Cardiologists in Knoxville

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 Knoxville, the decision among heart specialists usually turns on access, continuity of care, and how a practice coordinates with primary physicians and hospital surgeons rather than on differences in the medicine itself. Knoxville is the largest city in East Tennessee, with a population of roughly 195,000 as of 2024 (U.S. Census Bureau), and it serves as the cardiovascular referral center for a wide surrounding region of the eastern part of the state.

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, together with Knoxville’s role as a regional hub, supports a substantial field of cardiology practices, including groups affiliated with major systems such as Covenant Health, the University of Tennessee Medical Center, Tennova Healthcare, and Vanderbilt Health, 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 Knoxville 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.

The clinical services a Knoxville 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 Knoxville

1. TN Heart & Vascular Clinic

Address: 2727 Asbury Road, Suite 102, Knoxville, TN 37914
Phone: (865) 444-6161
Website: https://www.tnclinic.org
Services: cardiac diagnostics, interventional cardiology, electrophysiology, cardiac and vascular care, in-office ultrasound
Description: TN Heart & Vascular Clinic is a Knoxville cardiology and vascular practice focused on comprehensive cardiac and vascular care for the local community. The practice lists cardiologist Yasir Akhtar, MD, supported by a nurse practitioner, a clinical manager, a medical assistant, an ultrasound technician, and a patient care coordinator. Its services span cardiac diagnostics, interventional cardiology, and electrophysiology, with in-office ultrasound capability for cardiovascular imaging. As a smaller, focused practice, it emphasizes direct access to its cardiologist and continuity of care for patients managing heart and vascular conditions, offering an alternative to the larger hospital-system groups in the Knoxville market.

2. Vanderbilt Heart Knoxville

Address: 11440 Parkside Drive, Suite 205, Knoxville, TN 37934
Phone: (865) 672-5480
Website: https://www.vanderbilthealth.com/locations/vanderbilt-heart-knoxville
Services: advanced heart failure care, cardio-oncology (heart disease and cancer), ventricular assist device program, cardiology consultation
Description: Vanderbilt Heart Knoxville is the East Tennessee location of Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s heart program, situated in the Parkside Drive corridor near Turkey Creek. The practice lists cardiologists Douglas M. Brinkley Jr., MD, and Mark A. Wigger, MD, along with an advanced practice provider. It focuses on advanced heart failure management, cardio-oncology for patients whose heart health intersects with cancer treatment, and a ventricular assist device program, extending Vanderbilt’s academic heart failure and transplant expertise into the Knoxville area. Patients here benefit from connection to Vanderbilt’s broader cardiovascular network and its clinical trial and research infrastructure while receiving care locally.

3. Tennova Cardiology – West

Address: 10800 Parkside Drive, Suite 330, Knoxville, TN 37934
Phone: (865) 672-4500
Website: https://www.tennovagreaterknoxvilledocs.com/our-locations/tennova-cardiology-west-10800-parkside-drive-suite-1900
Services: diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease, structural heart disease and valve disorders, interventional cardiology, coronary and peripheral interventions, pacemaker and defibrillator implantation, cardiovascular research
Description: Tennova Cardiology – West is the Knoxville cardiology practice of Tennova Medical Group, located on Parkside Drive in the Turkey Creek area of West Knoxville. The practice lists cardiologist Mukesh K. Sharma, M.D., who specializes in cardiovascular disease and interventional cardiology. Its services cover diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular problems including structural heart disease and valve disorders, interventional procedures for patients requiring pacemakers and defibrillators, and coronary and peripheral interventions. The practice also participates in cardiovascular research studies and notes same-week appointment availability, positioning it as a full-service cardiology office within the Tennova Healthcare network serving greater Knoxville.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cardiologists in Knoxville

Q: How do I verify that a Knoxville 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, which is useful when choosing a new cardiologist or confirming a physician’s credentials.

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 Knoxville?

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 Knoxville 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.