Dr. Haddock is pleased that the cardiologist’s role has evolved from one limited to diagnosing patients and “passing some pills” to one where the cardiologist plays an active part in the aggressive treatment of heart disease. “Both with the interventional technology that’s become available and the pharmacological advances, the cardiologist is certainly much better able to interfere with the natural history of cardiac disease.”

As an interventional cardiologist, Dr. Haddock helped pioneer this new role for cardiologists in San Antonio. He began by offering alternatives to bypass surgery such as balloon angioplasty, atherectomy, rotablator, and stent placement. Now in his office-based practice, Dr. Haddock enjoys devoting all his skill and attention to patient evaluations and outpatient testing. “Since I have no hospital commitment, I have more time with people. This allows me to become more involved with the patients themselves. I find that a lot of fun.”

Dr. Haddock spends much of his office time helping patients come to terms with the seriousness of their condition. “One of the most common misconceptions that patients have is that they think they are not as sick as they really are because their symptoms border on none to minor. One can have lethal cardiac disease and be unaware of it because they don’t feel that badly.” Patients’ attitudes and expectations aren’t the only concern for Dr. Haddock. Family members, particularly spouses, are crucial in helping cardiac patients exercise, stay on their diets and take their medications. With an eye on future health, he counsels children of those with cardiovascular disease to pay close attention to preventative measures in their own lives.

In private practice since 1972, Dr. Haddock came to San Antonio during the Vietnam War and was stationed at Brooks Air Force Base. He is board certified in internal medicine, cardiology, and is a Fellow of the International Society for Endovascular Surgery.