Richard H. Hongo, M.D., FACC
Cardiovascular Disease
New patients, please call for availability
Electrophysiology
Accepting new patients
Accepted Health Plans
Professional Interests
Cardiovascular Disease
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Anti-arrhythmic drug therapy, Arrhythmia, Cardiac ablation, Electrophysiology study, Implantable cardiac defibrillator, Pacemaker services, Radiofrequency ablation, Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
Affiliations
- Hospital Affiliations
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California Pacific Medical Center
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Mills-Peninsula Medical Center
- Medical Affiliations
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Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation
- Sutter West Bay Medical Group
Practice Locations
Board Certifications
BOARD CERTIFIED IN:
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Cardiovascular Disease
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Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology
Credentials & Notables
- Medical School:
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Loma Linda University School of Medicine
- Residency:
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Legacy Emanual and Good Samaritan Hospital, Portland Oregon
- Internship:
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Legacy Emanual and Good Samaritan Hospital, Portland Oregon
- Fellowship:
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Cardiology - California Pacific Medical Center
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Cardiac Electrophysiology - UCSF Medical Center
Languages
- Primary Language(s)
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English
- Additional Language(s)
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Chinese (Interpreter available)
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Japanese (Fluent)
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Spanish (Interpreter available)
Community Activities
District Councilor, American College of Cardiology, Heart Rhythm Society, Fellow of the American College of Cardiology, Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society
Personal Interests
Dr. Hongo enjoys spending time with family.
Philosophy of Care
There are many facets to the medical care of any given person, and it takes time to integrate all the different issues that are involved. Although our goal is to be excellent in the management of all heart rhythm problems, we also strive to deliver a comprehensive care that treats the person, not just the body, and is truly healing.
Ask an Expert
What is sudden cardiac death and who is at most risk? Are there any signs or symptoms?
The most common cause of sudden cardiac death is ventricular tachyarrhythmia. Ventricular tachyarrhythmia is a very rapid and unstable rhythm that originates from the lower chambers of the heart, or the ventric... continue reading about What is sudden cardiac death and who is at most risk? Are there any signs or symptoms?
I've been on medication for atrial fibrillation for a number of years. Would it ever be okay to discontinue the medication to see if my arrhythmia is no longer there?
Generally, it is not a good idea to suddenly stop a medication that has been taken for years to manage atrial fibrillation (AF). AF is typically a progressive and chronic condition that, without an intervention... continue reading about I've been on medication for atrial fibrillation for a number of years. Would it ever be okay to discontinue the medication to see if my arrhythmia is no longer there?
What is the difference between a pacemaker and a defibrillator? How reliable are they?
A pacemaker is an implanted device that is designed to keep your heart rate from getting too slow. It is given to patients who have too slow a heart rate that makes them feel weak, short of breath, or dizzy. Th... continue reading about What is the difference between a pacemaker and a defibrillator? How reliable are they?
I’m a woman (52) who’s had heart palpitations for 20 years. Now they happen more often. I get 10-50 per day where I feel my heart skip around. I’ve been to cardiologists, and they find nothing wrong and say it’s just PVCs and PACs. Should I worry?
In general, premature atrial complexes (PACs) and premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) are not harmful. This holds especially true if there is nothing else wrong with the heart. When someone presents with bot... continue reading about I’m a woman (52) who’s had heart palpitations for 20 years. Now they happen more often. I get 10-50 per day where I feel my heart skip around. I’ve been to cardiologists, and they find nothing wrong and say it’s just PVCs and PACs. Should I worry?
I have heart palpitations, and sometimes I think I can even feel them in my head and neck. Could that be possible? The palpitations seem to get worse if I drink too much coffee or wine. Are there other things I should be avoiding?
Feeling palpitations in the head or neck is sometimes a sign of a particular type of tachycardia called "AV nodal reentry tachycardia." This is a rapid heart rhythm caused by an electrical short circuit in the ... continue reading about I have heart palpitations, and sometimes I think I can even feel them in my head and neck. Could that be possible? The palpitations seem to get worse if I drink too much coffee or wine. Are there other things I should be avoiding?
I see screening offers for heart health and stroke risk. They offer stroke, vascular disease and heart rhythm packages, as well as tests for abdominal aortic aneurysm and peripheral arterial disease. Are these reliable?
These packages can be reliable and helpful, but it depends. This type of screening usually involves ultrasound imaging of the heart and blood vessels, and the reliability of the testing depends on the skill of ... continue reading about I see screening offers for heart health and stroke risk. They offer stroke, vascular disease and heart rhythm packages, as well as tests for abdominal aortic aneurysm and peripheral arterial disease. Are these reliable?
I have heart palpitations and have been tested with the 24-hour monitors. But of course my palpitations never seem to happen when I have the Holter monitor on. So how can my problem be diagnosed?
It is not uncommon to miss heart palpitations during a 24-hour ECG monitor. Palpitations can come and go, and catching them can be elusive at times. There are monitors that can be worn for seven days or longer ... continue reading about I have heart palpitations and have been tested with the 24-hour monitors. But of course my palpitations never seem to happen when I have the Holter monitor on. So how can my problem be diagnosed?
How do I know if I'm having a heart palpitation? What do they feel like?
Palpitations can feel different to different people. Sometimes they are described as a skipping sensation of the heart. Sometimes an irregularity in the heart beat is likened to a bird fluttering around inside ... continue reading about How do I know if I'm having a heart palpitation? What do they feel like?
I have occasional rapid heartbeats, which my doctor recently diagnosed as PSVD. But I have no other heart conditions. So he did not suggest any type of treatment except to avoid certain things like alcohol. Is there anything else I should be doing?
PSVTs, or paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardias, are generally quite bothersome, but almost never life-threatening. The only time when PSVTs can pose serious danger is in the rare setting of Wolff-Parkinson-... continue reading about I have occasional rapid heartbeats, which my doctor recently diagnosed as PSVD. But I have no other heart conditions. So he did not suggest any type of treatment except to avoid certain things like alcohol. Is there anything else I should be doing?
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