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Dr. Rene J. Alvarez Jr, MD

Accepting New Patients
Specializes in: Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology and Adult Cardiology
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Professional interests include: transplant procedures, cardiomyopathy, heart valve disease, and more.
1101 Chestnut Street Floor 9
Philadelphia, PA 19107

Dr. Rene J. Alvarez Jr, MD is a cardiologist in Philadelphia, PA specializing in advanced heart failure and transplant cardiology and adult cardiology. He graduated from University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Dr. Rene J. Alvarez Jr, MD is affiliated with Jefferson Health, Jefferson University Physicians (JUP), Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Jefferson Torresdale Hospital and JEFFERSON UNIVERSITY PHYSICIANS OF NEW JERSEY PC.

View Doctor's Full Profile (215) 955-5050

Office Locations

Address:

1101 Chestnut Street Floor 9
Philadelphia, PA 19107

Some issues Dr. Rene J. Alvarez Jr, MD can help you with:

Heart Attack

A heart attack is a serious medical event that happens when the blood supplying oxygen to the heart is cut off, usually because of a blockage in an artery. This results in damage or death of part of the heart muscle. The heart can heal, but like any part of the body that was injured it leaves a scar. This scar tissue does not contract effectively, so the ability of the heart to pump is lowered after a heart attack.

A heart attack, sometimes called a myocardial infarction, can happen without warning. However there are certain factors that raise the risk of heart attack. Some of these are:

  • Age
  • Gender (most heart attack sufferers are male)
  • A family history of heart attacks
  • Smoking
  • Obesity
  • High cholesterol
  • High blood pressure
  • Diabetes
  • Unhealthy lifestyle choices (lack of exercise, poor diet, too much alcohol or stress)

Heart attacks typically feel like pain or pressure in the chest that can radiate out to the back, arm, or jaw. Some other symptoms can include fatigue or weakness, shortness of breath, sweating, and nausea.

Treatment aims to increase blood flow to the heart muscle by opening up blocked blood vessels. Medications are sometimes used to dissolve clots in the arteries. Aspirin and other medications such as Plavix can thin the blood and make clots less likely to form. Dilators can widen blood vessels to make room for more blood to flow. Doctors can also use a procedure called catheterization to look at the blood vessels around the heart directly, place stents, or widen vessels using angioplasty. In extreme cases bypass surgery can be used to help blood flow better. After recovery, it is important to lead a healthy lifestyle and take any prescribed medications in order to protect the heart.

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.

In The News (see more mentions in the news)

“That's the hope, and that is what we will work hard to achieve," said Rene Alvarez, who heads the cardiology division for Jefferson Health. "”—"Some COVID-19 long haulers have had symptoms since the first wave. Can they still get better?", Philadelphia Inquirer, March 2021
“It's common for people to not realize their heart has been deteriorating until they are diagnosed with heart failure - that's why they go to the doctor, said Rene Alvarez, director of cardiology at...”—"Federal court ruling on ACA could imperil preexisting condition coverage. A Chester County man with a $35,000 hospital bill knows what that means.", Philadelphia Inquirer, December 2019
“It's common for people to not realize their heart has been deteriorating until they are diagnosed with heart failure -- that's why they go to the doctor, said Rene Alvarez, director of cardiology...”—"Pre-existing conditions can cost you, even if you don't know about them yet", Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, December 2019

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2013 - 2021

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Rene J. Alvarez Jr, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Rene J. Alvarez Jr, MD treated as a cardiologist in Philadelphia, PA were hospital care, inpatient care, diagnostic procedures and minimally invasive procedures.

cardiac procedures 38
catheterization 38
diagnostic procedures 82
doctor visit 269
hospital care 317
inpatient care 317
minimally invasive procedures 38

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2013 - 2021

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Rene J. Alvarez Jr, MD.

Gender
Male 134
Female 79
Ethnicity
Black / African American 80
Asian / Pacific Islander
Non-Hispanic White 108
Native American / Alaskan Native
Hispanic
Other
Age
75 to 84 16
85 and over 3
Less than 65 68
65 to 74 94

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Rene J. Alvarez Jr, MD From 2013 - 2021

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Rene J. Alvarez Jr, MD treated were heart failure, high cholesterol, hypertension and ischemic heart disease.

