Cardiologists

“Top 10” depends on what you mean by “top” (outcomes, research impact, leadership, or expertise in a specific condition). That said, here are 10 widely recognized U.S. cardiology leaders across major subspecialties as a starting point: - Deepak L. Bhatt, MD, MPH — Director, Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital (NYC); interventional/clinical trials. ([disclosures.acc.org](https://disclosures.acc.org/Public/Index/1d5e51e3-0390-4745-9dfc-6e75d7c95319?utm_source=openai)) - Roxana Mehran, MD — ACC President (2026–2027); interventional cardiology and women’s heart health, Mount Sinai (NYC). ([acc.org](https://www.acc.org/latest-in-cardiology/articles/2026/05/01/01/get-to-know-your-leaders?utm_source=openai)) - Valentín Fuster, MD, PhD — President, Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital (NYC); globally known clinician–scientist. ([profiles.mountsinai.org](https://profiles.mountsinai.org/valentin-fuster?y_source=1_OTA2MjcyNS01NTMtbG9jYXRpb24ud2Vic2l0ZQ%3D%3D&utm_source=openai)) - Clyde W. Yancy, MD, MSc — Chief of Cardiology, Northwestern/Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute (Chicago); heart failure/outcomes. ([news.northwestern.edu](https://news.northwestern.edu/for-journalists/faculty-experts/expert/clyde-w-yancy-md?utm_source=openai)) - Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM — Cardiologist and Director, Yale CORE (New Haven); outcomes/health policy. ([medicine.yale.edu](https://medicine.yale.edu/profile/harlan-krumholz/?utm_source=openai)) - Hugh Calkins, MD — Johns Hopkins (Baltimore); electrophysiology and arrhythmia care leader. ([profiles.hopkinsmedicine.org](https://profiles.hopkinsmedicine.org/provider/hugh-calkins/2705728?utm_source=openai)) - Susan Cheng, MD, MMSc, MPH — Chair of Cardiology, Cedars‑Sinai Smidt Heart Institute (Los Angeles); cardiovascular aging/epidemiology. ([cedars-sinai.org](https://www.cedars-sinai.org/newsroom/susan-cheng-md-mmsc-mph-to-lead-department-of-cardiology-at-cedars-sinai/?utm_source=openai)) - C. Noel Bairey Merz, MD — Director, Barbra Streisand Women’s Heart Center, Cedars‑Sinai (Los Angeles); women’s heart disease. ([cedars-sinai.org](https://www.cedars-sinai.org/provider/cnoel-baireymerz-2285393.html?utm_source=openai)) - Paul A. Friedman, MD — Chair of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN); electrophysiology/innovation. ([mayoclinic.org](https://www.mayoclinic.org/biographies/friedman-paul-a-m-d/bio-20053442?utm_source=openai)) - Steven E. Nissen, MD — Chief Academic Officer, Cleveland Clinic Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute (Cleveland); clinical trials/preventive cardiology. ([providers.clevelandclinic.org](https://providers.clevelandclinic.org/provider/steven-nissen/4268279?utm_source=openai)) If you share your location, condition (for example, interventional/structural, arrhythmias/EP, heart failure/transplant, prevention/women’s heart health), and insurance constraints, I can tailor a short list of top cardiologists who actively see patients for that specific need and help with how to get an appointment.

