December 2007

The Fremont Center’s Department of Cardiology uses the latest technology and techniques to protect the health of one of the most important organs in the body: the heart. With the expertise of cardiologists Girish Narayan, M.D., William Mullen, M.D., Eric Price, M.D., and Cheena Ramrakhiani, M.D., the Center offers a full range of services to prevent and diagnose cardiovascular diseases, and manage and rehabilitate patients with these conditions.

To protect patients’ heart health, the department’s physicians and staff provide non-invasive testing to screen for and diagnose conditions affecting the heart and circulatory system, including electrocardiogram (EKG), echocardiogram, nuclear cardiology (taking pictures of the heart using radioactive medications to detect abnormal blood flow) and stress testing, among others.

For patients with blockages in their arteries, the department also performs minimally invasive procedures to insert balloons and stents to open narrow arteries and improve blood flow to the heart. In addition, Dr. Narayan is the only cardiologist in the East Bay who specializes in electrophysiology – a subspecialty of cardiology solely dedicated to treating the heart’s electrical system and rhythm. He uses a variety of treatments to help regulate abnormalities in a patient’s heartbeat, including ablation, atrial fibrillation and device implantation.

"Abnormalities in a person’s heartbeat, which is controlled by the heart’s electrical system, can be a symptom of a serious condition," said Dr. Narayan. "Our physicians have the expertise, and our facilities have the latest technology and equipment, to provide our patients the full spectrum of care to keep their hearts healthy."

The department also features an Anticoagulation Clinic to test and treat patients whose blood must be monitored periodically to check its level of coagulability (ability to clot) and determine the amount of medication that may be required to maintain a proper level.

For more information about the Fremont Center’s Department of Cardiology, visit www.pamf.org/cardiology.