Berkeley Cardiovascular Medical Group

Adult Congenital Heart Disease Clinic

Breakthroughs in the treatment of congenital heart disease in the past 25 years have resulted in an ever-growing pool of adults with congenital heart disease. Under the leadership of Dr. Luisa Munoz and Michael Tsang since 1988 we provide a multidisciplinary approach to meet the needs of these patients. We collaborate with Dr Hidentra Patel, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital, for closure of patent foramen ovale and atrial septal defects. Today, with sophisticated echocardiographic and x-ray imaging, we can close these defects in the cardiac catheterization lab rather than the need for open heart surgery.

Cardiac Rehab

Every day, hundreds of heart patients attend Alta Bates Summit Medical Center's cardiac rehabilitation program. When you join our program, you can be confident that you are receiving quality, medically supervised rehabilitation care. We are certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation. All of our staff members have years of cardiac rehab experience, so you can exercise with the assurance that we are watching for signs of cardiac complications and keeping your physicians informed of your progress.

You will attend exercise classes, led by an exercise physiologist, three times per week for up to 12 weeks. Each class begins with various warm-up exercises, including stretching, balance enhancement, and low-level weight training followed by 25 minutes of aerobic exercise. You will use the latest exercise equipment, including treadmills, step machines, rowers, stationary bikes, elliptical trainers, arm ergometers, and other equipment. Cool-down activities include stretching and relaxation imaging.
Patient education is an essential component of our cardiac rehabilitation, so you and your family are encouraged to participate in our weekly health education programs. Individual counseling and group sessions cover topics that include heart-healthy nutrition, stress reduction, smoking cessation, physical conditioning, medications, and the anatomy and physiology of heart disease.

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) Clinic

BCMG has an outpatient ICD and CHF clinic run by our nurse specialist, Eileen Healy. The Clinic provides individualized patient assessments, data analysis, medication initiation and titration, diagnostic and laboratory follow-up, and a comprehensive teaching program. Patients have an opportunity to be involved in new research protocols including biventricular assist devices, cardiac resynchronization therapy, referral for heart transplants, and innovative pharmacological agents.

Coumadin Clinic

The Coumadin Clinic is a service we offer to monitor and manage the Coumadin, an anticoagulant that prevents blood clots. Our medical staff, working in conjunction with your physician, will check your blood test and adjust your dose of warfarin (Coumadin) as well as other medicines that may be needed. After your physician sends in the referral form, you will be contacted by our Coumadin Clinic to discuss your therapy and to arrange your first appointment. At your appointments, the nurse will ask some questions about your health and medications, determine if your warfarin dose should be adjusted, and schedule your next appointment.

Implantable Cardio defibrillator (ICD) and Pacemaker Clinic

As a service to our patients who have pacemakers and ICDs, we provide a telephonic and onsite pacemaker/ICD clinic by scheduled appointment. The information stored in your pacemaker's computer will be checked with an electronic wand is placed over the skin where your pacemaker is implanted. The battery and settings of your implanted device is checked. If the battery begins to run low, the pacemaker sends out a signal that can be seen during these tests, in addition the ICD or pacemaker can be "programmed" to assure optimal function.

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Program