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Dr. Weston Chearis Hickey, MD, FACC

(Weston Hickey, MD)

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Specializes in: Interventional Cardiology, Cardiology (Heart Disease), General Surgery, Cardiac Electrophysiology (Heart Rhythm) and Vascular Medicine (Blood Vessel Disease)

University of Texas Medical School at Houston (2008)

Professional interests include: women's health issues, high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia), hypertension (high blood pressure), and more.

7010 Champions Plaza Drive Suite 200
Houston, TX 77069

(281) 890-4848

Dr. Weston Chearis Hickey, MD, FACC is an interventional cardiologist in Houston, TX specializing in interventional cardiology, cardiology (heart disease), general surgery, cardiac electrophysiology (heart rhythm) and vascular medicine (blood vessel disease). He graduated from University of Texas Medical School at Houston in 2008 and has 17 years of experience. Dr. Weston Chearis Hickey, MD, FACC is affiliated with Houston Methodist, WILLOWBROOK CARDIOVASCULAR ASSOCIATES, P.A. and HOUSTON CARDIOVASCULAR ASSOC INC.

Office Locations

Address:

7010 Champions Plaza Drive Suite 200
Houston, TX 77069

Some issues Dr. Weston Chearis Hickey, MD, FACC can help you with:

Angioplasty

Angioplasty is a common, minimally invasive procedure performed to restore blood flow in arteries and veins that have become narrowed or blocked. Age or illness can cause plaque to build up at certain spots within the veins and arteries, and if enough collects, it can restrict the flow of blood. Angioplasty uses a tiny balloon at the end of a small, flexible tube to inflate within the narrowed section and open it up again.

Angioplasty may be performed in several different areas of the body and for a variety of reasons, most often:

Peripheral arterial disease, which reduces blood flow in the arms or legs
Atherosclerosis, or general hardening of the arteries
Carotid artery stenosis, or narrowing of the arteries in the neck that supply the brain
Coronary artery disease, or narrowing of the arteries near the heart
Renal vascular hypertension, or narrowing of the arteries in the kidney, leading to increased blood pressure

During angioplasty, a patient is given a sedative while lying on a table under an x-ray machine. A catheter (a thin, flexible, and hollow tube) is inserted into the patient's skin in the arm or groin and guided into the blocked artery. Dye is injected via the catheter, and x-rays are used to position the tip of the catheter exactly at the blockage. The tiny balloon is guided through the catheter and inflated with saline. It pushes the plaque out of the way, squishing it against the walls of the artery. The balloon may be inflated and deflated several times to let blood pass by. A stent, a tiny tube of metal mesh like a spring, may be inserted to help keep the artery open. Then the x-ray is used again to check that blood is flowing properly, the catheter is removed, and the tiny incision is bandaged.

There are no nerves within veins and arteries, so an angioplasty is generally not painful. However, there may be some discomfort at the site of the incision and when the balloon is inflated. Overall, angioplasty is a very effective and low-risk procedure, useful for helping patients avoid more difficult bypass surgery.

Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common type of heart disease. It happens when the blood vessels carrying blood to the heart, called coronary arteries, narrow and harden. This occurs when cholesterol, a type of fat found in the blood, builds up to form plaque, which sticks to the inner walls of the arteries. As plaque accumulates, less blood can flow through the arteries, which may lead to the following:

Angina, which is chest pain that occurs when the heart does not receive enough blood flow.
Heart attack, which happens if the arteries leading to the heart are completely blocked.
Arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat, which can develop if the heart does not have enough blood supply.
Heart failure, which may occur if a heart attack damages the heart and it becomes too weak to pump enough blood to the rest of the body.

Certain factors may increase risk for the disease, like smoking, lack of exercise, being overweight, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes. CAD tends to develop over decades, so it can go undetected until it has become quite severe. A diagnosis may be established using such tests as:

Electrocardiogram (ECG), which records the heart's electrical activity over a period of time. ECGs can detect whether there is enough blood flow to the heart or if a heart attack has occurred.
Echocardiogram (echo), which creates images of the heart using sound waves. Echos can show whether the heart is able to pump blood normally.
Stress tests, where an ECG or echo is combined with exercise, like riding a stationary bike or walking on a treadmill. This test is done to find out if the heart can function properly while performing a strenuous activity.

Treatments for the disease include medications such as vasodilators, like nitroglycerin, which dilates (widens) the coronary arteries. CAD may also be treated by a procedure called angioplasty with stent placement, where a balloon is inflated inside a diseased artery to flatten the plaque deposits against the artery walls, creating more room for blood to flow.

In some severe cases of the disease, multiple arteries may be blocked, and an open heart surgery called coronary artery bypass surgery may be necessary. This operation transplants a vessel from another part of the body to form a graft that goes past the narrowed arteries, thus enabling blood to flow around those arteries.

