Mission Heart & Vascular

Board Certified Interventional Cardiologists & Peripheral Vascular Disease located in Mission, TX

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Specializing in Elective, Emergent, and Non-Emergent Surgical Procedures

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Mission Heart & Vascular provides evaluation, treatment and education on a full range of conditions.

Why

Mission Heart & Vascular

Mission Heart & Vascular in Mission, Texas, is a specialized practice where patients can benefit from exceptional care for a comprehensive range of cardiovascular disorders. Board-certified interventional cardiologists Gabriel Todd Faz, MD, FACC, FSCAI, and Kiran Mangalpally, MD, lead a team of professionals who devote themselves to relieving the burden of heart disease, improving the quality of life for people living with heart conditions, and helping patients avoid heart problems wherever possible using preventive cardiology and cholesterol management.

The practice is conveniently located adjacent to Mission Regional Medical Center and Expressway 83 to serve the surrounding Mission, McAllen, Alton, Palmview, La Joya, Penitas, Sullivan City, Rio Grande City, San Ysidro, and Roma communities. Mission Heart & Vascular has state-of-the-art cardiac catheterization facilities and radiology technology onsite, in addition to offering a range of cutting-edge diagnostics like EKG, echocardiogram, and stress tests.

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Mission Heart & Vascular

910 S Bryan RD, STE 103
Mission, TX 78572

Office Hours:

Monday – Friday : 8:00am – 5:00pm
Saturday – Sunday : Closed

Your Health Is Our Top Priority

At Mission Heart & Vascular, we care about your heart health and are committed to providing you with top-notch cardiovascular care. Our team of experienced cardiologists is here to guide you on your journey to better heart health. Take the first step and secure your appointment with us today!

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Mission Heart & Vascular | 2023

Stress Test

A stress test can help diagnose heart problems that aren’t showing up on a standard EKG. If you need a diagnosis for heart-related symptoms, board-certified interventional cardiologists Gabriel Todd Faz, MD, FACC, FSCAI, and Kiran Mangalpally, MD, at Mission Heart & Vascular in Mission, Texas, provide fast, patient-friendly stress tests. Call the office for more details or use the online form to book your appointment today.

Stress Test Q & A

What is a stress test?

A stress test is a procedure that involves putting your heart under stress by exercising. Exercising makes your heart work harder to get the blood pumping around your body and oxygen to your muscles.

You might need to undergo a stress test if your EKG test results are normal and you have symptoms like chest pain, a rapid heartbeat, or shortness of breath. A stress test can help diagnose conditions such as:

Arrhythmia
Heart valve problems
Congestive heart failure
Coronary artery disease

Stress testing is also a useful way for Mission Heart & Vascular to assess how well your treatment works if you already have a diagnosed heart condition. An exercise stress test is the most common testing method.

What does a stress test involve?

To prepare for your exercise stress test, your provider attaches electrodes onto your chest and other areas like your arms and legs. The electrodes aren’t painful; they stick onto your skin and send information back to the EKG machine about the electrical activity in your heart.

Your provider at Mission Heart & Vascular also monitors your blood pressure and supervises the test so they can intervene if there are any problems.

To perform a stress test, you use exercise equipment like a treadmill. You’ll walk at first, and gradually go faster and work harder. Unless you have an issue like chest pain or dizziness, you continue until you reach the heart rate target your provider has set.

An exercise stress test isn’t suitable for everyone. In these cases, you can have an injection of medication that simulates the effects of a stress test instead.

Are there any other types of stress test that I might need?

There are two other types of stress test you might need:

Stress echocardiogram

A stress echocardiogram is similar to a standard stress test but uses an echocardiogram to create ultrasound images of your heart when it’s under stress.

Nuclear stress test

A nuclear stress test involves your provider injecting a radioactive dye into your bloodstream that shows up on diagnostic imaging. Your provider takes a set of images before and after your stress test, then compares the two to see if there are any areas where blood flow is poor.

If you want to know more about stress testing or have any concerns about heart-related symptoms, call Mission Heart & Vascular or book an appointment online today.

Arrhythmia Specialist

Feeling your heart racing or beating erratically can be a frightening experience, but with the right diagnosis and treatment, you can successfully overcome arrhythmia. If you have an irregular heartbeat, board-certified interventional cardiologists Gabriel Todd Faz, MD, FACC, FSCAI, and Kiran Mangalpally, MD, at Mission Heart & Vascular in Mission, Texas, can help. They provide expert diagnosis and treatment for the causes of arrhythmia. Call the office or use the online form to book an appointment today.

Arrhythmia Q & A

What is arrhythmia?

Arrhythmia is a term used for abnormalities in your heart rate and rhythm. If you have arrhythmia, your heart might beat too fast or too slow, or develop an irregular rhythm.

Your heart's rhythm depends on electrical impulses sent by your body's natural pacemaker — the sinus node. Your heart rate corresponds to the number of impulses the sinus node sends out every minute.

Each electrical signal travels from the top of your heart to the bottom, causing contractions in the muscle that pumps blood through your heart and then around your body. This creates the regular rhythm of a healthy heart.

Disruptions to the electrical impulses and abnormalities that result in arrhythmia can develop for various reasons, including congenital heart conditions, coronary artery disease, and hypertension.

What other symptoms can arrhythmia cause?

Arrhythmia doesn't always cause additional symptoms, but you might experience:

Heart palpitations
Dizziness
Fainting
Chest pain or pressure
Shortness of breath
Lack of energy

Different types of arrhythmia might cause varying symptoms. At Mission Heart & Vascular, you can benefit from access to cutting-edge diagnostics, including EKG and echocardiogram technology, to determine the cause of your arrhythmia.

