Podcasts about kym mcnicholas

Join hosts Kym McNicholas, Emmy Award-winning journalist and CEO of Global PAD Association, and Dr. John Phillips, Interventional Cardiologist, as they welcome Dr. David Alper, podiatrist, to discuss critical summer foot health issues. In this episode, Dr. Alper shares entertaining stories about the biggest foot follies that occur during summer—from beach mishaps to BBQ blunders. But the conversation takes a serious turn as he reveals the hidden summer dangers for people with diabetes and peripheral artery disease (PAD). Learn essential strategies to protect vulnerable feet and prevent wounds that could lead to amputation. Dr. Alper brings decades of expertise as Emeritus Surgical staff at Harvard's Mt. Auburn Hospital and former Board of Trustees member of the American Podiatric Medical Association. His impressive background includes serving as President of the American Diabetes Association's New England Leadership Board for over 20 years and chairing the Belmont Board of Health for three decades. Whether you're concerned about your own foot health or caring for someone with circulation issues, this episode delivers valuable information that could help save limbs and lives this summer season. #FootHealth #DiabetesCare #PADAwareness #SummerSafety #HeartOfInnovation #peripheralarterydisease #padtreatment #diabetesfootcare #diabeticfoot #padsupportgroup #legcramps #legpaintreatment

Join us for an exclusive interview with Dr. Robert Gabbay, endocrinologist and former chief medical officer of the American Diabetes Association, on "The Heart of Innovation" hosted by Dr. John Phillips and Emmy-award-winning journalist Kym McNicholas. Dr. Gabbay will share cutting-edge developments in diabetes care that go beyond just lowering A1C—they're revolutionizing heart health, kidney function, and mobility for patients! He answers questions about: - Game-changing medications that reduce heart attack risk AND help you walk farther - The latest insulin pump technology transforming daily management - Advanced diabetes screening methods catching the disease earlier than ever - How AI digital twins can visualize the impact of lifestyle changes before you make them This is your chance to learn from a leading expert who has been at the forefront of innovations in treatment options for patients with diabetes and obesity. #DiabetesInnovation #HeartHealth #TheHeartOfInnovation #GlobalPADassociation #peripheralarterydisease #diabetescure #diabetestreatment #padsupport #legcramps #legpaintreatment

This Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month, The Heart of Innovation presents an extraordinary story of resilience and transformation. Join hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips as they welcome Thomas Francois, a peripheral artery disease amputee turned Santa Rosa Junior College baseball coach. Discover how Thomas views his amputation as a "gift" and a pivotal "Saul to Paul" moment in his life. Don't miss this powerful episode exploring: • Overcoming physical challenges • Finding purpose through adversity • Redefining success in sports and life Tune in to hear Thomas's remarkable journey from PAD patient to inspiring coach. #LimbLossAwareness #PADSurvivor #InspiringCoach #HeartOfInnovation #peripheralarterydisease #padsupport #padawareness #amputationprevention

Tune in to The Heart of Innovation this week as we share an incredible story of a young woman who helped save her grandfather's life and now is trying to save others through organ donation advocacy. Since it's National Kidney Month, Emmy Award-winning journalist Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips interview Danica Almazan, RN and Miss Marin County 2025, whose family's courageous fight against kidney disease sparked a powerful mission of hope. You might wonder why we are talking about kidney disease on a show about cardiovascular and vascular health. Kidney disease, especially in advanced stages can lead to peripheral artery disease, which is poor circulation in mainly the legs, and lead to amputation. Many of the peripheral artery disease (PAD) patients both Kym and Dr. John support have CKD and ESRD, some of which are also in need of a kidney transplant. They want to get the word out there on the importance of kidney health as well as raise awareness that all kidney disease patients should be checked for peripheral artery disease and to find a doctor who specializes in opening the small vessels below the knee and into the foot, which is where kidney disease patients are typically stricken with PAD. Whether you're impacted by peripheral artery disease, kidney health challenges, or simply want to understand the power of family support, this episode is a must-watch! #KidneyHealth #OrganDonation #TheHeartOfInnovation #NationalKidneyMonth #MissMarin2025 #peripheralarterydisease #padsupport #CLI #criticallimbischemia

In our next episode of The Heart of Innovation, co-hosts Dr. John Phillips and Emmy award-winning journalist Kym McNicholas talk to the Founders of Storyboard Capital about how they're helping startups, including healthcare innovators, secure crucial funding and partnerships. Michael Likosky and Jeff Kafka are literally announcing their launch on this show. So you don't want to miss this episode to discover how they're democratizing access to funding and resources for startups across various sectors, including healthcare: • Unlocking hidden funding opportunities in government and private sectors • Connecting innovators with strategic partnerships, from tech to medicine • Empowering entrepreneurs with expert-level tools for investor engagement Learn about their platform's impact on innovation ecosystems: ✅ Helping startups craft compelling narratives for diverse investors ✅ Navigating complex funding landscapes in multiple industries ✅ Facilitating collaborations between startups and established organizations For healthcare innovators, Storyboard Capital offers specialized support in translating medical breakthroughs into fundable ventures and navigating industry-specific regulations. Join us for this insightful discussion on how Storyboard Capital is reshaping the future of startup funding and corporate innovation across sectors. #InnovationFunding #StartupSuccess #HealthTechInnovation #TheHeartOfInnovation #globalpadassociation #storyboardcapital #startupfunding #healthcareinnovation