There isn't one universally accepted ranking of the 10 best cardiologists in the United States. The best doctor depends on the condition being treated—for example, coronary artery disease, heart failure, arrhythmias, valve disease, or complex cardiovascular conditions.A useful way to identify leading cardiologists is to consider:National reputation and peer recognition.Clinical expertise and specialization.Research and medical leadership.Affiliation with highly ranked cardiovascular centers.Experience treating complex cases.For reference, the latest 2026–2027 U.S. News cardiovascular hospital rankings place NYU Langone, NewYork-Presbyterian, Mayo Clinic, Cedars-Sinai, and Mount Sinai among the top five institutions. Becker's Hospital Review+110 nationally prominent U.S. cardiologistsHere is a curated list of 10 highly regarded cardiovascular specialists. They are not ranked in order of clinical quality.CardiologistInstitutionArea of expertise1. Valentin Fuster , MD, PhDMount Sinai, NYPreventive cardiology, cardiovascular research2. Deepak Bhatt , MD, MPHMount Sinai, NYCoronary artery disease, interventional cardiology3. Roxana Mehran , MDMount Sinai, NYComplex coronary disease, women's heart health4. Clyde Yancy , MDNorthwestern, ChicagoHeart failure, cardiovascular prevention5. Paul Friedman , MDMayo ClinicArrhythmias, atrial fibrillation, cardiac devices6. Samir Kapadia , MDCleveland ClinicHeart valve disease, structural interventions7. Sunil Rao , MDNYU Langone, NYCoronary artery disease, complex interventions8. Susheel Kodali , MDNYU Langone, NYAortic valve disease, TAVR9. Christine Albert , MDCedars-Sinai, Los AngelesArrhythmias, sudden cardiac death prevention10. Glenn Fishman , MDNYU Langone, NYCardiac electrophysiology, genetic heart conditionsThese selections draw on national cardiovascular leadership and specialist recognition. Becker's Cardiology+4What are the best hospitals for heart care?The 2026–2027 U.S. News rankings identify these leading institutions:NYU Langone HospitalsNewYork-Presbyterian HospitalMayo ClinicCedars-Sinai Medical CenterMount Sinai HospitalMassachusetts General HospitalNorthwestern Memorial HospitalCleveland ClinicStanford Health CareHouston Methodist HospitalCardiovascular Business+1Let me narrow this down to the best cardiologist for your needsThe most important distinction is what type of heart care you're looking for.Are you looking for a cardiologist for:General heart health and preventionBlocked arteries or coronary artery diseaseHeart valve problemsAtrial fibrillation or irregular heartbeatHeart failure or weakened heart muscleHigh blood pressure or high cholesterolA second opinion on a complicated heart conditionPreventive cardiology and longevityI can narrow the list to the 10 strongest specialists in the country for the particular heart condition, including their hospitals, credentials, research backgrounds, and appointment information.Worked for 16sSearching the webSearching the webSearched 18 websiteswww.beckerscardiology.comwww.beckershospitalreview.comwww.beckersasc.comarchive.vnwww.medcentral.comwww.medaxiom.comcardiovascularbusiness.comwww.summithealth.commedicine.osu.eduevents.aats.orgwww.axios.comwww.hopkinsmedicine.orgwww.froedtert.comwww.pmcky.orgwww.acc.orgnyulangone.orgwww.heart.orgwww.aats.orgSearching the web

I'll search for information on this topic, though I should note upfront that "top cardiologists" rankings are inherently subjective and vary by source/methodology.I should be upfront: there's no single, universally agreed-upon "top 10 cardiologists in the US" list. Unlike sports rankings, medicine doesn't have a standardized, objective ranking system for individual physicians — rankings vary widely depending on methodology (academic influence, research output, patient reviews, peer surveys, media prominence, etc.), and different outlets produce different lists. That said, several names come up repeatedly across reputable sources as highly influential figures in American cardiology, based on research impact, leadership roles, and peer recognition: 1. **Dr. Valentin Fuster** – Director of Mount Sinai Heart and Physician-in-Chief of The Mount Sinai Hospital, known for groundbreaking research in atherosclerosis and thrombosis, with over 1,000 published scientific articles. 2. **Dr. Eric Topol** – Founder and Director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute, known for work in personalized medicine and genomics in cardiology, named among the most influential physician executives by Modern Healthcare. 3. **Dr. Deepak Bhatt** – Executive Director of Interventional Cardiovascular Programs at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, widely recognized for leadership in cardiovascular clinical trials. 