Catherine Dao

MD

Cardiologist
Medical Director, San Mateo Primary and Specialty Care

Dr. Catherine Dao is a cardiologist who cares for patients with a variety of cardiovascular conditions, including arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), cardiomyopathy (diseases of the heart muscle), and coronary artery disease. She has particular interests in echocardiography (ultrasound imaging of the heart), preventive cardiology and women's heart health. She is medical director of the UCSF San Mateo Primary and Specialty Care Clinic.

Dao earned her medical degree at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. She completed a residency in internal medicine at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, followed by fellowships in cardiac MRI and cardiovascular medicine at Stanford Medicine.

In her free time, Dao enjoys cheering for the Golden State Warriors, hosting dinner parties and traveling abroad. She also loves to spend time outdoors; she climbed Half Dome in Yosemite National Park when she was three months pregnant.

  • Education

    Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, MD, 2006

  • Residencies

    Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Internal Medicine, 2009

  • Fellowships

    Stanford Medicine, MRI, 2011

    Stanford Medicine, Cardiovascular Medicine, 2015

  • Academic Title

    MSP Physician

I believe in developing collaborative relationships with all my patients and am committed to providing high-quality, personalized care.

Conditions I specialize in

Where I see patients (2)

    My reviews

    4.5

    Overall Experience
    267 Ratings
    About our process
    Sep 29, 2024
    I'm sure Dr. Dao is very qualified, though her communication style does not engender confidence. I was thinking of how to get a second opinion in the first 2 minutes. I felt she was wanting to prescribe a heart platelet drug simply because I'm now over 60 -regardless of the fact that I jump do strenuous exercise 3x weekly, never smoke, am not obese, am not diabetic, nor is my cholesterol high. When I questioned the Suggested drug, she kept coming to back you're getting older'.
    Sep 28, 2024
    Dr Dao covered everything relevant, made sure I understood the situation and medical course. Her manner was cool and unemotional which I thought appropriate to anticipate any anxiety I might be feeling. She recognized that giving straight information was the best way to accomplish the task we were involved with. I agree.
    Sep 25, 2024
    It was fine.
    Sep 19, 2024
    I am extremely happy with my Dr
    Aug 15, 2024
    Great visit
    May 25, 2024
    Dr. Dao explained things very well.
    May 19, 2024
    Dr Dao was very pleasant and very thorough.
    May 10, 2024
    Dr. Dao is amazing. Always answers all my questions and is quite thoughtful.
    Apr 22, 2024
    Felt listened to and cared for and much relieved.
    Apr 18, 2024
    Good
    Mar 14, 2024
    Dr. Dao was fantastic!! She explained everything!! Also spent a lot of time with me , very understanding!!
    Mar 14, 2024
    Provider has repeatedly asked me to see another provider because I drive around 3 hours to facility and has told me she has many other patients I want to attend appointments to ucsf because they have actually done work on me other cardiologist have not done any procedures so are not familiar with my health . I would love to continue yo see someone else at ucsf any other cardiologist please
    Nov 18, 2023
    Excellent provider, knowledgeable/ friendly/professional
    Nov 16, 2023
    This particular doctor was very dismissive and had a very overbearing nature to her
    Oct 07, 2023
    Thanks
    Sep 28, 2023
    Was very helpful in so many ways. Like explaining things to my hard of hearing self with kindness and patience.
    Sep 25, 2023
    Dr Dao is excellent. She spent the time needed for me to understand a 2nd opinion. She also dug deeper into my situation and provided some recommendations to my PCP.
    Sep 09, 2023
    Very happy event
    Sep 01, 2023
    My sister also picked Dr Dao as her cardiologist!
    Aug 09, 2023
    This was an especially outstanding consultation. Lots of clear, relevant information, presented concisely without rushing.
    Aug 06, 2023
    Incredibly detached/distracted. Worst "bedside" manner ever! No affect whatsoever.
    Jul 16, 2023
    The Doctor was late; she seemed as cold as ice; she offered no practical suggestions as to cardiac diet tips (I just had an ablation). I was left feeling like I was imposing on her time, and she couldn't get rid of me fast enough.
    Jul 13, 2023
    Perfect
    Jul 07, 2023
    I am very happy with Dr. Dao and I have already spoken highly of her to other doctors and friends.
    Jul 05, 2023
    What can one say, the Doctors and staff of UCSF are the most outstanding medical professionals that I have ever met
    Jul 05, 2023
    No one has ever asked me for referral to cardiology.
    Jul 01, 2023
    I'm pleased that Dr. Dao is my cardiologist.
    Jun 30, 2023
    Dr. Dao was very good. I appreciated her adivice as well as her willingness to listen to my concerns.
    Jun 16, 2023
    Thorough, thorough, thorough - and caring. Excellent introductory visit.
    Jun 15, 2023
    Doctor is very competent and knowledgable. I felt she was an expert in her field of study.
    Jun 07, 2023
    Lack of eye contact during tele-visit was disconcerting. I suspect that might not be the case in a person to person visit
    Jun 02, 2023
    Dr Dao makes it easy to talk to her about anything that's bothering you. She tells you like it is so you don't feel like you're being talked down to. I come away, knowing what I'm supposed to do to stay healthy
    May 27, 2023
    She is not friendly or personable. Didn't smile once.
    May 04, 2023
    Dr Nguyen was so helpful I didn't even have any questions at the end
    May 04, 2023
    Dr Gao was excellent and explained things very clearly!
    Apr 06, 2023
    Dr.Dao wad the best !! She spent an hour and 15 mins !!! Explained everything !!! I felt very comfortable!!
    Mar 18, 2023
    Good
    Feb 26, 2023
    Dr was sooh accommodating appreciate her
    Feb 07, 2023
    Dr. Dao provided the best professional care and advise on my condition. Clear and simple, easy to follow.
    Feb 04, 2023
    Dr Dao shows her deep concern by being generous with her time and in the resources she brings as well as the careful sensitive listening she engages. She doesn't smile or laugh which may not be her style and that may bother some people.
    Feb 03, 2023
    Very cold, looked as if she was annoyed, Blank face, not warm in anyway, no smile or face expression at all.
    Jan 06, 2023
    Lack of curiosity, lack of concern, she seemed annoyed to have to see me. Lack of knowledge of my condition and condescending to try to gaslight me to stop asking questions. I wanted to understand my chest discomfort and all she said is shes not surprised at my chest discomfort. Everyone else at ucsf was great though from nurse to admin.
    Dec 28, 2022
    I guess I can't get over the original disappointment in how long it took to get an appointment, to be told I have issues and then not being able to get an appointment for 3 months.
    Dec 20, 2022
    Listened well. Understood my concerns. Thorough. Reassuring.
    Nov 25, 2022
    Excellent expert advice and support were rendered I appreciate the care extended.

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