Join Dr. John Phillips and Kym McNicholas on The Heart of Innovation as they share Rose's story of perseverance and medical innovation Rose, an oil industry worker and antique seller, Had her life upended by undiagnosed peripheral artery disease (PAD): • Misdiagnosed for 4 years, with leg cramps attributed to low vitamin D • Struggled to walk across her 93-foot house without resting • PAD discovered only after a lung cancer removal procedure Her Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Dr. John Davis, faced a challenge: Rose's severe PAD required a revolving door of interventions that needed to stop, but she wasn't a candidate for traditional bypass surgery. Enter a new, minimally invasive bypass technique that's keeping Rose on her feet so far without repeated procedures. Tune in to hear: • How Rose's PAD went undetected for years despite textbook symptoms • The unexpected connection between her lung cancer treatment and PAD diagnosis • Why this new bypass technique could be a game-changer for PAD patients Don't miss this eye-opening episode about the importance of proper PAD diagnosis and the promise of emerging treatments. #PADAwareness #PatientStory #MedicalInnovation #HeartOfInnovation #ptab #legbypass #bypassprocedure #arterybypass #PADstory #PADpatient #globalpadassociation #healthinnovation #healthcare innovation

Join Dr. John Phillips and Emmy Award-winning journalist Kym McNicholas as they interview podiatrist Dr. Mark Hinkes on The Heart of Innovation. Discover a groundbreaking program to reduce unnecessary amputations in patients with diabetic foot ulcers and critical limb ischemia. Dr. Hinkes shares essential strategies for healthcare professionals to assess, screen, and mitigate risks in diabetic patients. Learn about comprehensive foot exams, risk stratification, and how AI is shaping personalized diabetes care. Don't miss this crucial discussion on preventing lower extremity complications and saving limbs.  #DiabeticFootCare #AmputationPrevention #InnovativeHealthcare #peripheralarterydisease #padsupport #pvdsupport #peripheralvasculardisease #DFUtreatment #amputation #amputationprevention #globalpadassociation

Don't Miss the Next Episode of "The Heart of Innovation" to learn more about a groundbreaking technology that helps treat pain, reduce inflammation, remove scar tissue, and heal wounds! Hosts Dr. John Phillips, Interventional Cardiologist and Kym McNicholas, Emmy Award-Winning Journalist & CEO of Global PAD Association, interview Chris Bazzy, Co-founder of BioCell. Discover how BioCell's is: using electrical frequencies to combat inflammation, dissolving scar tissue with cutting-edge methods, and accelerating healing for diabetic foot wounds. We will explore how this technology differs from traditional treatments, the science behind electrical frequencies in healing, and whether tthis innovation may prevent amputations. Tune in for a shocking (pun intended!) look at the future of treating injuries, reducing pain, and healing wounds! #HeartOfInnovation #DiabeticWoundCare #MedTech #BioCell #peripheralarterydisease #peripheralarterydisease #microcurrent

In our latest episode of The Heart of Innovation, Emmy Award-winning journalist Kym McNicholas and interventional cardiologist Dr. John Phillips dive deep into the transformative world of regenerative farming with two extraordinary guests. Groundbreaking Nutrient Density Research: Recent studies reveal the incredible potential of regenerative agriculture: 21% More Nutrients: The Bionutrient Food Association found regeneratively-grown vegetables contain significantly more nutrients than USDA averages Mineral Boost: Regenerative wheat shows: 58% more selenium 27% more zinc Vitamin Power: Regenerative vegetables demonstrate: 22% more iron 19% more vitamin C Why Regenerative Farming Matters: Conventional industrial agriculture has led to: Declining soil health Reduced nutrient density in crops Increased nutrient deficiencies in communities Regenerative Agriculture Offers: Improved soil microbiome Enhanced crop nutrient profiles Increased food security Reduced environmental impact Special Guests: • Richard Lackey, World Food Bank Chairman • Joni Kindwall-Moore, Snacktivist Foods CEO Political Landscape: With RFK Jr. potentially leading Health & Human Services and championing regenerative agriculture, we explore how this approach could revolutionize our food system. Key Discussion Points: What is regenerative farming? How does it differ from modern agricultural practices? Potential impact on nutrient density and public health Economic and environmental benefits The Science Behind the Transformation: Regenerative practices like cover cropping, reduced tillage, and diverse crop rotations create: Healthier soil microbiomes More resilient ecosystems Nutrient-rich food systems Emerging Research Insight: Regenerative agriculture isn't just about sustainability—it's about creating a holistic approach to food production that benefits: Soil health Plant nutrition Human wellness Environmental sustainability Tune in to discover how regenerative farming is set to transform our understanding of food, nutrition, and ecological balance!  #RegenerativeFarming #FutureOfFood #Nutrition #HealthyEating #SustainableAgriculture #peripheralarterydisease #cardiovasculardisease #heartdisease #paddiet #hearthealth

Join Emmy Award-winning journalist Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips this week on **The Heart of Innovation** as we dive deep into a groundbreaking solution for men struggling with enlarged prostate:

Saving Legs, Saving Lives: When Hector faced the terrifying prospect of leg amputation, his wife Melissa became his lifeline.