4. **Dr. Robert Harrington** – Chair of the Department of Medicine at Stanford University, known for research in acute coronary syndromes and cardiovascular clinical trials, recognized for leadership in academic medicine. 5. **Dr. Clyde Yancy** – Chief of Cardiology at Northwestern University, known for research in heart failure and disparities in cardiovascular care, elected to the National Academy of Medicine. 6. **Dr. Pamela Douglas** – Ursula Geller Professor of Research in Cardiovascular Diseases at Duke University, known for research in cardiac imaging and women's heart health, with over 300 published articles. 7. **Dr. Mariell Jessup** – Chief Science and Medical Officer of the American Heart Association. 8. **Dr. Steven Nissen** – a Cleveland Clinic cardiologist; he has written hundreds of journal articles and book chapters on heart disease and drug safety, with more than 35 years of experience as a world-renowned cardiologist and patient advocate. 9. **Dr. William O'Neill** – at Henry Ford Hospital, specializing in structural heart defects in adults. 10. **Dr. Stuart Russell** – at Johns Hopkins Hospital, a specialist in cardiac catheterization, cardiac transplant, cardiomyopathy, and circulatory support devices. **A few important caveats:** - This list leans toward academic/research leaders rather than being a comprehensive ranking of all great clinicians (many excellent cardiologists practice outside major academic centers and aren't "famous"). - Other legitimate approaches include U.S. News' hospital-level rankings (e.g., NYU Langone, Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic, Mount Sinai, Cedars-Sinai consistently rank among top cardiology programs) or Newsweek/Statista's peer-survey-based "America's Leading Doctors" lists, which use different methodologies and produce different names. - For your own care, the "best" cardiologist is highly dependent on your specific condition (e.g., electrophysiology, heart failure, interventional, preventive cardiology) and location — a specialist's fit for your needs matters more than general prestige. If you let me know your specific condition or region, I can help narrow down specialists more relevant to you.

There is no official or definitive consensus ranking for the "top 10 individual cardiologists" in the United States. Because cardiology encompasses many subspecialties (such as interventional cardiology, electrophysiology, heart failure, and preventive cardiology), medical excellence is usually measured by institutional leadership, clinical outcomes, groundbreaking research, and peer recognition rather than a rigid numerical list. Instead of ranking individual doctors—which can vary widely depending on specific health needs—patients seeking top-tier cardiac care generally look to the leading **cardiology and heart surgery hospital systems** in the country. According to national evaluations like *U.S. News & World Report*, the institutions consistently recognized as housing the top cardiac programs and physicians in the U.S. include: 1. **NYU Langone Hospitals** (New York, NY) 2. **NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital (Columbia and Cornell)** (New York, NY) 3. **Mayo Clinic** (Rochester, MN) 4. **Cedars-Sinai Medical Center** (Los Angeles, CA) 5. **Mount Sinai Hospital** (New York, NY) 6. **Massachusetts General Hospital** (Boston, MA) 7. **Northwestern Medicine-Northwestern Memorial Hospital** (Chicago, IL) 8. **Cleveland Clinic** (Cleveland, OH) 9. **Stanford Health Care** (Palo Alto, CA) 10. **Houston Methodist Hospital** (Houston, TX) ### Notable Pioneering Cardiologists Several widely respected physicians have historically shaped modern cardiology through major research, clinical advancements, or leadership roles (though many focus heavily on academic research, administration, or specific subspecialties rather than general public practice): * **Dr. Valentin Fuster** (Mount Sinai Hospital) – Renowned globally for his massive contributions to cardiovascular research and clinical guidelines. * **Dr. Eric Topol** (Scripps Research) – A prominent cardiologist, researcher, and author known for his work in digital medicine and translational cardiology. * **Dr. Eugene Braunwald** (Harvard Medical School) – Often referred to as a "father of modern cardiology," renowned for monumental research and textbooks in the field. * **Dr. Steven Nissen** (Cleveland Clinic) – Known for his high-impact clinical trials evaluating cardiovascular drugs and device safety. *Recommendation:* If you or someone you know is looking for a top cardiologist, the best approach is to consult with a primary care physician for a referral to a specialist affiliated with a nationally ranked academic medical center who specializes in your exact condition (e.g., arrhythmias, structural heart disease, or heart failure).

