Pediatric Cardiology
Comprehensive cardiac assessments, ECG, echocardiography and long-term follow-up.
- · Fetal & newborn screening
- · Echocardiography & cross-sectional imaging
- · Catheter-based treatments
- · Lifelong monitoring
Pediatric · Adult Congenital · Sports Cardiology
UK-certified Pediatric and Adult Congenital Interventional Cardiologist with interest in Sports Cardiology now at American Hospital Dubai, providing advanced expertise and guidance for children and adults with congenital heart disease, and athletes seeking safe participation in sports.
28 years' medical experience performing over 2500 independent procedures, such as device closures, valves, stents and other complex congenital interventions, as well as specialist clinics for pulmonary hypertension, Fontan, neuromuscular, sports and ACHD.
Current practice
American Hospital Dubai
Consultant Pediatric Cardiologist
28
Years' medical experience
Pediatric, congenital interventional and sports cardiology care
2,500+
Independent procedures
Device closures, valves, stents and other complex congenital interventions
5
Specialist clinics led
Pulmonary hypertension, Fontan, neuromuscular, sports and ACHD
UK specialist register
GMC Pediatric Cardiology
Advanced heart care
Congenital heart care, catheter-based interventions, athlete heart assessments and lifelong guidance
Award
UK Charity Tiny Tickers 25th Birthday Thank You Award
Practice philosophy
Providing advanced congenital heart care, catheter-based interventions, athlete heart assessments, and lifelong cardiac guidance.
Care is shaped for children, adults with congenital heart disease, and athletes seeking safe participation in sports.
Training
Dr. Arul Narayanan is a UK-trained Pediatric Cardiologist with sub-specialty training in Pediatric and Adult Congenital Interventions at Liverpool and Manchester.
Experience
He held the position of Director of Congenital Cardiac Intervention for North West England. He also holds a Certificate in Sports Cardiology from The FC Barcelona's Education Division.
Dr Arul Narayanan was recognized by the UK charity Tiny Tickers for sustained contribution to the early detection and care of babies with congenital heart conditions.
Read the award story25 th
Birthday Award
Patient guidance
Early assessment provides reassurance — or timely treatment when needed. Consider a cardiac evaluation if you or your child has any of the following.
Pre-participation evaluation for competitive and recreational athletes.
Any murmur warrants expert evaluation to rule out structural disease.
Especially if symptoms occur during or after physical activity.
Exertional syncope is a red flag requiring urgent cardiac assessment.
In infants and children, these may signal an underlying cardiac cause.
Cyanosis may indicate an undiagnosed congenital heart defect.
Particularly if a family member died suddenly before age 50.
Early detection from 18 weeks of pregnancy can be lifesaving.
Excessive fatigue or dyspnea.
Clinical expertise
Comprehensive cardiac assessments, ECG, echocardiography and long-term follow-up.
Specialist care for adults born with heart defects — including those diagnosed in adulthood — with continuity of care across every life stage.
Pre-participation screening and athlete cardiac assessments designed to keep active individuals competing safely.
Catheter-based procedures replacing open-heart surgery for many conditions — faster recovery, less discomfort, shorter hospital stays.
Precision imaging across echocardiography, cardiac CT and MRI, and cardiopulmonary exercise testing to detect conditions early and accurately.
Care does not end after treatment. Preventive cardiology and long-term follow-up to ensure good quality of life over decades.
Services provided for sports cardiology
Services
Include
Include
For
Catheter-based · minimally-invasive
Credentials & training
UK sub-specialty interventional training preceded by pediatric, PICU and extensive pediatric cardiology fellowship completed at Alder Hey - one of Europe's largest children's hospitals.
Research & academic activity
A continuing commitment to evidence-based practice and to sharing expertise with the wider medical community.