Join Emmy Award-winning journalist Kym McNicholas and Interventional Cardiologist Dr. John Phillips in this eye-opening episode of "The Heart of Innovation." Discover the alarming gaps in healthcare that contribute to inadequate care for patients with Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), a condition deadlier than breast, colon, and prostate cancers combined. Learn how the Global PAD Association is bridging these gaps, saving lives, and preventing amputations. If you experience leg pain, cramps, neuropathy, or sleepy legs, contact the Leg Saver Hotline at (415) 320-7138 or visit PADhelp.org for assistance. Don't miss this crucial conversation on improving PAD care and advocacy!

In this episode of "The Heart of Innovation," Emmy Award-winning journalist Kym McNicholas and Interventional Cardiologist Dr. John Phillips explore why heart attacks are more prevalent during the winter months. Discover the potential impact of cold weather on circulation throughout the body and learn about the signs and symptoms of a heart attack. We also discuss a newer warning sign that could be the new 'angina'—fatigue. Stay informed and protect your heart health this winter!

The Heart of Innovation host Kym McNicholas talks to El Paso Cardiology Associates Interventional Cardiologist Dr. Laiq Raja about the formation of the "Limb Savers Society" in El Paso, Texas and how El Paso Cardiovascular Associates' Peripheral Artery Disease treatment program has earned the designation as a Center of Excellence, one of only two in the Country. The mission of the Limb Savers Society is to provide education, advocacy and support research to help prevent unnecessary amputations in the El Paso community by promoting multidisciplinary team-based treatment for patients with peripheral artery disease, critical limb ischemia and non-healing wounds.   Their annual one-day physician and clinician education event, CLIF Conference is taking place on Saturday, December 14, 2024 and show host Kym McNicholas is one of the speakers at the event as well as the Global PAD Association Board Member Dr. David Alper and strategic advisor Dr. Craig Walker. We talk about the event and the importance of educating other clinicians and physicians about advances in limb salvage to continue to reduce amputations for Peripheral Artery Disease and its advanced stage, known as Critical Limb Ischemia. For more information on the event, go to CLIFconference.org.

Join hosts Emmy Award-winning journalist Kym McNicholas and Interventional Cardiologist Dr. John Phillips on KDOW radio as they dive deep into a critical issue in healthcare with special guest Alexandra Calingo, Program Specialist at American College of Healthcare Executives.

Tune in to this groundbreaking episode of "The Heart of Innovation" where co-host Kym McNicholas and guest co-host Dr. Nik Patel interview Dr. James Joye, the 2024 PAD Impact Award winner and inventor of the revolutionary PTAB/Detour technology. Dr. Joye discusses his innovative minimally invasive bypass technique for treating Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), performed through small keyhole-sized incisions. Learn about the inspiration behind this game-changing device, the challenges faced in bringing it to market, and its significant impact on patients with comorbidities like diabetes and chronic venous insufficiency. Discover how this breakthrough is transforming vascular surgery, offering hope to those previously considered unsuitable for traditional procedures, and shaping the future of PAD treatment.    

Electrophysiologist and Cardiologist Dr. Joseph Bumgarner with UNC REX Healthcare in North Carolina joins hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips to kick off the Olympics with a discussion about the importance of staying fit but keeping in mind the idea that there is the possibility of too much of a good thing and how to mitigate risk for a heart attack  

If your doctor can't figure out why you have pain, cramping, burning, tingling, cold foot, or numbness in the back of your calf, it might be Popliteal Artery Entrapment Syndrome (PAES). Symptoms can often mimic that of Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD). Those symptoms, coupled with additional swelling, heavy legs, and even a blood clot may also indicate Vein Entrapment. Vascular Surgeon DR. Krishna Mannava, with Vive Vascular in Ohio has seen an increase in the number of patients and talks to hosts Kym McNicholas and Interventional Cardiologist Dr. John Philips about Why PAES is often overlooked and innovative approaches to ensure patients don't progress to amputation with this disorder.

Renowned Vascular Surgeon Dr. Krishna Jain talks to hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips about the increased insurance delays and denials for patients with Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), a disease more prevalent and deadlier than most cancers combined. Patients with PAD, blocked arteries in mainly their legs, are suffering as vascular specialists are facing delays and denials from insurance companies upon their request to improve the quality of life for their patients by restoring blood flow using minimally invasive tools and techniques. This is leading to unconscionable suffering by patients who struggle with pain and cramping in their legs, some with wounds that won't heal on their feet. Dr. Jain explains that patients need to understand that Medicare Advantage Plans are not Medicare and they need to understand the benefits and drawbacks, especially if they have PAD.

