Love Your Heart: A Cleveland Clinic Podcast

Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) is the narrowing or blockage of the vessels that carry blood from the heart to the legs. Natalie Salvatore, RN, talks with Dr. Teresa Wu from the Section of Vascular Medicine at Cleveland Clinic about PAD and what you need to know.

Lipoprotein (a) or LP(a) is a type of LDL or “bad cholesterol”. Dr. Ashish Sarraju explains what LP(a) is and how it relates to other forms of lipoproteins.

An organ transplant changes your life forever. Natalie Salvatore, RN, speaks with Dr. Eileen Hsich, Medical Director for the Heart Transplant Program at Cleveland Clinic, about the basics for heart transplantation and her biggest piece of advice for patients and families.

Robotic heart surgery sounds like a thing of the future. It is important to know that your surgeon is still the one performing the surgery and he or she is using the robot as a tool. As you might imagine, this requires your surgeon to have a specific set of skills. Dr. Marc Gillinov, Chair of the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery at Cleveland Clinic, answers some common questions about training that surgeons receive and questions you should ask your surgeon if you are considering a robotically assisted approach for heart surgery.

In 2006, Cleveland Clinic performed its first transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Since then, the number of patients we treat has grown and how we care for this patient population has evolved. Dr. Samir Kapadia, Chairman of Cardiology, and Dr. Amar Krishnaswamy, Head of Interventional Cardiology, discuss how the care for patients having TAVR has changed and the benefit to going home the same day if appropriate.

A Cleveland Clinic-led trial looked at the safety of testosterone replacement therapy for patients with documented low levels of testosterone. Dr. Steve Nissen discusses the results that testosterone-replacement therapy did not result in a higher rate of major adverse cardiac events for some patients. Although safe in the patient group studied, researchers still urge caution when considering testosterone therapy.

Intermittent fasting is a pattern of eating as usual then not eating for a set time period and may have some heart health benefits. Julia Zumpano, registered dietician with the Department of Preventative Cardiology at the Cleveland Clinic, answers "what is intermittent fasting?" and explains why it works for some people.

An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is a medical device that monitors your heart and can deliver an electric shock to correct life-threatening arrhythmia and prevent sudden cardiac arrest. Dr. Mohamed Kanj talks about the safety and risks of activity with an ICD and different arrhythmias. He reviews findings from research that helps guide how doctors care for active patients with ICDs.

A heart MRI is a painless, safe and noninvasive way for your healthcare provider to see detailed pictures of your heart. Cardiac MRI images show the parts of your heart and any damage to specific areas and also show how well your heart's chambers and valves are working. Cardiac MRI is often a necessary diagnostic test for patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) but challenging due to patient safety concerns and poor image quality. Drs. Callahan and Wilkoff talk with Dr. Deborah Kwon, Director of Cardiac MRI at Cleveland Clinic about cardiac MRI safety and image optimization.

Aortopathy refers to conditions that weaken your aorta, like aortic aneurysms and aortic dissections. Dr. Vidyasagar Kalahasti, Director of the Marfan Syndrome and Connective Tissue Disorder Clinic and member of the Aorta Center, discusses causes of aortopathies, especially for people with genetic conditions or competitive athletes.

School may be out for the summer, but student athletes are still attending practices for the next season. Summertime also provides masters level athletes a chance to enjoy the nice weather while practicing their sport. Dr. Tamanna Singh hosts a panel discussion with Drs. Richard Figler, Thomas Callahan, and Michael Emery about screening and preparedness for potential life-threatening heart conditions that affect athletes.

Life after a cardiac event can be difficult to adjust to, especially if you are an athlete. The decision to return to play is important and must be made by weighing the risks and benefits. Dr. Michael Emery, Co-Director of the Sports Cardiology Center, talks about returning to play, what your doctor thinks about, and the shared decision-making process.

Being involved with a sport comes with a long list of things to do to get ready to play. One item on this list is a pre-participation cardiac screening. Dr. Tamanna Singh, Co-Director of the Sports Cardiology Center, talks about the value of pre-participation screening including a history and physical (H&P) and one common test, an electrocardiogram (EKG).

Patients have many questions about how to lower cholesterol and what to do after a high cholesterol diagnosis. Dr. Ashish Sarraju answers some of these common questions including why fasting before your test is important, what all of the different tests tell your doctor and what you can do to help your heart.

Have you ever wondered what your surgeon thinks about when they are deciding if you need an operation? Dr. Lars Svensson and Dr. Marijan Koprivanac discuss all things aorta, such as your past medical history, current health, and how your surgeon looks to the future to provide the best options for you.

The choice between robotically assisted, minimally invasive, or full open incision is a decision you should talk to your surgeon about. Dr. Marc Gillinov and Dr. Daniel Burns answer some common questions and provide insight on how your surgeon chooses the best approach for you.

Eating healthy can be tricky. Food labels can be challenging to read and understand. Dr. Stan Hazen and Dr. Wilson Tang recently spoke about erythritol and the link to heart health. Natalie Salvatore, RN and Julia Zumpano talk about more about food choices and how to spot artificial sweeteners.

