In this episode of the Health In Harmony podcast, we sit down with Dr. Abdelmalik to break down the most common and important diagnostic tools used to evaluate heart conditions. From routine screenings to advanced imaging, Dr. Abdelmalik explains how today’s technology helps physicians detect cardiac issues early, accurately diagnose disease, and guide treatment decisions.
Listeners will learn about key cardiac tests such as EKG/ECG, echocardiography (cardiac ultrasound), CT scans, cardiac MRI, and angiograms, including what each test shows, when it’s typically used, and what patients can expect during the process. Dr. Abdelmalik also discusses how these tools work together to provide a complete picture of heart health.
This informative conversation empowers patients with knowledge, reduces anxiety around cardiac testing, and highlights how advances in imaging and diagnostics are improving outcomes for people with heart disease.
Whether you’re managing a heart condition, have been referred for testing, or simply want to understand your heart better, this episode offers valuable insight straight from a trusted expert.
Diagnostic Testing for Cardiac Patients
Robin Abdelmalik, MD, FACC
Dr. Robin Abdelmalik attended the University of California, San Diego, where he received an undergraduate degree with a Bachelor of Science in Biology in 2001. He went on to complete his medical education at Loma Linda University, earning his medical degree in 2005. Dr. Abdelmalik then carried out his Internal Medicine internship and residency at the University of California, Irvine, where he graduated in 2008, followed by a Cardiology fellowship at UC, Irvine, which he completed in 2012. Dr. Abdelmalik is board certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease, and Nuclear Cardiology. Procedures performed by Dr. Abdelmalik include: invasive and noninvasive procedures, including stress testing, echocardiography, pacemakers, and cardiac catheterization. He specializes in radial artery techniques. Dr. Abdelmalik has special interest in cardiac imaging and preventive cardiology, including cholesterol, high blood pressure, and weight loss management.
Dr. Abdelmalik is heavily involved in teaching and training the next generation of young doctors. He is an Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of California, Riverside, School of Medicine, and is the Program Director of the Internal Medicine Residency Program for the Southwest MEC Residency.