Real Patient Stories
Fox 5’s Phil Blauer Visits Image One for a Life-Saving CT Heart Scan
After our Director of Preventive Cardiology and Cardiac CT, Dr. Milind Parikh, appeared on FOX News to discuss the benefits of CT heart scans and how they can help prevent heart attacks, Fox 5’s Phil Blauer decided to come in and experience it for himself.
This quick, non-invasive test can detect early signs of heart disease — often before symptoms even appear. Phil went through the full process, from the scan to a personalized consultation, and saw firsthand how this technology can give patients a life-saving head start.
“I’m thankful for this experience,” Phil shared. “This technology truly saves lives.”
At Image One, we’re proud to offer advanced diagnostics like the CT heart scan to help our community protect their heart health and live longer, healthier lives.
📅 Book your CT heart scan today and take the first step toward a healthier future.
July 17, 2026
Real Patient Stories: I Had No Symptoms—Until a CT Heart Scan Found a Dangerous Blockage
Real Patient Stories
“I Had No Symptoms… And the Scan Showed I Had a Blockage.”
A routine CT Heart Scan revealed what no symptoms could.
Alan considered himself healthy. He stayed active, walked daily, square danced several times a week, and had no warning signs of heart disease.
Because of his family history, his physician recommended a CT Heart Scan at Image One.
The scan revealed a severe blockage in one of the heart’s main arteries, allowing his care team to intervene before it became a life changing cardiac event.
Watch Alan’s story and hear from Dr. Milind Parikh, Director of Cardiac CT Imaging, and Dr. Darren Farnesi as they explain how advanced coronary CT angiography helped detect heart disease before symptoms appeared.
Why This Story Matters
Heart disease can develop silently.
Nearly 50% of people who experience a heart attack have no symptoms beforehand.
At Image One, our preventive cardiac imaging combines advanced CT technology with specialized cardiac expertise to detect plaque and significant blockages before they lead to a heart attack, giving patients the opportunity to seek treatment earlier.
Know Your Heart Before Symptoms Appear
If you have:
- A family history of heart disease
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Or simply want a better understanding of your heart health
A CT Heart Scan may help identify heart disease before symptoms develop.
To schedule your heart scan please visit ctheartscan.com or call:
📞 (858) 769-4833
Why Early Heart Detection Matters
Cardiovascular Institute of San Diego was proud to welcome Julian Lennon, who recently shared publicly that he has been diagnosed with coronary heart disease and pre-diabetes.
In his public health update, Julian encouraged others to get checked sooner rather than later, sharing an important reminder that hidden health issues can exist even when someone feels healthy, stays active, and makes thoughtful lifestyle choices.
His story reflects a key message in cardiovascular care: early detection matters.
Coronary artery disease can develop quietly over time, often before symptoms appear. Identifying it early can help patients and physicians better understand risk, create a care plan, and take proactive steps toward prevention and treatment.
Dr. Milind Parikh, Julian’s cardiologist, emphasized the importance of early detection, sharing that once coronary artery disease is identified, patients and physicians can take action and manage it more effectively.
At CVISD, our cardiology team is committed to helping patients understand their heart health with expert care, clear communication, and a proactive approach to long-term cardiovascular wellness.
Julian’s story is a powerful reminder not to wait for symptoms that may never come. Taking the time to understand your heart health can make a meaningful difference.
🔗 Read the full story:
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/john-lennon-son-julian-coronary-heart-disease-diagnosis-1235562027/
To schedule your heart scan please visit ctheartscan.com or call:
📞 (619) 616-2100
Advancing Cardiovascular Care at CVISD
We are proud to share that Dr. Mehran Moussavian, CEO of the Cardiovascular Institute of San Diego, was included as an author in this international clinical trial. His involvement reflects CVISD’s ongoing commitment to advancing cardiovascular care through innovation and research.
