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Dr. Aoun B. Kara, MD

Accepting New Patients

(216 Ratings)

Specializes in: Adult Cardiology

University of Damascus Faculty of Medicine (1974)

Professional interests include: hypertension (high blood pressure), heart problems

701 Ostrum Street Suite 304
Bethlehem, PA 18015

(484) 526-7800

Dr. Aoun B. Kara, MD is a cardiologist in Bethlehem, PA specializing in adult cardiology. He graduated from University of Damascus Faculty of Medicine in 1974 and has 52 years of experience. Dr. Aoun B. Kara, MD is affiliated with St. Luke's University Health Network.

Office Locations

701 Ostrum Street Suite 304
Bethlehem, PA 18015

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Some issues Dr. Aoun B. Kara, MD can help you with:

Heart Problems

The heart is one of the most important organs in the body. This smooth muscle expands and contracts rhythmically an entire lifetime, pumping blood to the lungs and then to every other cell in the body. When heart problems occur, it becomes difficult for the body to get the nutrients and oxygen it needs via the blood. So while there are a variety of illnesses and disorders that affect the heart, most of them cause weakness, exhaustion and shortness of breath. The most common heart conditions include heart disease, angina, arrhythmia, and valve disorders.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women. This includes coronary artery disease, heart attacks, congestive heart failure, and congenital heart disease. Some conditions, such as genetics, cannot be controlled. But there are many other things one can do to lower their risk for heart disease. Controlling high blood pressure and cholesterol levels, reducing or stopping smoking, exercising more and losing weight if needed, and eating a diet low in sodium can all protect the heart.

Angina is a squeezing type of chest pain that happens when the muscles around the heart don't get enough oxygen. It can be regular or infrequent. Usually, angina is caused by coronary heart disease. However, not all chest pain is angina. Chest pain can also be caused by a lung infection or panic attack, for example, so it is important to have any sudden pain checked.

Arrhythmia is the word for when the heart beats too fast, too slow, or irregularly with skipped beats. It can feel frightening, and depending on the type it can be dangerous, but in most cases arrhythmia is not serious and can be treated. It is very common, especially in older adults.

Heart valve problems can happen in any one of the the heart's four valves that keep blood flowing where it needs to go. Babies can be born with problems in their heart valves, or valves can be damaged by infections. The valves can stiffen and become less mobile, or they can stop closing properly and 'leak' when the heart beats. Valve problems can usually be repaired surgically.

Noteworthy Medicare Patient Procedures Performed by Dr. Aoun B. Kara, MD in 2023

Click on any procedure below to see further details on volume and pricing among Medicare patients.

Top 5%

By Affordability:

cardiac imaging

echocardiogram

In 2023, Dr. Aoun B. Kara, MD had a list price for cardiac imaging, and echocardiogram (echo) that was lower than the list prices billed to Medicare by 95% of providers in related specialties within Pennsylvania. Actual amounts paid by patients can vary widely depending on a number of factors, including insurance coverage. A lower list price, however, might mean lower fees when paying without insurance.

Top 10%

By Affordability:

transthoracic echocardiography

In 2023, Dr. Aoun B. Kara, MD had a list price for transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) that was lower than the list prices billed to Medicare by 90% of providers in related specialties within Pennsylvania. Actual amounts paid by patients can vary widely depending on a number of factors, including insurance coverage. A lower list price, however, might mean lower fees when paying without insurance.

Top 25%

By Volume:

cardiac stress testing

stress EKG

By Affordability:

color Doppler echocardiography

Doppler echocardiography

spectral Doppler echocardiography

stress echo

In 2012, among providers in related specialties within Pennsylvania, Dr. Aoun B. Kara, MD performed more cardiac (heart) stress testing, and stress EKG procedures for Medicare patients than 75% of them and he also had a list price for color Doppler echocardiography, Doppler echocardiography, spectral Doppler echocardiography, and stress echo that was lower than the list prices billed to Medicare by 75% of them. Actual amounts paid by patients can vary widely depending on a number of factors, including insurance coverage. A lower list price, however, might mean lower fees when paying without insurance.