How is arrhythmia treated?

The treatment you require for your arrhythmia depends on the reason for your irregular heartbeat. Some of the treatments that could be in the personalized treatment plan Mission Heart & Vascular prepares for you include:

Treating underlying health problems

Conditions like hypertension and diabetes can affect your heart, so it’s vital to properly manage them. You might also benefit from losing weight to reduce the strain on your heart.

Medications

Medications called antiarrhythmics change the electrical current in your heart to restore a more regular rhythm. You might also need calcium channel blockers to slow your heart rate, beta blockers to stop adrenaline from causing tachycardia (fast heart rate), or anticoagulants if your arrhythmia increases your risk of blood clots.

Implantable devices

Implantable devices help regulate your heartbeat. Options include pacemakers, defibrillators, and cardiac resynchronization pacemakers.

Catheter ablation

A catheter is a slim tube that fits inside an artery. Using a catheter, your provider at Mission Heart & Vascular can apply heat to the area of heart muscle affected by the arrhythmia. The heat destroys the abnormal tissues, putting a stop to your arrhythmia.

It's also important to regularly undergo screening for other heart problems and make sure you receive treatment for underlying heart conditions.

If you’ve been experiencing arrhythmia, call Mission Heart & Vascular to schedule a consultation or book online today.

Heart Attack Specialist

Although heart attacks can be fatal, with prompt and expert treatment, many patients recover well from their experience. If you’re worried about heart attack symptoms or your risk of having a heart attack is high, board-certified interventional cardiologists Gabriel Todd Faz, MD, FACC, FSCAI, and Kiran Mangalpally, MD, at Mission Heart & Vascular in Mission, Texas, can help. They deliver expert treatment for urgent cases, aftercare for heart attack patients, and preventive cardiology services. Call the office for more details or use the online form to book your consultation today.

Heart Attack Q & A

What is a heart attack?

A heart attack is a potentially life-threatening medical emergency that happens when there’s insufficient blood flow through your heart. Your heart muscle needs the oxygen in your blood to pump efficiently, and if the supply is too low the muscle starts to die.

Heart attacks come in two forms:

STEMI

STEMI stands for ST-elevation myocardial infarction, a heart attack that occurs because something completely blocks your coronary artery.

NSTEMI

NSTEMI stands for non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction, a heart attack caused by a partial blockage of your coronary artery.

Anything that blocks the supply of blood to your heart could trigger a heart attack, but coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the leading causes. CAD is a consequence of plaque build-up, or atherosclerosis, in the arteries serving your heart.

CAD is often due to preventable causes such as smoking, obesity, high cholesterol, and not getting enough exercise.

What are the symptoms of a heart attack?

The most well-known symptom of a heart attack is chest pain, which is likely to be severe and can radiate into your arms, neck, back, jaw, or stomach. A feeling of crushing pressure or tightness often accompanies this pain.

Other symptoms you might experience include:

Shortness of breath
Dizziness
Cold sweat
Extreme fatigue
Indigestion
Nausea
Palpitations
Numb hands

Women don’t necessarily experience the same heart attack indicators as men. For instance, a woman might not get the crushing feeling in their chest but have symptoms in their lower chest or upper abdomen.

What heart attack treatments are available?

There are three primary heart attack treatments available:

Medication

Medications can be invaluable for treating your heart attack. They perform a variety of functions, including dissolving blood clots, widening your blood vessels, and helping to regulate the rhythm of your heart.

Cardiac catheterization

Advanced techniques such as angioplasty and atherectomy can help widen your arteries and increase blood flow to your heart without the need for surgery. These methods use cardiac catheterization techniques, which involve passing a slender tube called a catheter up one of your arteries and into your heart, rather than making incisions in your chest.

Surgery

If your heart problem doesn’t respond to medications or treatments such as angioplasty aren’t suitable for addressing the cause of your heart attack, you might need to consider surgery. This could involve having a pacemaker device fitted to regulate your heart or undergoing heart bypass surgery to replace the blocked artery.

If you’re concerned about your heart health, call Mission Heart & Vascular or book an appointment online today.

High Blood Pressure Specialist

Nearly half of adults in the United States have hypertension, or high blood pressure, which increases their risk of having a stroke or heart attack. At Mission Heart & Vascular, Gabriel Todd Faz, MD, FACC, FSCAI, and Kiran Mangalpally, MD, offer various high blood pressure treatments using lifestyle changes and medications when necessary. To schedule an appointment, call the office in Mission, Texas, or use the online scheduler today.

High Blood Pressure Q & A

What is high blood pressure?

High blood pressure, or hypertension, occurs when the force of blood against blood vessels is consistently too high. When this happens, your heart works harder than it’s supposed to, and heart disease can develop.

Fortunately, high blood pressure is highly treatable, and early detection greatly reduces your risk of a heart attack or stroke.

What are the risk factors for high blood pressure?

Various factors increase your risk of developing high blood pressure. Examples include:

Chronic stress
Family history of hypertension
Being sedentary
Older age
Being African American
Overweight and obesity
Using tobacco products
Too much sodium in your diet
Excessive alcohol consumption
Too little dietary potassium

Having certain health conditions, such as diabetes or kidney disease, also increases your risk of developing high blood pressure.

What are the symptoms of high blood pressure?

Chances are you won’t experience symptoms if you have hypertension. That’s why regular blood pressure screenings at Mission Heart & Vascular are so important.

If you do experience symptoms, your blood pressure might be dangerously high, and you might notice nosebleeds, shortness of breath, or headaches.

