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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
    138 Ratings
    About our process
    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.
    Dec 28, 2021
    Profoundly relieved that I'm in good hands!!
    Dec 21, 2021
    Excellent caring informed doctor
    Dec 21, 2021
    Great doctor
    Dec 05, 2021
    Dr. Schiller is one of the kindest most understanding physicians I have ever had. As an RN for 40 years I have known a lot of physicians and I really respect him.
    Dec 02, 2021
    Excellent in all these categories. Dr is the Best
    Oct 20, 2021
    Dr. Schiller is absolutely first rate.
    Sep 22, 2021
    As I said I would recommend Dr. Schiller highly to anyone.
    Aug 21, 2021
    Very personal caring about his Job not for the money but (not saying he is not make good money SMILE) but to say it's not about the money but about that human being.
    Aug 17, 2021
    Dr. Schiller is great! Thorough clear diligent. He is not my primary care doctor so that is why I answered that I do not see him for my regular medical issues. He is my cardiologist.
    Jul 29, 2021
    Dr. Schiller is wonderful
    Jun 30, 2021
    Dr. Schiller is very interested and thoughtful in his decisions after our discussion. He is reassuring and open to my ideas.
    Jun 09, 2021
    Dr Schiller was friendly funny and engaged -- I really enjoyed talking to him and could feel the benefit of his experience and insights.
    Jun 03, 2021
    excellent
    May 26, 2021
    extremely warm and caring visit with Dr Schiller. Most rewarding Zoom Medical visit. consultation with him was delight with a grand sense of humor. Addressed all of my concerns.
    May 11, 2021
    Dr. Schiller always is quite respectful and listens carefully.
    May 06, 2021
    wonderful doctor
    Apr 27, 2021
    Dr Schiller is probably the doctor I trust the most. Period.
    Mar 24, 2021
    dr Schiller is very clear thanks!
    Feb 23, 2021
    Dr. Schiller is great! He has worked with my wife and son as well. Real asset for UCSF.
    Dec 15, 2020
    the care provider was thorough and reassuring. He explained things clearly and carefully.
    Oct 14, 2020
    while dr Schiller is very competent regarding my medical needs he was not familiar with the technology platform he was using and needs additional training. I have yet to receive my prescription from him bc I don't think he properly submitted it. I've emailed his office directly without a response
    Oct 14, 2020
    top notch bisit
    Oct 10, 2020
    Dr. Schiller had a very easy to talk to and made me feel at ease.
    Sep 29, 2020
    Nothing but the best. He is the reason I start to donate to UCSF
    Aug 26, 2020
    this is a doctor who wants to talk at you and not with you. I did not get an opportunity to ask specific questions about previous test results. he was friendly enough but not respectful. the after visit included incorrect info.
    Aug 18, 2020
    I've been seeing Dr. Schiller since 2007. I know him well and he knows me well. He is a great doctor and I have recommended him to others several times.

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