Zachary D. Garrett, MD
Cardiology
- Address
- 1415 Physicians Dr, Wilmington 28401
- Telehealth
- Not listed
- Medicare
- Not listed
- Medicaid
- Not listed
Last verified Nov 2026 Report a correction
Cardiologists in Wilmington, NC
61 listed in Wilmington, NC · Listings last verified November 2026 · How we vet listings
We list 61 cardiologists in the Wilmington area, most of them in Wilmington, Lumberton and Carolina Beach. 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.
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In the Wilmington area
Our Wilmington listings cover the southeastern corner of North Carolina: New Hanover County, Brunswick County, Robeson County, Pender County and Columbus County. Wilmington holds most of them. Lumberton, inland in Robeson County, is the next largest group.
Novant Health and Wilmington Health are the names you'll see most in Wilmington. In Lumberton, UNC Health names appear. Coastal Horizons Center is a larger mental health name, with offices in Wilmington and Brunswick County.
If you live in Brunswick County, check Leland, Supply, Shallotte and Southport before crossing the river into Wilmington. Hampstead, in Pender County, has a few listings north of the city, and Carolina Beach has a few to the south. Whiteville has very few options, so Columbus County residents often need to look farther. We have no separate liver specialist page for this area. A gastroenterologist can often manage liver disease and refer you on.
Wilmington has most of the heart listings here, including Novant Health Heart & Vascular Institute, Wilmington Health Cardiology and Your Heart Doctor. Coastal Cardiovascular Associates is also listed. UNC Cardiology has an office in Lumberton, which also has other cardiologists. Carolina Beach and Southport have very few listings, so many people drive into the city.
Nearby: Greenville–New Bern, NC · Raleigh–Durham, NC · Charlotte, NC
How to choose a cardiologist
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:
- General cardiologists handle most needs: chest pain workups, blood pressure that's hard to control, cholesterol, palpitations and follow-up after a heart event.
- Interventional cardiologists perform procedures through the blood vessels, such as stents and angioplasty.
- Electrophysiologists specialize in heart rhythm problems such as atrial fibrillation, and implant pacemakers and defibrillators.
- Heart failure specialists manage advanced heart failure, including medication plans and devices.
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].
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a referral to see a cardiologist?
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.
What happens at a first cardiology appointment?
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.
What's the difference between a cardiologist and a cardiac surgeon?
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.
Does Medicare cover cardiologist visits?
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.
How do I know if a cardiologist is board certified?
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.