How is high blood pressure treated?

At Mission Heart & Vascular, the team focuses on lowering your blood pressure in addition to prescribing medications. Your treatment plan might include:

Lifestyle modifications

Altering lifestyle habits helps lower blood pressure naturally, which is often more desirable than taking blood pressure medications. The team may suggest you eat less sodium, consume more potassium-rich foods, and reduce alcohol.

They help you lose weight if you’re overweight, work with you to create a regular exercise program, and recommend ways to manage stress in your life – such as meditation, yoga, massage, and deep breathing techniques.

Medications

The team at Mission Heart & Vascular prescribes medications to lower blood pressure and treat additional health conditions, such as high cholesterol or diabetes, as needed. They work with you to find medications that best match your individualized needs.

Mission Heart & Vascular monitor your blood pressure regularly and adjusts medications when necessary to ensure it stays within a normal range.

Don’t let high blood pressure cause heart problems when simple solutions are within reach at Mission Heart & Vascular. Call for an appointment today or use the online scheduler.

Cardiology Consultation Specialist

If you have a family history of heart disease or you’re experiencing any symptoms of heart problems, you should attend a cardiology consultation. At Mission Heart & Vascular, board-certified interventional cardiologists Gabriel Todd Faz, MD, FACC, FSCAI, and Kiran Mangalpally, MD, provide comprehensive heart health services like in-depth cardiology consultations. Call the office in Mission, Texas, or use the online form to book your cardiology consultation today.

Cardiology Consultation Q & A

What is a cardiology consultation?

A cardiology consultation is a meeting between you and your cardiologist at Mission Heart & Vascular to address any health problems relating to your cardiovascular system.

Your cardiovascular system consists of your heart, arteries, and veins that carry blood around your body. There’s a vast number of potential problems that can affect your cardiovascular system, and some have very serious, potentially life-threatening consequences.

If your primary care provider believes you need to see a cardiology specialist, they can refer you for a cardiology consultation at Mission Heart & Vascular. You can always inquire yourself if you have symptoms of a cardiovascular disorder.

What symptoms might require a cardiology consultation?

Some of the symptoms of cardiovascular problems that might require a cardiology consultation include:

Chest pain or angina
Shortness of breath
Heart palpitations
Dizzy spells or fainting
Arrhythmia

You might also need to attend a cardiology consultation if there’s a history of heart disease in your family or you have other risk factors for heart disease. Diagnostic tests available at Mission Heart & Vascular include EKG, stress testing, echocardiogram, and Holter and event monitoring.

If you have a heart condition or recently suffered a heart attack, you need to attend regular cardiology consultations at Mission Heart & Vascular to monitor your progress.

What conditions are diagnosed and treated during a cardiology consultation?

Mission Heart & Vascular has experienced, highly qualified cardiologists who can diagnose and treat a wide variety of heart conditions. Some of the heart problems that are most likely to come up during a cardiology consultation include:

Congestive heart failure
Coronary artery disease
Atrial fibrillation (AFib)
Heart attack
Stroke
Arrhythmia
Aneurysms
Carotid artery disease
Valve disorders
Peripheral artery disease

Preventive cardiology is also a vital part of the care offered at Mission Heart & Vascular. Many chronic health conditions increase your risk of developing heart disease, including hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes.

Managing these conditions and undergoing regular heart health screenings ensures that your provider can quickly take care of any problems that arise before they develop into a more serious issue.

What treatments might I need following a cardiology consultation?

If you need treatment following your cardiology consultation, Mission Heart & Vascular offers an extensive range of minimally invasive procedures that use advanced techniques like cardiac catheterization.

To find out more or arrange your cardiology consultation, call Mission Heart & Vascular or book an appointment online today.

Cardiomyopathy Specialist

Cardiomyopathy comes in several forms, all of which reduce your heart’s ability to pump blood. If you have any cardiomyopathy symptoms, board-certified interventional cardiologists Gabriel Todd Faz, MD, FACC, FSCAI, and Kiran Mangalpally, MD, at Mission Heart & Vascular can provide the treatment you need to prevent serious complications. They deliver effective management solutions for cardiomyopathy, including medication, minimally invasive cardiac catheterization, and device implantation. Call the office in Mission, Texas, or use the online form to book an appointment today.

Cardiomyopathy Q & A

What is cardiomyopathy?

Cardiomyopathy is a disease that affects your heart muscle, making it harder for your heart to pump blood around your body.

There are several different types of cardiomyopathy, including dilated, hypertrophic, and restrictive. Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia is another rare form of cardiomyopathy.

These conditions cause problems like abnormal thickening of your heart muscle, scar tissue development, and loss of elasticity in your heart muscle.

What symptoms does cardiomyopathy cause?

In its earlier stages, cardiomyopathy often causes few, if any, symptoms. As the condition worsens, you’re likely to experience problems such as:

Shortness of breath
Swollen legs, ankles, and feet
Abdominal bloating due to fluid buildup
Coughing when lying down
Fatigue
Rapid, pounding, or fluttering heartbeats
Discomfort or pressure in your chest
Dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting

Cardiomyopathy can also lead to serious complications. These include heart failure, the formation of blood clots that can cause heart attack and stroke, heart enlargement that affects the valves, and cardiac arrest.

What causes cardiomyopathy?

You might have cardiomyopathy because you’ve inherited it from one of your parents, or it could be a complication of a separate condition. Potential causes of cardiomyopathy include:

Long-term high blood pressure
Heart tissue damage due to a heart attack
Chronic tachycardia
Heart valve problems
Metabolic conditions like obesity, thyroid disease, and diabetes
Thiamin deficiency

Excessive alcohol consumption and the use of certain illegal substances like cocaine can also lead to cardiomyopathy.

