Muhammad S. Akhtar, MD
Carle Heart & Vascular Institute
Cardiology
- Address
- 1302 Franklin Ave Ste 4500, Normal 61761
- Telehealth
- Not listed
- Medicare
- Not listed
- Medicaid
- Not listed
Last verified Oct 2026 Report a correction

68 listed in Peoria–Bloomington, IL · Listings last verified October 2026 · How we vet listings
We list 68 cardiologists in the Peoria–Bloomington area, most of them in Peoria, Normal and Bloomington. All are physicians (MD or DO), shown with the practice's phone number, address and Google rating where we could match one. Use the filters to narrow by city, telehealth, Medicare or Medicaid.
Carle Heart & Vascular Institute
Cardiology
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Carle Heart & Vascular Institute
Cardiology
Last verified Oct 2026 Report a correction
Cardiology
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Cardiology
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Cardiology
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Unitypoint Health Cardiology Peoria
Cardiology
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Cardiology
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Carle Heart & Vascular Institute
Cardiology
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Cardiology
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Cardiology
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Cardiology
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Carle Heart & Vascular Institute
Cardiology
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Carle Heart & Vascular Institute
Cardiology
Last verified Oct 2026 Report a correction
Unitypoint Health Cardiology Peoria
Cardiology
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Carle Heart & Vascular Institute
Cardiology
Last verified Oct 2026 Report a correction
Unitypoint Health Cardiology Peoria
Cardiology
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Cardiology
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Cardiac Consultants SC
Cardiology
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Cardiology
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Cardiology
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Our Peoria–Bloomington listings cover two cities about 40 miles apart, plus the towns around them: Peoria County, McLean County, Tazewell County, Fulton County and Bureau County. Peoria has the most listings, followed by Bloomington and Normal. Smaller groups are in Pekin, East Peoria, Washington and Canton.
Three health systems show up most often. Carle Health runs Carle Health Methodist in Peoria and Carle BroMenn in Normal. OSF HealthCare, based in Peoria, has specialty clinics in the city. UnityPoint Health also has cardiology and lung clinics in Peoria. Community mental health providers include the Human Service Center in Peoria and the Center for Human Services in Bloomington.
Specialist choices are wider in Peoria than in Bloomington–Normal, so people in McLean County sometimes drive west for care. For less common specialists, you may need to look at Chicago or Springfield.
Cardiology in the Peoria–Bloomington area includes Carle Heart & Vascular Institute in Normal, UnityPoint Health Cardiology in Peoria and independent groups such as Cardiac Consultants. Most cardiologists are in Peoria, with a smaller group in Bloomington–Normal.
Nearby: Springfield–Decatur, IL · Champaign–Urbana, IL · Quad Cities, IL
A cardiologist is a doctor who diagnoses and treats conditions of the heart and blood vessels, such as high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, heart failure, abnormal heart rhythms and valve problems. Most people see one after a referral from their primary care doctor, but many practices also accept self-referred patients.
Start with the kind of heart care you need. Cardiology has subspecialties, and the right fit depends on your condition:
If you're not sure, a general cardiologist is the right first stop. They'll refer you on if you need a subspecialist.
Check credentials. Board certification in cardiovascular disease shows a doctor has completed specialty training and passed a certification exam. You can look up any doctor's certification for free on the American Board of Internal Medicine website [1]. Our listings show the credentials doctors report in the federal NPI registry, but we don't verify board certification.
Confirm insurance before you book. Practices change the plans they accept, so call the office or check your insurer's directory. If you have an HMO plan, you'll usually need a referral from your primary care doctor first. Medicare Part B covers medically necessary specialist visits; you typically pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after your deductible [3].
Think about location and hospital ties. Many cardiologists work in groups linked to a hospital system. If you may need tests or a procedure, a practice tied to a nearby hospital can keep your care in one place. Ask where they do stress tests, echocardiograms and catheterizations.
Ask about wait times and telehealth. New-patient waits for cardiology can run weeks. Ask whether there's a cancellation list, and whether follow-up visits can be done by video.
Know when not to wait. Chest pain, pressure or discomfort, shortness of breath, pain spreading to the arm, jaw or back, or sudden weakness or trouble speaking need emergency care, not an appointment. Call 911 [2].
It depends on your insurance. Most HMO plans require a referral from your primary care doctor before they'll cover a specialist visit. PPO plans and traditional Medicare usually don't. Even without a requirement, some cardiology practices ask for a referral or your recent test results, so call ahead and ask what to bring.
Expect a review of your symptoms, medical history, family history and medications, a physical exam, and often an electrocardiogram (ECG). The cardiologist may order more tests, such as an echocardiogram, a stress test or a heart monitor you wear at home. Bring a list of your medications and any recent lab or test results.
A cardiologist diagnoses and treats heart conditions with tests, medication and procedures done through the blood vessels, such as stents. A cardiac surgeon performs open operations, such as bypass surgery or valve replacement. Most people start with a cardiologist, who refers them to a surgeon only if surgery is needed.
Yes. Medicare Part B covers medically necessary visits to specialists, including cardiologists, as long as the doctor accepts Medicare. You typically pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after the Part B deductible. Medicare Advantage plans cover the same visits but may require referrals and in-network doctors.
Look the doctor up on the American Board of Internal Medicine's free "Verify a Physician" tool, which shows whether they're certified in cardiovascular disease and its subspecialties. Our listings show the credentials doctors report to the NPI registry, but we don't verify certification ourselves.