Hypertension 60
High Cholesterol 59
Stroke 9
Ischemic Heart Disease 60
Depression 23
Chronic Kidney Disease 59
Asthma 14
Osteoporosis 5
Heart Failure 60
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 26
Diabetes 45
Atrial Fibrillation 30
Cancer 9
Dementia 11

Education & Training

Dr. Rene J. Alvarez Jr, MD graduated from University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. He completed residency at Temple University Hospital. He is certified by the Cardiology Advanced Heart Failure & Transplant Cardiology and has a state license in Pennsylvania.

Medical School: University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

Residency: Temple University Hospital

Board Certification: Cardiology Advanced Heart Failure & Transplant Cardiology

Licensed In: Pennsylvania

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Rene J. Alvarez Jr, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

Jefferson Health
Jefferson University Physicians (JUP)
Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
Jefferson Torresdale Hospital
JEFFERSON UNIVERSITY PHYSICIANS OF NEW JERSEY PC

Insurance Information

Please note: Insurance information may change at any time, and the provider may accept your insurance plan even if it is not listed below. Please contact the provider's office to confirm that your insurance is accepted.

Dr. Rene J. Alvarez Jr, MD appears to accept the following insurance providers: United Healthcare Community Plan (AmeriChoice), QualCare, Aetna Medicare, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, CIGNA Medicare, Blue Cross Federal, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield, GEHA, WellCare, AmeriHealth, AARP, MultiPlan, CIGNA Commercial, Aetna, Geisinger Health Plan, US Family Health Plan, United Healthcare, Humana, Workers' Compensation, Cigna, Devon Health, TRICARE, First Health, WellPoint, Jefferson Health Plans (Medicare & ACA), Medical Assistance of New Jersey, Provider Partners Medicare, PA Health and Wellness CHC, Devoted Medicare, Medical Assistance of Delaware, Keystone First/CHC/VIP, Blue Card by BCBS, Medicare FFS, Medical Assistance of Pennsylvania, Independence Blue Cross - Various plans, UPMC, Highmark Wholecare, Ambetter from PA Health and Wellness and Keystone First VIP.

Insurance Accepted by Provider includes:

According to our sources, Dr. Rene J. Alvarez Jr, MD accepts the following insurance providers:

United Healthcare Community Plan (AmeriChoice)
QualCare
Aetna Medicare
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
CIGNA Medicare
Blue Cross Federal
Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield
GEHA
WellCare
AmeriHealth
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Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Rene J. Alvarez Jr, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.91 out of 5 stars based on 1655 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Rene J. Alvarez Jr, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in Philadelphia, PA. 

4.91
Overall Rating
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General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Rene J. Alvarez Jr, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

Payments by Company
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation $14,030 ENTRESTO
$13,863 		LEQVIO
$167
Abbott Laboratories $11,950 Vascular
$5,450 		HeartMate 3 Left Ventricular Dev
$1,524 		Circulatory Support
$1,224 		HeartMate II LVAS
$1,211 		THORATEC HEARTMATE 3 LVAS IMPLANT KIT
$1,115 		Other
$1,427
Akcea Therapeutics, Inc. $5,972 TEGSEDI
$5,972
Actelion Pharmaceuticals US, Inc. $1,815
$1,815
St. Jude Medical, Inc. $1,654 HeartMate PHP
$1,654
Other $5,022 FARXIGA
$1,074 		HeartMate II
$1,000 		TANDEMHEART
$649 		MCS Multiple Products General
$200 		CareLink Express
$160 		Other
$1,937
Types of Payments
Compensation for services other than consulting, including serving as faculty or as a speaker at a venue other than a continuing education program $15,850
Food and Beverage $9,516
Consulting Fee $5,974
Travel and Lodging $5,634
Honoraria $3,180
Other $289

Research Payments

Dr. Rene J. Alvarez Jr, MD has received 27 research payments totaling $110,417.

Biography

Dr. Rene Alvarez specializes in adult cardiology and advanced heart failure and transplant cardiology and practices in Philadelphia, PA. His average patient rating is 5.0 stars (out of 5). His areas of expertise include heart failure and transplant procedures. Dr. Alvarez graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Dr. Alvarez is affiliated with Jefferson University Physicians (JUP). According to Doctor.com, new patients are welcome to contact his office in Philadelphia, PA.

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