Our Approach to Care

Comprehensive Cardiac Care For Every Patient

At Cardiology of Southern California, comprehensive care means more than treating a condition — it means understanding the whole patient. We coordinate every aspect of your cardiac health, from first diagnosis through long-term management, working closely with your primary care team every step of the way.

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What It Means

Care That Goes Beyond the Visit

Most cardiology practices see you once and send you back to your primary care doctor. We do things differently. Comprehensive cardiac care means we are your long-term heart health partner — tracking changes over time, adjusting your care plan as your condition evolves, and always keeping your referring physician informed.

Whether you are managing a chronic condition like heart failure or coronary artery disease, or you are newly referred for a cardiac evaluation, we build a relationship with you — not just a chart.

Same-day referral contact

We call every referred patient the same day the referral is received — no waiting, no falling through the cracks.

Progress notes within 5 days

Your referring doctor hears back after every single visit. We believe communication between providers is part of good patient care.

Multilingual care team

English, Spanish, Tagalog, Farsi, and 240+ languages available. Every patient deserves to be understood in their own language.

Full Spectrum of Services

Everything Your Heart Needs

All services are available in-office. No referrals to outside facilities for routine cardiac diagnostics.

Diagnostic Services

01

Electrocardiogram (EKG)

In-office 12-lead EKG with same-day interpretation by our cardiologist.

02

Cardiac Stress Testing

Treadmill and pharmacological stress tests to evaluate heart function under exertion.

03

Holter Monitoring

Extended cardiac rhythm monitoring to detect arrhythmias that don't show on a standard EKG.

04

Remote Patient Monitoring

Patients wear a cardiac device at home. Our team monitors data in real time, catching issues early.

05

Pharmacological Stress Testing

For patients who cannot perform treadmill testing — medication simulates cardiac stress safely.

06

Cardiovascular Consultations

Comprehensive new and established patient evaluations with personalized cardiac care plans.

Ongoing Management

07

Heart Failure Management

Longitudinal management coordinated with your primary care doctor to keep you stable and out of the hospital.

08

Coronary Artery Disease Management

Ongoing care for CAD patients including medication management, lifestyle guidance, and monitoring.

09

Arrhythmia Management

Evaluation and long-term management of irregular heart rhythms including atrial fibrillation.

10

Hypertension Management

Blood pressure monitoring and medication management to protect the heart and kidneys long term.

11

Lipid / Cholesterol Management

Lipid panel review, statin therapy management, and dietary counseling to reduce cardiovascular risk.

12

Preventive Cardiology

Risk factor reduction and heart health optimization before problems develop. Prevention is the best medicine.

Wellness & Counseling

13

Smoking Cessation Counseling

Structured counseling sessions to help patients quit smoking and reduce cardiac risk significantly.

14

Cardiovascular Risk Reduction

Personalized plans addressing diet, exercise, weight, and lifestyle to lower your cardiac risk score.

15

New Patient Evaluations

Thorough first-visit assessments including history, risk factors, and a personalized cardiac action plan.

Ready to take care of your heart?

Same-week appointments available. Most major insurance accepted.

Expert Heart Care for Every Patient, Every Community

Cardiology of Southern California provides compassionate, comprehensive cardiac care to San Diego's diverse communities. Board-certified cardiologists, multilingual staff, and same-week appointments for physician referrals

Meet your Cardiologists

Dr. Albert J. Sharf

MD, FACC — Board Certified Cardiologist

Dr. Sharf is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology with extensive experience in interventional and preventive cardiology. He has been a trusted heart specialist in the San Diego community for over a decade, providing expert care for heart failure, coronary artery disease, arrhythmias, and complex cardiovascular conditions. His approach combines clinical precision with genuine compassion for every patient.

Jose Angel Alcantar

NP — Cardiology Nurse Practitioner

.Jose Alcantar is a dedicated cardiology nurse practitioner with a deep commitment to San Diego's underserved communities. Fluent in Spanish, Jose brings both clinical expertise and cultural sensitivity to every patient encounter. He specializes in managing complex cardiovascular conditions, coordinating chronic disease care, and ensuring patients from all backgrounds receive the highest standard of cardiac care.

Patient Experiences

What Our Patients Say

★★★★★ 4.9/5

Average Patient Rating

Trusted by patients and referring providers throughout San Diego County.

30+ Years
Serving Our Community
4.9/5 Stars
Patient Satisfaction
Multilingual
Care Team
Same-Week
Appointments Available
Comprehensive Care
All Under One Roof

I spent years feeling dismissed by other doctors. Dr. Sharf took the time to explain what was happening with my heart in a way I could finally understand. For the first time, I felt heard.

Maria R.

San Diego, CA

★★★★★

I was nervous about my diagnosis, but Jose explained every step of my treatment in Spanish and made me feel comfortable throughout the entire process. The care I received was exceptional.

Guadalupe M.

Chula Vista, CA

★★★★★

Getting a referral to a cardiologist can be stressful. This office called me the same day, scheduled my appointment within the week, and kept my primary doctor informed every step of the way.

Anita P.

Lemon Grove, CA

★★★★★
4.9/5 Google Rating

★★★★★

Thousands of Patients

Served Across San Diego County

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Accepted Insurance

We Accept Most Major Plans

Don't see your plan? Call us — we accept many plans not listed here.

Medicare Medi-Cal Community Health Group (CHG) M2ND / Molina Blue Shield of California Blue Cross Anthem United Healthcare (UHC) Tricare Humana Alignment Health Astiva Health CCI / CCI Blue Shield Promise SDPMG
We speak your language
🇺🇸 English 🇲🇽 Español 🇵🇭 Tagalog 🇮🇷 فارسی (Farsi) + 240+ languages via Language Line
📅

Same-week appointments

For urgent cardiac referrals

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Progress notes in 5 days

Sent to referring doctors

Insurance verified upfront

Before every appointment

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Questions about coverage?

Call (619) 000-0000