Your whole health can change your heart health – by Dr. Constantine Monzidelis

As a cardiologist in Rockland County, I care for patients with a wide range of conditions — from those recovering from heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure to those managing chronic issues like high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol. These conditions often overlap, and my role is to help prevent complications before they arise.

I work closely with patients to complement the care they receive from their primary providers, offering specialized insight and treatment tailored to their cardiovascular needs. Whether it’s diagnosing symptoms, guiding recovery, or focusing on prevention, my goal is to support their overall health journey.

Together with my colleagues at Crystal Run Healthcare, we help patients manage heart-related conditions that may stem from or be impacted by other illnesses.

Diabetes

Diabetes is one of the most common conditions we see with secondary heart involvement.  It contributes to reduced blood flow (endothelial dysfunction), accelerates the buildup of plaque in artery walls (atherosclerosis) and increases the risk of heart failure and arrhythmias.  Even in patients with well-controlled blood sugar, the cardiovascular system is under constant stress. That’s why we often co-manage these patients with endocrinology — to ensure their heart health is monitored alongside glycemic control.

COPD

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) frequently develop pulmonary hypertension, which places strain on the right side of the heart.  Over time, this could increase your risk of heart failure, arrhythmias and reduced exercise tolerance.      Because symptoms like shortness of breath overlap between pulmonary and cardiac causes, collaboration between pulmonology and cardiology is essential to avoid misdiagnosis and ensure appropriate treatment.

Preterm Birth

Recent studies are finding evidence that women who deliver preterm are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease later in life, including hypertension and coronoary artery disease. The children born prematurely also face long-term risks due to altered vascular development and increased risk of developing metabolic syndrome. These patients benefit from early cardiovascular screening and lifestyle counseling, even in their 20s and 30s.  

STIs

Certain infections (STI) — particularly HIV and syphilis — can directly affect the heart. HIV increases cardiovascular risk through chronic inflammation and side effects from antiretroviral therapy. Syphilis can cause aortitis or valvular disease.  These are conditions where cardiology may not be the first specialty involved, but our role becomes critical if complications arise.

At Crystal Run Healthcare, we’ve built a model that prioritizes collaboration across specialties. Cardiologists don’t work in silos — we’re in constant communication with primary care, endocrinology, pulmonology, OB/GYN and infectious disease to ensure we’re taking care of the whole patient. Whether it’s through shared electronic medical record systems (EMR), multidisciplinary case reviews or direct consults, we ensure that every patient receives coordinated care. This whole-person approach allows us to catch complications early, reduce redundant testing and provide more personalized treatment plans. It’s not just about managing disease — it’s about improving quality of life.

Constantine Monzidelis, MD, FACC, MBA is a board certified cardiologist at Crystal Run Healthcare. He earned his Medical Degree at St. George's University School of Medicine in Grenada, West Indies and completed his Residency in internal medicine at The Brooklyn Hospital Center, Brooklyn, NY. Dr. Monzidelis completed his cardiology Fellowship at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, New York. His clinical interests include general cardiology, nuclear cardiology, echocardiography and vascular imaging. Dr. Monzidelis is currently seeing patients in West Nyack, NY.

[1]Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes | American Heart Association

[1]Hypertension in Diabetes: An Update of Basic Mechanisms and Clinical Disease - PubMed

[1]Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes | American Heart Association

[1]Updated Perspectives on Pulmonary Hypertension in COPD - PMC

[1]COPD - Symptoms | NHLBI, NIH

[1]COPD Causes and Risk Factors | COPD Foundation

[1]COPD and other health problems: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

[1]Pregnancy complications and later life women's health - PMC 

[1]Preterm Birth: An Overlooked Risk Factor for Heart Failure in the Young Adult | Circulation Pregnancy Complications and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease Later in Life: A Nationwide Cohort Study | Journal of the American Heart Association

[1]Cardiovascular Morbidities in Adults Born Preterm: Getting to the Heart of the Matter! - PMC

[1]Other Health Issues of Special Concern for People Living with HIV | HIV.gov

[1]HIV Medicines and Side Effects | NIH

[1] Abstract P503: Syphilis Infection and Increased Odds of Cardiovascular Morbidity | Circulation