Dr. Michael Dansinger is leading our discussion during this episode about how to fix the Diabetes epidemic that the American Diabetes Association says impacts one in every two U.S. adults. He talks to hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips about his new Diabetes Reversal Program that's launched in Massachusettes, which he hopes to scale across America. One of his patients will join the discussion to talk about how the program has helped her and where she still struggles to remain compliant. Dr. Dansinger is a renowned expert in wellness, working with hit cable TV show, 'The Biggest Loser," as Medical Director for the Lifestyle Program at Boston Heart Diagnostics, author of the Tufts University Popular Diet Trial, which was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in January of 2005, and having served as an expert with Medscape and WebMD since 2005.  

In this episode of "The Heart of Innovation," hosts Kym McNicholas and Special Guest: Dr. Anahita Dua take front and center stage with discussions on blood thinners and talking with callers. 

In this episode of "The Heart of Innovation," hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips delve into the groundbreaking advancements in limb salvage tools and techniques for patients with advanced stage peripheral artery disease, also known as Critical Limb Ischemia (CLI). Join us as we interview Howard Leonhardt, the Executive Chairman & CEO at Leonhardt Ventures LLC and Lionheart Health, a pioneering figure at the forefront of research and development in the field. Leonhardt sheds light on their team's innovative work in the development of bioelectrical stimulation signaling sequences, which have the remarkable ability to regulate the release of Klotho, a potent anti-aging and regeneration-promoting protein. If you are low in circulating Klotho you are aging more rapidly. Howard has patented a way to increase your circulating Klotho dramatically with bioelectric stimulation. Leonhardt Ventures is leading the charge as the world's first Innovation Accelerator, with a focus on the convergence of bioelectrics & biologics for organ regeneration, longevity, wellness, and healing. Additionally, Lionheart Health is driving the commercialization of a full pipeline of Leonhardt patented inventions, targeting MedSpas and Sports Medicine Clinics, while also planning to establish numerous Lionheart Health Longevity and Wellness MedSpas over the next 5 years. Tune in to explore how this transformative technology platform featuring bioelectric stimulation controlled release of key anti-aging and health improvement proteins is poised to revolutionize not only limb salvage but also the broader landscape of longevity and wellness.

Diabetes has a deadly secret. Even one extra sugar molecule floating around your blood can damage your arteries putting you at risk for heart attack, stroke, and amputation. ABC News Live Correspondent Steve Osunsami knows this all too well from watching his Dad suffer from Diabetes and one of its most prevalent and deadly complications, known as Peripheral Artery Disease, which is poor circulation mainly in the legs due to plaque build-up. In this episode, Steve talks to The Heart of Innovation's Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips about his Dad's story and its influence on pitching his team to do a story to spread awareness of the diabetes epidemic and the serious repercussions of not getting it under control, and fast. Tune into this episode to hear the backstory of the new ABC News Live feature, "Severed," in which a dozen ABC team members who worked on it all were personally impacted by diabetes and/or related amputations. 

This week on *The Heart of Innovation*, hosted by Interventional Cardiologist Dr. John Phillips and Emmy Award-winning journalist Kym McNicholas, the focus is on the relationship between leg pain and heart health. Since February is American Heart Month, we invited Interventional Cardiologist Dr. Jason Yoho, who practices in San Antonio and Corpus Christi, Texas, and his patient Douglas, to share a life-saving story. Douglas had what's called, Peripheral Artery Disease, which is poor circulation in mainly the leg arteries, and doctors didn't check his heart arteries until it was almost too late. Did you know that three-in-five people who suffer a heart attack have plaque in their leg arteries? If only a doctor would have checked their leg pulses regularly, life and limb might be saved. In this episode, we hope you learn from Douglas' story, including the critical tests and questions to discuss with your doctor.

While show co-host Kym McNicholas is on assignment in the Pacific exploring how Princess Cruise Lines adapts its service for vascular and cardiovascular patients, Dr. John Phillips takes the reigns and invites two other renowned vascular and cardiovascular specialists from Texas for a candid conversation about patient care. Vascular Surgeon Dr. Miguel Montero Baker and Interventional Cardiologist Dr. Lucas Ferrer discuss not only their draw to practicing medicine but also the frustrations in trying to care for patients that they didn't expect to experience in their plight to save life and limb. They'll also share details on their new podcast you'll definitely want to subscribe to after hearing these two interact. Click on the link to listen to this not-to-miss insider conversation and learn what doctors talk about when patients aren't in clinic. It's guaranteed to be a lively discussion.

Doctors don't always have the opportunity to hear about the impact they've had on their patients. So, Interventional Cardiologist Dr. John Phillips and Emmy Award-winning journalist/patient advocate Kym McNicholas talk to patients who have a disease that's deadlier than all cancers combined, except lung cancer, called Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD). PAD is a circulation issue in the legs that left untreated can lead to amputation, stroke, and heart attack. Patient Alan offers his thanks to Dr. Kumar Madassery at Rush Hospital as well as Dr. Jihad Mustapha at Advanced Cardiac and Vascular Centers in Michigan, along with his vascular surgeons in Indiana. Nancy thanks Dr. James Antezana, a vascular surgeon in Charlotte, North Carolina for his care. Charles shares his appreciation for Dr. Michael Siah, a vascular surgeon in Dallas for saving his limbs as well as TheWayToMyHeart.org for supporting his wife through the journey. And Douglas shares his appreciation for Dr. Mehrzad Zarghouni for not only saving his legs but also his life. 

