About
Dr. Nicole Harkin is a board-certified preventive cardiologist and lipidologist practicing in San Francisco, CA. She graduated magna cum laude from Boston University School of Medicine in 2009. She completed her Internal Medicine residency at Columbia University and her Cardiology fellowship at New York University, where she served as Chief Fellow. After fellowship, she stayed on at NYU as an Assistant Attending before relocating to San Francisco and founding Whole Heart Cardiology in 2021.
Dr. Harkin holds board certifications in Internal Medicine, Cardiology, Echocardiography, and Clinical Lipidology. She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Clinical Lipidology, a credential fewer than 700 physicians nationwide have earned. Her clinical passions include complex cholesterol disorders, metabolic health, insulin resistance, and women's cardiovascular care. She witnessed the under-treatment of women with heart disease during her training and has since become a fierce advocate for proactive, female-specific cardiac care. She serves on the American Society for Preventive Cardiology Nutrition Working Group and the American College of Cardiology California Chapter Prevention Committee. Dr. Harkin also serves as Chief Medical Advisor for PlateUp, a health tech start-up focused on nutrition. Outside the practice, she lives in Tiburon with her family and enjoys cooking, yoga, hiking, and traveling.
Education & Training
Medical School
Boston University School of Medicine, graduated magna cum laude (2009)
Residency
Internal Medicine, Columbia University (2012)
Fellowship
Cardiology, New York University (2015), served as Chief Fellow
Additional Training
Assistant Attending, NYU, post-fellowship
Certifications
Conditions Treated
Who is Dr. Harkin right for?
Dr. Harkin is an excellent fit for adults who want a proactive, data-driven approach to heart health. Patients with complex cholesterol disorders, including elevated Lp(a), familial hyperlipidemia, or high apoB, benefit from her specialized lipidology training. She is a particularly strong resource for women seeking a cardiologist who understands female-specific cardiovascular risk. Patients managing metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, hypertension, or a family history of heart disease will find her approach thorough and personalized.
Similar Doctors Nearby
Dr. Ahvie HerskowitzMD
Cardiologycardiovascular disease, heart failure, myocarditis +9 more
Dr. Nima AfsharMD
Internal MedicineInternal medicine conditions, Preventive health, Acute and emergency presentations
Dr. Jordan ShlainMD
Internal Medicinepreventive health, longevity, cancer detection
Frequently Asked Questions
Dr. Harkin focuses on preventive cardiology, complex cholesterol and lipid disorders, high blood pressure, and metabolic health conditions such as insulin resistance and diabetes. She also treats structural and rhythm conditions including atrial fibrillation, cardiomyopathy, and valvular heart disease. She has a dedicated focus on women's cardiovascular health, including conditions like PCOS and preeclampsia that affect cardiac risk.
Yes. Dr. Harkin holds board certifications in Internal Medicine, Cardiology, and Echocardiography. She is also a Diplomate of the American Board of Clinical Lipidology, designating her as a certified cholesterol specialist. Fewer than 700 physicians in the United States have earned that lipidology credential.
Dr. Harkin graduated magna cum laude from Boston University School of Medicine. She trained in Internal Medicine at Columbia University and completed her Cardiology fellowship at New York University, where she served as Chief Fellow. She then worked as an Assistant Attending at NYU before moving to San Francisco.
Dr. Harkin goes beyond standard lipid panels. She tests for advanced markers including apolipoprotein B (apoB) and lipoprotein(a), which standard panels often miss. As both a cardiologist and a board-certified lipidologist, she diagnoses and manages a wide range of cholesterol conditions, from elevated LDL and triglycerides to familial hyperlipidemia and low HDL.
Yes. Women's cardiovascular care is a core part of Dr. Harkin's practice. She advocates strongly for proactive, female-specific cardiac evaluation. She treats conditions with particular relevance to women, including PCOS and preeclampsia, and addresses the fact that heart attacks are more frequently missed in women than in men.
Dr. Harkin uses a comprehensive set of advanced diagnostics. These include cardiopulmonary exercise stress testing with VO2 max, carotid ultrasound with IMT and plaque assessment, coronary artery calcium scoring, CT angiography with Cleerly AI analysis, InBody body composition scanning, continuous glucose monitoring, home sleep studies, and advanced lipid panels measuring apoB and Lp(a).
Yes. Dr. Harkin offers telemedicine appointments for patients located in California, New York, and Florida. Patients can also visit her in person at the San Francisco office. Follow-up appointments come in two lengths: 30-minute brief visits and 60-minute extended visits.
Dr. Harkin operates from the belief that 80% of heart disease is preventable. She builds personalized care plans that integrate advanced diagnostics, precision medicine, and sustainable lifestyle changes. Nutrition, exercise, sleep, and metabolic health all factor into how she approaches each patient's cardiovascular risk.
Doctor profile last updated August 17, 2026