Southern California - Cardiologist in OC?

Anyone know a good cardiologist in Orange County? It must be someone who is capable of understanding that I value exercise performance at a high level, even though I'm not a professional athlete. (Many of the medications that are typically prescribed for heart issues - beta blockers - lower the maximum heart rate and therefore reduce exercise performance.)

Brian, I don't mean to meddle but is exercise performance more important than overall health?

I have a friend who got a heart transplant from UCLA. He also went to the famous Cleveland heart institute for other work. You need several medical opinions about your conditions.

Brian good luck with your quest. I have been battling the same issues these past months. Just due to old age I think I was recently prescribed Blood Pressure medication and it does of course affect performance. I can't get my heart rate up beyond a certain level and thus my body can't work efficiently. Beta blockers definitely throttle down a heart rate.

I'll check with some of my doctor friends for a cardiologist they would recommmend. One recommendation: if you are going through a health insurance plan through work, it's best to rely on who is in their network and attached to a hospital (say St. Joseph, Hoag or Mission) you would prefer treatment at. I have learned their my own health struggles that the doctor listed inthe plans are generally top notch, all board certified, experts in their field. And I have also learned you don't want to select someone not in the plan.

Brian, I don't mean to meddle but is exercise performance more important than overall health?
Of course it's not, but for my condition (which is not as serious as other heart conditions) there are different treatment options that could be explored.

Brian,
Might I suggest you contact a high-performance athlete training center (such as Phase IV (http://www.phase-iv.net/about-phase-iv/main)). They are used to dealing with physical issues in elite and professional athletes and may be able to recommend someone in your area.
Good luck!

Brian, try John Homan (http://www.healthgrades.com/directory_search/physician/profiles/dr-md-reports/Dr-John-Homan-MD-93CBD8B6.cfm), he might not be the cardiologist you are searching for, but since he is great with sports medicine he might be able to recommend someone equally as qualified.

The president of my club, SC Velo, is a cardiologist. He has been cycling for many years and races regularly. His name is Demi Hechanova and his practice is in San Dimas. I know it's not the OC, but it's close to the north end of the OC.

Hey LCI,

Try contacting this club http://www.scorccc.com/ with a club name like theirs they should know someone.

Besides I'm too am interested as my doctor is talking about me going on some sort of beta blocker.


Good luck and leta us know