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2012 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Aoun B. Kara, MD treated as a cardiologist in Bethlehem, PA during 2012 were hospital care, inpatient care, cardiac procedures and ultrasound (sonogram).

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Aoun B. Kara, MD for Medicare patients.

cardiac procedures	675
doctor visit	1677
hospital care	930
inpatient care	930
nuclear scan	142
stress testing	318
ultrasound (sonogram)	357

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2013 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Aoun B. Kara, MD treated as a cardiologist in Bethlehem, PA during 2013 were hospital care, inpatient care, cardiac procedures and ultrasound (sonogram).

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Aoun B. Kara, MD for Medicare patients.

cardiac procedures	611
doctor visit	1622
hospital care	948
inpatient care	948
nuclear scan	127
stress testing	285
ultrasound (sonogram)	326

2013 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aoun B. Kara, MD.

**Gender**
Male	680
Female	729

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	1306
Black	22
Hispanic	63
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	441
From 75 to 84	477
85 and over	379
Less than 65	112

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aoun B. Kara, MD in 2013

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	9
Ischemic Heart Disease	65
Depression	28
Chronic Kidney Disease	37
Asthma	12
Osteoperosis	8
Atrial Fibrilation	28
Heart Failure	40
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	24
Diabetes	42
Dementia	15
Cancer	14

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Aoun B. Kara, MD treated as a cardiologist in Bethlehem, PA during 2014 were hospital care, inpatient care, cardiac procedures and ultrasound (sonogram).

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Aoun B. Kara, MD for Medicare patients.

cardiac procedures	450
catheterization	12
diagnostic procedures	12
doctor visit	1554
hospital care	533
inpatient care	533
minimally invasive procedures	12
nuclear scan	87
stress testing	195
ultrasound (sonogram)	243
vascular procedures	12

2014 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aoun B. Kara, MD.

**Gender**
Male	607
Female	683

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	1174
Black	16
Hispanic	77
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	399
From 75 to 84	459
85 and over	332
Less than 65	100

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aoun B. Kara, MD in 2014

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	9
Ischemic Heart Disease	64
Depression	27
Chronic Kidney Disease	36
Asthma	9
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	29
Heart Failure	38
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	23
Diabetes	41
Dementia	14
Cancer	15

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Aoun B. Kara, MD treated as a cardiologist in Bethlehem, PA during 2015 were cardiac procedures, hospital care, inpatient care and stress testing.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Aoun B. Kara, MD for Medicare patients.

ambulatory monitoring	11
cardiac procedures	438
doctor visit	1506
hospital care	376
inpatient care	376
nuclear scan	101
stress testing	218
ultrasound (sonogram)	209

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aoun B. Kara, MD.

**Gender**
Male	972
Female	1084

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	1858
Black	44
Hispanic	104
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	624
From 75 to 84	730
85 and over	530
Less than 65	172

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aoun B. Kara, MD in 2015

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	8
Ischemic Heart Disease	62
Depression	27
Chronic Kidney Disease	38
Asthma	16
Osteoperosis	10
Atrial Fibrilation	27
Heart Failure	35
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	20
Diabetes	40
Dementia	15
Cancer	14

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Aoun B. Kara, MD treated as a cardiologist in Bethlehem, PA during 2016 were cardiac procedures, ultrasound (sonogram), stress testing and hospital care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Aoun B. Kara, MD for Medicare patients.

ambulatory monitoring	19
cardiac procedures	469
doctor visit	1489
hospital care	199
inpatient care	199
nuclear scan	96
stress testing	215
ultrasound (sonogram)	235

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aoun B. Kara, MD.

**Gender**
Male	452
Female	495

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	866
Black	0
Hispanic	46
Asian	0
Other	17
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	297
From 75 to 84	350
85 and over	256
Less than 65	44

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aoun B. Kara, MD in 2016

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	10
Ischemic Heart Disease	62
Depression	27
Chronic Kidney Disease	43
Asthma	22
Osteoperosis	7
Atrial Fibrilation	30
Heart Failure	37
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	18
Diabetes	40
Dementia	20
Cancer	13

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Aoun B. Kara, MD treated as a cardiologist in Bethlehem, PA during 2017 were cardiac procedures, hospital care, inpatient care and ultrasound (sonogram).

