David Lapan, MD

Media Releases

Get to know Cardiologist Dr. David Lapan, who serves patients in Tucson, Arizona.

Having been a cardiologist for more than 40 years, Dr. Lapan manages patients with a wide range of cardiac diseases and illnesses at Northwest Cardiology La Paloma & Northwest Cardiology Valencia in Tucson, Arizona.

Cardiac care at Northwest Cardiology focuses on the functions and disorders of the heart and circulatory system. The heart care specialists working there provide routine and preventive cardiac services, as well as help manage chronic conditions. They are dedicated to helping each patient maintain a healthy heart.

A firm believer that life is about balance, Dr. Lapan promotes this philosophy to his patients as well as practices it himself. He views himself as a health coach, helping patients identify lifestyle changes they can make to live a healthier, more satisfying life. He practices a holistic approach to medicine, striving to understand the underlying issues behind each patient’s cardiac disease instead of just prescribing an easy fix.

Every day he comes to work, Dr. Lapan feels privileged that his patients have chosen him to care for them. He tries to honor that choice and provide customer service that exceeds their expectations. He treats his patients with respect, the way he would expect a physician to treat him. He is also passionate about cardiac rehab, and encourages his patients to participate in a program after any cardiac event to help them heal, but also to help prevent future cardiac occurrences.

Born into a military family in Germany, he and his family moved to Oakland, California where he grew up. He was one of three brothers; Peter and K.C., both of whom died young and are large inspirations for the family’s philanthropic work.

The Lapan brothers were instilled with a hard work ethic from an early age. Dr. Lapan worked various jobs from picking apricots to selling encyclopedias and taking janitorial jobs. He attended UC Berkeley for his undergraduate education and the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine for medical school. Upon graduation, he headed to the South West where he served his residency and fellowship at the University of Arizona College of Medicine.

A Fellow of the American College of Cardiology (FACC), the doctor is board-certified in cardiovascular disease and interventional cardiology by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM). The ABIM is a physician-led, non-profit, independent evaluation organization driven by doctors who want to achieve higher standards for better care in a rapidly changing world.

Recognized as a prime leader in his field, Dr. Lapan is one of the Founders of a family-funded foundation called the Lapan Sunshine Foundation, Inc. The mission of the Foundation is to continue the legacy of Patricia Lapan by supporting the Lapan College Club (LCC) directly and indirectly through partner programs, and broadly investing in the lives of youth through their education.

Since its inception, Dr. Lapan has served on the Board of the Foundation and oversees the management of the Foundation’s endowment and yearly budget. He takes an active leadership role in the development of the Foundation’s programs and mission. He visits the LCC on a weekly basis to interact with the students and to keep his finger on the pulse of the programs. In addition to LCC, the family supports various world charities, helps outstanding students with graduate and postgraduate scholarships, and supports NCAA athletic programs.

Cardiology is a branch of medicine that deals with the disorders of the heart, as well as the circulatory system. The field includes medical diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart defects, coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular heart disease, and electrophysiology. Cardiologists are doctors who diagnose, assess, and treat patients with diseases and defects of the heart and blood vessels (the cardiovascular system).

Outside of work, Dr. Lapan enjoys spending time with his wife, Jackie, and their 5 kids: Lisa, Dana, Kasey, Katie, and Olivia. When not at the clubhouse, he and Jackie are traveling, working out, going to country concerts, and watching sporting events. Dr. Lapan also enjoys golfing and reading. 

Recommended Articles

• Types and Causes of an Irregular Heartbeat

  What does an irregular heartbeat mean?An irregular heartbeat is also medically termed as arrhythmia or dysrhythmia. An irregular heartbeat happens when the heart’s electrical signals that coordinate with your heartbeat are not properly functioning. When you have an arrhythmia, your heart may:...

• What Is a CPK Lab Test?

  What is creatine phosphokinase (CPK)?Creatine phosphokinase (CPK) is an enzyme, which is predominantly present in the heart, brain, and skeletal muscles. Converting creatine into phosphate is the main task of this enzyme. The cells of the body then quickly consume or burn this phosphate and use it...

• What Is Costochondritis?

  What is costochondritis?Costochondritis is the term for inflammation of cartilage junctions that hold the ribs and sternum or breastbone. The condition is related to chest pain that can affect anyone in the age group of 10-21 years old. Although the pain can often occur, it still remains a mystery...

• Stress Can Directly Affect a Woman's Heart

  Results of a study presented in the Experimental Biology 2012 meeting in San Diego showed that coping with mental stress is harder on a  woman's heart, when compared to that of men. Researcher Chester Ray, PhD, professor of medicine, and cellular and molecular physiology at Penn State's College of...

• Alternative Remedies to Treat Cardiovascular Diseases

  Herbal Treatment of the heart has been used by mankind for centuries and has shown an excellent effect. Especially effective was the use of medicinal plants in the case of chronic diseases, such as atherosclerosis and hypertension, where treatment involves a particular duration and a comprehensive...

• The Human Heart: Function, Chambers, and Location

  IntroductionThe human heart is a part of the cardiovascular system that is situated in the middle of the chest between the lungs. Its exact location is slightly positioned to the left and behind the sternum (breastbone). The size of the heart is approximately the size of your fist. Its function...