Houston Cardiology Consultants

11/07/2025

We were honored to host Dr. Alexander “AJ” Blood, MD, MSc from Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School for a strategic site visit in Houston.

Dr. Blood, a national leader in AI-enabled clinical trials: AIwithCare, joined us to review our infrastructure as we prepare to deploy a high-impact, generative AI tool aimed at revolutionizing patient inclusion and exclusion criteria for pharma and med-tech clinical trials.

This collaboration aligns with our research arm Cena Research Institute’s mission to drive equity, speed, and precision in clinical research—especially for historically underrepresented patient populations. We’re poised to deliver insights that not only improve trial efficiency, but also democratize participation in real-world healthcare.

💡 Stay tuned for more updates as we begin this exciting chapter at CRI—with AI innovation, clinical impact, and research inclusivity leading the way.

11/07/2025

Dr. Asif Ali Spoke at Harris County Medical Society Business Expo on “AI Tools for the Medical Practice: What Physicians Should Consider.”

The session, which offered 1 hour of Ethics CME, focused on practical and ethical integration of AI in clinical workflows—from patient intake and risk stratification, to diagnostics, automation of administrative tasks, and post-visit engagement.

Dr. Ali joined a multidisciplinary panel including physicians, legal experts, and health-tech innovators, discussing:
• How AI can improve clinical efficiency without compromising patient trust
• Regulatory and liability considerations for AI adoption in medicine
• Real-world use cases in cardiology, population health, and research
• Preparing practices for the next phase of AI-enabled care delivery

As both a preventive cardiologist and Director of the Cena Research Institute, Dr. Ali emphasized that the future of AI in healthcare depends on responsible adoption, data governance, and physician-led implementation, not replacement of human judgment.

10/28/2025

Know your blood pressure numbers- it at save a life.

Do you know your blood pressure numbers? In 2022 alone, 131,454 deaths in the U.S. were primarily attributed to high blood pressure. If you don't know your numbers, it's time to find out by visiting a pharmacy with a blood pressure monitor. The American Heart Association, is committed to helping peo...

09/20/2025

Heart and brain are linked. Let’s get blood pressures under control. American Heart Association Houston Cardiology Consultants

Did you know? New research shows stronger proof that high blood pressure can lead to dementia. If you have high blood pressure, lowering it now may help protect your brain health in the future.

04/01/2025

A major new global study found that people who had none of these five risk factors at age 50 lived 10–14 years longer—and spent more of those years free from heart disease.

Even better news? It’s never too late to change.
The study shows that quitting smoking and controlling blood pressure in your 50s can add the most healthy years to your life.

At Houston Cardiology Consultants, we help you stay ahead of heart disease.
Talk to your doctor about your risk and how to get on the path to prevention.

Houston Cardiology Consultants

03/28/2025

Seasonal allergies and your heart—what’s the connection?
New research suggests that allergic rhinitis may do more than cause sneezing and itchy eyes. Chronic inflammation from allergies might also increase cardiovascular risk. At HCC, we’re always looking out for your heart—from pollen season to prevention. Learn more below.



https://reachmd.com/news/when-allergies-strike-uncovering-the-link-between-seasonal-symptoms-and-heart-health/2471816/

03/27/2025

Even Mild COVID-19 Can Impact Your Heart: New Study Reveals Alarming Findings
• A new study shows that even mild COVID-19 infections can cause cardiovascular imbalances, including reduced heart rate variability (HRV)—a key marker of heart health.
• These imbalances were seen up to 6 weeks after infection and, in some cases, lasted up to a year.
• HRV is crucial for the body’s ability to adapt to stress; lower HRV is linked to a higher risk of heart disease.
• COVID-19 triggered autonomic nervous system imbalance, favoring the “fight or flight” sympathetic response—bad news for heart function.
• Symptoms like fatigue, breathlessness, headache, anxiety, and loss of taste were more common in those with worse cardiovascular response.
• This research highlights the need for cardiac rehab and follow-up, even in younger patients who had non-severe COVID.

Takeaway: If you’ve had COVID—especially with lingering symptoms—talk to your doctor about your heart health. We’re here to help you monitor, manage, and protect your cardiovascular system.

People who have had COVID-19, even mild cases, tend to have cardiovascular imbalances in the short and medium term and need to undergo rehabilitation. This was the finding of a study of 130 …

03/14/2025

Dr. Asif Ali will be speaking at on Cardiovascular Digital Wearables!

With cutting-edge advancements in AI-driven health tech, remote monitoring, and digital biomarkers, Dr. Ali will discuss how wearables are transforming cardiovascular care, early detection, and patient outcomes.

Stay tuned for insights on the future of digital health and how innovative technologies are shaping preventive cardiology!

02/22/2025

Why Fluid Intake Matters for Your Heart – A Must-Read for Our Patients

At Houston Cardiology Consultants, we emphasize the critical role that lifestyle choices play in maintaining cardiovascular health. One often-overlooked factor? What you drink.

A recent article on ReachMD delves into the impact of different beverages on heart health, shedding light on the effects of hydration, sugary drinks, coffee, and alcohol on blood pressure, cholesterol, and overall cardiovascular risk.

Understanding how fluid intake affects your heart can empower you to make better dietary choices that support long-term wellness. Whether you’re managing hypertension, heart failure, or metabolic syndrome, this article offers evidence-based insights that could make a real difference.

We encourage all our patients to stay informed—small changes in your daily habits can lead to significant heart health benefits!

Recent studies highlight significant sex-specific impacts of water, coffee, and tea consumption on cardiovascular disease risk, providing new insights into dietary modifications for heart health. The Protective Role of Water Consumption Water has long been recognized for its vital role in maintainin...

02/08/2025

Dr Ali will be speaking at the ion regarding exploring AI in space, energy, medicine and beyond.

01/13/2025

Proudly Representing Houston Cardiology Consultants and Cena Research Institute

This week, I’m honored to represent Houston Cardiology Consultants and Cena Research Institute at the 43rd Annual Healthcare Conference hosted by JP Morgan in San Francisco.

This prestigious event brings together leaders in healthcare, technology, and innovation to shape the future of medicine. It’s an incredible opportunity to exchange ideas, explore cutting-edge advancements, and showcase the work we’re doing to improve patient care, advance clinical research, and promote inclusivity in healthcare.

At Houston Cardiology Consultants, we are committed to providing world-class cardiovascular care, and at Cena Research Institute, we are passionate about driving impactful research and expanding access to clinical trials for underrepresented populations.

Excited to bring back valuable insights and forge partnerships that will continue to benefit our patients and the Houston community. Let’s shape the future of healthcare together!



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12/26/2024