How is cardiomyopathy treated?

The aim of your treatment program at Mission Heart & Vascular is to reduce the symptoms cardiomyopathy causes, stop your condition from worsening, and manage your risk of complications.

The exact treatment you receive depends on the type of cardiomyopathy you have and could include:

Medications

Medications can help your heart pump more effectively. They can also lower your blood pressure and slow your heart rate, increase blood flow, remove fluid buildup, and stop blood clots from forming.

Surgically implanted devices

There are several devices Mission Heart & Vascular can use to address cardiomyopathy, including implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs), ventricular assist devices (VADs), and pacemakers.

Cardiac catheterization procedures

Cardiac catheterization involves feeding a slim tube called a catheter along an artery into your heart. Using this method, your provider can inject alcohol or use radiofrequency ablation to treat abnormal heart tissues.

Only when these methods are unsuitable or unsuccessful would you need open heart surgery for cardiomyopathy.

If you have symptoms of cardiomyopathy, call Mission Heart & Vascular or book an appointment online today.

Chest Pain Specialist

Chest pain is a common symptom of a wide range of cardiovascular conditions. If you experience chest pain, schedule a visit with board-certified interventional cardiologists Gabriel Todd Faz, MD, FACC, FSCAI, and Kiran Mangalpally, MD, at Mission Heart & Vascular. Located in Mission, Texas, the practice offers in-office diagnostics and a number of treatments to help improve and maintain your heart health. To speak with a cardiologist about your chest pain, call the office or book an appointment online today.

Chest Pain Q & A

What conditions cause chest pain?

Chest pain comes in many forms, with many different causes. While some chest pain can feel like a dull ache, other types can feel like crushing or burning pain. The nature of your chest pain depends on the underlying cause. Potential causes of chest pain include:

Heartburn
Sore muscles
Collapsed lung
Pulmonary hypertension
Angina
Aortic dissection
Pericarditis
Heart attack

Having pain in your chest is an alarming experience, but it doesn’t always mean a heart attack. Chest pain can be caused by a number of issues, including digestive and muscle-related problems. Problems with your lungs can also cause chest pain.

If your chest pain is caused by a problem with your heart, you may notice additional symptoms like shortness of breath, dizziness, cold sweats, or nausea.

Many people find it difficult to distinguish between the different types of chest pain. If you experience unexplained or concerning chest pain, it’s important to speak with Mission Heart & Vascular about your symptoms.

How is chest pain diagnosed?

Mission Heart & Vascular offers a number of in-office diagnostics to accurately determine the underlying cause of your chest pain.

If you suffer from chest pain, your cardiologist may begin your diagnosis with an EKG to rule out a heart attack. If your symptoms aren’t caused by a heart attack, they may conduct a number of additional tests like:

Echocardiogram
Blood test
X-ray
Stress test
Cardiac catheterization

Treatment of your chest pain is determined by the underlying cause. After your diagnosis, Mission Heart & Vascular works with you to develop the most effective treatment plan.

How is chest pain treated?

Treatment for your chest pain may include:

Lifestyle changes
Artery relaxers
Aspirin
Blood thinners
Acid-suppressing medications

Mission Heart & Vascular specializes in comprehensive cardiovascular care and may combine a number of treatments to effectively address your chest pain. The team also offers preventive services to help you improve and maintain your heart health.

If your condition is severe, you may need surgery to repair or unblock the arteries feeding your heart.

To find out which treatment is right for your chest pain, book an appointment at Mission Heart & Vascular by phone or online today.

Peripheral Artery Disease Specialist

If you experience symptoms like numbness or coldness in your legs and feet, you may be suffering from peripheral artery disease. At Mission Heart & Vascular in Mission, Texas, board-certified interventional cardiologists Gabriel Todd Faz, MD, FACC, FSCAI, and Kiran Mangalpally, MD, can help prevent and treat peripheral artery disease. To speak with a doctor about your vascular health, call or book an appointment online today.

Peripheral Artery Disease Q & A

What is peripheral artery disease?

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a condition that occurs when your arteries narrow and restrict blood flow to your limbs, typically the legs and feet. PAD commonly occurs as a result of plaque buildup in your arteries, known as atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis can restrict blood flow to your brain and heart, as well as your legs and feet. When atherosclerosis affects the arteries supplying blood to your heart, it’s called coronary artery disease.

Far less common, peripheral artery disease can also be caused by injury to your limbs, inflammation of your blood vessels, or exposure to radiation.

Without proper treatment, PAD can increase your risk of a heart attack or stroke. PAD can also lead to critical limb ischemia, which can prevent your body from healing itself and leave you at risk of serious infections and gangrene.

What are the symptoms of peripheral artery disease?

Symptoms of peripheral artery disease include:

Leg pain or numbness
Cramping in your legs or hips
Coldness in your leg or foot
Slowed toenail growth
Weak pulse in your legs or feet
Sores that won’t heal
Hair loss on your legs or feet

PAD prevents your legs from getting enough blood flow to function properly. Some people with PAD experience little to no symptoms at all.

If you’re at risk for or experience symptoms of PAD, Mission Heart & Vascular can determine the best way to relieve your symptoms and improve your cardiovascular health.

Who gets peripheral artery disease?

Certain factors can increase your risk of developing peripheral artery disease. These include:

Smoking
Obesity
Diabetes
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Age
Family history

Issues like smoking and diabetes can reduce blood flow throughout your body, which can lead to peripheral artery disease.