**There is no single definitive, objective ranking of the “top 10 cardiologists” in the US**, as evaluations are subjective and depend on criteria such as clinical outcomes, research impact/publications, peer nominations, leadership roles, awards, innovation, and patient volume/experience. Sources like U.S. News & World Report primarily rank *hospitals/programs* (not individuals) for cardiology, heart, and vascular surgery. Castle Connolly Top Doctors relies on peer nominations (roughly the top 7% of physicians) but does not publish a simple national ranked top-10 list of individuals. Other lists (e.g., from Becker’s Healthcare) highlight influential leaders or department chiefs rather than a strict hierarchy.[[1]](https://cardiovascularbusiness.com/topics/patient-care/care-delivery/best-heart-hospitals-united-states) A practical and commonly referenced proxy is the leadership (chiefs/chairs/directors of cardiology or related institutes) at the top-ranked U.S. News hospitals for cardiology/heart & vascular surgery. Below is a list drawn primarily from the 2025-26 U.S. News rankings and associated Becker’s Healthcare profiles of those department leaders (hospital order can shift year-to-year; e.g., later 2026-27 data showed some repositioning with NYU Langone still near the top). These individuals are widely recognized for clinical excellence, research, and program leadership. Brief notes are included.[[2]](https://www.beckersasc.com/cardiology/5-physicians-leading-top-hospitals-cardiology-departments/) ### Leaders at Top U.S. News Cardiology Programs (approx. corresponding to 2025-26 top 10 hospitals) 1. **Glenn Fishman, MD** (NYU Langone Health, New York City) — Director of Cardiology; expert in cardiac electrophysiology and cardiovascular genetics; leads NIH-funded research on arrhythmias and cardiac conduction.[[2]](https://www.beckersasc.com/cardiology/5-physicians-leading-top-hospitals-cardiology-departments/) 2. **Valentin Fuster, MD, PhD** (Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital, New York City) — President of the Heart Hospital and Physician-in-Chief; global leader in cardiovascular medicine, atherosclerosis, and prevention; former president of the AHA and World Heart Federation; author of 1,000+ publications; numerous top awards from major cardiology societies.[[2]](https://www.beckersasc.com/cardiology/5-physicians-leading-top-hospitals-cardiology-departments/) 3. **Samir Kapadia, MD** (Cleveland Clinic) — Chair of Cardiovascular Medicine; internationally recognized for structural heart interventions (e.g., TAVR); high procedural volume and extensive publications on coronary, peripheral, and valvular interventions.[[2]](https://www.beckersasc.com/cardiology/5-physicians-leading-top-hospitals-cardiology-departments/) 4. **Paul Friedman, MD** (Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN) — Chair of Cardiovascular Medicine; leader in electrophysiology, implantable devices, digital innovation, and AI in ECG diagnostics; holds numerous patents and has extensive research output.[[2]](https://www.beckersasc.com/cardiology/5-physicians-leading-top-hospitals-cardiology-departments/) 5. **Allan Schwartz, MD** (NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital-Columbia and Cornell / Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York City) — Chief of Cardiology; focus on valvular heart disease; key role in building major heart centers and training programs.[[2]](https://www.beckersasc.com/cardiology/5-physicians-leading-top-hospitals-cardiology-departments/) 6. **Christine Albert, MD** (Cedars-Sinai Medical Center / Smidt Heart Institute, Los Angeles) — Chair of Cardiology; leading electrophysiologist specializing in prevention of sudden cardiac death and atrial fibrillation; leads large NIH-funded studies on lifestyle, diet, genetics, and arrhythmias.