Cardiac surgery involves surgery on the heart or heart valves. A cardiac surgeon performs heart surgery, also known as coronary artery bypass surgery, on patients who have heart disease or heart valve disorders. Reasons that may make heart surgery necessary are: coronary artery disease, congenital heart defects, disease of the heart valves, or heart attack. Some heart conditions can cause permanent damage to the heart muscle, and can be fatal.

Doctor density varies by specialty and location. Florida has 12 practicing cardiac surgeons. Broken out by city, cardiac surgery doctor density in Atlantis is 3, in Brandon is 1, in Fort Lauderdale is 1, in Lake Worth is 1, in Lauderdale Lakes is 2, in Loxahatchee is 1, in Orlando is 1, in Palm Beach Gardens is 3, in Saint Petersburg is 1, in Stuart is 1, in Sun City Center is 1, in Tampa is 1, and in West Palm Beach is 1.

Florida’s warm and humid subtropical climate makes it a winter destination for many. Population in 2000 was 15,982,378, according to census statistics. Tallahassee, located in the north panhandle area, is the state capital. Tourism is a major industry in Florida, with Cape Canaveral, Disney World, the Everglades National Park, Universal Studios, the Atlantic coast and the Gulf coast all destinations for visitors and residents. Year-round outdoor activities include camping, golf, scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing and boating.

According to 2005 Census estimates, Florida has a population of 17,789,864. Of this population, 3,975,071 are under the age of 18 and 2,978,335 are at or above the age of 65.