Your risk of developing PAD increases after age 50. Having high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or a family history of heart disease can also increase your risk of PAD.

How is peripheral artery disease treated?

Before recommending treatment, Mission Heart & Vascular performs a thorough examination that includes a physical and review of your medical history. Depending on your condition, your cardiologist may conduct a number of additional tests like:

Ankle-brachial index (ABI)
Blood test
Ultrasound
Angiography

After your diagnosis, Mission Heart & Vascular works with you to develop the most effective treatment plan. In most cases, your doctor uses a combination of medication and lifestyle changes to relieve your symptoms and improve your heart health.

In some cases, you may require surgery to address your blocked or narrowed artery.

To learn more about treating peripheral artery disease, book an appointment at Mission Heart & Vascular by phone or online today.

Cholesterol Management Specialist

High levels of cholesterol can lead to serious complications like a heart attack or stroke. At Mission Heart & Vascular in Mission, Texas, board-certified interventional cardiologists Gabriel Todd Faz, MD, FACC, FSCAI, and Kiran Mangalpally, MD, offer cholesterol management to help you lower your cholesterol and improve your heart health. To learn more about managing your cholesterol, call the office or book an appointment online today.

Cholesterol Management Q & A

What is high cholesterol?

High cholesterol refers to excessive amounts of cholesterol in your blood. Cholesterol is a fat-like substance found naturally in your blood and the cells throughout your body. Your body uses cholesterol to produce healthy cells, hormones, and other substances.

When there’s too much cholesterol in your blood, it can form fatty deposits that stick to the walls of your arteries (plaque). These fatty deposits restrict blood flow and can completely block your arteries.

High cholesterol can lead to a number of serious health problems like:

Stroke
Heart attack
Peripheral artery disease
Coronary artery disease
Sudden cardiac arrest

Although your body needs cholesterol to function properly, too much can wreak havoc on your cardiovascular health.

What causes high cholesterol?

In most cases, high cholesterol is caused by unhealthy lifestyle choices like a poor diet or lack of exercise.

Although your body produces its own cholesterol, cholesterol is also found in certain foods like red meats, egg yolks, and cheese. Eating too many foods high in cholesterol will also raise your cholesterol levels.

Additional causes of high cholesterol include:

Obesity
Smoking
Diabetes
Age

Your risk of developing high cholesterol increases with age. Both cigarette smoking and diabetes can cause damage to your blood vessels that can make you more prone to developing fatty deposits.

How do I know if I need cholesterol management?

High cholesterol usually occurs with no signs or symptoms. Most people receive screening for high cholesterol in their late teens and periodically throughout adulthood, typically every five years.

Mission Heart & Vascular can determine your cholesterol levels and help you manage your risks for heart disease.

What is cholesterol management?

If you suffer from high cholesterol, cholesterol management offers you effective ways to improve your cholesterol levels and safeguard your heart health.

Mission Heart & Vascular may suggest medications and lifestyle changes to improve your overall health and reduce your risks of complications like heart attacks, strokes, and coronary artery disease.

Your appointment begins with an in-depth examination (including a blood test) to determine your cholesterol levels. Your doctor then works with you to develop a treatment plan for lowering and managing your cholesterol levels.

In addition to medication, your treatment plan may include lifestyle changes like:

Regular exercise
Weight loss
Quitting smoking
Adopting a heart-healthy diet

With the right plan, high cholesterol is a very treatable condition. To find out if cholesterol management is right for you, call Mission Heart & Vascular or book an appointment online today.

Congestive Heart Failure Specialist

Having congestive heart failure doesn’t mean your heart stops beating altogether but that it struggles to pump blood around your body. If you have congestive heart failure, board-certified interventional cardiologists Gabriel Todd Faz, MD, FACC, FSCAI, and Kiran Mangalpally, MD, at Mission Heart & Vascular in Mission, Texas, can help. They can diagnose your condition and provide a range of effective treatments, from medication to minimally invasive cardiac catheterization. Call the office or use the online form to book an appointment today.

Congestive Heart Failure Q & A

What is congestive heart failure?

Congestive heart failure is a long-term cardiac disorder that means your heart is too weak to pump sufficient blood around your body.

The heart muscle pumps oxygen-rich blood out to all your cells, tissues, and organs, providing them with the oxygen and nutrients they need to grow, repair, and regenerate.

If your heart can’t pump the blood efficiently enough, it starts to gather in places like your arms and legs, digestive tract, and lungs. It also starves your body of oxygen and means your organs can’t function properly.

What causes congestive heart failure?

You’re more likely to develop congestive heart failure if you have hypertension or coronary artery disease. You can also suffer congestive heart failure as a complication of:

Lung disease
Arrhythmia
Tumors in your heart
Valve disorders
Structural heart abnormalities

Mission Heart & Vascular diagnoses congestive heart failure after performing a cardiac consultation and running tests, which could include urinalysis, blood tests, EKG, echocardiogram, coronary angiography, nuclear ventriculography, or a CT or MRI scan.

What are the symptoms of congestive heart failure?

Symptoms of congestive heart failure vary to a degree depending on the reason for your condition and how severely it affects your heart.

Some of the more common symptoms of congestive heart failure include:

Fatigue
Palpitations
Shortness of breath
Chest pain
Swelling in your arms, legs, or abdomen
Arms and legs feeling cold when resting
Bulging neck veins
Loss of appetite
Nausea and vomiting
Difficulty sleeping
Reduced urination

It’s also possible to have congestive heart failure and not experience any noticeable symptoms, or assume the way you feel is due to something else.

How is congestive heart failure treated?

