Cardiologist Serving Katy, Sugar Land, Greater Houston
Advanced Cardiology – Evaluation for Dizziness and Breathing Concerns
Feeling dizzy, lightheaded or short of breath can be unsettling, especially if it happens often or comes on suddenly. These symptoms have many possible causes, including inner-ear, lung, blood and medication-related problems. Sometimes they are linked to the heart or circulation, and that possibility deserves a careful evaluation.
At Advanced Cardiology, Adnan Khalid, MD, evaluates dizziness and shortness of breath at our Katy and Sugar Land offices, looks for heart-related causes, and coordinates with other specialists when the cause lies elsewhere.
Dr. Khalid reviews your symptoms, history and test results himself
Visits in Katy and Sugar Land
Catheter and device procedures at an affiliated hospital
Office follow-up on medicines and risk factors
Occasional dizziness or breathlessness can happen after hard exercise or when you stand up too quickly. When these symptoms happen often, have no clear cause or come with other warning signs, they may point to a more serious problem.
Possible heart-related causes include:
Heart rhythm disorders (arrhythmias) that make the heart beat too fast, too slow or irregularly
Heart failure, which can cause fluid to build up in the lungs
Coronary artery disease, which reduces blood flow to the heart muscle
Low blood pressure or poor circulation
Heart valve problems that affect blood flow
Other common causes include anemia, lung conditions such as asthma or COPD, dehydration, inner-ear problems, anxiety and side effects of medications, including some blood pressure medicines.
Call 911 if dizziness or shortness of breath comes with any of these, even if the symptoms go away:
Chest pain, pressure or discomfort that lasts more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back
Discomfort in the arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach
A cold sweat or nausea
Fainting or nearly fainting
Severe or sudden trouble breathing
Stroke signs: face drooping, arm weakness, trouble speaking, sudden confusion or trouble walking
Our office line and online forms are not for emergencies.
When dizziness and shortness of breath happen together, other symptoms can help point to the cause. Make an appointment soon if you also notice:
A rapid, pounding or irregular heartbeat
Breathlessness with light activity, or when lying flat
Unusual tiredness or weakness
Swelling in the legs or ankles
Wheezing or chest tightness
Symptoms that are new, getting worse or limiting daily activities
Chest pain or fainting with these symptoms is a reason to call 911, not to wait for an appointment.
Finding the cause usually takes a careful history, an exam and tests chosen for your situation. Not every patient needs every test.
When the symptoms started, how long they last and what brings them on
Whether you feel lightheaded (as if you might faint) or have a spinning sensation (vertigo), which more often points to an inner-ear cause
Your medications, medical history, lifestyle and family history
A physical exam, including blood pressure and heart and lung sounds
Electrocardiogram (EKG/ECG): an office test that checks your heart’s rhythm and electrical activity at rest. It may look normal if symptoms come and go.
Holter or event monitoring: a wearable recorder that can capture rhythm changes during your daily routine.
Echocardiogram: an ultrasound that shows heart structure, valves and pumping strength.
Stress test: shows how your heart responds to activity. Different types exist, and not all use a radioactive tracer.
Blood work: to check for anemia, thyroid problems or other imbalances.
Oxygen level check: a quick reading that can suggest whether lungs or circulation are involved.
Monitoring and imaging are performed or arranged by our office. Each test answers a different question, and a normal result on one does not rule out every cause.
Lifestyle changes to manage contributing factors such as fluid intake, salt or activity level
Medication changes or new medications for heart rhythm, blood pressure or heart failure; do not stop any medicine without specific instructions from your care team
Hospital-based procedures for blocked arteries or certain rhythm or valve problems, when appropriate, scheduled at an affiliated hospital
Referral to a lung, ear or other specialist when the cause is not heart-related
Advanced Cardiology is accepting new patients with dizziness, shortness of breath and other heart-related symptoms at our Katy and Sugar Land offices. Patients from Fort Bend County and across Greater Houston visit either location.
We accept most major insurance plans, and coverage is verified individually. Call to ask about current availability and to confirm office hours for each location.
📞 Call (713) 258-6111 or request an appointment online.
Your brain and muscles depend on a steady supply of oxygen-rich blood. When the heart cannot pump enough blood, or the blood carries less oxygen than usual, both breathing and balance can be affected at the same time. A few examples:
A very fast or very slow heart rhythm can reduce how much blood the heart pumps with each beat, leading to lightheadedness and breathlessness during an episode.
Heart failure can cause fluid to back up into the lungs, making breathing harder, especially when lying down or with activity.
