Finding a reliable cardiologist in a smaller town can feel like a high-stakes scavenger hunt. Honestly, if you live in Polk County, you’ve likely heard the name Dr Boris Nunez Lake Wales FL pop up in conversation. He’s been a fixture in the local medical scene for decades. But medicine isn't just about how long someone has been practicing; it's about the specific expertise they bring to the table and, frankly, how they treat their patients when the waiting room is packed.
Dr. Boris Nunez isn't just a "heart doctor." He is a highly specialized interventional cardiologist. This means he’s the guy who goes in and fixes things physically—opening up blocked arteries or dealing with complex structural issues—rather than just managing them with a pill bottle.
The Credentials You Actually Need to Know
Most people look at a diploma on a wall and see a blur of Latin. With Dr. Nunez, the pedigree is actually quite striking. He didn't just stumble into Lake Wales; his training path was a marathon across some of the most prestigious institutions in the world.
He started his journey at the Gama Filho University in Brazil, graduating in 1980. From there, he didn't take the easy route. He completed a residency at the Ochsner Medical Center and then moved into hyper-specialized fellowships. We're talking about training at Harvard Medical School’s Beth Israel Hospital and the Mayo Clinic.
If you know anything about medicine, those names are the "Ivy League" of heart care.
Where he’s practiced
- Advanced Interventional Cardiology Consultants (AICC): His primary home base located at 320 State Road 60 E, Suite 301.
- AdventHealth Lake Wales: He holds active staff privileges here, meaning he can follow his patients from the office to the hospital bed.
- AdventHealth Heart of Florida: Another key facility where he performs procedures.
What Dr Boris Nunez Lake Wales FL Actually Does Day-to-Day
He deals with the "plumbing" of the human body. While a general practitioner might tell you your blood pressure is high, Dr. Nunez is looking at why your heart muscle is thickening or why your peripheral arteries are narrowing.
💡 You might also like: Resistance Bands Workout: Why Your Gym Memberships Are Feeling Extra Expensive Lately
He has "Very High" treatment volumes for specific conditions. This is a metric used by sites like Healthgrades to show what a doctor actually spends their time on. For Nunez, that's Hypertensive Heart Disease and Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD).
PVD is a big deal. It’s when the blood vessels outside your heart—usually in your legs—get narrowed or blocked. It causes pain when you walk and can lead to serious complications if ignored. Because he is board-certified in Interventional Cardiology, he can perform minimally invasive procedures to clear those blockages.
The Patient Experience: The Good and the Frustrating
Let’s be real. No doctor has a perfect 5-star rating across the board. If they do, they’re probably paying for it. Dr Boris Nunez Lake Wales FL has a mix of feedback that tells a very specific story.
On one hand, patients frequently mention that he is thorough. They say he doesn't rush the actual appointment. He listens. He explains the "why" behind a diagnosis. This is likely why he’s stayed in business for over 45 years.
But there’s a flip side.
📖 Related: Core Fitness Adjustable Dumbbell Weight Set: Why These Specific Weights Are Still Topping the Charts
The biggest complaints? The office logistics. Some patients have reported long wait times or difficulty getting an appointment on the books. There’s also the occasional story of the office being strict about missed appointments. In a town like Lake Wales, where specialists are in high demand, this "bottleneck" effect is common. You're getting an expert, but you might have to wait in a lobby for an hour to see him.
Awards and Academic "Street Cred"
It’s easy to forget that doctors are often researchers too. Dr. Nunez has a history of academic achievement that most of his patients probably never ask about.
He received the Young Investigator Award from the American College of Cardiology. He also earned a National Research Service Award from the NIH back in 1993. His published work covers some pretty intense territory, including the effects of certain substances on coronary microvascular responses. This matters because it shows he understands the chemistry of the heart, not just the physical structure.
Navigating a Visit to AICC
If you’re planning to see Dr. Nunez, you need to go in prepared. His office, Advanced Interventional Cardiology Consultants, is right on State Road 60. It’s central, but Polk County traffic can be a nightmare depending on the time of day.
Pro-tip: Bring your records. Even though he’s affiliated with AdventHealth, having your own copies of recent EKG results or blood work can save you twenty minutes of paperwork and "searching the system" time.
👉 See also: Why Doing Leg Lifts on a Pull Up Bar is Harder Than You Think
He speaks both English and Spanish. This is a massive factor for the diverse population in Lake Wales and surrounding areas like Winter Haven or Haines City.
What to Do If You're Considering Dr. Nunez
If you’ve been referred to him, or if you’re looking for a second opinion on a heart issue, here is the most logical way to handle it:
- Verify your insurance first. He accepts a wide range of plans—Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Medicare, and even Medicaid—but the specific "tier" of your plan can change everything. Call the office at (863) 679-7985 to confirm.
- Ask about the "Interventional" aspect. If you just need a routine check-up, a general cardiologist is fine. If you think you might need a procedure (like a stent), Dr. Nunez’s Mayo Clinic background makes him a top-tier choice for the actual "work."
- Set aside a half-day. Don't schedule a lunch meeting right after your appointment. Give yourself a buffer in case the office is running behind.
- Prepare your questions. Don't just say "my chest hurts." Note down when it hurts, what you were doing, and what it feels like (sharp, dull, heavy).
Ultimately, Dr. Nunez represents a specific type of physician: the high-level specialist who chose to stay in a smaller community. You're getting "big city" training in a town where people still recognize each other at the grocery store. Just be prepared for the realities of a busy medical practice.
To get the most out of a consultation with Dr. Nunez, ensure you have a complete list of all current medications—including supplements—ready before you arrive. This allows him to accurately assess your cardiovascular risk without the guesswork of potential drug interactions.