Choosing a hospital for heart surgery is one of the most important healthcare decisions a patient and their family may face. Florida has several established cardiovascular centers offering coronary bypass surgery, heart valve procedures, minimally invasive operations, and advanced treatment for complex cardiac conditions. However, finding the right hospital requires more than looking at a popular name or online rating.
The best hospital in Florida for heart surgery depends on the patient’s diagnosis, surgical risk, the expertise of the medical team, and the availability of specialized treatment. Some centers focus on complex operations and transplantation, while others offer comprehensive cardiac surgery with convenient rehabilitation and follow-up services.
This guide explores 15 notable Florida hospitals with established heart surgery programs. It considers documented clinical services, specialty recognition, treatment options, and practical factors that patients should evaluate before making a decision. The information reflects publicly available resources reviewed in October 2026.
How Were These Florida Heart Surgery Hospitals Selected?
This shortlist considers established cardiovascular surgery services, multidisciplinary medical teams, specialty recognition, and access to advanced procedures. Relevant sources include hospital clinical programs, the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS), and U.S. News & World Report’s 2026–2027 hospital evaluations. Inclusion does not mean every hospital provides identical procedures or achieves equivalent surgical outcomes.
Top 15 Hospitals in Florida for Heart Surgery
1. Mayo Clinic – Jacksonville, Florida
Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville offers cardiovascular surgery for patients requiring specialized heart treatment. Its multidisciplinary approach brings surgeons, cardiologists, and other specialists together to evaluate complex conditions. The Florida campus ranked first statewide overall in the 2026–2027 U.S. News hospital rankings and received national specialty recognition for cardiology, heart, and vascular surgery.
Patients considering complicated valve disease or other demanding cardiovascular procedures may find its coordinated evaluation process particularly relevant.
2. Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital – Weston, Florida
Cleveland Clinic Weston provides cardiovascular surgery, including conventional, minimally invasive, and robotic procedures. Its cardiac specialists evaluate coronary disease, valve disorders, and other complex conditions. In the 2026–2027 U.S. News rankings, Weston placed second in Florida for cardiology, heart, and vascular surgery.
The hospital is worth considering for South Florida patients seeking a specialized cardiovascular team. Official information is available through Cleveland Clinic Florida.
3. AdventHealth Orlando – Orlando, Florida
AdventHealth Orlando operates a comprehensive cardiovascular program covering coronary bypass surgery, heart valve repair, complex cardiac operations, and heart transplantation. Its Heart, Lung and Vascular Institute combines surgical treatment with diagnostic services, rehabilitation, and long-term cardiac care.
Patients with advanced heart disease may benefit from evaluating its range of treatment options. Visit AdventHealth Orlando for program details.
4. Tampa General Hospital – Tampa, Florida
Tampa General Hospital is an academic medical center associated with USF Health. Its cardiovascular services encompass complex heart treatment, advanced surgical care, and multidisciplinary evaluation. The hospital was recognized as the leading Tampa Bay hospital for cardiology, heart, and vascular surgery in the 2026–2027 regional specialty rankings.
Patients requiring a coordinated academic medical team can review available options at Tampa General Hospital.
5. Orlando Health Orlando Regional Medical Center – Orlando, Florida
Orlando Regional Medical Center is the surgical location for Orlando Health’s advanced cardiac surgery program. Its specialists perform coronary artery bypass procedures, valve operations, and minimally invasive cardiac surgery.
Orlando Health has reported the highest STS rating for specified bypass and combined valve-bypass procedures. Patients should confirm the latest reporting periods before comparing results. Visit Orlando Health.
6. Baptist Hospital of Miami – Miami, Florida
Baptist Health’s Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute provides advanced cardiovascular treatment through an integrated specialist network. Its services include coronary bypass operations, valve procedures, and minimally invasive surgery.
In May 2026, Baptist Health South Florida announced three-star STS results across multiple cardiac surgery categories. Patients should verify which locations and surgical groups are represented. Details are available at Baptist Health South Florida.
7. UF Health Shands Hospital – Gainesville, Florida
UF Health Shands, through its Heart & Vascular Hospital, offers cardiovascular surgery for coronary artery disease, valve disorders, aortic conditions, and advanced heart failure. Its program also includes heart transplantation and mechanical circulatory support.
As a university-based medical center, UF Health combines patient care with clinical research and specialist training. Explore its services at UF Health Heart & Vascular.
8. Sarasota Memorial Hospital – Sarasota, Florida
Sarasota Memorial maintains an established cardiac surgery program offering open, minimally invasive, and robotic surgical approaches. Its cardiovascular specialists manage coronary artery disease, valve abnormalities, and other cardiac conditions.
The hospital reports performing more than 1,000 cardiovascular surgeries annually, although patients should verify current procedure-specific volumes. Its program may interest individuals exploring less invasive options. Visit Sarasota Memorial.
9. UHealth Tower – Miami, Florida
UHealth Tower is part of the University of Miami Health System, an academic healthcare network providing cardiovascular treatment and specialized surgical services. Its cardiac program addresses coronary disease, valve conditions, and complex cardiovascular needs.
UHealth received national recognition for cardiology, heart, and vascular surgery in the 2026–2027 U.S. News evaluations. More information is available at University of Miami Health System.
10. HealthPark Medical Center – Fort Myers, Florida
HealthPark Medical Center serves as a primary location for Lee Health’s cardiac program. Its services include cardiothoracic surgery, advanced cardiovascular diagnostics, and treatment for serious heart conditions.
For Southwest Florida residents, proximity to an established surgical center may simplify family support and follow-up appointments. Learn more at Lee Health.
11. NCH Baker Hospital – Naples, Florida
Naples Comprehensive Health operates a cardiovascular program offering coronary bypass procedures, valve surgery, minimally invasive techniques, and treatment for selected aortic conditions. Its Heart Institute also provides structural heart services.