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Aoun B. Kara, MD for Medicare patients.

cardiac procedures	316
doctor visit	1370
hospital care	236
inpatient care	236
nuclear scan	53
stress testing	124
ultrasound (sonogram)	192

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aoun B. Kara, MD.

**Gender**
Male	379
Female	411

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	732
Black	0
Hispanic	30
Asian	0
Other	15
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	256
From 75 to 84	287
85 and over	214
Less than 65	33

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aoun B. Kara, MD in 2017

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	7
Ischemic Heart Disease	60
Depression	25
Chronic Kidney Disease	45
Asthma	9
Osteoperosis	7
Atrial Fibrilation	28
Heart Failure	34
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	17
Diabetes	38
Dementia	18
Cancer	14

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Aoun B. Kara, MD treated as a cardiologist in Bethlehem, PA during 2018 were cardiac procedures, hospital care, inpatient care and ultrasound (sonogram).

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Aoun B. Kara, MD for Medicare patients.

cardiac procedures	214
doctor visit	1280
hospital care	167
inpatient care	167
nuclear scan	45
stress testing	101
ultrasound (sonogram)	113

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aoun B. Kara, MD.

**Gender**
Male	360
Female	431

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	730
Black	0
Hispanic	31
Asian	0
Other	16
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	267
From 75 to 84	298
85 and over	182
Less than 65	44

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aoun B. Kara, MD in 2018

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	8
Ischemic Heart Disease	56
Depression	26
Chronic Kidney Disease	46
Asthma	8
Osteoperosis	10
Atrial Fibrilation	27
Heart Failure	35
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	17
Diabetes	39
Dementia	15
Cancer	14

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Aoun B. Kara, MD treated as a cardiologist in Bethlehem, PA during 2019 were cardiac procedures, stress testing, ultrasound (sonogram) and nuclear scan.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Aoun B. Kara, MD for Medicare patients.

cardiac procedures	129
doctor visit	1293
nuclear scan	37
stress testing	78
ultrasound (sonogram)	51

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aoun B. Kara, MD.

**Gender**
Male	309
Female	357

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	613
Black	0
Hispanic	23
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	243
From 75 to 84	254
85 and over	142
Less than 65	27

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aoun B. Kara, MD in 2019

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	6
Ischemic Heart Disease	50
Depression	23
Chronic Kidney Disease	41
Asthma	10
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	27
Heart Failure	31
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	14
Diabetes	36
Dementia	12
Cancer	15

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Aoun B. Kara, MD treated as a cardiologist in Bethlehem, PA during 2020 were cardiac procedures, ultrasound (sonogram), stress testing and nuclear scan.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Aoun B. Kara, MD for Medicare patients.

cardiac procedures	247
doctor visit	1038
nuclear scan	41
stress testing	114
ultrasound (sonogram)	152

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aoun B. Kara, MD.

**Gender**
Male	396
Female	426

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	730
Black	0
Hispanic	37
Asian	0
Other	32
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	325
From 75 to 84	309
85 and over	147
Less than 65	41

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aoun B. Kara, MD in 2020

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	6
Ischemic Heart Disease	49
Depression	25
Chronic Kidney Disease	40
Asthma	8
Osteoperosis	10
Atrial Fibrilation	26
Heart Failure	32
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	15
Diabetes	33
Dementia	12
Cancer	14

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Aoun B. Kara, MD treated as a cardiologist in Bethlehem, PA during 2021 were cardiac procedures, ultrasound (sonogram), stress testing and nuclear scan.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Aoun B. Kara, MD for Medicare patients.

cardiac procedures	513
doctor visit	1003
nuclear scan	106
stress testing	269
ultrasound (sonogram)	275

2021 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aoun B. Kara, MD.

