Patient Testimonials | Los Angeles Cardiology Beverly Hills Cardiologist

Straight From the Heart – Testimonials from Dr. Bereliani’s Patients

I was referred to Dr. Bereliani by a mutual friend. I work in the medical field as a consultant, so I was originally meeting him on business. I already had a cardiologist, but I wondered if I should talk to Dr. Bereliani anyway about the recent symptoms I had been having. I had known about having MVP (mitral valve prolapse) since I was diagnosed at age 11. My cardiologist had told me consistently throughout the years that I was fine and required no treatment; that this was a very common problem. As I reached my late 20s and early 30s, I started having symptoms – a chest pain here, a palpitation there – but my doctor still told me not to worry about it and to follow up every few years with him to get an echocardiogram. I did this, and he would always tell me I was fine and needed no treatment.

Cut to the present – I’m 38 years old and have put on weight over the past few years; I always used to be skinny. A few weeks ago, I finally joined a gym and started exercising on the treadmill. After little more than 10 minutes, I had severe shortness of breath, chest pain, and nausea. I felt like I was going to pass out. All my friends told me I was just getting used to working out, but I knew something was wrong. This was not normal. For the next several days, I also experienced severe fatigue and more chest pains. I decided to go see Dr. Bereliani, and we talked about what I was going through. Unlike my other doctors, he didn’t tell me “it was nothing.” He didn’t tell me I was just nervous and that I shouldn’t worry. He took the time to listen to and understand what I had to say. He immediately scheduled a color Doppler echo for me.

Every time I had had an echo at my old cardiologist’s office, it was always a very quick, in-and-out procedure. Dr. Bereliani’s technician, on the other hand, took her time. She was very deliberate and meticulous the way she moved the ultrasound probe to from one area on my chest to another, and back again. After Dr. Bereliani interpreted the results, he came into the room and sat down next to me. He showed me the measurements of my heart revealed by the echo. He said I had some fairly severe mitral regurgitation – blood was leaking back out of my mitral valve – and this was what was causing my fatigue, shortness of breath, and other troubling symptoms. His manner was calm as he carefully explained the data without talking down to me or insulting my intelligence. After this explanation, he told me I needed to consult with a cardiac surgeon at Cedars-Sinai because I would have to have my mitral valve replaced at some point – not right away, but soon. I don’t know how to explain it, but even though he was telling me something pretty serious – something that certainly didn’t qualify as “good news” – I didn’t freak out; I felt calm because I knew somehow I was in good hands with Dr. Bereliani. He was extremely empathetic and compassionate.

After seeing the heart surgeon that Dr. Bereliani recommended – who just happened to be the world-renowned Chief of the Cardiothoracic Surgery division of the hospital (nothing major or anything!), he immediately confirmed Dr. Bereliani’s diagnosis and agreed with his recommendation of having surgery. However, there was a bit of good news in all of this: it turns out that he could repair my mitral valve without having open-heart surgery. Dr. Bereliani had sent me to one of the few doctors who perform a minimally invasive type of mitral valve repair using a small metal clip threaded through an artery in my leg. Once again, I felt that I was getting the most advanced possible treatment for my condition.

If Dr. Bereliani had not seen me, I don’t know when I would have found out the seriousness of the problem; if I had put off a visit for a year or two, I might have developed irreversible heart failure. Now I no longer feel like I have to live with chest pains, crushing fatigue, and arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats) and that it’s “nothing to worry about” or it’s all in my head. Dr. Bereliani has made me feel like I have something to look forward to again: my life!

Thank you – from the bottom of my heart!

Gabriel
Sherman Oaks, CA

What an HONOR to write Dr. Bereliani’s first Yelp review! I can honestly say that Dr. Bereliani has changed the course of my life. When I found Dr. B, I had been suffering from migraines, anxiety, hypertension, high cholesterol, insomnia and had no energy. Hello, miserable! My numbers were TERRIBLE and I felt HORRIBLE.

Dr. Bereliani introduced himself and I thought he should be a model physician for others I’d met before. His demeanor is calm, caring, honest and so authentic. He has never rushed me, ever. We talked about a recent hospitalization I had due to cluster migraines and at the time, unknown hypertension. We then elaborated into my medical history, and my family’s medical history. Dr. Bereliani has a very progressive, preventative attitude towards health and wellness. He ran a series of standard blood tests and other tests due to my severe family history of heart disease, diabetes and hypertension. Nothing gets passed Dr. Bereliani.

Dr. Bereliani noticed I was severely anemic and my other numbers were scary. Not cool for a 25 year old! Dr. Bereliani explained that while I was the medical definition of “healthy” I had a slew of “factors” that could easily jeopardize my healthy status. He also referred me to my amazing neurologist, Dr. Ernestina Saxton (see my review for her).

I will wrap this up. I’ve been Dr. Bereliani’s patient for a few years now and I am a different and more educated woman than the desperate young lady who walked into his office before. I have never have a bad experience with Dr. Bereliani or his wonderful staff. They confirm all appointments, are organized, polite, answer the phone as opposed to hiring automated phone services and accommodate my busy student schedule when making appointments.

