SD is a 36-year-old female with IGA nephropathy (kidney disease) who presented to urgent care with abdominal pain, shortness of breath, and lightheadedness. The patient’s heart rate was 130 beats per minute, and the patient was uncomfortable. The patient was sent to the emergency room. Evaluation in the emergency room revealed a large amount of fluid around the heart, thought to be caused by underlying kidney disease. Dr. Sadiq was consulted and he performed the procedure, a pericardiocentesis with drainage of the extra fluid. The patient had significant improvement in pain and resolution of shortness of breath. The patient was treated by the medicine teams and discharged home four days later.
Take Home Message: If someone has underlying kidney disease, difficulty breathing, chest pain or abdominal pain, they may have extra fluid buildup in the lungs or around the heart. Seeking early evaluation can be life saving.
Please note this is meant for information/reference purposes only and not diagnosis. Evaluation and treatment by a licensed physician is always recommended.

A 65 year old male who has had aortic valve replacement and ascending aortic surgery. He came to the emergency room on 5-17-2025 with dizziness and lightheadedness each time he attempted any light activity. In the emergency room he was noted as having a heart rate of 42 beats per minute. His medication carvedilol which can slow down the heart was stopped and he was admitted for observation to the hospital. The next day his heart rate slowed down to 32 beats per minute and he was noted to have a third degree atrioventricular block (complete heart block, a condition where the electrical systems in the top and bottom of the heart do not communicate with each other causing the heart to slow down.). The patient was flown to University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center and had a temporary pacemaker placed. May 18th, 2025 he had a dual chamber permanent pacemaker placement and he was discharged the following with resolution of the dizziness.
Take Home Message: If someone has new dizziness or lightheadedness and pulse rate is low. The electric system of the heart could be malfunctioning.
Please note this is meant for information/reference purposes only and not diagnosis. Evaluation and treatment by a licensed physician is always recommended.

YS is 74 year old female who presents to a community hospital with chest pain. She was noted to have mild abnormality on the EKG however her chest pain had resolved and initial blood work did not show evidence of damage to the heart muscle.She was admitted to the hospital given multiple risk factors with concerns for underlying heart disease. Over the next 12 to 24 hours she began to have chest pain again. EKG and blood work was consistent with ongoing heart attack. Patient was flown to University of Maryland Capital Region Medical CenterShe had emergency cardiac catheterization done by Dr. Sadiq and was also noted to have severe 80 percent blockage that was fixed by placing a stent. She was also noted to have a blockage in the blood vessel in the front of the heart that was fixed the following day.
‌Take Home Message: If someone is having chest pain they may still have coronary artery disease even in the initial workup may not show heart attack or damage to the heart muscle.
Please note this is meant for information/reference purposes only and not diagnosis. Evaluation and treatment by a licensed physician is always recommended.