Frank N. Gravino, MD in Baltimore: Cardiology in Towson
Frank N. Gravino, MD is a cardiologist in the Towson area of Baltimore County who sees both new and established patients with heart disease, arrhythmias, and related cardiovascular conditions. He operates a small, referral-based practice and does not function as a full hospital cardiology department; instead, he manages outpatient cases and coordinates with hospital systems and other specialists when catheterization, surgery, or intensive inpatient care becomes necessary.
What Dr. Gravino's practice actually is
Dr. Gravino's cardiology practice is a single-physician outpatient office focused on diagnosis, medication management, and ongoing care of cardiac patients. Patients come to him for evaluation of chest pain, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, and follow-up after cardiac events or procedures. He does not perform invasive procedures like cardiac catheterization or pacemaker implantation in-office; those are referred to hospitals or specialized centers. His scope resembles that of a general cardiologist in a private group rather than a hospital-employed interventional or subspecialty cardiologist, and he works with primary care doctors and internal medicine physicians throughout Baltimore to manage shared patients.
Services and appointment-setting
Dr. Gravino's office handles standard outpatient cardiology visits: initial consultations, medication adjustments, EKG interpretation, stress test orders and review, and follow-up care after heart attacks, stents, or surgeries performed elsewhere. He may order echocardiograms, Holter monitors, and other diagnostic tests and typically reviews results during a follow-up appointment. Insurance is billed at the time of visit; most major plans are accepted, but verification of in-network status is important because coverage varies by plan year. Typical wait time for a new patient appointment is two to four weeks, though urgent cases may be squeezed in sooner. Specific fees are determined by your insurance plan and deductible; out-of-pocket costs are discussed at check-in.
How he compares to other Baltimore cardiologists
Baltimore has two major cardiology landscapes: hospital-affiliated cardiologists at Johns Hopkins, University of Maryland Medical Center, and Sinai Hospital, who often perform interventions and see complex cases, and independent or small-group cardiologists like Dr. Gravino who focus on outpatient management and refer for procedures. A patient with a recent stent or arrhythmia needing ongoing medication management typically fits Dr. Gravino's practice well. A patient requiring a catheterization, ablation for atrial fibrillation, or advanced imaging beyond echocardiography would be referred to a larger center. The advantage of a single-physician practice is longer appointment slots and direct access without rotating between multiple doctors, though call coverage during nights and weekends is shared with a partner service. Hospital-based cardiologists often have shorter wait times due to higher volume and can manage acute inpatient cases directly, but parking and clinic location can be less convenient if you live in Towson or northeast Baltimore County.
Who this practice suits and does not suit
Dr. Gravino's practice works well for patients with chronic, stable heart conditions (long-standing arrhythmias, controlled high blood pressure, post-MI care), those needing a consistent physician for medication oversight, and patients whose primary care doctor wants a local specialist for continuity. It also suits patients whose insurance network limits them to independent practitioners and those who prefer smaller clinic settings with less wait-list pressure.
The practice does not suit patients requiring same-day intervention, those with acute decompensated heart failure needing IV medications, or those whose condition demands subspecialty expertise in electrophysiology, advanced heart failure, or transplantation. Patients needing a cardiologist who performs procedures in-office should seek a hospital-affiliated practice.
What to expect on a first visit
Your first appointment will be 45 minutes to an hour. Bring your insurance card, a list of current medications (including doses), and any prior test results (EKG, echocardiogram reports, stress test records) if available from another provider. Dr. Gravino will take a detailed history, perform a physical exam including blood pressure and heart sounds, and may order an EKG on-site. If you have not had recent imaging, he may order an echocardiogram or ask your primary care doctor to arrange one before your next visit. You will receive a summary of findings and a medication or follow-up plan. Insurance approval for imaging or certain follow-up tests is handled by the office staff; you will be notified if prior authorization is required.
Hours, parking, and logistics
Dr. Gravino's office is located in the Towson area with street and lot parking available. Hours are typically Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with no Saturday appointments. Confirm current hours and parking details by phone before your visit. The office is accessible by car from I-695 and handles walk-in refill requests for established patients during business hours, though same-day urgent issues should be directed to your primary care doctor or an urgent care center.
A cardiologist in private practice with a long track record in the Towson area fills a gap for patients who want specialist continuity without the size and bureaucracy of a large hospital department.