[[3]](https://www.beckersasc.com/cardiology/more-of-the-leaders-behind-the-nations-top-cardiology-programs/) 7. **Clyde Yancy, MD** (Northwestern Memorial Hospital / Northwestern Medicine, Chicago) — Chief of Cardiology; expert in heart failure, outcomes research, and health equity; former AHA president; major contributor to ACC/AHA guidelines; extensive publications.[[3]](https://www.beckersasc.com/cardiology/more-of-the-leaders-behind-the-nations-top-cardiology-programs/) 8. **Patrick Ellinor, MD, PhD** (Massachusetts General Hospital / Mass General Brigham, Boston) — Executive Director of the Heart and Vascular Institute; focuses on genetics and molecular mechanisms of atrial fibrillation and arrhythmias; leads major consortia and precision medicine initiatives.[[3]](https://www.beckersasc.com/cardiology/more-of-the-leaders-behind-the-nations-top-cardiology-programs/) 9. **Thomas Cappola, MD** (Hospitals of the University of Pennsylvania-Penn Presbyterian, Philadelphia) — Chief of the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine; heart failure specialist integrating clinical care, genomics, and translational research.[[3]](https://www.beckersasc.com/cardiology/more-of-the-leaders-behind-the-nations-top-cardiology-programs/) 10. **Charles Lowenstein, MD** (Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore) — Director of the Division of Cardiology and co-director of the Heart and Vascular Institute; research in vascular biology, inflammation, and thrombosis.[[3]](https://www.beckersasc.com/cardiology/more-of-the-leaders-behind-the-nations-top-cardiology-programs/) ### Other Frequently Highlighted Influential Cardiologists Becker’s and similar outlets also feature additional high-impact figures (not a ranked list), such as: - **Roxana Mehran, MD** (Mount Sinai) — Interventional cardiologist, clinical trialist, women’s cardiovascular health expert, and (as of recent reports) ACC president.[[4]](https://www.beckerscardiology.com/cardiology/5-cardiology-power-players-2/) - Others noted in “leaders to watch” or power-player lists include experts in digital health/AI (e.g., Mintu Turakhia), imaging, structural interventions, and electrophysiology (e.g., Andrea Natale).[[5]](https://www.beckersasc.com/cardiology/5-cardiology-leaders-to-watch-in-2026/) **Notes and caveats**: - Hospital rankings (U.S. News) emphasize patient outcomes, volume of complex cases, reputation among specialists, and other metrics; individual excellence often aligns with strong institutional support. Rankings evolve annually.[[1]](https://cardiovascularbusiness.com/topics/patient-care/care-delivery/best-heart-hospitals-united-states) - Subspecialties matter greatly (e.g., interventional, electrophysiology/EP, heart failure/transplant, preventive, imaging, congenital). “Top” for a complex TAVR case differs from top for arrhythmia ablation or heart failure management. - Castle Connolly Top Doctors, Super Doctors, or institutional awards provide peer- and patient-informed recognition but are broader (thousands of physicians). Systems like NewYork-Presbyterian, Mount Sinai, NYU Langone, Northwell, and Cleveland Clinic often have high concentrations of recognized heart specialists.[[6]](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/cardiology/systems-hospitals-with-the-most-top-heart-physicians-castle-connolly/) - Research impact (citations, NIH funding, guideline authorship) elevates names like Fuster and Yancy. - Other data sources (e.g., procedural volume or quality metrics) exist but are not always publicly ranked nationally for individuals. **Recommendations for patients**: “Top” depends on your specific condition, location, insurance, and preferences. Consult U.S. News Best Hospitals/Doctors finder, Castle Connolly, hospital websites, your primary care physician for referrals, and second opinions at major centers. Verify current credentials, board certification (ABIM for cardiovascular disease), and outcomes data where available. This is not medical advice—seek personalized care from qualified professionals.

