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
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?
I was diagnosed with ventricular tachycardia a few years ago. I can usually keep it under control, except when I over exercise or if I've been stressed. Then my heart rate goes really up. Is there anything I can do to keep this from happening?
Control of ventricular tachycardia depends a lot on the type of tachycardia that you have. Based on the fact you have had this for several years and have been controlling it without medications, you most likely... continue reading about I was diagnosed with ventricular tachycardia a few years ago. I can usually keep it under control, except when I over exercise or if I've been stressed. Then my heart rate goes really up. Is there anything I can do to keep this from happening?
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?
My son, 20, is leaving for boot camp soon. He's developed a rapid heartbeat during his work outs and sudden spikes in blood pressure. He had an EKG and all was normal. They thought it was stress. What are the next steps?
There are a number of heart rhythm abnormalities that can cause a sudden rapid heartbeat during exercise. A normal evaluation in the emergency room typically will not reveal the rhythm problem because the evalu... continue reading about My son, 20, is leaving for boot camp soon. He's developed a rapid heartbeat during his work outs and sudden spikes in blood pressure. He had an EKG and all was normal. They thought it was stress. What are the next steps?
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?
Does a lack of minerals cause a quivering heart?
When the level of certain electrolytes in the blood gets low, this can cause more extra heart beats (premature atrial complexes, premature ventricular complexes) and also promote more abnormal heart rhythm, esp... continue reading about Does a lack of minerals cause a quivering heart?
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?
I had a pacemaker inserted a year ago. It keeps dropping down and looks like the wires are about to pop out. I've asked my cardiologist about it several times and he said it's fine and should not drop anymore. I exercise 5x/week. Is that too much?
The position of the pacemaker can shift over time. After about a year, however, a strong capsule has formed around the device and it should not move any further. Because the device and the leads are very secure... continue reading about I had a pacemaker inserted a year ago. It keeps dropping down and looks like the wires are about to pop out. I've asked my cardiologist about it several times and he said it's fine and should not drop anymore. I exercise 5x/week. Is that too much?
I've had an eating disorder for 10 years. One of the main problems that seem to continue is heart palpitations, which I've had daily for three months. Tests (Holter, ECHO, EKG) show that I have palpitations, but no other problems. I also have chest pains
Palpitations are a very common problem and generally speaking, they are usually more of an annoyance than a danger. The time it does raise concern is when there is some underlying heart disease. The normal EKGs... continue reading about I've had an eating disorder for 10 years. One of the main problems that seem to continue is heart palpitations, which I've had daily for three months. Tests (Holter, ECHO, EKG) show that I have palpitations, but no other problems. I also have chest pains
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