If this were a perfect world and insurance and money were not deterrents, I would refer everyone I love and care for to Dr. Bereliani. His resourcefulness, preventative attitude, HOPE and honesty are rare in today’s health care world. He is a champion in his career and I am so glad he’s young and has many years of practicing medicine ahead. Thank you, Dr. B!!!

He knew just what it was

May 27, 2011.

I first saw Dr. Bereliani in 2006 for supplement recommendations and heart related issues. He is as nice a doctor as one can hope to find. He’s very thorough, knowledgeable patient and listens well. On my third or fourth visit, I mentioned to him that I get a cold every time the weather changes. This had been going on for many years with me and I didn’t really expect a solution to this problem. I was getting a cold five or six times a year and it was driving me nuts, often lasting 2 to 3 weeks. It started with a sore throat, then runny nose and bronchitis for a week or more. Typical cold symptoms. I had mentioned this to other doctors and they would all treat my colds as single events. Dr. Bereliani immediatly knew what it was. He said it was an alergy and to take an antihistimine as soon as I felt the first symptom. How simple, but he knew. I haven’t had a cold since and it has been years. To think I was so miserable for so long. I am very grateful to him and feel lucky to have met him.

Former L.A. County Paramedic/Heart Attack Survivor

I rarely give any type of endorsements let alone reveal my past professional associations but for Dr. Bereliani, I am grateful & honored to share a few things about him.

I am a Heart Attack Survivor with Congestive Heart Failure, Cardiomyopathy and out of control High Blood Pressure. Eight different Cardiologist were unable to get my blood pressure under control and they were unable to stop my constant heart palpitations.

I felt AWFUL every single day NOT because of my condition mind you it was the tons of pills I had to take that made me feel SICK and WEAK!

Three of those former Doctors advised me to get my affairs in order, I wasn’t going to live past this date so forth and so on.

Three different “you’re outta here” dates came and went and I’m still here. I am thankful to GOD for that but I had to find a doctor that had “Integrative Medicine” in his practice. A practice that blends supplements with drug therapy.

Dr. Bereliani fit that bill.

On my first consult he was shocked at the type of dinosaur (antiquated) meds I was on. (my heart attack was in 2009 yet outdated meds were prescribed to me)
Dr. Bereliani spoke LIFE to me and he was going to work on making me feel better with more energy. He replaced the antiquated meds reduce my dosage and suggested diet changes and certain supplements. Three months latter I feel ALIVE! I have more ENERGY and the meds don’t make me sick any longer AND for the first time ever, my blood pressure is under control AND my palpitations are gone!!!

If you’re a Law Enforcement Officer or Fire Personnel or Front-Line Rescue Personnel I highly recommend Dr. Bereliani as your Front-Line Cardiologist/Internist. It doesn’t matter if you’re healthy or sick get checked out! You REALLY don’t want go down “Heart Attack” road or experience anything near it! Whether you’re retired, active or transitioned out of Civil Service, you need and deserve the BEST for your duty & sacrifice!

Here are some of the things I like about Dr. Bereliani’s practice.

No long wait times in the waiting room
Electronic Prescriptions so you can call for refills instead of driving to their office
You can speak to him on the phone.
Clean modern offices.
Professional and friendly staff with plenty of smiles. (No attitudes here)

If you’re not happy with whom you’re seeing or overloaded with meds make an appointment with Dr. Bereliani for a consult and see what plan of action he would take for your condition. He really makes it painless to change over!

My wife was soo impressed with my improved condition she made an appointment with Dr. Bereliani herself. (she’s in perfect health at 53) She now knows how your heart can quietly enlarge to dangerous levels without any signs or symptoms or any feeling at all until a heart attack gives the first clue. She came out with a clean bill of health and now all we do is look at each other with big smiles. I thank GOD for Dr. Bereliani and my wife and I are grateful to Dr. Bereliani for giving me a quality of life that is exceptional!

I hope my review has helped you in your quest for the best! )

BEST MD I EVER ENCOUNTERED!!!!!

I was referred to Dr. Beleliani by a co-worker and was I surprised. He is possibly the best Dr. that I ever went to. He is very thorough yet he took his time and listened to me and then answered all my questions. His staff is kind and friendly. He will now be my regular physician and I am recommending him highly. I will be going to him for my routine check-ups. Also, he was very helpful with suggestions for diet and exercise. He even called me the next day to followup and see how I was feeling. GREAT SERVICE and very knowlegable!!!!!

Dr.Bereliani is amazing. I really felt he truly cares about my health and his innovative practice is the best I’ve seen. His office and staff are professional and extra nice, so it makes the experience of going to a doctor very comforting

Progressive, Preventative, Passionate

I’m picky, and educated. I’m a pre-nursing student and know a good physician from a bad one. I can honestly say that Dr. Bereliani has changed the course of my life. When I found Dr. B, I had been suffering from migraines, anxiety, hypertension, high cholesterol, insomnia and had no energy. Hello, miserable! My numbers were TERRIBLE and I felt HORRIBLE.