Patients should confirm the precise NCH campus where their proposed operation will occur. Program information is available at Naples Comprehensive Health.
12. Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare – Tallahassee, Florida
Tallahassee Memorial provides cardiothoracic surgery for patients throughout North Florida. Its program includes traditional, minimally invasive, and robotic-assisted approaches to selected cardiovascular conditions.
The hospital also offers heart failure treatment, imaging, and rehabilitation. Its regional accessibility may be valuable when repeated postoperative visits are necessary. Visit Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare.
13. Morton Plant Hospital – Clearwater, Florida
Morton Plant Hospital, part of BayCare, provides cardiovascular services through its Heart and Vascular Institute. The Clearwater campus supports cardiac procedures including coronary bypass operations, valve repair or replacement, and treatment for selected vascular conditions.
Patients in Pinellas County can evaluate its surgical services alongside rehabilitation availability and their insurance coverage. Visit BayCare.
14. Mount Sinai Medical Center – Miami Beach, Florida
Mount Sinai Medical Center operates a dedicated cardiac surgery program with expertise in heart valve disorders, coronary disease, and complex aortic conditions. Its specialists offer conventional and minimally invasive surgical approaches, including selected robotic procedures.
Patients considering valve surgery may wish to ask about repair eligibility and surgeon-specific experience. Learn more at Mount Sinai Medical Center.
15. Baptist Heart Hospital – Jacksonville, Florida
Baptist Heart Hospital, located on the Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville campus, specializes in cardiovascular care. Its services include open-heart surgery, coronary bypass procedures, valve repair and replacement, and treatment for heart rhythm disorders.
The hospital combines surgical care with diagnostic testing and cardiac rehabilitation. Its heart surgery program also reports STS quality recognition. Visit Baptist Heart Hospital.
How to Choose the Right Heart Surgery Hospital in Florida?
A hospital’s overall reputation does not automatically identify the best surgical team for an individual diagnosis. Ask how frequently the surgeon performs your recommended procedure, what complications are most relevant, and how the hospital measures risk-adjusted outcomes.
Review publicly available STS quality data when applicable. Also compare the cardiac intensive care unit, rehabilitation services, insurance participation, travel arrangements, and follow-up access. For complex nonemergency operations, an independent second opinion can help clarify alternatives.
FAQs About Heart Surgery in Florida
1. What is the best hospital in Florida for heart surgery?
There is no single hospital that is best for every patient. Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, Cleveland Clinic Weston, AdventHealth Orlando, and other established centers offer specialized services. The appropriate choice depends on the proposed operation, surgical expertise, individual health risks, and independently reported outcomes.
2. Which Florida hospitals perform open-heart surgery?
Numerous hospitals provide open-heart surgery, including Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, AdventHealth Orlando, UF Health Shands, Sarasota Memorial, and Baptist Heart Hospital. Patients should confirm that their specific operation is available at the intended hospital campus.
3. How much does heart surgery cost in Florida?
Costs vary considerably according to the procedure, hospital, complications, insurance coverage, and length of hospitalization. Patients should request a written estimate covering the facility, surgeon, anesthesia, and anticipated postoperative services. An insurer can explain applicable deductibles and out-of-pocket responsibilities.
4. Does Medicare cover heart surgery in Florida?
Medicare generally covers medically necessary heart surgery when applicable coverage requirements are satisfied. However, deductibles, coinsurance, network restrictions, and authorization procedures may differ. Patients should confirm benefits directly with Medicare or their Medicare Advantage plan before scheduling treatment.
5. What is the recovery time after open-heart surgery?
Recovery often takes several weeks, with many patients needing approximately six to twelve weeks for substantial recovery after traditional sternotomy. The timeline depends on the operation, complications, overall health, and rehabilitation progress. The surgical team should provide individualized activity restrictions.
6. Is minimally invasive heart surgery safer?
Minimally invasive surgery may reduce incision size and shorten recovery for appropriately selected patients. However, it is not necessarily safer for every condition. Anatomical differences, disease severity, and procedural complexity influence whether a conventional or minimally invasive approach is preferable.
7. How can patients check a cardiac surgeon’s experience?
Patients can verify medical licensing and specialty certification, then ask the surgeon about annual procedure volume, relevant complications, and experience with comparable cases. Hospital quality departments may also explain available surgical performance data and risk-adjusted comparisons.
8. Are STS three-star ratings important?
Yes. STS three-star ratings indicate better-than-expected performance for a defined surgical category and reporting period. However, a rating for bypass surgery should not automatically be applied to every heart operation. Always examine the procedure, surgical group, and reporting dates.
9. Should patients travel to another Florida city for surgery?
Travel may be reasonable when a distant center offers specialized expertise for an unusual or complicated condition. Patients should balance potential advantages against transportation, accommodation, family support, postoperative monitoring, and access to emergency care after discharge.
10. What questions should patients ask before heart surgery?
Ask why surgery is recommended, what alternatives exist, and which risks apply personally. Discuss the surgeon’s experience, expected hospital stay, rehabilitation arrangements, warning signs after discharge, and total anticipated costs. Clear answers help patients make informed decisions with their care team.
Conclusion
Florida offers a broad selection of established heart surgery hospitals, from academic medical centers to specialized regional cardiovascular programs. The right choice requires careful comparison of surgical expertise, procedure-specific outcomes, treatment availability, insurance coverage, and recovery support. Use this shortlist as a starting point, review current clinical information, and consult qualified cardiovascular specialists before selecting a hospital.
Medical Disclaimer: This article provides general educational information and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Hospital services and quality ratings may change. For symptoms of a possible heart attack or another medical emergency, call 911 immediately.