To treat your congestive heart failure, Mission Heart & Vascular prepares a customized treatment plan. Your plan takes account of the cause of your condition, your age and general health, and the severity of your congestive heart failure.

Some of the treatments that could feature in your plan include:

Lifestyle changes

A healthy diet, more exercise, quitting smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, and losing weight can all reduce stress on your heart and help prevent your condition from worsening.

Medications

There are numerous medications that can help with heart function. Examples include ACE inhibitors to reduce hypertension, digoxin to help your heart muscle contract more forcefully, and diuretics to reduce and prevent fluid retention.

Implantable devices

You might need to have an implantable device like a pacemaker or defibrillator fitted to help regulate your heart function.

If you have congestive heart failure symptoms or any worries about your heart, call Mission Heart & Vascular or book an appointment online today.

Shortness Of Breath Specialist

Unless you’re in the middle of some strenuous activity, shortness of breath is often a warning sign that there’s something wrong with your heart or lungs. If you’re experiencing shortness of breath, board-certified interventional cardiologists Gabriel Todd Faz, MD, FACC, FSCAI, and Kiran Mangalpally, MD, at Mission Heart & Vascular in Mission, Texas, can help. They provide expert diagnosis and treatment for cardiovascular causes of shortness of breath. Call the office or use the online form to book your appointment today.

Shortness of Breath Q & A

Why might I be experiencing shortness of breath?

Shortness of breath — medically known as dyspnea — can happen in certain situations, like if you’re engaging in strenuous exercise, working in extreme temperatures, or you’re at a high altitude where oxygen is scarce.

These types of shortness of breath have clear causes and resolve as soon as the trigger goes. However, there are also a great many medical conditions for which shortness of breath is a symptom.

Heart and lung disorders that can cause severe shortness of breath include:

Congestive heart failure
Heart attack
Coronary artery disease
Arrhythmia
Cardiomyopathy
Endocarditis
Pulmonary hypertension
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Pulmonary embolism
Pneumonia
Asthma

In fact, shortness of breath is a symptom that’s typical of almost every form of heart and lung disease.

You can also experience shortness of breath when you have cancer or if you suffer from severe anxiety and have panic attacks. Some neuromuscular conditions cause shortness of breath, too.

What symptoms might accompany my shortness of breath?

Shortness of breath usually occurs alongside other symptoms, which could include:

Chest pain
Pressure or tightness in your chest
Dizziness or lightheadedness
Coughing or wheezing
Chills and fever

The experience of being short of breath can also vary. For instance, you might feel like you’re unable to take deep breaths, or you might be struggling to draw any breath at all.

Shortness of breath that isn’t due to an obvious cause like strenuous physical activity requires medical attention. This needs to be urgent when shortness of breath comes on suddenly and you’re experiencing symptoms like wheezing or chest pain as well.

How is shortness of breath diagnosed?

To diagnose the cause of your shortness of breath, Mission Heart & Vascular conducts a thorough physical exam, goes over your symptoms and medical history, and organizes any diagnostic tests you require.

Mission Heart & Vascular has advanced diagnostic facilities for cardiovascular testing, featuring state-of-the-art technologies like EKG, echocardiography, and ultrasound.

What treatments might I need for shortness of breath?

The treatment you need for your shortness of breath depends on the reason for your condition. If the cause is heart-related, Mission Heart & Vascular prepares a personalized treatment plan for you that could include:

Lifestyle changes
Medications
Cardiac catheterization procedures
Heart surgery

If you’ve been experiencing shortness of breath, contact Mission Heart & Vascular for advice and expert treatment. Call the office or use the online scheduling tool to book an appointment today.

Coronary Artery Disease Specialist

Coronary artery disease is a common condition that increases your risk of heart attacks and heart failure. If you have symptoms or think you’re at risk for coronary heart disease, Mission Heart & Vascular in Mission, Texas, can help. Led by board-certified interventional cardiologists Gabriel Todd Faz, MD, FACC, FSCAI, and Kiran Mangalpally, MD, the practice offers in-office diagnostics and comprehensive treatment plans. To speak with a cardiologist about your heart health, schedule an appointment by phone or online today.

Coronary Artery Disease Q & A

What is coronary artery disease?

Your coronary arteries are responsible for supplying blood, oxygen, and nutrients to your heart. Damage or disease to the coronary arteries is referred to as coronary artery disease, or coronary heart disease.

In most cases, coronary heart disease is caused by inflammation and a buildup of plaque in your arteries that restricts blood flow to your heart. Coronary heart disease can cause a number of symptoms, like chest pain or shortness of breath.

If one of your coronary arteries is completely blocked, it can lead to a heart attack. The symptoms of a heart attack include:

Severe pressure in the chest
Pain in the shoulders or arm
Sweating
Shortness of breath

For women, the symptoms of a heart attack can also include neck pain, jaw pain, or nausea. If you experience symptoms of a heart attack, you should seek emergency care right away.

If you’re at risk of coronary heart disease, Mission Heart & Vascular can determine the best way to improve your heart health.

Who is at risk for coronary artery disease?

Coronary artery disease is usually caused by high levels of cholesterol that cause plaque to build up and block your arteries. Additional risk factors for coronary artery disease include:

High blood pressure
Diabetes
Age
Smoking
Family history
Obesity
Sedentary lifestyle
Unhealthy diet

Your risk of coronary artery disease increases with age. People with a family history of heart disease are also at a higher risk. Certain lifestyle factors, like physical inactivity or an unhealthy diet, can increase your risk of coronary artery disease.

How is coronary artery disease diagnosed?

