Cardiologists in Chattanooga

June 14, 2026

A cardiologist is a physician, an M.D. or a D.O., who has completed an internal medicine residency followed by a cardiovascular fellowship and who diagnoses and treats diseases of the heart and blood vessels. For patients in Chattanooga, the choice among heart specialists usually comes down to access, continuity of care, and how a practice coordinates with primary physicians and surgeons rather than to differences in the underlying medicine. Chattanooga sits in southeastern Tennessee on the Georgia border, with a population of roughly 186,000 as of 2024 (U.S. Census Bureau), and it functions as the cardiovascular referral center for a region that spans parts of both states.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death nationally and in Tennessee, which has historically ranked among the higher states for cardiovascular mortality (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). That burden, combined with the city’s role as a regional hub, supports a field of cardiology practices in Chattanooga that includes groups affiliated with major systems such as Erlanger Health, CHI Memorial, and Parkridge, alongside smaller independent practices. Patients generally reach a cardiologist through a referral from a primary care provider after an abnormal test, a cardiac event, or risk factors such as hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, or a family history of heart disease.

Cardiologists practicing in Chattanooga are licensed and regulated by the Tennessee Department of Health. Medical doctors hold licenses through the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners, and doctors of osteopathic medicine through the Tennessee Board of Osteopathic Examination. Most practicing cardiologists are also board certified in cardiovascular disease by the American Board of Internal Medicine, which requires prior internal medicine certification, completion of accredited fellowship training, and an unrestricted medical license. Subspecialty certification is available in interventional cardiology, clinical cardiac electrophysiology, and advanced heart failure and transplant cardiology. Consumers can verify a Tennessee physician’s license status and disciplinary history at no cost through the Department of Health license lookup at apps.health.tn.gov. Patients who live across the state line should note that a physician treating them in Tennessee must hold a Tennessee license.

The clinical services a Chattanooga cardiology practice offers depend on its size and focus. General or noninvasive cardiology covers diagnostic testing such as electrocardiograms, echocardiograms, stress testing, and rhythm monitoring, along with management of coronary artery disease, heart failure, and arrhythmia. Interventional cardiology adds catheter-based procedures including angioplasty and stent placement. Electrophysiology treats heart rhythm disorders through ablation and device implantation such as pacemakers and defibrillators. Structural heart programs handle valve disease with procedures such as transcatheter aortic valve replacement. Physician services are not subject to Tennessee’s 7% sales tax, which applies to tangible goods rather than professional medical care. This information is general and informational, not medical advice; diagnosis and treatment decisions should be made with a licensed physician. Concerns about billing or business practices can be reported to the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs under the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act (TCA 47-18-104), while clinical complaints about a physician are handled by the Department of Health.

Top Cardiologist Providers in Chattanooga

1. Integrative Cardiology

Address: 4700 Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, TN 37411
Phone: (423) 641-4261
Website: https://integrativecardio.com
Services: general cardiology (chest pain, heart failure, arrhythmia, coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, syncope, pulmonary hypertension), interventional procedures (cardiac catheterization, coronary stent implantation, pacemaker implantation, arrhythmia ablation, valve replacement, TAVR), vein treatments (sclerotherapy, endovenous laser therapy, radiofrequency ablation, phlebectomy), vascular care (peripheral and carotid artery disease, aneurysm treatment), diagnostics (echocardiogram, stress testing, Holter and event monitoring, ultrasound)
Description: Integrative Cardiology is an independent cardiology, vein, and vascular practice on Brainerd Road in Chattanooga, led by Abbas Agha, MD, who holds the FACC, FSCAI, and RPVI credentials. The practice describes itself as boutique in style, combining general and interventional cardiology with a vein center and vascular care under one roof. Its cardiology services range from evaluation of chest pain, palpitations, and shortness of breath to interventional procedures including cardiac catheterization, stent and pacemaker implantation, arrhythmia ablation, and transcatheter valve work, while the vein and vascular side treats varicose veins, peripheral and carotid artery disease, and aneurysms. In addition to its Chattanooga office, the practice maintains locations in Cleveland and Athens, Tennessee, serving patients across the southeastern part of the state.