Heart Problems

The heart is one of the most important organs in the body. This smooth muscle expands and contracts rhythmically an entire lifetime, pumping blood to the lungs and then to every other cell in the body. When heart problems occur, it becomes difficult for the body to get the nutrients and oxygen it needs via the blood. So while there are a variety of illnesses and disorders that affect the heart, most of them cause weakness, exhaustion and shortness of breath. The most common heart conditions include heart disease, angina, arrhythmia, and valve disorders.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women. This includes coronary artery disease, heart attacks, congestive heart failure, and congenital heart disease. Some conditions, such as genetics, cannot be controlled. But there are many other things one can do to lower their risk for heart disease. Controlling high blood pressure and cholesterol levels, reducing or stopping smoking, exercising more and losing weight if needed, and eating a diet low in sodium can all protect the heart.

Angina is a squeezing type of chest pain that happens when the muscles around the heart don't get enough oxygen. It can be regular or infrequent. Usually, angina is caused by coronary heart disease. However, not all chest pain is angina. Chest pain can also be caused by a lung infection or panic attack, for example, so it is important to have any sudden pain checked.

Arrhythmia is the word for when the heart beats too fast, too slow, or irregularly with skipped beats. It can feel frightening, and depending on the type it can be dangerous, but in most cases arrhythmia is not serious and can be treated. It is very common, especially in older adults.

Heart valve problems can happen in any one of the the heart's four valves that keep blood flowing where it needs to go. Babies can be born with problems in their heart valves, or valves can be damaged by infections. The valves can stiffen and become less mobile, or they can stop closing properly and 'leak' when the heart beats. Valve problems can usually be repaired surgically.

cardiac procedures	40
doctor visit	45
hospital care	170
inpatient care	170
ultrasound (sonogram)	44

**Gender**
Male	102
Female	130

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	194
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	88
From 75 to 84	78
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	20
Ischemic Heart Disease	69
Depression	27
Chronic Kidney Disease	42
Asthma	22
Osteoperosis	11
Atrial Fibrilation	34
Heart Failure	53
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	27
Diabetes	38
Dementia	20
Cancer	10

**Gender**
Male	292
Female	363

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	492
Black	100
Hispanic	46
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	263
From 75 to 84	207
85 and over	121
Less than 65	64

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	16
Ischemic Heart Disease	75
Depression	27
Chronic Kidney Disease	56
Asthma	31
Osteoperosis	10
Atrial Fibrilation	34
Heart Failure	52
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	29
Diabetes	44
Dementia	25
Cancer	16

cardiac procedures	840
catheterization	34
diagnostic procedures	37
doctor visit	803
hospital care	1111
inpatient care	1111
minimally invasive procedures	44
nuclear scan	151
stress testing	303
ultrasound (sonogram)	628
vascular procedures	160

**Gender**
Male	445
Female	575

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	753
Black	167
Hispanic	58
Asian	26
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	383
From 75 to 84	323
85 and over	211
Less than 65	103

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	17
Ischemic Heart Disease	75
Depression	29
Chronic Kidney Disease	57
Asthma	12
Osteoperosis	10
Atrial Fibrilation	28
Heart Failure	47
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	29
Diabetes	45
Dementia	31
Cancer	16

angioplasty	42
cardiac procedures	1222
cardioversion	16
catheterization	116
diagnostic procedures	53
doctor visit	1274
hospital care	1337
implant surgery	14
inpatient care	1337
lab tests	78
minimally invasive procedures	151
nuclear scan	246
stent placement (stenting)	21
stress testing	493
ultrasound (sonogram)	815
vascular procedures	268

**Gender**
Male	346
Female	442

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	659
Black	63
Hispanic	33
Asian	20
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	340
From 75 to 84	270
85 and over	141
Less than 65	37

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	13
Ischemic Heart Disease	75
Depression	27
Chronic Kidney Disease	46
Asthma	9
Osteoperosis	11
Atrial Fibrilation	31
Heart Failure	39
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	24
Diabetes	37
Dementia	22
Cancer	15

angioplasty	74
cardiac procedures	1511
cardioversion	18
catheterization	180
diagnostic procedures	69
doctor visit	1664
hospital care	1198
inpatient care	1198
minimally invasive procedures	208
nuclear scan	314
stent placement (stenting)	37
stress testing	628
ultrasound (sonogram)	971
vascular procedures	335

**Gender**
Male	441
Female	553

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	823
Black	75
Hispanic	56
Asian	19
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	0
From 75 to 84	342
85 and over	171
Less than 65	48

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	13
Ischemic Heart Disease	75
Depression	29
Chronic Kidney Disease	46
Asthma	9
Osteoperosis	10
Atrial Fibrilation	30
Heart Failure	39
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	21
Diabetes	35
Dementia	20
Cancer	14

angioplasty	52
cardiac procedures	1394
cardioversion	12
catheterization	128
diagnostic procedures	50
doctor visit	2097
hospital care	738
inpatient care	738
lab tests	69
minimally invasive procedures	137
nuclear scan	237
stent placement (stenting)	26
stress testing	609
ultrasound (sonogram)	918
vascular procedures	309

