# Dr. Arul Narayanan Source: https://drarulnarayanan.com/ Pediatric · Adult Congenital · Sports Cardiology # From first heartbeat to peak performance 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. [Book a consultation]() [Email the practice]() ![Portrait of Dr. Arul Narayanan, Consultant Pediatric Cardiologist at American Hospital Dubai](/_astro/dr-arul-narayanan.CACi5lsG.jpg) Current practice American Hospital Dubai Consultant Pediatric Cardiologist MRCPCH · FRCPCH · CCT 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 disease, 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 ## Care that combines clinical excellence with supportive empathy Providing advanced congenital heart care, catheter-based interventions, athlete heart assessments, and lifelong cardiac guidance for children and adults with congenital heart disease. Training Dr. Arul Narayanan is a UK-trained Pediatric Cardiologist with sub-specialty training in Pediatric and Adult Congenital Interventions from Liverpool and Manchester. He also holds a Certificate in Sports Cardiology from The FC Barcelona's Education Division. Experience Dr Arul has been a Consultant for the last 15 years, 5 years of which he also held the position of Director of Congenital Cardiac Intervention for North West England. ### Honoured with the [Tiny Tickers]() 25th Birthday Thank You Award Dr Arul Narayanan was recognized by the UK charity Tiny Tickers for sustained contribution to the early detection and treatment for babies with congenital heart conditions. [Read the award story]() 25th Birthday Award Patient guidance ## When to seek a cardiac evaluation Early assessment provides reassurance - or timely treatment if needed. Consider a cardiac evaluation if you or your child has any of the following. 1. 01 ### Participation in Sports Pre-participation evaluation for competitive and recreational athletes. 2. 02 ### Known congenital heart disease or murmur Any murmur warrants expert evaluation to rule out structural disease. 3. 03 ### Chest pain, palpitations, frequent tiredness Especially if symptoms occur during or after physical activity. 4. 04 ### Exercise-induced fainting or dizziness Exertional syncope is a red flag requiring urgent cardiac assessment. 5. 05 ### Insufficient weight gain or poor feeding In infants and children, these may signal an underlying cardiac cause. 6. 06 ### Blue discolouration of lips or fingers Cyanosis may indicate an undiagnosed congenital heart defect. 7. 07 ### Family history of sudden cardiac death Particularly if a family member died suddenly before age 50. 8. 08 ### Fetal cardiac screening Early detection from 18 weeks of pregnancy can be lifesaving. 9. 09 ### Breathlessness Excessive fatigue or dyspnea. Clinical expertise ## Diagnosis, intervention as well as long-term follow-up \- 01 ### Pediatric Cardiology Comprehensive cardiac assessments, ECG, echocardiography and long-term follow-up. - · Fetal & newborn screening - · Echocardiography & cross-sectional imaging - · Catheter-based treatments - · Lifelong monitoring \- 02 ### Adult Congenital Heart Disease Specialist care for adults born with heart defects - including those diagnosed in adulthood - with continuity of care across every life stage. - · Lifelong CHD management - · Adult transition care - · Pregnancy & cardiac risk - · Re-intervention in ACHD \- 03 ### Sports Cardiology Pre-participation screening and athlete cardiac assessments designed to keep active individuals competing safely. - · Pre-participation screening - · Athlete heart assessment - · Return-to-play guidance - · Exercise testing \- 04 ### Minimally-Invasive Interventions Catheter-based procedures replacing open-heart surgery for many conditions - faster recovery, less discomfort, shorter hospital stays. - · ASD · VSD · PDA closure - · Catheter valve replacement - · PDA device closure in pre-term infants - · Pulmonary & aortic stenting, percutaneous valve implantation, sinus venosus ASD stent closure \- 05 ### Advanced Cardiac Diagnostics Precision imaging across echocardiography, cardiac CT and MRI, and cardiopulmonary exercise testing to detect conditions early and accurately. - · Echocardiography - · Cardiac CT & MRI - · CPET - exercise testing - · Holter & event monitoring \- 06 ### Preventive & Lifelong Care Care does not end after treatment. Preventive cardiology and long-term follow-up to ensure good quality of life over decades. - · Preventive cardiology - · Long-term CHD follow-up - · Family risk assessment - · Heart-health counselling Services provided for sports cardiology ### Athlete Heart Screening & Performance Cardiology Services - · Sports participation assessment - · Pediatric athlete evaluation - · Cardiopulmonary exercise stress testing - · Athlete ECG screening - · Return-to-play cardiac evaluation - · Adult congenital exercise assessment - · Sudden cardiac death prevention #### Performance Heart Clinic For - Athletes - Active individuals - Safe performance planning #### Athlete Heart Check Includes - Consultation - ECG - Echo - Exercise advice #### Elite Athlete Screening Includes - Consultation - ECG - Echo - Exercise stress test - Sports clearance report #### Sudden Cardiac Death Screening Program For - Schools - Academies - Sports clubs ### Interventional & structural procedures Catheter-based · minimally-invasive - Atrial septal defect closure ASD - Ventricular septal defect closure VSD - Patent ductus arteriosus closure PDA - Balloon valvuloplasty Pulmonary · aortic - Coarctation stenting Native & re-coarctation - Pulmonary artery stenting Branch PA - RVOT procedures Right-ventricular outflow - Atrial septostomy Rashkind - Cyanotic disease palliation PDA/RVOT stenting - Percutaneous pulmonary valve Both balloon & self-expanding - Coronary fistula closure Device closure - Re-intervention in ACHD Adult congenital Credentials & training ## Educational and Professional Background 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. 1. 01 · 1997 MBBS Madurai Medical College · Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University 2. 02 · 2002 Diploma in Child Health (DCH) Institute of Child Health - Madras Medical College, Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University 3. 