Lymphedema and Lipedema sound very similar. Not only do they sound similar, but they can look similar too. Dr. Doug Joseph and Dr. John Bartholomew talk about what is the same and what is different between the two.

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is a chronic circulatory condition, which if not treated, can lead to limb amputations. PAD affects nearly 20 million Americans. An estimated 200,000 people, disproportionately from minority communities, suffer avoidable amputations every year. Dr. Scott Cameron, Section Head for Vascular Medicine at Cleveland Clinic, hosts a 2-part, multidisciplinary panel discussion. Drs. Luke Laffin, Teresa Wu, Aravinda Nanjundappa, and Jon Quatromoni share their thoughts as experts in their fields. Part 2 highlights medications, interventions and the benefits of these various specialties collaborating to ensure patients receive the best possible care.

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is a chronic circulatory condition, which, if not treated, can lead to limb amputations. PAD affects nearly 20 million Americans. An estimated 200,000 people, disproportionately from minority communities, suffer avoidable amputations every year. Dr. Scott Cameron, Section Head for Vascular Medicine at Cleveland Clinic, hosts a 2-part, multidisciplinary panel discussion. Drs. Luke Laffin, Teresa Wu, Aravinda Nanjundappa, and Jon Quatromoni share their thoughts as experts in their fields. Part 1 highlights screening and testing, diagnosis and when to operate.

Patients have many things to consider when they are told they need to have their mitral valve repaired. Dr. Marc Gillinov and Dr. Kevin Hodges answer some of these questions such as, "Do patients with a mitral valve repair have a shorter life expectancy?" and "Do all cardiac surgeons perform mitral valve repair?" and "Is the number of surgeries performed important?"

Sugar-free diets and foods are a popular choice for people trying to watch calories and blood sugar, but are the alternatives safe? Dr. Stanley Hazen and Dr. Wilson Tang discuss one artificial sweetener, erythritol, from their recent study. They also provide tips for healthy grocery shopping.

The aorta, the main artery that carries blood from your heart to the rest of your body, can become damaged and weak, causing it to become wider (aneurysm) or torn (dissection). Dr. Lars Svensson and Dr. Patrick Vargo discuss surgical options for repairing the aorta.

A pacemaker is a device put inside the body to help support the electrical system of the heart. Sometimes, allergic reactions can happen because of a compound in the device. Drs. Tom Callahan and Bruce Wilkoff from electrophysiology talk to Dr. John Anthony, Dermatology and Dr. James Taylor, Clinical Professor of Dermatology about what to do if someone has an allergy but needs a lifesaving device.

A collapsed lung (pneumothorax) occurs when air gets inside the chest cavity (outside the lung) and creates pressure against the lung which can make it hard to breathe. Natalie Salvatore, RN speaks with Dr. Alejandro Bribriesco, thoracic surgeon, about how doctors care for patients with a collapsed lung.

For patients with heart valve disease who need a replacement, the choice between a bioprostetic (tissue) or mechanical valve can be challenging. Dr. Marc Gillinov, Chairman of the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, explains the good, the bad, and the ugly for each type of valve.

To celebrate Heart Month, Cleveland Clinic conducted a survey and found out about Americans' thoughts on heart healthy diets. People said they believe low fat (37 percent) and low carb diet (35 percent) to be heart healthy. Only 15 percent said the Mediterranean diet, which has the most evidence of benefits for heart health. Dr. Dennis Bruemmer and Julia Zumpano, RD discuss these different diets and how they affect your heart.

February is Heart Month! American diets are notoriously unhealthy for your heart, but why? Cleveland Clinic conducted a survey to find out the most common barriers to a heart healthy diet. Natalie Salvatore, RN and Julia Zumpano, RD talk about some of the responses about why eating healthy is so hard.

Lymphedema is swelling that happens when something affects your lymphatic system. When your lymphatic system doesn't work well, your body accumulates fluid and may begin to swell. Dr. Doug Joseph, one of the medical directors of the multi-disciplinary lymphedema clinic, provides an overview of lymphedema including diagnosis and treatment options.

Sudden cardiac arrest occurs when the heart stops beating or is not beating sufficiently to maintain adequate blood flow and life. This can happen to anyone. Dr. Michael Emery and Dr. Tamana Singh, Co-Directors of the Sports Cardiology Center, talk about what happens to an athlete who experiences sudden cardiac arrest and everything that happens after.

Ventricular arrhythmias are abnormal heart rhythms that originate in the bottom chambers of the heart called the ventricles. Dr. Oussama Wazni talks with Dr. Pasquale Santangeli, the Director of the Ventricular Arrhythmia Center, about treatment and management for patients with ventricular arrhythmias.

A common question our heart doctors get asked is "Can I do anything to prevent a leaky heart valve or anything to keep it from getting worse?" Dr. Marc Gillinov, Chairman of the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, explains that a leaky heart valve cannot be prevented and that routine monitoring is a great way to catch if it becomes worse.

