Finding a doctor you actually trust feels like a part-time job. Honestly, it's exhausting. You search through endless directories, look at blurry headshots, and hope the person on the other side of the stethoscope isn't just rushing you out the door to meet a corporate quota. If you've been looking into cardiac care in the Los Angeles or Glendale area, you've probably seen the name Dr Harry Balian MD pop up more than a few times.
He isn't just another guy in a white coat.
Dr. Balian has spent decades carving out a reputation as a heavy hitter in interventional cardiology. That’s the high-stakes world of stents, catheters, and structural heart repairs. When things go wrong with the plumbing of the heart, he's often the one people call. But what really makes the guy interesting isn't just the board certifications—it's the way he bridges that gap between intense, high-tech surgery and the kind of bedside manner that actually makes a patient feel like a human being.
The Path to Interventional Cardiology
Harry Balian didn't just wake up one day and decide to fix hearts. It was a long road. He's an alumnus of the University of California, Irvine, where he did his undergraduate work. From there, he headed to the Chicago Medical School. If you know anything about medical training, you know that the "residency and fellowship" years are where the real metal is tested.
He stayed in Chicago for a while, completing his Internal Medicine residency at the University of Chicago, but eventually, the West Coast called him back. He did his Cardiovascular Fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. This is where he really leaned into the "interventional" side of things.
Think of it this way.
General cardiologists manage your blood pressure and cholesterol with meds. Interventional cardiologists like Dr Harry Balian MD go inside. They use tiny tubes called catheters to navigate the bloodstream and fix blockages without having to saw your chest open. It’s a mix of extreme precision and quick thinking.
Why the Glendale Connection Matters
If you’re local to the San Fernando Valley or Glendale, you know Adventist Health Glendale. It’s a massive hub. Dr. Balian has been a fixture there for years, eventually serving as the Medical Director of the Heart & Vascular Institute.
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That’s a big title.
It means he isn't just seeing patients; he’s helping set the standard for how the entire hospital handles cardiac emergencies. When a "Code STEMI" (the medical term for a massive heart attack) comes in, the protocols often lead back to his leadership. He’s also been heavily involved with Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank. He’s basically a pillar of the medical community in that specific pocket of Southern California.
The Tech Behind the Man: TAVR and Beyond
Medicine moves fast. Like, really fast. If a surgeon isn't keeping up with the latest tech, they're basically a dinosaur. Dr Harry Balian MD has stayed relevant by mastering some of the most complex procedures available today, specifically TAVR.
TAVR stands for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.
In the old days—well, not even that long ago—if your heart valve was failing, surgeons had to perform open-heart surgery. It was brutal. Long recovery. Massive scarring. Now, Balian can often replace that valve through a small incision in the leg. You’re often up and walking way sooner than anyone thought possible twenty years ago.
He also deals with:
- Peripheral Vascular Disease (fixing the blood flow in your legs)
- Coronary Stenting (keeping the heart's main pipes open)
- Carotid Stenting (preventing strokes by clearing the neck arteries)
- Complex arrhythmia management
It's a lot. But the nuance here is that he doesn't just "do" the surgery. He’s known for evaluating whether you actually need it. That’s the hallmark of a good doctor—knowing when to put the scalpel (or catheter) down.
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What Patients Actually Say (The Real Talk)
Let’s be real. You can have all the degrees in the world, but if you're a jerk, people won't like you.
The feedback on Dr. Balian is usually centered on one thing: clarity. People appreciate that he doesn't speak in "medical-ese." He explains why your valve is leaking or why your artery is clogged in a way that doesn't make you feel like you need a PhD to follow along.
Patients often mention:
- The wait times. Yeah, he's busy. Top-tier specialists usually are. It sucks, but it’s the trade-off for seeing someone who handles the most difficult cases.
- The follow-up. Cardiac issues are scary. Having a doctor who actually checks in or has a team that responds to calls makes a massive difference in patient anxiety.
- The "Straight Shooter" Vibe. He isn't going to sugarcoat a situation if you need to lose weight or change your diet, but he’s not going to be condescending about it either.
E-E-A-T: Why This Profile Matters
When we talk about Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness (E-E-A-T), we're looking for evidence. Dr. Balian is Board Certified in four different areas: Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease, Interventional Cardiology, and Nuclear Cardiology.
That is a ridiculous amount of studying.
It also means he looks at the heart from multiple angles. Nuclear cardiology allows him to see how blood flows through the heart muscle during stress, while interventional training lets him fix the physical obstructions. This holistic (but high-tech) view is why he’s frequently listed in "Top Doctor" rankings in Los Angeles.
The Education Breakdown
- Medical School: Rosalind Franklin University / Chicago Medical School
- Residency: University of Chicago Hospitals
- Fellowship: UC Irvine Medical Center
- Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine (multiple sub-specialties)
Breaking Down Misconceptions About Heart Health
A lot of people think if they see an interventionalist like Dr Harry Balian MD, they are definitely getting surgery. That’s not always the case.
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Preventative care is still a huge part of the conversation. Most people think heart disease is a "man's problem," but it’s actually the leading cause of death for women too. Balian’s work often involves identifying these risks early. Sometimes, the "intervention" is a lifestyle overhaul and a specific medication regimen to prevent the heart attack before it ever happens.
Another myth? That once you have a stent, you’re "cured."
Nope. A stent is a tool, not a miracle. Dr. Balian is pretty vocal about the fact that a stent keeps the pipe open, but you still have to take care of the "plumbing" through diet, exercise, and managing things like diabetes.
The Reality of Specialized Cardiac Care in 2026
The healthcare landscape is changing. Everything is becoming more "corporate," but independent-minded experts like Dr. Balian still manage to maintain a personal touch. He’s part of Allied Health Professionals, which allows for a bit more of a collaborative approach between different specialists.
If you’re dealing with chest pain, shortness of breath, or a family history that keeps you up at night, the "wait and see" approach is usually a bad move. Heart issues don't typically get better on their own.
Actionable Steps for Heart Health
If you’re considering an appointment or just want to get your cardiovascular health in check, here’s what actually helps:
- Get Your Numbers: Don't just guess your blood pressure or cholesterol. Get a recent lab panel so you have a baseline.
- Track the "Little" Things: Are you more tired than usual? Do your legs swell at the end of the day? These are the clues an interventional cardiologist needs to see the full picture.
- Verify Insurance: Before booking with any specialist, verify their current affiliations. Dr. Balian is associated with several hospitals, but insurance networks change like the weather.
- Prepare Your Questions: When you finally get in the room with a specialist of this caliber, don't freeze up. Ask about the long-term prognosis, not just the immediate fix.
Heart health is a long game. Whether it’s through a complex TAVR procedure or just getting a handle on your hypertension, having a guy like Dr Harry Balian MD in your corner is a solid bet for anyone navigating the complexities of the human cardiovascular system. He’s got the technical chops, the local roots, and the track record to back it up.
If you're in the Los Angeles area, the next step is reaching out to his office in Glendale or Burbank to see if he's the right fit for your specific needs. It's your heart—don't settle for "good enough."
Next Steps for Patients:
- Gather your previous EKG or stress test results before your first consultation.
- Check your family history for early-onset heart disease (before age 55 for men or 65 for women).
- Call the Allied Health Professionals office to confirm Dr. Balian's current availability for new patient consultations.