A narrowed heart valve, such as aortic stenosis, can limit blood flow and cause symptoms during exertion.
Anemia lowers the blood’s ability to carry oxygen, which can cause tiredness, breathlessness and dizziness.
Anxiety or rapid breathing can also cause both symptoms. Because these symptoms overlap with heart problems, it is important not to assume anxiety is the cause without an evaluation.
A heart-related cause is more likely if you have:
High blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol
Known coronary artery disease, a prior heart attack or a heart valve problem
A history of heart failure or an irregular heart rhythm such as AFib
A current or past smoking habit
A family history of early heart disease or sudden cardiac death
Symptoms that start with exertion and ease with rest
Having one of these does not mean your symptoms come from the heart, but it makes a cardiology evaluation more useful.
Dr. Khalid will go over your results with you, explain what they show and what they do not, and recommend next steps. That may mean treatment for a heart condition, adjusting a medication, more testing or referral to another specialist. Follow-up visits help track whether symptoms improve. Results are reviewed with you by our office; please contact us if your symptoms change before your next visit.
Keep a short log of episodes: date, time, what you were doing, how long it lasted and any other symptoms.
If you have a home blood pressure monitor, note readings taken while sitting and after standing, if you can do so safely.
Bring a list of all medications and supplements, prior test results and records from other doctors.
Complete your registration forms through our patient portal.
No. Many cases turn out to have other causes, such as dehydration, anemia, a lung condition, an inner-ear problem or a medication side effect. The goal of a cardiology visit is to check carefully for heart-related causes so that you and your doctors know where to focus next. A video visit may suit some follow-up conversations; ask our office whether it is appropriate for you.
It depends on your other symptoms and history. A cardiology evaluation makes sense when symptoms come with palpitations, chest discomfort, leg swelling, known heart disease or heart risk factors. If heart testing does not explain your symptoms, Dr. Khalid can help coordinate the next step with your primary care doctor or another specialist.
Yes, some can, especially when standing up. Do not stop or change a medicine on your own; bring your list so Dr. Khalid and your care team can review it.
If you feel dizzy, lightheaded or short of breath, do not drive until you have been evaluated and your care team says it is safe. If you have emergency warning signs, call 911 rather than driving yourself.
See our pages on shortness of breath and dizziness and fainting for more detail on each symptom on its own.
Sources: MedlinePlus: Dizziness and Vertigo · MedlinePlus: Breathing Problems · American Heart Association: Warning Signs of a Heart Attack · American Stroke Association: Stroke Symptoms

Adnan Khalid, MD, Cardiologist
Adnan Khalid, MD, specializes in treating coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease, heart failure, hypertension, arrhythmias, and hyperlipidemia. He has over 10 years of experience in the field of cardiovascular medicine.
Dr. Khalid graduated from his medical school among the top 10 out of 250 medical students in his class. He is fellowship trained in cardiovascular diseases, interventional cardiology, advanced heart failure, and transplant cardiology. He is focused on providing personalized and compassionate care. Dr. Khalid believes in spending time with his patients and listening to their needs and is committed to offering excellent care.
Dr. Khalid is an avid reader. He is eager to learn new things; He likes to work out and spend time with his family. When off from work, he likes to travel and spend time in nature along with family and friends. He is married with three children. Dr. Adnan Khalid is now seeing patients at our Katy and Sugar Land clinics—accepting new patients from Houston and surrounding areas.
American Board of Internal Medicine
Interventional Cardiology
Our patients trust us for exceptional care and a welcoming environment.
Here’s what some of them have shared:
“I had a great experience at Advanced Cardiology Katy Clinic. The doctor and staff were extremely friendly, approachable, and genuinely nice. I really appreciated how they took the time to listen to me and made me feel comfortable throughout my visit. Highly recommend!”
“Dr. Adnan Khalid is a wonderful doctor with a great personality. He is very professional, treats his patients with care, and always remains calm and understanding. He treats every patient like a family member, showing kindness and compassion at every step.”
“My experience was great. The staff were friendly and welcoming. Dr. Khalid was equally welcoming and friendly. He was thorough, knowledgeable, and attentive. Clean and organized office areas and patient rooms. I will definitely make this office my primary location.”
Katy & Sugar Land Cardiologist
Advanced Cardiology welcomes new patients at its offices in Katy and Sugar Land. Call our office or send an appointment request, and our staff will follow up.
Most major insurance plans accepted; coverage is verified individually.
For possible heart attack or stroke symptoms, call 911.