**Gender**
Male	486
Female	484

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	869
Black	0
Hispanic	48
Asian	0
Other	30
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	386
From 75 to 84	375
85 and over	169
Less than 65	40

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aoun B. Kara, MD in 2021

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	5
Ischemic Heart Disease	50
Depression	24
Chronic Kidney Disease	43
Asthma	9
Osteoperosis	11
Atrial Fibrilation	27
Heart Failure	33
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	15
Diabetes	35
Dementia	14
Cancer	15

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2022 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Aoun B. Kara, MD treated as a cardiologist in Bethlehem, PA during 2022 were cardiac procedures, ultrasound (sonogram), stress testing and nuclear scan.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Aoun B. Kara, MD for Medicare patients.

cardiac procedures	439
doctor visit	908
nuclear scan	79
stress testing	196
ultrasound (sonogram)	243

2022 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aoun B. Kara, MD.

**Gender**
Male	442
Female	446

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	790
Black	14
Hispanic	41
Asian	11
Other	32
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	348
From 75 to 84	348
85 and over	148
Less than 65	44

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aoun B. Kara, MD in 2022

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	9
Ischemic Heart Disease	42
Depression	24
Chronic Kidney Disease	38
Asthma	15
Osteoperosis	15
Atrial Fibrilation	33
Heart Failure	30
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	16
Diabetes	35
Dementia	7
Cancer	18

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2012 - 2022

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Aoun B. Kara, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Aoun B. Kara, MD treated as a cardiologist in Bethlehem, PA were hospital care, inpatient care, cardiac procedures and ultrasound (sonogram).

ambulatory monitoring	15
cardiac procedures	409
catheterization	12
diagnostic procedures	12
doctor visit	1340
hospital care	484
inpatient care	484
minimally invasive procedures	12
nuclear scan	83
stress testing	192
ultrasound (sonogram)	217
vascular procedures	12

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2012 - 2022

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aoun B. Kara, MD.

**Gender**
Male	462
Female	504

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	8
Asian / Pacific Islander	1
Non-Hispanic White	878
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Hispanic	45
Other	12

**Age**
75 to 84	353
85 and over	227
Less than 65	59
65 to 74	326

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aoun B. Kara, MD From 2012 - 2022

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Aoun B. Kara, MD treated were high cholesterol, hypertension, ischemic heart disease and chronic kidney disease.

Hypertension	68
High Cholesterol	68
Stroke	7
Ischemic Heart Disease	50
Depression	23
Chronic Kidney Disease	37
Asthma	10
Osteoporosis	8
Heart Failure	31
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	16
Diabetes	34
Atrial Fibrillation	25
Dementia	12
Cancer	13

Education & Training

Dr. Aoun B. Kara, MD graduated from University of Damascus Faculty of Medicine in 1974. He completed residency at St. George Hospital-Beirut. He is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine: Cardiovascular Disease and has a state license in Pennsylvania.

Medical School: University of Damascus Faculty of Medicine (1974)

Residency: St. George Hospital-Beirut (1975)

Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine: Cardiovascular Disease

Licensed In: Pennsylvania

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Aoun B. Kara, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

St. Luke's University Health Network

Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Aoun B. Kara, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.91 out of 5 stars based on 216 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Aoun B. Kara, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in Bethlehem, PA.

4.91

Overall Rating

(216 Ratings)

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General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Aoun B. Kara, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

**Payments by Company**
St. Jude Medical, Inc.	$219 CRM $115	Electrophysiology $104
Edwards Lifesciences Corporation	$140 Edwards SAPIEN 3 Transcatheter Heart Valve $140
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.	$63 Pradaxa $63
Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc	$37 XARELTO $37
Lilly USA, LLC	$19 REOPRO $19
Other	$13 Cardiac Monitoring Suite $13

**Types of Payments**
Food and Beverage	$490

Biography

Dr. Aoun Kara is a specialist in adult cardiology. Dr. Kara's areas of expertise consist of heart problems and hypertension (high blood pressure). His average patient rating is 5.0 stars (out of 5). He studied medicine at the University of Damascus Faculty of Medicine. He is affiliated with St. Luke's University Health Network. Dr. Kara has an open panel in Bethlehem, PA according to Doctor.com.