Alvaro Vargas Pelaez, MD - Cardiologist - Memorial Cardiac and Vascular Institute

Dr. Alvaro Vargas Pelaez
I am a cardiologist at Memorial Cardiac and Vascular Institute. I treat patients with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, coronary artery disease, heart failure, arrhythmias and valvular heart disease, among other conditions. I also focus on cardiovascular prevention through individualized lifestyle changes including nutrition, stress-reduction techniques and physical activity.
I was inspired to become a physician by my father, who has been a cardiologist for more than 30 years in his native Colombia. I was drawn to the complexity of cardiovascular health and disease and its strong foundation in evidence-based medicine. As a doctor, it is a privilege to have the tools to help someone and be there for them when they are at their most vulnerable.
Working with patients is by far the best part of the job, developing relationships and learning from them and their families. I enjoy shedding light on challenging diagnoses, helping to empower patients to take charge of their health and witnessing the healing process.
During my medical training, I served as chief cardiology fellow at Mount Sinai Beth Israel in New York. I am also a certified medical interpreter (English to Spanish) and have a strong interest in medical interpretation, language access and bridging healthcare disparities.