Certifications
Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital, London
General Medical Council, UK
Memberships
PDA device closure in extreme preterm babies
Congenital interventions in elderly population
Transposition of great arteries and double aortic arch
Neonatal Aortic Dilatation Secondary to Vitamin A Deficiency
Hyper-Eosinophilic LV Cardiomyopathy Secondary to Strongyloide Infection
Rare Tetralogy of Fallot with anomalous coronary origin
Giant Atrial Appendage and Absent Pericardium
Cardiac Evaluation of Paediatric Liver Transplant Recipients
Questions
If there is a heart murmur, chest pain, palpitations, exercise-induced syncope, blue discoloration, insufficient weight gain, or a family history of heart disease or sudden death, an early evaluation provides reassurance or timely treatment.
Yes. Congenital heart disease requires lifelong management. Adults with previously repaired or undiagnosed defects benefit from continuity of specialist care.
A detailed history and physical examination, ECG, echocardiography and exercise testing, designed to identify risk while keeping athletes active and safe.
For many conditions, including ASD, VSD, PDA closures and selected valve interventions, catheter procedures may offer faster recovery, less discomfort and shorter hospital stays.
Yes. Families and referring clinicians can email imaging, catheter reports and clinical summaries so the consultation can be prepared with the right context.
A sports cardiology assessment can identify red flags, review ECG and echocardiography findings, and provide clear advice on safe participation.
Many can, but advice should be personalised according to diagnosis, repair status, rhythm, ventricular function, pressures, exercise response and risk profile.
Sudden cardiac death during exercise is rare, but it can occur in individuals with an underlying heart condition that has not yet been diagnosed. Conditions such as inherited heart muscle disorders, electrical abnormalities, or congenital coronary artery abnormalities may increase risk during intense physical activity. Regular exercise remains one of the best ways to protect long-term heart health. The goal of sports cardiology screening is to identify those few individuals who may be at increased risk and ensure they can participate safely.
For competitive athletes, a pre-participation cardiac assessment including an ECG can help identify heart conditions that may not cause symptoms but could increase risk during sport. An ECG is a simple, non-invasive test that records the heart's electrical activity. When interpreted by a physician experienced in sports cardiology, it can be a valuable tool in assessing an athlete's heart health and suitability for competition.
Regular training can lead to normal adaptations known as "athlete's heart," including a lower resting heart rate and mild enlargement of the heart chambers. Occasionally, these changes can resemble heart disease. Specialist assessment using ECG, echocardiography, exercise testing, and sometimes cardiac MRI can help distinguish healthy athletic adaptation from conditions that require further management.
Most chest pain in children is not caused by heart disease and many children can continue normal activities. However, chest pain that occurs during exercise, is associated with dizziness, fainting, palpitations, unusual breathlessness, or a family history of sudden cardiac death should be assessed by a paediatric cardiologist. A specialist evaluation can usually provide reassurance and help determine whether any restrictions are necessary.
A faster heartbeat during exercise is normal. However, palpitations that are sudden, irregular, recurrent, or associated with dizziness, chest pain, fainting, or reduced exercise performance should not be ignored. A sports cardiology assessment can help determine whether symptoms are benign or require further investigation, allowing athletes to exercise with confidence and peace of mind.
Appointments
For appointments, clinical records or referral queries, use the direct contact options below.
Contact
Three ways to reach the practice — choose the one that fits. For acute symptoms or emergencies, please contact American Hospital Dubai directly or your nearest emergency department.
Phone
Call for consultation enquiries, scheduling and procedural questions.
Phone
+971 4 377 5500 →
Families and referring clinicians can send imaging, catheter reports, clinical summaries and appointment questions before a consultation.
aruln@ahdubai.com →
Clinic
In-person consultations and procedures at the American Hospital Dubai campuses in Oud Metha and Science Park. Appointments can also be booked through the hospital's main system.
Hospital website
ahdubai.com →
Clinic address
American Hospital Dubai
Oud Metha Road, Dubai, UAE
American Hospital, Science Park, Dubai, UAE
Consulting hours
By appointment
Confirmed at the time of booking with the hospital