Heart Disease

Heart disease includes a range of conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels, such as coronary artery disease, arrhythmias, and valve problems. At AZ Cardiology in Peoria, Prescott, Cottonwood, Flagstaff, and Prescott Valley, Kishlay Anand, MD, MS, FHRS, and Tanvi Sachar, MS, PhD, Chief of Staff, specialize in comprehensive heart disease care. The practice uses state-of-the-art diagnostics and treatments from stress testing to pacemakers and heart ablation to manage heart disease effectively. Contact AZ Cardiology today by phone or online for compassionate heart disease care.

What is heart disease?

Heart disease is a term that describes many problems affecting the heart and blood vessels. It can include conditions like coronary artery disease, heart rhythm issues, heart valve problems, or heart muscle diseases.

Dr. Anand and his colleagues at AZ Cardiology understand that heart disease can be frightening, but they help you understand your condition and ensure you receive the best care possible.

What causes heart disease?

Heart disease often starts with damage to the heart or its blood vessels. Common causes include:

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• A family history of heart problems

Over time, these factors can contribute to the development of coronary artery disease, where fatty deposits (plaque) narrow the arteries and reduce blood flow to the heart. Other causes include heart infections, congenital heart defects (heart problems present at birth), and heart muscle diseases.

What are the symptoms of heart disease?

Heart disease symptoms vary depending on the type of problem you have. Some signs to watch for include:

• Chest pain or discomfort (angina)
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Irregular heartbeats (palpitations)
• Swelling in your legs or feet
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Fainting (syncope)
• Difficulty exercising

If you notice these symptoms, you should contact the AZ Cardiology heart specialists.

How is heart disease diagnosed?

AZ Cardiology providers use advanced tools to find out what’s causing your heart symptoms.

Stress testing helps them see how your heart works when it’s working harder, like during exercise. Heart monitors record your heart rhythm over days or weeks to catch irregular heartbeats.

If Dr. Anand suspects heart rhythm issues, he may recommend an electrophysiology study of the heart (EPS) to examine your heart’s electrical system.

How is heart disease treated?

Treatment depends on the specific heart problem you have. Lifestyle changes, such as eating a heart-healthy diet, exercising regularly, and quitting smoking, help lower your risk. Medications can control blood pressure, cholesterol, and abnormal heart rhythms.

For more serious issues, devices like pacemakers or implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) help keep your heartbeat regular. Cardiac resynchronization therapy with a defibrillator (CRT-D) improves heart function in certain patients with heart failure.

Heart ablation treats abnormal heart rhythms by removing small areas of the heart that are causing electrical problems.

The AZ Cardiology experts guide you through every step. To arrange a heart disease evaluation, contact your nearest office today or complete the online booking form.