Cardiologist Serving Katy, Sugar Land, Greater Houston
Cardiologist Serving Katy, Sugar Land, Greater Houston
Adnan Khalid, MD, evaluates and treats adults with heart and blood vessel conditions at our Katy and Sugar Land offices. Below is an overview of common conditions, the symptoms that bring people in, and how an evaluation usually begins.
Chest pain or discomfort should never be ignored. It can feel like pressure, squeezing, tightness, burning or aching, and it may spread to the arms, back, neck or jaw. Heart-related causes include angina (reduced blood flow to the heart muscle) and heart attack, but chest pain can also come from acid reflux, muscle strain, lung problems or anxiety. Because the cause cannot be judged reliably by how severe the pain feels, the right next step depends on the whole picture.
Call 911 now for chest discomfort that lasts more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back, especially with shortness of breath, a cold sweat, nausea, lightheadedness, or discomfort in the arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach. Do not drive yourself, and do not wait for an office appointment.
For chest discomfort that has already been checked for an emergency, or that happens predictably with exertion and settles with rest, schedule an outpatient visit. Dr. Khalid reviews your history and may recommend an EKG, stress testing or other tests. Learn more about chest pain evaluation.
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
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a long-term condition in which the force of blood against the artery walls stays too high. It often causes no symptoms, which is why regular measurement matters. Over time it is a major risk factor for heart attack, stroke, heart failure and kidney disease.
Contributing factors include family history, age, excess salt, physical inactivity, excess weight, alcohol, sleep apnea and some medicines. Treatment usually combines lifestyle changes with medicines when needed. Dr. Khalid can review home blood pressure readings, look for causes that may need specific treatment, and adjust medicines over time. Very high readings with symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness, vision changes or trouble speaking need emergency care, so call 911. See high blood pressure treatment.
Hyperlipidemia means higher-than-healthy levels of fats (lipids) in the blood, such as LDL (“bad”) cholesterol or triglycerides. It usually causes no symptoms but raises the risk of plaque buildup in the arteries, heart attack and stroke. Some people inherit very high cholesterol or a raised lipoprotein(a), a genetic risk factor that current guidelines suggest measuring at least once in adulthood.
Treatment is based on your overall cardiovascular risk, not on a single number. Lifestyle changes, including a heart-healthy diet, regular activity and weight management, are the foundation. Many people also benefit from cholesterol-lowering medicine, and some may be offered a coronary calcium scan to help guide decisions. Follow-up blood tests show how well treatment is working. Read more about cholesterol treatment.
Heart enlargement (cardiomegaly) means the heart is larger than normal, either because the walls have thickened or because a chamber has stretched. It is a finding rather than a disease in itself, and it is often first noticed on a chest X-ray or echocardiogram. Causes include long-standing high blood pressure, heart valve problems, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy (heart muscle disease) and some other medical conditions.
An enlarged heart may pump less effectively, leading to fatigue, shortness of breath and fluid buildup, though some people have no symptoms. An echocardiogram is usually the key test because it shows chamber size, wall thickness, pumping function and valves. Treatment aims at the underlying cause and may include medicines, blood pressure control, and in some cases procedures or surgery. See heart enlargement treatment.
Heart failure means the heart cannot pump or fill well enough to meet the body’s needs. It does not mean the heart has stopped. Common causes include coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, valve disease and damage to the heart muscle. Symptoms may include fatigue, shortness of breath with activity or when lying flat, swelling of the legs or abdomen, and rapid weight gain from fluid.
Treatment focuses on easing symptoms, protecting heart function and treating the cause. It usually includes several medicines, guidance on salt and fluid, daily weight checks, and regular follow-up. Some people benefit from devices or procedures. For advanced heart failure, Dr. Khalid coordinates care and arranges referral to a transplant center when appropriate. Call 911 for severe shortness of breath, chest pain or fainting. Learn more about heart failure treatment.
Atrial fibrillation (AFib) and atrial flutter are abnormal heart rhythms that start in the upper chambers of the heart (the atria). In AFib the heartbeat is irregular and often fast; in atrial flutter it is usually fast but more regular. Both raise the risk of blood clots and stroke. Symptoms can include palpitations, shortness of breath, tiredness and dizziness, although some people notice nothing and are diagnosed on an EKG or monitor.