In the latest episode of "The Heart of Innovation," hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips delve into the challenging journey of Dee and her 90-year-old mother, who is facing the complex issue of non-healing wounds caused by Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), restricted blood flow in mainly the leg arteries that can prevent critical nutrients, including oxygen, from reaching muscles, tissue, and nerves clear to the foot - nutrients that are essential for wound healing. Dee's mother has been struggling with a non-healing wound on her toe since 2019, which has led to a series of complications. From oxygen therapy to the diagnosis of osteomyelitis (bone infection), they have explored various treatments, but wounds persist. Now, Dee is determined to find the best specialist and facility to give her mother the greatest chance of success and minimize complications, which may include clearing blockages in her Mom's arteries below-the-knee and below-the-ankle into the pedal-plantar artery loop in the foot. In this episode, the hosts bring together a panel of experts in the field of PAD treatment, including Dr. Christopher Lee Stout, a Vascular Surgeon from Ozark Vascular in Arkansas, and Dr. Dan Simon, an Interventional Radiologist from Edison Radiology Group in New Jersey. Alongside show co-host Dr. John Phillips, an Interventional Cardiologist, they provide valuable insights and answer Dee's pressing questions. They focus specifically on the advanced stage of PAD, known as Critical Limb Ischemia (CLI), characterized by leg pain, leg cramps at night, and non-healing wounds on the foot or toe. The panel of physicians aims to address Dee's concerns and guide her in making informed decisions to save her mother's limb and improve her quality of life. They discuss the value of a multidisciplinary approach to treating CLI. They also drive home the importance of ensuring whomever she chooses has experience with treating an elderly patient with series comorbidities that include chronic heart failure (CHF) and advanced stage kidney disease, Plus, they educate Dee on the advance skillset and tools required to reduce radiation and contrast die during the procedure which could result in complete kidney failure.

In this episode, host Kym McNicholas shares a personal story about her father's battle with blood clots. Joined by InterventionalCardiologist Dr. Jay Mathews and Pain Specialist Dr. Efrain Rivera, they delve into the challenges her father faced after a fall and subsequent sedentary recovery period. Initially misdiagnosed with back issues, they explore how the discovery of blood clots in his lungs and leg veins changed the treatment approach. Together, the medical experts provide guidance on available treatment options, offer valuable insights, and equip listeners with essential questions to ensure the best care for their loved ones. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of blood clots and how to become a proactive advocate for your family's health.

Co-host Kym McNicholas is LIVE at the CLI-F Multidisciplinary limb salvage conference by The Limb Saver Society in El Paso, Texas. She is joined by conference co-founder Lorena Henderson to talk about its focus, which is on complex revascularization techniques, wound care, podiatry and infectious disease best practices for amputation prevention. Also joining Kym is Podiatrist Dr. Gary Grindstaff and Pain Specialist Dr. Efrain Rivera to talk about managing patients with vascular issues and chronic pain. They discuss medication and other modalities to try and bring some relief either temporary or long-term for these patients.

  Innovative Food software company Innit's CEO Kevin Brown shares some easy ways to make your Thanksgiving Day favorites just a little bit healthier. He is cooking alongside show co-host Kym McNicholas in his home kitchen while a patient with peripheral artery disease, which is blocked arteries in mainly the legs, shares her favorite farro stuffing recipe. Don't go shopping until you find out some quick and easy substitute ingredients that will sacrifice calories and fat, not flavor. Show co-host Dr. John Phillips shares why you don't have to completely overhaul your entire thanksgiving day feast one day out of the year but just make some adjustments in order to live a longer, healthier life. 

Charles Winters thought he could breathe a sigh of relief after the gift of a lifetime, a kidney transplant, saved his life. But after his fight for life, he found himself fighting for limb. Doctors hadn't told him Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) patients are at an increased risk of peripheral artery disease (PAD), blocked arteries in mainly the leg arteries which restrict blood flow, and steps that could be taken such as with diet and exercise to prevent it. So, after he recovered from a kidney transplant and had just started getting his life back in order, he found himself back in the hospital fighting to avoid amputation. He talks to hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips about his life and limb-saving journey that is certain to give others hope that it's possible to live a longer, better quality of life, if only you stand up and advocate for what you feel is right for your care.

Individuals with Chronic Kidney Disease have an increased risk of developing limb-threatening plaque build-up in their leg arteries that restricts blood flow, a disorder known as peripheral artery disease (PAD). That's why Terry Litchfield, who fought alongside her husband Bill who was a dialysis dependent CKD patient for more than 50 years, is sinking her teeth into prevention efforts and advances in treatment for those with advanced disease that tends to settle in the calf and foot arteries, which are tougher to tackle. She joins hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips in talking about gaps in care for CKD and PAD patients and innovative ways in which sees care evolving to help patients live a longer, healthier life. Terry has dedicated her life to advocacy, turning her passion into her profession as President of Access Solutions, which offers patient Advocacy consulting services related to the renal dialysis field. She's also an author and expert in patient engagement and satisfaction so you don't want to miss highlights from her publications.

