Amit Khera, M.D.

Amit Khera, M.D., is a Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at UT Southwestern Medical Center and a member of the Division of Cardiology. He specializes in cardiac risk assessment and risk factor modifications. Dr. Khera is Director of UT Southwestern’s Preventive Cardiology Program. In addition, he is the Associate Chief of Cardiology for Faculty Development and holds the Dallas Heart Ball Chair in Hypertension and Heart Disease.

Doing a little bit early in life to prevent a heart attack is better than trying to do a lot later on down the road.

Originally from Akron, Ohio, Dr. Khera holds a bachelor's degree in American history from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, where he graduated magna cum laude. He earned his medical degree at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and completed a residency in internal medicine at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. He then received advanced training through a cardiology fellowship at UT Southwestern. Dr. Khera also holds a master’s degree in epidemiology from Harvard University.

A Diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine in cardiovascular disease and a Diplomate of the American Board of Clinical Lipidology, Dr. Khera joined the UT Southwestern faculty in 2004.

Dr. Khera's main research focus is preventing cardiac disease. He has published over 200 academic articles on his findings.

Dr. Khera is Past President of the American Society for Preventive Cardiology. He is a Fellow of the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology. He is also an active member of other professional organizations, including the Dallas County Medical Society. 

Dr. Khera has been honored by the American Heart Association for cardiovascular research in women’s health and by the American College of Cardiology for his work in preventive cardiology. He was included in D Magazine's Best Doctors list from 2014-2023, and was also named a Texas Monthly Super Doctor from 2013-2023.

Medical School

Baylor College of Medicine (1998)

Internship

Harvard Medical School/Brigham & Women's Hospital (1999), Internal Medicine

Residency

Harvard Medical School/Brigham & Women's Hospital (2001), Internal Medicine

Fellowship

UT Southwestern Medical Center (2004), Cardiology

• Early Detection and Risk Assessment in Cardiovascular Disease
• Familial and Genetic Contributions to Coronary Artery Disease
• Primary and Secondary Prevention of Coronary Artery Disease

Featured Publications

Evaluation of coronary artery calcium screening strategies focused on risk categories: the Dallas Heart Study.

Patel MJ, de Lemos JA, McGuire DK, See R, Lindsey JB, Murphy SA, Grundy SM, Khera A Am. Heart J. 2009 Jun 157 6 1001-9

Relationship between C-reactive protein and subclinical atherosclerosis: the Dallas Heart Study.

Khera A, de Lemos JA, Peshock RM, Lo HS, Stanek HG, Murphy SA, Wians FH, Grundy SM, McGuire DK Circulation 2006 Jan 113 1 38-43

Race and gender differences in C-reactive protein levels.

Khera A, McGuire DK, Murphy SA, Stanek HG, Das SR, Vongpatanasin W, Wians FH, Grundy SM, de Lemos JA J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. 2005 Aug 46 3 464-9

Texas atherosclerosis imaging bill: quiet origins, broad implications.

Khera A Arch. Intern. Med. 2011 Feb 171 4 281-3

Clinical characteristics, vascular function, and inflammation in women with angina in the absence of coronary atherosclerosis: the Dallas Heart Study.

Banks K, Puttagunta D, Murphy S, Lo M, McGuire DK, de Lemos JA, Chang AY, Grundy SM, Khera A JACC Cardiovasc Imaging 2011 Jan 4 1 65-73

Sex differences in the relationship between C-reactive protein and body fat.

Khera A, Vega GL, Das SR, Ayers C, McGuire DK, Grundy SM, de Lemos JA J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 2009 Sep 94 9 3251-8

Implications of family history of myocardial infarction in young women.

Patel MJ, de Lemos JA, Philips B, Murphy SA, Vaeth PC, McGuire DK, Khera A Am. Heart J. 2007 Sep 154 3 454-60

• Master
  American Society for Preventive Cardiology (2023)
• D Magazine Best Doctors in Dallas
  (2014-2023)
• Texas Super Doctors
  (2013-2023)
• AHA Trudy Bush Award For Cardiovascular Research in Women's Health
  (2009)
• Outstanding Teacher Award
  UTSW Class of 2009 (2007)
• Career Development Award in Clinical or Preventive Cardiology
  American College of Cardiology/Pfizer (2006)
• Excellence in Teaching Award Nominee
  Harvard Medical School (2002)
• Outstanding Student Award Class of 1998
  Baylor College of Medicine (1998)
• Alpha Omega Alpha
  Honor Medical Society (1997)

• American College of Cardiology (2004)
• American Heart Association (2003)
• American Medical Association (2004)
• American Society for Preventive Cardiology (2010)
• Dallas County Medical Society (2004)