Your diagnosis begins with a physical exam and discussion of your symptoms and medical history. To determine the cause of your condition, Mission Heart & Vascular may conduct several additional tests like:

Blood test
EKG
Echocardiogram
Exercise stress test
Cardiac catheterization

Many cardiovascular conditions share similar symptoms, so an accurate diagnosis is very important. After your examination, Mission Heart & Vascular works with you to determine the most effective treatment.

How is coronary artery disease treated?

Mission Heart & Vascular takes a comprehensive approach to treating coronary artery disease. In addition to medication, the team uses lifestyle changes to help patients improve the health of their arteries.

Lifestyle changes like quitting smoking, exercising regularly, and choosing healthier foods can go a long way in improving your heart health. If your condition is severe, your doctor may suggest a more aggressive approach like coronary angioplasty or coronary artery bypass surgery.

To find out which treatment is right for you, call Mission Heart & Vascular or book your appointment online today.

EKG Specialist

An EKG is a simple, noninvasive diagnostic tool that can help diagnose several common heart problems. At Mission Heart & Vascular, board-certified interventional cardiologists Gabriel Todd Faz, MD, FACC, FSCAI, and Kiran Mangalpally, MD, offer convenient in-office EKGs. Located in Mission, Texas, the practice is committed to providing high-quality comprehensive heart care. To schedule your EKG, call the office or book an appointment online today.

EKG Q & A

What is an EKG?

An electrocardiogram (EKG) is a useful diagnostic tool that helps Mission Heart & Vascular monitor and identify any problems with your heart health. An EKG works by recording the electrical signals in your heart.

An EKG provides your doctor with essential information about your heart rate and blood flow. Your cardiologist can use an EKG to identify issues like heart arrhythmias, an irregular heart rate, or find evidence of a previous heart attack.

Why might I need an EKG?

If you suffer from symptoms of a heart problem like chest pain or shortness of breath, Mission Heart & Vascular may conduct an EKG to determine the underlying cause of your condition. Your cardiologist might recommend an EKG if you suffer from symptoms like:

Dizziness
Confusion
Weakness
Fatigue
Rapid heart rate

If you suffer from cardiovascular disease, an EKG can also determine how effective certain heart disease treatments are for your heart health.

What should I expect during my EKG?

An EKG is a painless, noninvasive test that normally doesn’t require any special preparation. In most cases, EKGs are performed by a qualified technician. Before the test, your technician may ask you to change into a hospital gown. An EKG is a quick diagnostic that only takes about 10 minutes.

During the EKG, the technician attaches 12 sensors to your chest and limbs. The sensors record the electrical signals made by your heartbeat and feed the information into a nearby computer.

What happens after my EKG?

After the electrocardiogram, you and your doctor discuss your results. If your doctor detects any abnormalities in your EKG, they may conduct further tests like an echocardiogram or stress test.

If you suffer from a heart problem, you and your doctor work together to determine the best way to treat your condition. Mission Heart & Vascular is committed to providing comprehensive care to each patient.

If your results come back normal, your doctor may discuss preventive cardiology and steps you can take to maintain your heart health.

To find out if an EKG is right for you, book an appointment at Mission Heart & Vascular by phone or online today.

Echocardiogram Specialist

When you have worrisome heart symptoms like shortness of breath, chest pain, or an irregular heartbeat, an echocardiogram may be the first diagnostic test you receive. At Mission Heart & Vascular, Gabriel Todd Faz, MD, FACC, FSCAI, and Kiran Mangalpally, MD, perform all of their echocardiograms in the comfort of the office so you don’t have to travel to a lab, and you can count on personalized care. To schedule an appointment, call the office in Mission, Texas, or use online booking.

Echocardiogram Q & A

What is an echocardiogram?

An echocardiogram, also called a diagnostic cardiac ultrasound, uses high-frequency sound waves to create a detailed image of your heart.

During an echocardiogram, a probe called a transducer is used to send sound waves safely and painlessly through your body, aiming toward your heart.

The sound waves bounce off structures, echo back to the transducer, and the transducer transmits them to a computer that translates them into images of the heart’s chambers, valves, walls, and blood vessels.

Why might I need an echocardiogram?

An echocardiogram helps your doctor at Mission Heart & Vascular diagnose the cause of heart symptoms by revealing information such as:

The size and shape of your heart
The thickness and movement of muscular walls
Your heart’s pumping strength
Whether heart valves are healthy and working
Tumors or growths
Problems with the heart’s lining
Blood clots inside the heart
Abnormal holes between heart chambers
Problems with blood vessels

Since an echocardiogram provides immediate results, your doctor may be able to quickly diagnose the problem and determine the treatment you need.

What are the types of echocardiograms?

There are several types of echocardiograms. Your doctor chooses the one that will provide the information needed to accurately diagnose the problem:

Transthoracic echocardiogram

This is the most common type of echocardiogram. It’s performed by placing the transducer directly against your chest.

Transesophageal echocardiogram

During this type of cardiac ultrasound, your doctor at Mission Heart & Vascular guides a small transducer down your throat and into the esophagus until it’s positioned right next to your heart. This allows the ultrasound to produce a better image because it doesn’t have to go through your skin.

Stress echocardiogram

This is a transthoracic echocardiogram that’s done after you either exercise or take medication to make your heart beat faster. A stress echocardiogram shows how well your heart performs when it’s forced to work harder.

Three-dimensional echocardiogram

Using either the transthoracic or transesophageal method, several ultrasound images are taken from different angles to produce a 3D image.

To schedule an appointment, call Mission Heart & Vascular or use the online booking feature.