The new year often brings resolutions to improve your health and wellbeing. Natalie Salvatore, RN, speaks with Dr. Dennis Bruemmer about adopting lifestyle changes to keep your heart healthy in the new year.

Large aneurysms at risk of splitting or bursting may require surgery. Your surgeon may use an open repair technique where a graft is sewn in to repair the damaged part or an endovascular repair where a stent graft is put into place using a thin tube inserted in to the artery. Dr. Patrick Vargo talks about aortic aneurysm surgery. Drs. Milind Desai, Eric Roselli and Vidyasagar Kalahasti discuss considerations after aortic aneurysm surgery.

If you have diabetes, you're twice as likely to have heart disease or a stroke than someone who doesn't have diabetes. Over time, high blood sugar can damage blood vessels and the nerves that control your heart. People with diabetes are also more likely to have other conditions that raise the risk for heart disease such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Natalie Salvatore, RN, talks with Dr. Dennis Bruemmer about how diabetes and heart disease go hand in hand.

The holiday season can be a very happy time but also a very stressful time and can create challenges for managing your heart health. Julia Zumpano R.D. and Natalie Salvatore RN discuss some common challenges and ways to stay on track during the holiday season including shopping, traveling and holiday gatherings.

Connective tissue provides support to many structures within the body, such as the heart valves and blood vessels (the aorta). Dr. Vidyasagar Kalahasti, Director of the Cardiovascular Marfan Syndrome & Connective Tissue Clinic, discusses connective tissue disorders and your aorta.

Hypercholesterolemia is more commonly known as high cholesterol. FH is a type of high cholesterol that someone gets because of genetics. Dr. Leslie Cho and Dr. Ashish Sarraju talk about FH and how to treat it.

Making healthy choices during the holidays can be challenging. Julia Zumpano R.D. lists 4 tips to help you stick to your diet.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) causes thickening of the heart muscle, left ventricular stiffness, mitral valve changes and cellular changes. For many years, management of this condition was surgery or alcohol ablation. Mavacamten is the first FDA approved drug to help treat patients with HCM. Drs. Steven Nissen and Milind Desai talk about this novel treatment option and the benefits of being treated by a specialized center.

The aorta (the main artery that carries blood away from your heart) can become damaged and weak, causing it to become wider (aneurysm) or torn (dissection). Dr. Frank Caputo discusses, along with Drs. Eric Roselli and Milind Desai, the importance of screening not just for you, but your family too.

Changing the way you eat can be challenging not only because it is a lifestyle change, but the recommendations are always changing too. Julia Zumpano, a registered dietitian in the Department of Preventive Cardiology, explains how to find reliable information and find a solution that is right for you.

Congenital heart disease and pulmonic valve disease require a coordinated team approach that includes an initial evaluation, explanation of therapeutic options, innovative transcatheter and surgical therapies and consultative follow-up. Dr. Joanna Ghobrial discusses diagnosis and management for patients with a leaky or tight pulmonic valve.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart. Dr. Faisal Bakaeen and Dr. Aaron Weiss discuss one treatment option, coronary artery bypass grafting. Coronary artery bypass grafting (also called CABG) has expanded to include a variety of innovative procedures to meet the needs of all patients, from those who are low risk to the sickest with the highest risk of complications.

Many patients with congenital heart disease also have pulmonary hypertension. Pulmonary hypertension (PH) or pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is high blood pressure in the arteries that supply blood to the lungs. This is different from the blood pressure measured by a cuff on your arm. Dr. Joanna Ghobrial and Dr. Neal Chaisson discuss how different teams of doctors work together to care for patients with congenital heart disease and PH.

The tricuspid valve ensures that blood flows from the right atrium (top) to the right ventricle (bottom). It also prevents blood from flowing backward between those two chambers. Sometimes, the tricuspid valve does not close properly and blood leaks back into the right atrium instead of going to the lungs. This is called tricuspid regurgitation. Dr. Tom Wang talks about why this happens and how to fix it.

N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, also known as omega 3s or fish oil, claim to have a benefit for cardiovascular health. Dr. Steven Nissen and Dr. Luke Laffin discuss the results of recent trials focusing on the use of N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and if the effects live up to the marketed claims or if they have more undesirable effects.

The management of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) can be complex. Dr. Nicholas Smedira speaks with Dr. Kevin Hodges about how his passion for patients with HCM pairs with one of his other specialty areas, the mitral valve.

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) and inappropriate sinus tachycardia can both lead to syncope. Dr. Oussama Wazni continues the discussion about syncope with Dr. Kenneth Mayuga and Dr. Jeffery Courson.

Syncope (pronounced “sin ko pea”) is the medical term for fainting or passing out. Dr. Oussama Wazni and Dr. Kenneth Mayuga discuss why someone may feel like they are going to pass out, including postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS).

Calcium is needed for your heart and bones. Calcium supplements have been looked at to see if they are causing more harm than good. Julia Zumpano, a registered dietitian in the Department of Preventive Cardiology, talks about the importance of calcium and how to get it naturally though the foods you eat. Learn more about the Preventive Cardiology Program at Cleveland Clinic.