Cardiologist Santa Maria: What Patients Should Compare
- 01. Cardiologist Santa Maria: What Families Need to Know About Heart Care on California's Central Coast
- 02. Top Cardiologists Serving Santa Maria Families
- 03. What Services Santa Maria Cardiologists Provide
- 04. When to See a Cardiologist: Key Warning Signs
- 05. Insurance Coverage and Medicare Acceptance
- 06. Hospital Quality: Marian Regional Medical Center Cardiac Care
- 07. Appointment Availability and Clinic Hours
- 08. Choosing a Cardiologist Aligned with Family Values
Cardiologist Santa Maria: What Families Need to Know About Heart Care on California's Central Coast
Families in Santa Maria, CA can access board-certified cardiologists at UCLA Health Santa Maria Cardiology located at 220 South Palisade Drive, Suite 100, with Dr. Brett A. Gidney, MD serving as the cardiac electrophysiologist, and multiple cardiologists affiliated with Marian Regional Medical Center including Dr. Jason Choi, MD and Dr. Alex Harrison, MD, all accepting major insurance plans including Medicare and UnitedHealthcare.
Top Cardiologists Serving Santa Maria Families
When searching for a cardiologist in Santa Maria, families should prioritize board certification, hospital affiliation, and patient satisfaction ratings. The Central Coast region offers several highly-rated options with distinct specialties.
| Cardiologist | Specialty | Location | Phone | Hospital Affiliation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dr. Brett A. Gidney, MD | Electrophysiology | 220 S Palisade Dr, Ste 100, Santa Maria, CA 93454 | 805-845-5305 | UCLA Health |
| Dr. Alex Harrison, MD | Cardiovascular Disease | 1510 E Main St, Ste 101, Santa Maria, CA 93454 | 805-928-5767 | Marian Regional Medical Center |
| Dr. Joel Lardizabal, MD | Cardiology (25 years experience) | 35 Casa St, Ste 340, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405 | 805-354-0112 | Marian Regional, French Hospital |
| Dr. Jason Choi, MD | Cardiology | 1510 E Main St, Ste 104C, Santa Maria, CA 93454 | 805-212-1043 | Marian Regional Medical Center |
| Dr. Meghan A. Posch, NP | Electrophysiology | 220 S Palisade Dr, Ste 100, Santa Maria, CA 93454 | 805-845-5305 | UCLA Health |
What Services Santa Maria Cardiologists Provide
Cardiology practices in Santa Maria deliver comprehensive heart and vascular services including diagnostic testing, interventional procedures, and chronic disease management. The UCLA Health Santa Maria Cardiology clinic offers world-class electrophysiology advanced testing and evaluation services delivered with outstanding customer service.
- General cardiology consultations and preventive care
- Cardiac electrophysiology for arrhythmia management
- Interventional cardiology including stenting and angioplasty
- Noninvasive cardiovascular imaging at C4 Imaging
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair via endovascular procedures
- Heart failure management and cardiac rehabilitation
- Lipid disorder treatment and hypertension management
- Telehealth appointments for follow-up visits
When to See a Cardiologist: Key Warning Signs
Early detection of heart disease significantly improves outcomes. According to Marian Regional Medical Center, which earned U.S. News & World Report High Performing designation for Heart Failure in 2023-2024, families should seek cardiology evaluation when specific symptoms appear.
- Chest discomfort: Pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain in the center of the chest lasting more than a few minutes
- Discomfort spreading to arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach: Pain that radiates beyond the chest
- Shortness of breath: Occurring with or without chest discomfort
- Cold sweats, nausea, or lightheadedness:伴随 chest symptoms
- Back pain or exertional leg pain: Possible signs of abdominal aortic aneurysm
- Intense abdominal pain: Requires immediate hospital evaluation
Dr. Ginkel at Midcoast Cardiovascular Associates recommends abdominal ultrasound screening for aortic aneurysm when risk factors are present: previous history of aneurysm, smoking history, or males over age 65.
Insurance Coverage and Medicare Acceptance
Cardiologist accessibility depends heavily on insurance acceptance. A national survey found that 83.6 percent of physician offices accept Medicare, with cardiologists having one of the highest acceptance rates among specialists.
UCLA Health Santa Maria Cardiology accepts major insurance plans including:
- Anthem Blue Cross
- Blue Shield of California
- UnitedHealthcare
- TRICARE
- Health Net of California
- First Health
Hospital Quality: Marian Regional Medical Center Cardiac Care
Marian Regional Medical Center holds the Blue Distinction Center designation for Cardiac Care from Blue Cross of California, awarded to programs demonstrating exceptional quality and value. The hospital was named a High Performing hospital for Heart Failure, Knee Replacement, and Stroke on the 2023-2024 U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals list-the highest distinction for procedure ratings.
This Cardiac Care excellence means cardiologists affiliated with Marian Regional deliver care at a facility with proven outcomes in heart failure treatment, giving families confidence in emergency and elective procedures.
Appointment Availability and Clinic Hours
UCLA Health Santa Maria Cardiology operates Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, with weekend closures. Dr. Alex Harrison offers noninvasive outpatient cardiovascular imaging services at C4 Imaging: Central Coast Comprehensive Cardiovascular Imaging, expanding diagnostic access for Santa Maria residents.
Choosing a Cardiologist Aligned with Family Values
Just as Marist education emphasizes holistic student development blending academic rigor with spiritual and social mission, choosing a cardiologist requires evaluating both clinical expertise and compassionate care philosophy. Coastal Cardiology physicians acknowledge each patient's leadership in identifying healthcare goals, demonstrating respect and compassion through continuous improvement and ongoing training.
This patient-centered approach mirrors the values-driven education framework that families seeking Marist pedagogy appreciate-where measurable outcomes, evidence-based analysis, and community engagement converge to serve the whole person.
Everything you need to know about Cardiologist Santa Maria What Patients Should Compare
How do I find the best cardiologist in Santa Maria?
The best cardiologist depends on your specific condition. For electrophysiology (heart rhythm disorders), Dr. Brett Gidney at UCLA Health specializes in this area. For general cardiology and interventional procedures, Dr. Alex Harrison and Dr. Jason Choi are board-certified at Marian Regional Medical Center. Check Healthgrades ratings-Santa Maria cardiologists average 4.3 stars, matching the national average.
Does Santa Maria have interventional cardiologists?
Yes. Coastal Cardiology physicians including Dr. Michael Wiechmann, Dr. Jason Choi, and Dr. Mark Sada are on staff at Marian Regional Medical Center and perform interventional procedures including coronary angiography, stenting, and angioplasty.
What conditions do Santa Maria cardiologists treat?
Cardiologists in Santa Maria frequently treat lipid disorders, chest pain, hypertensive heart disease, hyperlipidemia, heart disease, atrial fibrillation, cardiomyopathy, and aortic valve stenosis.
Are telehealth cardiology appointments available in Santa Maria?
Yes. Dr. Alex Harrison and Dr. Joel Lardizabal both offer telehealth services for follow-up visits and consultations. Contact the office to determine eligibility for telehealth appointments.
How quickly can I get a cardiology appointment in Santa Maria?
There are 191 cardiologists located within a 12-mile radius of Santa Maria, CA, providing multiple options for appointment availability. UCLA Health accepts new patients and allows online appointment requests through their form.
