Parul Desai, MD

Parul M. Desai, MD

Cardiology
4.9of 5 | (526) | View Reviews
About our provider ratings

Accepting new patients Available at Multiple Locations Ages seen: 18 - 99 Joined ARC: 2018

About Parul M. Desai, MD

  • Dr. Desai grew up in diverse places, including Zambia, India, and Los Angeles. When she is not working, Dr. Desai loves to be outdoors – hiking, swimming, biking, and mainly walking on the trail near her house. Her other passions include travel, reading, and live music. However, much of her free time is spent being a mom! Dr. Desai goes to her children’s soccer and basketball games, and she enjoys watching Ultimate Frisbee and the Austin Torch. She also volunteers monthly at Mobile Loaves & Fishes, and at People’s Community Clinic.

In choosing a career, I found that medicine allowed me to apply science to help and change the lives of patients and, more importantly, allowed me to form a personal and long-term involvement with individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and interests. Cardiology transfixed me early: the physiology of the heart, the physical exam, the breadth and depth of the disease, and the many tools to actually make a long-term difference. I believe in suspending judgment, walking in the patient’s shoes, and educating the patient about why a medication or procedure will work. Knowing my patient’s wishes and belief system helps guide me.

Services

Cardiac Rhythm Monitoring

Cardiac Rhythm Monitoring

Cardiac rhythm monitoring helps measure the rhythm of your heart in order to identify an irregular heart rhythm disorders.

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Echocardiograms

Echocardiograms

ARC Cardiology offers standard echocardiograms and stress echocardiograms for patients 18 and older. A referral from your physician or advanced practice clinician (APC) is required to schedule an echocardiogram at ARC.

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Nuclear Stress Testing

Nuclear Stress Testing

Nuclear stress tests use a small amount of radioactive tracer and an imaging machine to create pictures showing blood flow.

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Stress Echocardiogram

Stress Echocardiogram

Stress echocardiography uses ultrasound imaging to show how well your heart works to pump blood to your body. It can help detect a decrease in blood flow to the heart from narrowing in the coronary arteries.

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Stress Testing

Stress Testing

A stress test shows how your heart works during physical activity, revealing problems with blood flow within your heart. We offer three basic types of stress testing: exercise/treadmill stress tests, nuclear stress tests, and stress echocardiograms.

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Telemedicine Visits

Telemedicine Visits

ARC offers telemedicine visits for primary and specialty care. ARC doctors and advanced practice clinicians (APCs) can quickly evaluate you for a new health issue or follow up with you via a phone call or video visit from the comfort of your home.

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Treadmill Stress Testing

Treadmill Stress Testing

A treadmill test helps determine how well your heart handles work. As your body works harder during the test, it requires more oxygen, so the heart must pump more blood. The test can show if the blood supply is reduced in the arteries that supply the heart. It also helps doctors know the kind and level of exercise appropriate for a patient.

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Locations & Hours

Credentials

  • Board Certifications
    Board Certified in Cardiology and Internal Medicine
  • Fellowship
    Cardiology Fellowship, Harbor-UCLA, Torrance, CA, 1998
  • Residency
    University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, 1995
  • Medical School
    Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 1992
  • Education
    B.A. in Biological Sciences and B.A. in Spanish, Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA, 1986
  • Professional Positions
    • Chief, ARC Cardiology Department
    • Fellow, American College of Cardiology
    • Texas Medical Association
    • Travis County Medical Society
  • Awards & Honors
    • Austin’s Top Doctors, Austin Monthly, 20212022 
    • "Super Doctors," Texas Monthly, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024

Patient Reviews

OVERALL PROVIDER RATING

Rating based on "Did the healthcare provider or doctor provide the care you expected?"

4.9out of 5
  • September 17, 2025

    I liked that my doctor took the time to catch up on the activities I have been engaged with since our last visit.

  • September 16, 2025

    The friendly atmosphere

  • September 15, 2025

    Dr. Desai is always prepared, akways calm and cheerful, always has a treatment plan, always hears me. Her entire team models her professionalism and her commitment to treating her patients compassionately.

  • September 15, 2025

    The doctor is fabulous, and you are so lucky to have her.

  • September 13, 2025

    Dr. Desai was great. She made me feel at ease, was fun to talk to, and made me feel very confident about our plan going forward.

  • September 12, 2025

    The doctor explained everything so that I could understand she was very helpful

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