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Nelson B. Schiller

MD FACC

Cardiologist
Chamber music fan whose wife bests him in tennis every week

Dr. Nelson B. Schiller is a cardiologist who specializes in using echocardiography (ultrasound images of the heart's movement) to diagnose and treat heart disease. He founded the UCSF Adult Echocardiography Laboratory and Adult Congenital Heart Disease Clinic.

Schiller has played an integral role in the development of many diagnostic and treatment techniques, including transesophageal echocardiography (moving the ultrasound transducer into the esophagus to facilitate pictures of the heart without ribs or lungs in the way), Doppler pulmonary pressure determination (to diagnose pulmonary hypertension), myocardial contrast perfusion (to evaluate how well blood flows through heart muscle) and echocardiography phase imaging (to see whether both sides of the heart are working together). In the category of congenital heart disease, he is an expert in treating mitral and aortic valve diseases and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (thickening of the heart walls that can impede blood flow from one of the main chambers).

In collaboration with his colleagues, Schiller is involved in research on adult congenital heart disease, three-dimensional reconstruction of the heart, certain advanced echocardiographic techniques, coronary blood flow, exercise hemodynamics (the study of how the circulatory system, including the heart and blood vessels, responds when the heart pumps faster during exercise), myocardial perfusion, smoking-related cardiopulmonary disease and noninvasive evaluation of cardiac synchrony (the timing of heart ventricle contractions).

Schiller is a fellow of the American College of Cardiology.

A devotee of chamber music for 20 years, Schiller serves as program annotator for the Chancellor's Concert Series, which offers music to the UCSF community. He enjoys playing tennis with his wife on weekends.

  • Education

    SUNY School of Medicine, Buffalo, NY, 1966

  • Residencies

    UC San Diego Hospital, Internal Medicine, 1971

  • Fellowships

    UCSF Medical Center, Cardiovascular Diseases, 1973

  • Board Certifications

    Cardiovascular Disease, American Board of Internal Medicine

    Internal Medicine, American Board of Internal Medicine

  • Academic Title

    Professor

I believe that all meaningful research starts at the bedside.

Where I see patients (4)

    My reviews

    4.9

    Overall Experience
    133 Ratings
    About our process
    Dec 01, 2023
    The doctor was patient and thoroughly walked me through each procedure. He had a wonderful demeanor and made me feel comfortable. I would not hesitate to recommend him. My entire visit from the reception to my exam was excellent.
    Nov 08, 2023
    Good
    Nov 04, 2023
    I am extremely grateful to dr. Schiller for all and how well. He explained it to me
    Nov 04, 2023
    Good
    Oct 12, 2023
    Dr. Schiller is a professional and a good person. Unfortunately the technology did not work for him. It was a very distracting visit and one I would not like to do again.
    Oct 09, 2023
    I would describe the care as excellent-- beyond very good.
    Oct 09, 2023
    Tops EXCEPTIONAL AND ESTEEMED
    Aug 24, 2023
    Dr. Nelson Schiller is more than an expert cardiologist. He is very experienced caring and listened attentively to my health problems. He goes above and beyond assisting me to navigate to better health. His advices are clear and decisive.
    Aug 09, 2023
    Dr. Nelson Schiller is exceptional and a credit to the medical field!!!!!
    Aug 04, 2023
    Dr was very good but 2 others in attendance were not introduced.
    Aug 02, 2023
    Dr Schiller is a gem
    Jul 19, 2023
    Dr. Schiller is fantastic!
    Jun 26, 2023
    Excellent!
    May 05, 2023
    Dr. Schiller was very thorough
    Apr 19, 2023
    Dr Schiller is absolutely amazing. Dr provided appropriate level of medical information which I could follow. And he was followed by another (Resident?) Physician and speaking to him on a physician level. Amazing to hear that dialogue and such trined experience and knowledge being given by Dr Schiller to the Doctor and Assistant working the cardio sonogram. I was first patient with software update and witnessed their deft handling and comparison to V0 tried and true original.
    Apr 14, 2023
    Excellent
    Apr 13, 2023
    Nelson is incredible
    Apr 06, 2023
    Totally excellent!!!!!!!!!
    Mar 14, 2023
    I feel so incredibly lucky to have Dr Schiller as my doctor. His depth of knowledge and experience gives me such confidence in the care that I'm getting. And his caring comes through which makes him the perfect doctor. He's amazing!
    Mar 07, 2023
    I have been Dr. Schiller's patient since 2007 and cannot say enough good things about him. He is patient kind wise and always curious.
    Feb 26, 2023
    One of the best physicians I've had in my extensive medical history.
    Dec 22, 2022
    Doctor Schiller is excellent kind knowledgeable and he cares about patients a lot and make sure his patients in a good track and good treatment
    Dec 22, 2022
    I've seen Dr. Schiller for many years and his care has been consistently good. I do sometimes worry that he focuses on the speciality (adult congenital heart defects) more than the bigger picture (other potential heart issues as one ages) but I'm happy that there Is a cardiologist who understands my concerns.
    Dec 20, 2022
    Dr. Schiller is great! He has seen me my wife and our son over the years. Always clear and helpful. Hope he never retires.
    Nov 25, 2022
    Dr Schiller has done an excellent job caring for me
    Nov 16, 2022
    For many years have never changed in his knowledge of my case and excellent care
    Oct 24, 2022
    Dr. Schiller was very knowledgeable in his field and showed interest and preparedness before receiving me to read through my medical history. Dr. Schiller gave me a feeling of thoroughness and walked me through his prognosis. Observed his knowledge giving to his associates in the visit.
    Oct 14, 2022
    Dr. Schiller always listens and discusses everything. I feel we have a very collaboative relationship and that is important to me
    Oct 11, 2022
    Dr. Schiller is very personable and clearly enjoys his work a lot
    Aug 20, 2022
    Dr Schiller is the best
    Aug 10, 2022
    Dr Schiller is a top doctor the best cardiologist I ever went to
    Jul 29, 2022
    They were great .
    Apr 13, 2022
    DR Schiller and his staff were great
    Mar 25, 2022
    Dr. Schiller and his team are just the best. I am extremely satisfied with the cardiac care I receive at UCSF and am confident I am in the best of hands.

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