Blood clots are a common occurrence that can have fatal consequences. However, they can be prevented by understanding the risk factors, recognizing the signs, and seeking prompt medical attention. This is an important topic, especially with World Thrombosis Day taking place annually on October 13. The International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) organizes this global initiative to raise awareness about thrombosis, a condition that is often overlooked or misunderstood. Thrombosis occurs when blood clots form in veins or arteries, leading to serious health risks such as deep vein thrombosis(DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), stroke, and heart attack. In this episode of The Heart of Innovation, hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips interview Dr. Thomas Tu, Chief Medical Officer for Inari Medical. Inari Medical has developed a groundbreaking device that offers a new approach to treating blood clots. The discussion focuses on how clots form, the reasons behind their formation, the individuals who are most vulnerable, the signs and symptoms to watch out for, and the various natural and medical options available to reduce the risk of fatal outcomes.

Interventional Cardiologist Barry Tedder has been advocating for months for one of his patients to undergo a potentially life-saving procedure that uses minimally invasive methods instead of surgery. Unfortunately, their insurance has denied coverage for it, causing frustration for Dr. Tedder and unimaginable suffering for his patient. This situation is not unique - insurance companies are consistently denying reimbursement requests from physicians for minimally invasive procedures that aim to open up the arteries of patients suffering from Peripheral Artery Disease (P.A.D.). P.A.D., a disease that is more prevalent and deadlier than all cancers combined (excluding lung cancer), causes severe leg pain during physical activity and can even disrupt sleep due to restricted blood flow caused by plaque buildup in the arteries. Vascular specialists are urging insurance companies to cover the necessary procedures to alleviate the suffering and prevent limb loss, but these requests are being consistently denied. To talk about these denials, Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips are joined by Dr. Barry Tedder.

Insufficient nourishment is responsible for 20% of deaths worldwide (INHME) and contributes to a range of chronic illnesses. The costs associated with unhealthy eating habits have surpassed $11 trillion, exceeding the value of the global food industry, which stands at $9 trillion according to WEF reports. While our health care system has yet to find an effective approach to improving poor dietary habits on a large scale,fortunately, technological advancements are bridging the gap by offering more tailored and practical guidance for individuals' daily nutritional needs. Innit, a technology company, has introduced FoodLM™,the world's first Generative AI platform that incorporates expert validation of dieting practices, cooking methods, and healthy eating requirements. Through FoodLM (Language Model), Innit addresses the pressing need for reliable AI solutions in the global food industry. This innovative platform enables grocery retailers, brands,and healthcare providers to deliver AI-powered food services with unprecedented personalization and precision for consumers. CEO Kevin Brown joins hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips in a conversation about the capabilities of FoodLM. They explore how this technology goes beyond simple keyword search to understand user intent, offering retailers an advanced semantic search solution.By leveraging FoodLM, brands can deliver personalized AI assistance to consumers throughout their entire culinary journey - from choosing products to cooking them. Additionally, for healthcare providers aiding patients with chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes, FoodLM offers science-backed support for healthy eating and using food as a form of medicine.

Cotton gauze, Telfa pads, Raytec sponges, lap pads and surgical towels release lint that can put patients at risk. Significant complications have been associated with lint being introduced into the body. Norm "Fuzzy" Furbush is the Founder/CEO of Syntervention that develops innovative products that reduce lint contamination, procedure time, and overall costs to the hospital. He talks to hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips about how he's come up with these inventions and offers advice to others who want to bring healthcare devices to market.

Engaging in a mere five-minute daily fitness routine, termed as "strength training for your breathing muscles," can significantly lower blood pressure and enhance certain vascular health indicators. This is equally or even more effective than aerobic workouts or medicines, according to fresh research from University of Colorado Boulder. Sid Garza-Hillman, Wellness Director for California, luxury, plant-based eco-resort The Stanford Inn along the Mendocino Coast joins hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips to share the evolution of eco-tourism with an increased focus on improving your mind, body, and spirit while reducing your carbon footprint on vacation. Sid walks us through a powerful breathing exercise and offers new insights into the latest research on eating vegan, but healthy.