A New Option for Atrial Fibrillation Patients
Atrial fibrillation, often referred to as AFib, is a common heart rhythm condition that affects how the heart beats. Instead of a steady rhythm, the heart can beat irregularly, which can cause blood to pool and increase the risk of clot formation. If a clot travels to the brain, it can lead to a stroke.
Because of this risk, many patients with atrial fibrillation are treated with blood thinners. These medications help reduce the likelihood of clot formation and are a standard part of care for stroke prevention.
However, while effective, blood thinners can also increase the risk of bleeding, especially with long term use. For some patients, this balance between preventing clots and managing bleeding risk becomes an important consideration.
A Different Approach
A different approach focuses on the source of most stroke causing clots in atrial fibrillation. A small implantable device can be used to close a part of the heart called the left atrial appendage, where clots are most likely to form.
What the Research Shows
A large international clinical trial involving over 3,000 patients compared this device-based approach to standard blood thinner therapy.
The study found that this approach provided similar protection against stroke and cardiovascular events, while significantly reducing the risk of bleeding.
What This Means for Patients
For patients with atrial fibrillation, this research highlights another potential option for reducing stroke risk. Treatment decisions are highly individualized, and not every approach is right for every patient.
If you have atrial fibrillation, speak with one of our specialists to better understand your options and whether this approach may be right for you.
🔗 Read the full study:
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2517213
For more information about this innovative procedure, please reach out to us!
📞 (619) 616-2100
Ryan Jacobs, MD
Dr. Ryan Jacobs is a board-certified PM&R physician and Pain Medicine specialist with advanced training in comprehensive pain management and minimally invasive interventional procedures. He treats conditions such as back and neck pain, sciatica, spinal disorders, arthritis, nerve pain, and complex pain syndromes using personalized, evidence-based care focused on reducing pain, limiting medication use, and avoiding major surgery when possible. His expertise includes spinal cord stimulation, nerve stimulators, injections, and advanced interventional treatments, and his work has been featured in Pain Medicine News for its impact on improving patient outcomes.
Conditions Treated & Areas of Expertise
- Neck, back, spine pain, headaches, sciatica
- Low back pain, sciatica, & lumbar spine conditions
- Degenerative disc disease & herniated discs
- Spinal stenosis & neurogenic claudication
- Facet joint pain & sacroiliac joint dysfunction
- Osteoarthritis & rheumatoid arthritis-related joint pain
- Spinal compression fractures
- Sports injuries & work-related musculoskeletal pain
- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS / RSD)
- Post-surgical / failed back surgery syndrome pain
- Cancer-related pain & palliative pain management
Interventional Treatments
- Spinal cord stimulation
- Dorsal root ganglion (DRG) stimulation
- Peripheral nerve stimulation
- Intrathecal drug delivery systems (pain pumps)
- Minimally invasive lumbar decompression
- Radiofrequency ablation (cervical, thoracic, lumbar, peripheral)
- Epidural steroid injections & nerve root blocks
- Joint & bursa injections
- Vertebroplasty & kyphoplasty
- Regenerative medicine options
- Sympathetic nerve blocks
CVISD Electrophysiologist Performs Sharp Chula Vista’s First Pulsed Field Ablation.
What began as a routine trip to the ER for flu-like symptoms turned into a life-changing diagnosis for one local patient — and a groundbreaking moment for heart care in the South Bay.
Abhishek Shah, MD, Cardiac Electrophysiologist with the Cardiovascular Institute of San Diego (CVISD), performed the first pulsed field ablation (PFA) at Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center — a next-generation treatment for atrial fibrillation (AFib) that uses electrical energy, not heat, to restore normal heart rhythm.
The procedure offers a safer, more natural approach to AFib treatment with faster recovery and improved outcomes. Following the procedure, the patient’s heart function improved significantly — a powerful reminder of how innovation and expertise can transform lives.
At CVISD, our physicians continue to lead in advanced cardiovascular technology, partnering with top hospitals like Sharp Chula Vista to bring patients across San Diego access to the latest breakthroughs in heart rhythm care.
For more information about this innovative procedure, please reach out to us!
📞 (619) 616-2100