03 · 2004 MRCPCH Royal College of Paediatrics & Child Health, UK 4. 04 · 2005–08 Specialist Registrar - Pediatrics & PICU Mersey Deanery · Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Liverpool 5. 05 · 2008–12 Pediatric Cardiology Training Alder Hey & Manchester Heart Centre, UK 6. 06 · 2011 CCT - Pediatric Cardiology General Medical Council (GMC), UK 7. 07 · 2012 FRCPCH Royal College of Pediatrics & Child Health, UK 8. 08 · 2012–14 Consultant Pediatric Cardiologist · Narayana Hrudayalaya Located in Bangalore, it is one of the highest volume congenital cardiac units in the world 9. 09 · 2014–17 Consultant Pediatric Cardiologist · Fortis Hospitals 350+ interventions per year in Bangalore and Chennai 10. 10 · 2017–19 Consultant Pediatric Cardiologist · Gleneagles Global Health City Heart transplant, ECMO & structural intervention in Chennai 11. 11 · 2019–26 Lead Interventional Cardiologist North West Congenital Cardiac Network, UK 12. 12 · 2026- Consultant Pediatric Cardiologist American Hospital Dubai Research & academic activity ## Advancement of Knowledge A continuing commitment to evidence-based practice and to sharing expertise with the wider medical community. Certifications 2012 FRCPCH Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health 2011 Fellowship in Congenital Cardiac MRI Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital, London 2011 CCT in Paediatric Cardiology General Medical Council, UK Memberships GMC General Medical Council, UK RCPCH Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health AEPC Association of European Paediatric Cardiology BCCA British Congenital Cardiac Association KMC/TNMC Karnataka and Tamil Nadu Medical Council 1. 2025 PDA device closure in extreme preterm babies World Congress of Pediatric Cardiology & Cardiac Surgery · Hong Kong 2. 2025 Congenital interventions in elderly population World Congress of Pediatric Cardiology & Cardiac Surgery · Hong Kong 3. 2024 Transposition of great arteries and double aortic arch Association of European Paediatric Cardiology · Porto 4. 2015 Neonatal Aortic Dilatation Secondary to Vitamin A Deficiency PEDIATRICS · Vol. 135, No. 5 5. 2015 Hyper-Eosinophilic LV Cardiomyopathy Secondary to Strongyloide Infection SCMR / EuroCMR Joint Scientific Sessions 6. 2014 Rare Tetralogy of Fallot with anomalous coronary origin Indian Journal of Practical Paediatrics · July 2014 7. 2006 Giant Atrial Appendage and Absent Pericardium Cardiology for Young · April 2006 8. \- Cardiac Evaluation of Paediatric Liver Transplant Recipients Book chapter · Paediatric Liver Intensive Care Questions ## Frequently asked 01When should my child see a pediatric cardiologist?+ If there is heart murmur, chest pain, palpitations, exercise-induced syncope, blue discoloration, insufficient weight gain, or family history of heart disease or sudden death, an early evaluation provides reassurance or timely treatment. 02I have congenital heart disease diagnosed, do I still need a follow up?+ Yes. Congenital heart disease requires lifelong management. Adults with previously repaired or undiagnosed defects benefit from continuity of specialist care. 03What does sports cardiology screening involve?+ A detailed history and physical examination, ECG, echocardiography and exercise testing, designed to identify risk while keeping athletes active and safe. 04Are catheter-based procedures safer than open-heart surgery?+ For many conditions - including ASD, VSD, PDA closures, and select valve interventions - catheter procedures offer faster recovery, less discomfort and shorter hospital stays, with excellent outcomes. 05Can I send records before booking?+ Yes. Families and referring clinicians can email images, catheter reports and clinical summaries so the consultation can happen with the right context. 06Is my child's heart safe for sports?+ A sports cardiology assessment can identify red flags, review ECG and echocardiography findings, and provide clear advice on safe participation. 07Can congenital heart disease patients play sports?+ Many can. Advice is personalised according to diagnosis, repair status, rhythm, ventricular function, pressures, exercise response and risk profile. 08Can exercise cause sudden cardiac death?+ 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. 09Should athletes get an ECG before competitive sport?+ 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. 010Is it Athlete's Heart or Heart Disease?+ 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. 011Should my child stop playing sport because of chest pain?+ 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, 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. 012Palpitations during gym workouts - when to worry?+ 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 ## Begin a conversation about your heart health For appointments, clinical records or referral queries, use the direct contact options below. [Book a consultation]() [Send records]() Contact ## Get in touch You have 4 ways to reach the practice. Choose the one that suits you best. Note: For acute symptoms or emergencies, please contact American Hospital Dubai directly or your nearest emergency department. Phone ### Call the practice Call for consultation enquiries, scheduling and procedural questions. Phone +971 4 377 5500 → [Open link]() Online ### Video Consultation Available for international patients and suitable follow-up appointments. Book Online Teleconsultation → [Open link]() Email ### Send records or enquiries Families and referring clinicians can send images, catheter reports, clinical summaries and appointment questions before a consultation. Email aruln@ahdubai.com → [Open link]() Clinic ### Visit American Hospital Dubai 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 → [Open link]() 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 Arul Narayanan Pediatric · Adult Congenital · Sports Cardiology American Hospital Dubai · Oud Metha Providing advanced congenital heart care, catheter-based interventions, athlete heart assessments, and lifelong cardiac guidance for children, adults with congenital heart disease. © 2026 Dr. Arul Narayanan. All rights reserved.