avenue Suite 102
Tacoma, WA 98405

(253) 272-7777

Dr. Timothy James, MD is a cardiac surgeon in Tacoma, WA specializing in cardiac surgery and thoracic surgery. He graduated from Yale School of Medicine in 1988 and has 36 years of experience. Dr. Timothy James, MD is affiliated with Franciscan Medical Group.

Office Locations

Address:

1802 S. Yakima Avenue Suite 102
Tacoma, WA 98405

Address:

16233 Sylvester Road SW Suite 260
Burien, WA 98166

Some issues Dr. Timothy James, MD 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.

bypass surgery	18
cardiac procedures	80
doctor visit	24
hospital care	21
inpatient care	21
open surgery	36
pulmonary testing	19
thoracic (chest) surgery procedures	36

**Gender**
Male	61
Female	35

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	84
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	47
From 75 to 84	34
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	75
Depression	16
Chronic Kidney Disease	29
Asthma	11
Osteoperosis	13
Atrial Fibrilation	43
Heart Failure	41
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	17
Diabetes	31
Dementia	0
Cancer	14

bypass surgery	18
cardiac procedures	64
doctor visit	27
hospital care	18
inpatient care	18
open surgery	36
thoracic (chest) surgery procedures	36

**Gender**
Male	48
Female	30

**Age**
From 65 to 74	37
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	75
Depression	17
Chronic Kidney Disease	45
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	14
Atrial Fibrilation	41
Heart Failure	41
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	26
Diabetes	37
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

bypass surgery	18
cardiac procedures	60
doctor visit	29
hospital care	25
inpatient care	25
open surgery	36
thoracic (chest) surgery procedures	36

**Gender**
Male	122
Female	60

**Age**
From 65 to 74	76
From 75 to 84	74
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	12
Ischemic Heart Disease	75
Depression	15
Chronic Kidney Disease	53
Asthma	15
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	49
Heart Failure	56
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	24
Diabetes	41
Dementia	0
Cancer	14

bypass surgery	25
cardiac procedures	74
doctor visit	51
hospital care	18
inpatient care	18
open surgery	50
thoracic (chest) surgery procedures	50

**Gender**
Male	72
Female	43

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	102
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	53
From 75 to 84	36
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	10
Ischemic Heart Disease	75
Depression	21
Chronic Kidney Disease	55
Asthma	27
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	45
Heart Failure	50
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	28
Diabetes	42
Dementia	0
Cancer	16

bypass surgery	25
cardiac procedures	76
doctor visit	59
hospital care	19
inpatient care	19
open surgery	50
thoracic (chest) surgery procedures	50

**Gender**
Male	71
Female	42

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	102
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	48
From 75 to 84	38
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	10
Ischemic Heart Disease	75
Depression	19
Chronic Kidney Disease	54
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	44
Heart Failure	67
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	27
Diabetes	32
Dementia	0
Cancer	17

bypass surgery	16
cardiac procedures	30
doctor visit	58
open surgery	32
thoracic (chest) surgery procedures	32

**Gender**
Male	62
Female	44

**Age**
From 65 to 74	43
From 75 to 84	38
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	75
Depression	19
Chronic Kidney Disease	58
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	10
Atrial Fibrilation	34
Heart Failure	58
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	23
Diabetes	49
Dementia	10
Cancer	18

bypass surgery	28
cardiac procedures	54
doctor visit	103
open surgery	56
thoracic (chest) surgery procedures	56

**Gender**
Male	85
Female	50

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	108
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	58
From 75 to 84	46
85 and over	13
Less than 65	18

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	8
Ischemic Heart Disease	75
Depression	27
Chronic Kidney Disease	61
Asthma	11
Osteoperosis	10
Atrial Fibrilation	37
Heart Failure	71
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	39
Diabetes	52
Dementia	13
Cancer	10

bypass surgery	23
cardiac procedures	44
doctor visit	30
hospital care	12
inpatient care	12
open surgery	46
thoracic (chest) surgery procedures	46