**Gender**
Male	442
Female	532

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	851
Black	42
Hispanic	47
Asian	0
Other	18
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	452
From 75 to 84	341
85 and over	152
Less than 65	29

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	9
Ischemic Heart Disease	75
Depression	23
Chronic Kidney Disease	43
Asthma	8
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	25
Heart Failure	33
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	17
Diabetes	34
Dementia	16
Cancer	15

cardiac procedures	2327
cardioversion	35
catheterization	60
diagnostic procedures	63
doctor visit	4301
hospital care	1798
inpatient care	1798
lab tests	108
minimally invasive procedures	100
nuclear scan	179
stress testing	841
ultrasound (sonogram)	2051
vascular procedures	686

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2015 - 2021

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Weston Chearis Hickey, MD, FACC for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Weston Chearis Hickey, MD, FACC treated as an interventional cardiologist in Houston, TX were cardiac procedures, inpatient care, hospital care and ultrasound (sonogram).

ambulatory monitoring	19
angioplasty	47
cardiac procedures	1141
cardioversion	20
catheterization	97
diagnostic procedures	50
doctor visit	1519
hospital care	1058
implant surgery	14
inpatient care	1058
lab tests	85
minimally invasive procedures	120
nuclear scan	203
stent placement (stenting)	23
stress testing	510
ultrasound (sonogram)	837
vascular procedures	308

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2015 - 2021

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Weston Chearis Hickey, MD, FACC.

**Gender**
Female	259
Male	206

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	44
Asian / Pacific Islander	6
Non-Hispanic White	377
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Hispanic	24
Other	1

**Age**
85 and over	79
75 to 84	156
Less than 65	28
65 to 74	152

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Weston Chearis Hickey, MD, FACC From 2015 - 2021

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Weston Chearis Hickey, MD, FACC treated were high cholesterol, hypertension, ischemic heart disease and chronic kidney disease.

Hypertension	45
High Cholesterol	45
Stroke	8
Ischemic Heart Disease	44
Depression	16
Chronic Kidney Disease	29
Asthma	9
Osteoporosis	6
Heart Failure	26
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	14
Diabetes	23
Atrial Fibrillation	18
Cancer	8
Dementia	13

Education & Training

Dr. Weston Chearis Hickey, MD, FACC graduated from University of Texas Medical School at Houston in 2008. He completed residency at Weill Cornell Medical College Affiliated Hospitals. He has a state license in Texas.

Medical School: University of Texas Medical School at Houston (2008)

Residency: Weill Cornell Medical College Affiliated Hospitals (2011)

Licensed In: Texas

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Weston Chearis Hickey, MD, FACC is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

Houston Methodist

WILLOWBROOK CARDIOVASCULAR ASSOCIATES, P.A.

HOUSTON CARDIOVASCULAR ASSOC INC

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General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Weston Chearis Hickey, MD, FACC. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

**Payments by Company**
Esperion Therapeutics, Inc.	$52,779 NEXLETOL $46,251	NEXLIZET $6,528
Amarin Pharma Inc.	$7,079 Vascepa $7,079
Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, Inc.	$4,366 LIVALO $3,246	BYSTOLIC $597	Vascepa $517	LIPOFEN $5
Boston Scientific Corporation	$2,911 GENERAL - BRADY GENERATORS $1,107	WATCHMAN Access System $419	OTHER- BSC PRODUCT NOT LISTED $338	GENERAL - BRADY SYSTEMS $254	GENERAL - BRADY $141	Other $651
Medtronic Vascular, Inc.	$2,810 Resolute $1,959	Reveal LINQ $181	STENTS $142	Anti-restenotic Therapies DCB $111	Advisa $96	Other $321
Other	$17,151 XARELTO $2,473	ENTRESTO $1,786	ELIQUIS $1,512	Repatha $975	OPTIMIZER $858	Other $9,546

**Types of Payments**
Compensation for services other than consulting, including serving as faculty or as a speaker at a venue other than a continuing education program	$50,320
Food and Beverage	$25,626
Travel and Lodging	$8,486
Compensation for serving as faculty or as a speaker for a non-accredited and noncertified continuing education program	$2,500
Education	$164

Biography

Dr. Weston Hickey is a specialist in general surgery, interventional cardiology, and cardiac electrophysiology (heart rhythm). He works in Houston, TX. Clinical interests for Dr. Hickey include heart valve disease, heart failure, and hypertension (high blood pressure). His education and training includes medical school at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston and residency at a hospital affiliated with Weill Cornell Medical College. He is professionally affiliated with Houston Methodist.