Ten years ago, I took my first overseas flight and it was a short turnaround for my return. I took supplements to help me sleep almost the entire flight to Sydney, Australia and the additional connection to Perth (another five hours) to help the time pass quicker. While there, it was two days filled with a whirlwind of meetings, panel moderation on stage, dinners, and evening festivities. I'm not sure if I even slept more than a few hours each night. On the third day I was back on a plane to Sydney where I had planned one night to have dinner with a group of eager entrepreneurs to have me write about their start-up technology businesses. Halfway through the flight, a friend told me my face was swelling up before her eyes. It turns out my feet and hand were swollen as well. So, flight attendants cleared out an entire row of New Zealand rugby players to allow me an area to lay down, stretch out, and elevate my feet for the rest of the flight. Upon landing, I was rushed to the nearest hospital. The fear was blood clots. The risk of a blood clot is about 3-times higher for people traveling on long-distance flights. It was a real concern as my Mom almost died from a pulmonary embolism following a six-hour flight. My diagnosis, however, was gravitational edema and severe dehydration and two bags of IV fluids did the trick. But what a scare! I followed up with my primary care physician the moment I got home. While blood clots were ruled out, she suggested checking for venous insufficiency. It's a disease of the veins, which makes it difficult for blood to return to the heart from the legs. It happens when the wall of the veins and/or the valves stop working properly and blood starts leaking into tissue or pooling. It can happen in your deep veins, which are the largest ones that are deep in your body and run through the muscle, your superficial veins that are close to your skin's surface, or your perforating veins that actually connect the deep and superficial veins. If you have CVI, you may experience symptoms such as leg swelling, pain, and throbbing while standing, muscles aches, leg cramps, itching, even varicose veins. For me, ultimately my test results showed my venous system was healthy. But I was glad my primary care physician was assertive enough to test for it. Did you know that it's estimated that 40% of U.S. adults have some level of venous insufficiency? Yet, it's often underdiagnosed and undertreated, leaving patients to leave with debilitating symptoms until a non-healing ulcer appears on their calf. Interventional Cardiologist Dr. Robert Coronado says it's long overdue to raise awareness for CVI. He joins me and Dr. John Phillips on this episode of The Heart of Innovation, brought to you by The Way To My Heart and Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.'s patient advocacy campaign Take A Stand Against Amputation, to talk about the prevalence of CVI, how to talk to your doctor about getting tested, how its diagnosed, and treatment options. One of the most common medical disorders in the United States that is also one of the most underdiagnosed is chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) It's a disease of the veins, which makes it difficult for blood to return to the heart from the legs. It happens when the wall of the veins and/or the valves stop working properly and blood starts leaking into tissue or pooling. It can happen in your deep veins, which are the largest ones that are deep in your body and run through the muscle, your superficial veins that are close to your skin's surface, or your perforating veins that actually connect the deep and superficial veins. If you have CVI, you may experience symptoms such as leg swelling, pain, and throbbing while standing, muscles aches, leg cramps, itching, even varicose veins. Interventional Cardiologist Dr. Robert Coronado joins hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips to talk about the prevalence of CVI, how to talk to your doctor about getting tested, how its diagnosed, and treatment options.

Research has repeatedly shown that people of faith report feeling better and healthier. Yet faith healing practice remains neglected in health care literature. In this episode, hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips talk to Dr. Mark Kauffman, who has a doctorate of Divinity, about how and why individuals seek faith healing modalities in an age when western medicine is touted as the most effective treatment for most diseases.

Researchers in Scotland are using Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) as a method of pain relief for people suffering from peripheral artery disease (P.A.D.), a circulation issue that causes leg pain and leg cramps while walking. Walking is the best medicine for P.A.D. patients because it helps stimulate the body's ability to establish a collateral network of vessels that can re-route blood flow around blockages and severely narrowed areas in the arteries. The problem is each step can be painful for these patients due to the nerve pain caused by restricted blood flow to muscles, tissues and nerves in the lower extremities. Physiotherapist Dr. Chris Seenan and Doctorate student and researcher Daniel Tiboldi have been studying this issue and trying to get a greater understanding on physical, emotional, and behavioral barriers limiting mobility. One research project led by Dr. Seenan involves attaching a TENS unit to strategic areas on these patients where the pain is occurring while they walk. This study found improved walking distance in those patients who wore the TENS unit. Dr. Seenan talk with hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips about the results and next steps in their research.

A study released in 2019 in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology states that 1 in 10 people with end-stage renal disease, which is those who have kidney disease and are on dialysis, undergo a major amputation of one of their legs in their last year of life. How does kidney disease lead to leg loss. That's the heart of this episode's discussion. If you've listened to this show for awhile, co-hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips talk a lot about Peripheral Artery Disease, which is plaque build-up in mainly the leg arteries, that restricts blood flow to the feet, leading to amputation. A new study by Interventional cardiologists at the University of Pennsylvania, that was presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) Annual Scientific Meeting recently, reinforces conclusions of previous studies that people with end stage kidney disease are more likely to undergo lower extremity amputation. We have Dr. Rotimi Badero an Interventional CardioNephrologist - a very unique practice, who will talk about this serious issue, which impacts 10% of medicare fee for service spending.

Society of Vascular Surgery Executive Director Ken Slaw, Ph.D, and his wife Anne Slaw, JD, share their quest to save their son who was diagnosed with a rare, life-threatening, genetic, neurologic disease present at birth. Familial Dysautonomia, abbreviated FD, at the time of diagnosis, had a life expectancy rate of 10 years. That wasn't acceptable to Ken and Anne. Ken reached out to his life-long network of healthcare professionals and attended pediatric conferences in search of researchers while Anne launched FD Now, a 501(c)(3) and started fundraising. They teamed up with Dr. Berish Rubin and Dr. Sylvia Anderson, who through the partnership launched The Laboratory for Familial Dysautonomia Research at Fordham University, New York, which is dedicated to studying the molecular biology of this disease. In addition to the discovery of the gene mutation that causes FD, research at the laboratory has produced numerous life-changing treatment breakthroughs. Listen in to hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips interview Ken and Anne about their story, which they hope will inspire others to not give up hope. 