**Gender**
Male	54
Female	33

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	67
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	44
From 75 to 84	28
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	75
Depression	33
Chronic Kidney Disease	63
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	22
Heart Failure	64
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	25
Diabetes	47
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

bypass surgery	48
cardiac procedures	94
doctor visit	234
hospital care	22
inpatient care	22
open surgery	96
thoracic (chest) surgery procedures	96

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2013 - 2021

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Timothy James, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Timothy James, MD treated as a cardiac surgeon in Tacoma, WA were cardiac procedures, thoracic (chest) surgery procedures, open surgery and bypass surgery.

bypass surgery	24
cardiac procedures	64
doctor visit	72
hospital care	19
inpatient care	19
open surgery	48
pulmonary testing	19
thoracic (chest) surgery procedures	48

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2013 - 2021

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Timothy James, MD.

**Gender**
Male	57
Female	33

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	0
Asian / Pacific Islander	0
Non-Hispanic White	46
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Hispanic	0
Other	0

**Age**
75 to 84	29
85 and over	1
Less than 65	1
65 to 74	40

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Timothy James, MD From 2013 - 2021

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Timothy James, MD treated were high cholesterol, hypertension, ischemic heart disease and heart failure.

Hypertension	60
High Cholesterol	60
Stroke	4
Ischemic Heart Disease	60
Depression	16
Chronic Kidney Disease	41
Asthma	6
Osteoporosis	4
Heart Failure	44
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	20
Diabetes	33
Atrial Fibrillation	31
Cancer	8
Dementia	2

Education & Training

Dr. Timothy James, MD graduated from Yale School of Medicine in 1988. He has a state license in Illinois.

Medical School: Yale School of Medicine (1988)

Licensed In: Illinois

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Timothy James, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

Franciscan Medical Group

Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Timothy James, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 5.0 out of 5 stars based on 3 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Timothy James, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in Tacoma, WA.

Overall Rating

(3 Ratings)

Leave a Review

Reviews From Around The Web

Overall Rating: 5.0 2023-09-07

Patient verified via Press Ganey

Dr. Was very helpful in explaining my situation and helping me make a decision about treatment

Overall Rating: 5.0 2024-03-02

Patient verified via Press Ganey

Would definitely recommend Dr James and his staff to others. They are caring and thorough.

Overall Rating: 5.0 2023-07-21

Patient verified via Press Ganey

Dr James took time to talk with me about a number of things

General Payments

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

**Payments by Company**
CorMatrix Cardiovascular Inc.	$1,308 ECM Patch $1,308
Medtronic Vascular, Inc.	$1,084 Endurant $758	Simulus $202	Mosaic $112	CoreValve Evolut $12
St. Jude Medical, Inc.	$434 Structural Heart $364	Epic Stented Tissue Valve $70
Edwards Lifesciences Corporation	$218 Edwards SAPIEN 3 Transcatheter Heart Valve $218
MAQUET Cardiovascular U.S. Sales, L.L.C.	$181 Vascular Surgery $181
Other	$652 LifeSPARC $142	Progel Applicator Spray Tips $139	XARELTO $94	CARBOMEDICS SUPRA-ANNULAR (TOP HAT) $89	PREVELEAK $3	Other $185

**Types of Payments**
Food and Beverage	$2,059
Travel and Lodging	$1,818

Biography

Dr. Timothy James, who practices in Tacoma, WA and Burien, WA, is a medical specialist in cardiac surgery and thoracic surgery. In his practice, he is particularly interested in coronary artery disease. On average, patients gave Dr. James a rating of 5.0 stars (out of 5). He is a graduate of Yale School of Medicine. He is professionally affiliated with Franciscan Medical Group. Dr. James has a closed panel according to Doctor.com.

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Dr. Timothy James, MD

Office Locations

Some issues Dr. Timothy James, MD can help you with:

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2013 Medicare Procedure Volume

2013 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Timothy James, MD in 2013

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

2014 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Timothy James, MD in 2014

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Timothy James, MD in 2015

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Timothy James, MD in 2016

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Timothy James, MD in 2017

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Timothy James, MD in 2018

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Timothy James, MD in 2019

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Timothy James, MD in 2020

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2013 - 2021

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2013 - 2021

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Timothy James, MD From 2013 - 2021

Education & Training

Affiliations & Hospitals

Ratings & Reviews

General Payments

Biography

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