Cardiologist Serving Katy, Sugar Land, Greater Houston
Evaluation, stroke-risk assessment and ongoing management of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter.
Atrial fibrillation (AFib) and atrial flutter are common heart rhythm problems in which the upper chambers of the heart beat in a fast, disorganized or abnormal pattern. They can cause palpitations, fatigue or shortness of breath, and they raise the risk of stroke and heart failure. Some people feel nothing at all and learn about it from a routine EKG or a smartwatch alert.
Adnan Khalid, MD, a board-certified cardiologist, evaluates and manages AFib and atrial flutter at our Katy and Sugar Land offices, with a focus on controlling symptoms and lowering stroke risk. If you have ongoing palpitations, see also our palpitations and irregular heartbeat page.
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
In atrial fibrillation, the electrical signals in the upper chambers (atria) are chaotic, so the heartbeat is irregular and often fast. In atrial flutter, the signals travel in a more organized loop, producing a fast but often more regular rhythm. Many people have both at different times.
Both conditions matter for the same main reasons:
AFib may come and go (paroxysmal), last longer (persistent) or be present all the time (permanent). The pattern helps guide treatment.
Adnan Khalid, MD, is a fellowship-trained cardiologist who cares for patients with atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter and other arrhythmias, heart failure, hypertension and high cholesterol. He holds board certifications in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease, Interventional Cardiology, and Advanced Heart Failure & Transplant Cardiology.
He earned his medical degree at Nishtar Medical College and completed his internal medicine residency and cardiology fellowship at the University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Medicine. He speaks English, Arabic, Hindi and Urdu. Known for his patient-centered approach, Dr. Khalid takes the time to explain each diagnosis and treatment option so patients can make informed decisions about their care.
Outside the clinic, he enjoys reading, traveling, fitness, and spending time with his wife and three children.
“I treat every patient like family, ensuring they feel supported, informed, and empowered throughout their heart care journey.” – Dr. Khalid
Advanced Cardiology evaluates and manages a broad range of heart and blood vessel conditions at our Katy and Sugar Land offices, following current evidence-based guidelines.
AFib and atrial flutter often develop alongside other conditions that strain or change the heart. Common contributors include:
Treating these conditions is part of AFib care and can reduce how often episodes occur.
Call 911 if an irregular or fast heartbeat comes with:
For new palpitations without these warning signs, or a smartwatch alert while you feel well, contact your clinician for advice and schedule an evaluation. Office messages are not monitored for emergencies.
Because AFib can come and go, the right test depends on how often your symptoms occur. Your evaluation may include:
A smartwatch tracing can be a useful clue, but the diagnosis is confirmed with a medical-grade recording.
Treatment usually focuses on three goals: lowering stroke risk, controlling heart rate or rhythm, and treating the conditions that contribute to AFib.
Dr. Khalid estimates your stroke risk using factors such as age, blood pressure, diabetes, heart failure and prior stroke. For many people, a blood thinner (anticoagulant) is recommended; the choice balances stroke risk against bleeding risk. Never stop or skip a blood thinner on your own, including before a procedure – follow the specific instructions from your care team.
Medicines can slow the heart rate or help keep a normal rhythm. Some patients benefit from cardioversion, a hospital-based procedure that resets the rhythm, sometimes after a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE). Catheter ablation is a hospital-based procedure, often performed by a heart-rhythm specialist; when it may help, Dr. Khalid will discuss it and coordinate referral. A pacemaker may be needed in selected cases.
Controlling blood pressure, treating sleep apnea, losing excess weight, limiting alcohol and staying active can reduce AFib episodes.
Hospital-based procedures are scheduled at an affiliated hospital, and our office will explain where.
Many people with AFib lead full, active lives. Helpful steps include taking medicines exactly as prescribed, checking your pulse or blood pressure if asked, keeping a symptom diary, and bringing any smartwatch readings to your visits. Tell every clinician and dentist that you take a blood thinner. If you have had a stroke, our post-stroke cardiac care page explains how heart rhythm is evaluated afterward.
Some people notice episodes after heavy alcohol use, poor sleep, illness, dehydration, high stress or large amounts of caffeine or stimulants, including some cold medicines. Keeping a simple diary of when episodes start can help identify patterns. Ask before taking new over-the-counter medicines or supplements, because some interact with blood thinners or rhythm medicines.
Regular follow-up is important even when you feel well, since AFib can change over time and treatment may need adjusting. Ask our office whether a video visit is appropriate for some follow-ups; rules depend on where you are located during the visit.
Bring your medication list, any EKG strips, monitor reports, smartwatch recordings and hospital records. Dr. Khalid will review your symptoms and risk factors, examine you, and may perform an office EKG to see your current rhythm.
He will then explain whether further monitoring or imaging is needed, discuss your stroke risk and treatment options, and agree on a plan with you. AFib care is ongoing, so follow-up visits are used to check how well treatment is working and adjust it over time, including rechecking your stroke risk as your health changes.
Patient Comments
# Cooperative & professional staff. Dr. Khalid is highly competent & experienced. Very kind & friendly too.
# He’s A Very Caring & Concerned Doctor. He Asks Important Questions, He Allows Me To Ask Questions & Fully Answers To My Satisfaction. He Diagnosis & Does Whatever It Takes To Fix My Health Issues. He’s A Wonderful Doctor…& Most Of All, I Trust Him & His Staff.
Please complete your registration forms before your visit, or print them and bring them to your appointment at our Katy or Sugar Land office. If your insurance requires authorization, please have that information sent to our office or bring it with you, along with any medical records you may have. Please also bring your insurance cards, photo ID and medication list.
Thank you, and we look forward to meeting you! Contact us with any questions.
Note: Office messages and appointment requests are not for emergencies. Call 911 for chest discomfort lasting more than a few minutes or that comes and goes, sudden shortness of breath, or stroke signs such as face drooping, arm weakness or speech difficulty – even if the symptoms go away.
Most major insurance plans accepted; coverage is verified individually
(713) 258-6111
Q1: What is the difference between atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter?
AFib is an irregular and often rapid rhythm caused by chaotic electrical signals in the atria. Atrial flutter is a more organized but still abnormally fast rhythm. Both can raise the risk of stroke and heart complications.
Q2: Do I need a blood thinner?
It depends on your individual stroke and bleeding risk. Many people with AFib or flutter benefit from an anticoagulant; others do not need one. Dr. Khalid will review your risk with you, and you should not start or stop a blood thinner without your care team’s instructions.
Q3: What treatment options are available?
Options include medicines to control heart rate or rhythm, stroke-prevention therapy, treatment of contributing conditions, and hospital-based procedures such as cardioversion or catheter ablation for selected patients.
Q4: Does Advanced Cardiology accept insurance?
Yes. Most major insurance plans are accepted, and coverage is verified individually.
Q5: Where are your offices located and how can I schedule an appointment?
We have two locations:
Call (713) 258-6111 or use our online appointment request form. Please call to confirm office hours for each location.
Sources: NHLBI – Atrial Fibrillation · MedlinePlus – Atrial Fibrillation · American Stroke Association – Stroke Symptoms · AHA – Warning Signs of a Heart Attack
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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.