Preventive Cardiology Specialist

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. At Mission Heart & Vascular in Mission, Texas, board-certified interventional cardiologists Gabriel Todd Faz, MD, FACC, FSCAI, and Kiran Mangalpally, MD, offer preventive cardiology to help patients preserve their heart health. To schedule your preventive cardiology appointment, call the office or book an appointment online today.

Preventive Cardiology Q & A

What conditions can preventive cardiology help with?

Preventive cardiology can help you avoid several common conditions, including:

High cholesterol

Cholesterol is a waxy substance that your body uses to produce new cells. High levels of cholesterol can cause this waxy substance to accumulate in your blood vessels, forming fatty deposits. Over time, these fatty deposits make it difficult for blood to move through your arteries.

High cholesterol increases your risk of serious conditions like a heart attack or stroke. Poor diet, obesity, and lack of exercise are the biggest contributors to high cholesterol.

High blood pressure

High blood pressure is a condition that occurs when your blood moves through your arteries with too much force. High blood pressure is often symptomless. Many people don’t experience symptoms like headaches or nosebleeds until the condition has reached a life-threatening stage.

Although high blood pressure often occurs with no clear cause, certain factors like age, obesity, and high sodium diets can increase your risks.

Without proper management, excessive pressure on your artery walls can damage your organs and lead to complications like heart failure, an aneurysm, or vascular dementia.

Coronary artery disease

Coronary artery disease refers to damage or disease that affects the blood vessels that supply blood to your heart. Damage to your coronary arteries is caused by a number of factors, including smoking, obesity, and an unhealthy diet.

Certain underlying conditions, like high cholesterol, sleep apnea, or high blood pressure, can also cause damage to your coronary arteries.

Do I need preventive cardiology?

Preventive cardiology is important for people with a personal or family history of cardiovascular disease. Preventive cardiology is also essential for people with conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes.

If you’re obese, inactive, or have an unhealthy diet, preventive cardiology can help you improve your overall health and reduce your risk of heart attacks and stroke.

You shouldn’t wait until you experience symptoms of cardiovascular disease to seek help. If you’re looking for ways to safeguard your heart health, book an appointment with the heart health experts at Mission Heart & Vascular.

What should I expect during my preventive cardiology appointment?

Preventive cardiology consists of an individualized treatment plan that’s designed to address your unique health risks. During your appointment, your cardiologist performs a thorough examination to get a glimpse of your overall heart health.

Mission Heart & Vascular offers a number of in-office diagnostics to help determine your risk of heart disease. After the examination, you and your doctor work together to develop effective ways to minimize your health risks.

Your comprehensive treatment plan may include a number of services, like nutrition counseling or weight loss management, to help you achieve a healthier lifestyle. In some cases, your cardiologist may include medications as a part of your treatment plan.

To learn more about preventive cardiology, call Mission Heart & Vascular or book your appointment online today.

Telehealth

When you don’t have the time or the ability to visit your doctor’s office for medical care, you can turn to telehealth. The exceptional team at Mission Heart & Vascular offers telehealth to new and existing patients, giving you the ability to videoconference with your doctor, receive medical care, and be prescribed medication while staying in the comfort of your own home. Request a virtual appointment online, or if you’d like to learn more about how to register for telehealth, call the office. The friendly staff can provide the information you need to access virtual medical services.

What is telehealth?

Telehealth is an easy to use, HIPAA-compliant way to receive quality medical care virtually rather than in person.

The process is simple. After you request a virtual appointment, your provider sends a calendar invite with a link to digital registration forms (more information below). You complete the forms and, using the link provided, meet your provider online on the date and time specified in your invitation.

In addition to receiving high-quality health care without going to the doctor’s office, there’s another benefit: You don’t have to be in the same location as your physician.

If you live a distance from your primary care physician or specialist, you can still get the medical care you need in a comfortable, convenient way through telehealth.

How does telehealth work?

Your telehealth platform offers services such as:

Two-way, high-definition video
With telehealth, you use videoconferencing so that you have a face-to-face meeting with your provider — like you’re sitting together in your doctor’s office.

Digital patient registration
You register online, where you can submit your symptoms, allergies, medications, medical history, and ID cards prior to your first teleconference visit with your doctor.

Prescription management
Your doctor manages your medications and sends your prescriptions electronically to your preferred pharmacy.

Secure online payment
Telehealth software allows you to securely send your payment online.

Chat and photo-sharing capabilities
You can chat with your doctor and easily upload photos of your symptoms when applicable. Communication is a two-way street, as your physician can reach out to you with messages.

HIPAA compliant
HIPAA is a law that protects the privacy of your medical records and personal health information. Your telehealth interactions are also secure, and only authorized users can access your telehealth sessions.

What health care services can I receive through telehealth?

You can receive many of the services normally provided in the office, but you need to check with your provider to learn exactly which services they offer via telehealth.

In the case of a medical emergency, however, you need to seek care at your local urgent care facility or hospital emergency department.

Will insurance pay for telehealth?

Some insurance companies cover telehealth, while others don’t. Additionally, some states require insurance companies to reimburse at the same rate as they cover for in-person appointments. In most states, Medicaid covers telehealth. Check with your insurance provider to find out if you’re covered.

As of March 6, 2020, Medicare is paying providers across the United States to provide telehealth services due to the COVID-19 crisis. However, this Medicare coverage may be a temporary benefit.

To learn more about telehealth and to get your connection started, call Mission Heart & Vascular and let them help guide the way.

Mission Heart & Vascular

Board Certified Interventional Cardiologists & Peripheral Vascular Disease located in Mission, TX

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Specializing in Elective, Emergent, and Non-Emergent Surgical Procedures

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Shortness Of Breath Specialist

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