I'll compile a current top-10 cardiologist list for you — searching reputable rankings to find the most cited specialists. There is no single official national ranking of individual cardiologists in the US. Most reputable rankings evaluate hospitals/programs or use peer-nomination. A commonly cited proxy is the leaders of the hospitals ranked top for Cardiology, Heart & Vascular Surgery by *U.S. News & World Report* for 2025-26, plus peer-recognized selections such as Castle Connolly Top Doctors and award-winning leaders. The following cardiologists lead departments at hospitals ranked in the top 10 for cardiology, heart & vascular surgery by *U.S. News & World Report* for 2025-26, following a previous look at the leaders of the top five programs: ### Top 10 Based on Leadership of U.S. News Top 10 Cardiology Programs 2025-26 **1. Glenn Fishman, MD - NYU Langone Health (New York City) - U.S. News rank #1** is the director of cardiology, NYU Langone Health in New York City. Dr. Fishman is a nationally recognized expert in cardiac electrophysiology and cardiovascular genetics. **2. Valentin Fuster, MD, PhD - Mount Sinai Hospital (New York City) - U.S. News rank #2** is the president of Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital in New York City. Dr. Fuster is a world-renowned cardiologist, researcher, and advocate for global heart disease prevention. He is the only cardiologist to have received the highest awards for research from the four leading cardiovascular organizations. **3. Samir Kapadia, MD - Cleveland Clinic - U.S. News rank #3** is the chair of cardiovascular Medicine at Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Kapadia is internationally recognized for his work in structural heart interventions. **4. Paul Friedman, MD - Mayo Clinic (Rochester, Minn.) - U.S. News rank #4** is the chair of cardiovascular medicine at Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic. Dr. Friedman is internationally recognized for his work in electrophysiology and digital innovation. **5. Allan Schwartz, MD - NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital-Columbia and Cornell (New York City) - U.S. News rank #5** is the chief of cardiology at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York City. **6. Christine Albert, MD - Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (Los Angeles) - U.S. News rank #6** is chair of cardiology and the Lee and Harold Kapelovitz Distinguished Chair in Cardiology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. A leading cardiac electrophysiologist, her research focuses on the prevention of sudden cardiac death and atrial fibrillation. **7. Clyde Yancy, MD - Northwestern Memorial Hospital at Northwestern Medicine (Chicago) - U.S. News rank #7** is chief of cardiology, vice dean for diversity and inclusion and the Magerstadt Professor of Medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. A leading expert in heart failure and health equity, Dr. Yancy has authored more than 700 peer-reviewed publications. **8. Patrick Ellinor, MD, PhD - Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston) - U.S. News rank #8** is executive director of the Heart and Vascular Institute at Mass General Brigham and a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Ellinor’s research focuses on the genetics and molecular mechanisms of atrial fibrillation. **9. Thomas Cappola, MD - Hospitals of the University of Pennsylvania-Penn Presbyterian (Philadelphia) - U.S. News rank #9** is chief of the division of cardiovascular medicine and the William Smilow Professor at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine. **10. Charles Lowenstein, MD - Johns Hopkins Hospital (Baltimore) - U.S. News rank #10** is the Michel Mirowski Professor of Cardiology, director of the division of cardiology and co-director of the Johns Hopkins Heart and Vascular Institute. ### Other Widely Recognized Influential U.S. Cardiologists Beyond hospital leadership, peer-nominated and award-based databases are often used: * **Eric J. Topol, MD - Scripps Research / Scripps Health (La Jolla, CA)** - described as a world-renowned cardiologist and physician-scientist, former Chairman of Cardiovascular Medicine at Cleveland Clinic, founder of Scripps Translational Science Institute, and extensively cited for genomics and digital medicine. * Castle Connolly Top Doctors, which partners with *U.S. News* and magazines like Chicago Magazine, selects physicians through peer nomination - Only 7 percent of the nation's licensed physicians are selected annually as Castle Connolly Top Doctors. It was compiled by Castle Connolly Medical Ltd., a health care research and information company founded in 1992. * MediFind, another data-driven platform, found 33479 specialists in The United States when ranking highly rated cardiologists for specific conditions. > Note: The best cardiologist for an individual depends on sub-specialty (interventional, electrophysiology, heart failure/transplant, preventive), location, insurance, and condition. Lists above reflect national academic leaders; for personalized care, consult your primary care physician and verify board certification, hospital affiliation, and Castle Connolly / U.S. News hospital rankings.