2. Erlanger Heart & Lung Institute

Address: 975 East 3rd Street, Chattanooga, TN 37403
Phone: (423) 778-5661
Website: https://www.erlanger.org/medical-services/heart/heart-services/general-cardiology
Services: general cardiology, interventional cardiology (cardiac catheterization), electrophysiology and heart rhythm disorders, structural cardiology, advanced heart failure, advanced cardiac imaging, sports cardiology, preventive and rehabilitative cardiology, women’s and pediatric cardiology
Description: The Erlanger Heart & Lung Institute is the cardiovascular program of Erlanger Health, a teaching hospital system affiliated with the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and based in downtown Chattanooga on East 3rd Street. The institute provides comprehensive cardiac care across general cardiology, interventional cardiology, electrophysiology, structural heart disease, and advanced heart failure, supported by advanced cardiac imaging. Its team includes more than two dozen specialists working in interventional cardiology, electrophysiology, and general cardiology, along with advanced practice providers, and it offers focused programs in sports cardiology, preventive and rehabilitative cardiology, and women’s and pediatric heart care. As an academic medical center, Erlanger combines patient care with physician training and serves as a regional referral center for complex cardiovascular cases.

3. The Chattanooga Heart Institute

Address: 2501 Citico Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37404
Phone: (423) 697-2000
Website: https://www.chattanoogaheart.com
Services: general cardiology, interventional cardiology, electrophysiology and heart rhythm care, structural heart procedures, cardiovascular and vascular surgery, diagnostic testing and cardiac imaging (echocardiography, stress testing, monitoring)
Description: The Chattanooga Heart Institute is one of the region’s largest cardiovascular groups, with a main campus on Citico Avenue at the CHI Memorial Hospital complex and additional offices across the area, including an Atrium location at 1949 Gunbarrel Road and clinics in Hixson, Dayton, Cleveland, and Jasper, Tennessee, plus Ringgold, Georgia. The practice reports a team of roughly 29 board-certified cardiologists along with cardiovascular and vascular surgeons, allowing it to cover the full range of heart and vascular care from preventive and diagnostic cardiology through interventional procedures, electrophysiology, and structural heart work. It is affiliated with CHI Memorial, part of the CommonSpirit Health system, which connects the group’s outpatient cardiology with hospital-based cardiac services. The breadth of subspecialists and locations makes it a primary referral point for cardiovascular care across southeastern Tennessee and North Georgia.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cardiologists in Chattanooga

Q: How do I verify that a Chattanooga cardiologist is licensed in Tennessee?

You can confirm a physician’s license at no cost through the Tennessee Department of Health license verification system at apps.health.tn.gov. Medical doctors are licensed by the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners and doctors of osteopathic medicine by the Tennessee Board of Osteopathic Examination. The lookup shows license status and any disciplinary history. Because Chattanooga sits on the Georgia line, patients should confirm that a physician treating them in Tennessee holds a Tennessee license.

Q: What does board certification in cardiology mean?

Board certification in cardiovascular disease is granted by the American Board of Internal Medicine to physicians who are first certified in internal medicine, complete an accredited cardiology fellowship, and hold a valid unrestricted medical license. Some cardiologists hold additional subspecialty certification in interventional cardiology, clinical cardiac electrophysiology, or advanced heart failure, reflecting further fellowship training in those areas.

Q: Do I need a referral to see a cardiologist in Chattanooga?

Many patients are referred to a cardiologist by a primary care provider after an abnormal test result or a cardiac event, and some insurance plans require a referral before covering specialist visits. Practices differ in whether they accept self-referred patients, so confirm both the practice’s policy and your plan’s referral requirements before scheduling.

Q: What is the difference between general, interventional, and electrophysiology cardiology?

General or noninvasive cardiology focuses on diagnosis and medical management using tests such as echocardiograms and stress tests. Interventional cardiology adds catheter-based procedures like angioplasty and stent placement for blocked arteries. Electrophysiology focuses on heart rhythm disorders, using procedures such as ablation and the implantation of pacemakers and defibrillators. Larger Chattanooga practices often include all three within one group.

Q: Is sales tax charged on cardiology care in Tennessee?

Tennessee’s 7% state sales tax plus local option tax applies to tangible goods, not to professional medical services, so a consultation, diagnostic test, or procedure performed by a physician is not taxed the way a retail purchase would be. Medical billing is instead governed by insurance contracts, Medicare and Medicaid rules, and the provider’s pricing, so patients should request an itemized statement to understand charges.

Q: How do I file a complaint about a cardiologist or a cardiology practice?

Complaints about a physician’s clinical conduct or licensure are directed to the Tennessee Department of Health, which oversees the Board of Medical Examiners and the Board of Osteopathic Examination. Disputes about billing or business practices can be reported to the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs under the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act (TCA 47-18-104). Keeping records of appointments, statements, and correspondence strengthens any complaint.