Having always been drawn to the health sciences and human physiology, Ayyash Melhem, MD, FACC, FSCAI, an interventional cardiologist at Mercy Health – St. Rita’s Medical Center, was further inspired to enter medicine after watching the role physicians played when treating some of his ill family members.
“As I got closer to choosing my future field of study, it was clear that medicine would allow me to follow my passion of being able to help patients paired with studying something I really enjoyed,” Dr. Melhem shares.
During medical school and fellowship training, Dr. Melhem found he was attracted to the field of cardiology. He then went on to receive board certification in general cardiology, echocardiography and interventional cardiology. He also received additional training in peripheral arterial disease and advanced heart failure.
“A cardiologist can help a sick patient survive a potentially fatal heart attack or simply help another one to improve their quality of life,” Dr. Melhem explains. “Seeing the positive impact on my patients and hearing that they feel better is the most rewarding aspect of my job! I am glad to be part of this great cardiology team and I look forward to continuing to serve this amazing community.”
Many patients who seek out Dr. Melhem are referred to him after experiencing cardiovascular conditions such as chest pain, shortness of breath or leg pains, especially if they have cardiac risk factors or a family history of heart disease.
When asked what advice he would give to patients wanting to lead a heart-healthy life, Dr. Melhem shared the following three tips.
- An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! Eat healthy, stay active.
- Risk factors for heart disease include many of the more common medical conditions: diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, to name a few. If you have or are at risk of having any of these conditions, regular follow-ups with your primary care provider and getting those conditions under control is key.
- Early recognition of a heart condition can be crucial. If you have a new symptom, do not delay seeking care. Listen to your body!
Learn more about the heart and vascular services we offer at Mercy Health.