Treatment is individualized. It may include medicines to control the heart rate or rhythm, blood thinners for people whose stroke risk warrants them, and procedures such as cardioversion or catheter ablation, which take place in a hospital. Managing blood pressure, sleep apnea, alcohol and weight also matters. Do not stop a blood thinner unless your care team tells you to. Call 911 for chest pain, fainting or stroke signs. See AFib and atrial flutter care.
Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted veins, most often in the legs. They develop when one-way valves inside the veins weaken, allowing blood to pool and the veins to bulge. Some people mainly have cosmetic concerns, while others have aching, heaviness, swelling, itching or skin changes around the ankles. Risk factors include family history, pregnancy, older age and long periods of standing.
An evaluation often includes a venous ultrasound to check how the veins are working. Treatment options include leg elevation, exercise, compression stockings and, when appropriate, procedures such as sclerotherapy or endovenous ablation. A leg that is suddenly swollen, painful, warm or red should be checked promptly because it can signal a blood clot, and sudden shortness of breath or chest pain needs a 911 call.
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is narrowing or blockage of the arteries that carry blood to the legs and feet, usually caused by atherosclerosis (plaque buildup). Typical symptoms are leg pain, cramping or tiredness with walking that eases with rest, along with cold feet or slow-healing sores. Many people have mild or no symptoms. Smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol raise the risk, and people with PAD often have plaque in the heart arteries too.
Diagnosis often starts with an ankle-brachial index (comparing blood pressure in the ankles and arms) and ultrasound. Treatment includes stopping smoking, a structured walking program, medicines to lower cardiovascular risk and, in some cases, angioplasty, stenting or bypass surgery performed in a hospital. A suddenly cold, pale, painful or numb leg is an emergency, so call 911. See PAD treatment.
After a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), the heart is often part of the story. Some strokes are caused by a blood clot that forms in the heart, for example with atrial fibrillation, and stroke survivors share many risk factors with heart disease, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Post-stroke cardiac care looks for heart-related causes and works to lower the risk of another event. It may include an echocardiogram, longer heart rhythm monitoring to look for hidden AFib, careful blood pressure and cholesterol management, and review of blood thinners or other medicines in coordination with your neurologist and primary care doctor. Cardiac rehabilitation or a supervised exercise plan may help some people. Call 911 right away for new stroke signs (face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty), even if they go away. Learn more about post-stroke cardiac care.
Office messages and online appointment requests are not monitored for emergencies.
Beyond the conditions above, people often come in for palpitations, a fast or slow heart rate, dizziness or fainting, shortness of breath, leg and ankle swelling, a heart murmur, an abnormal EKG or stress test, a low ejection fraction, heart risk related to diabetes or family history, and a heart evaluation before a planned surgery or procedure. Many of these concerns have their own detailed pages on our site.
Dr. Khalid reviews your symptoms, medical and family history, medicines and earlier test results, and performs a physical examination. An EKG may be done in the office. Based on what he finds, he may recommend further tests, adjust medicines or suggest lifestyle steps, and he explains the reasons for each recommendation. Procedures that require a hospital are scheduled at an affiliated hospital. Please bring a list of your medicines, your insurance card and any recent records.
Tests are chosen to answer a specific question, and each has limits. An EKG shows rhythm and some signs of heart strain but only for a few seconds. An echocardiogram shows heart muscle and valve function but not the coronary arteries. Stress tests show how the heart responds to exertion, and wearable monitors record rhythm over days or weeks. Blood tests measure cholesterol, blood sugar and other markers. Invasive tests such as cardiac catheterization are reserved for specific situations and take place in a hospital. Dr. Khalid explains why a test is suggested and what it can and cannot tell you.
Most heart conditions are managed over time rather than cured in a single visit. Follow-up visits allow Dr. Khalid to review symptoms, test results and medicines, and to adjust the plan as your health changes. He communicates with your primary care doctor and other specialists when needed. Between visits, keep a current medicine list, follow your care team’s specific instructions, and call the office with non-urgent questions.
Sources: American Heart Association: Warning Signs of a Heart Attack; American Stroke Association: Stroke Symptoms; MedlinePlus: Heart Diseases; ACC: 2026 ACC/AHA Dyslipidemia Guideline.
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.