We all know that lowering risk of heart attack, stroke, and amputation is up to us. We know we need to eat right. We know we need to exercise? Are we faithful at making healthy choices all the time. No one is perfect. In this episode, hosts Dr. John Phillips and Kym McNicholas talk about what makes especially the healthier food choices tough. They also provide easy ways to improve our diet starting with simple substitutions and small compromises. All the information is available in a new handbook available for sale on Amazon, called “Food For Thought: A P.A.D. Warriors Handbook for Healthier eating.” P.A.D. Is an acronym for peripheral artery disease, which is restricted blood flow in mainly the leg arteries due to plaque build-up. Three-in-five heart attack sufferers have P.A.D. Most don't know it, if it all, until it reaches advanced stages and heart attack, stroke, and/or amputation are eminent. If someone has plaque build-up in their leg arteries, it's likely systemic. So, while this handbook discussed is geared toward P.A.D. Patients, it addresses overall artery health and how to start on the road to making healthier food choices. After the food discussion, Dr. John Phillips discussed important diagnostics, how to know when you should feel confident in your heart health, and how to decide when an intervention is necessary to clear some plaque from your coronary arteries and have a stent placed.

What we eat is central to our health. It can prevent, maintain, cure, and cause different diseases. It can be argued that the number one killer in America, heart attack, might occur prematurely because of poor food choices. That's why Dr. Michael Dansinger is leading our discussion during this episode about how we cure America of its deadly eating habits. He talks to hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips about what he's learned throughout his medical career, which is heavily focused on research and education on the power of dietary selection, including his time working with hit cable TV show, 'The Biggest Loser." Dr. Dansinger most recently served as the Medical Director for the Lifestyle Program at Boston Heart Diagnostics since 2011. Other career highlights include, credits as a "Nutrition Doctor" for "The Biggest Loser," author of the Tufts University Popular Diet Trial, which was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in January of 2005, and he's served as an expert with Medscape and WebMD since 2005. He says, "I quickly recognized during my fellowship training that much of the underlying cause of our broken healthcare system has been fueled by the growing financial burden of “Lifestyle Diseases”. I came to understand that the epidemics of heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and related conditions were not only making millions of people sick, but also overwhelming our healthcare system. A few months into my fellowship program I decided I'd like to train in the prevention and reversal of lifestyle diseases."

We acknowledge American Heart Month every year but are we using the information provided to take our health into our own hands? Heart Disease, the number one killer, is manageable if you are willing to take the steps to mitigate your risk. Lifestyle changes are the most impactful preventative measure. What's stopping you? During this episode, hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips talk to Doctor of Physical Therapy, Ofir Isaac, with All Care PT out of Brooklyn, New York, about how he's getting people to take their health into their own hands. He talks about some new, innovative approaches, to cardiac rehabilitation. Joining the discussion in this week's Save My Piggies series, Learn to Love To Exercise (LTLTE) founder Linda Terjesen talks about her journey to prevent genetics from taking control of her life and through her story you will be inspired to do the same.

How do we improve our mental health in the face of adversity? One in four adults suffers from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year. People with chronic physical illnesses are twice as likely to suffer from anxiety or depression as their physically healthy counterparts. Coach Christine Meyer, author of "Keep It Simple Smarty Paants," says the biggest mistake people make in trying to dig their way out of depression is trying to jump from depression to happiness. She explains that it's a guaranteed recipe for failure. During this episode, hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips talk to Christine about creative games we can play with our mind that guide us step-by-step to better feeling thoughts which become more sustainable. Christine demonstrates how effective her methods work by coaching three patients LIVE who have Peripheral Artery Disease, restricted blood flow in mainly the leg arteries that cause debilitating pain and ultimately depression.

If you are over age 50, your physician may urge you to have a colonoscopy to check for cancer. You might also be urged to have your lower gastrointestinal tract checked using a colonscope and upper GI tract checked using a camera held on to a flexible tube called an endoscope that slips down your throat. An alternative to a procedure which some facilities offer is to swallowing an imaging device shaped like a pill that follows your intestinal tract down through excretion. The limitation with that versus a manual scope is that the current device you swallow can't be directed and so it may miss problem areas. That's why inventor and entrepreneur Torrey Smith started Endiatx. It's a company that's building a newer version called a Pillbot, a type of robot you can swallow, that can be controlled remotely while you are in clinic with your healthcare team. He talks to hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips about gamifying the gut exam and future use cases for robotics in examining the arteries and other areas of the body. Smith sees microrobotics as a game-changer in diagnostics and interventional medicine, at some point even sprouting surgical instruments to treat real-time. Prior to this project, Smith helped invent a device that would remove plaque from the arteries, which is still in use today.

To continue honoring her Mom, Marilyn Lou Baum McNicholas, who transitioned almost one year ago due to an undetected Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA), Kym McNicholas and cohost Dr. John Phillips are keeping the conversation about detection, prevention, and treatment alive to prevent others from suffering the same fate. While Kym's Mom couldn't get diagnosed and treated in time, David Williams is a survivor of an aortic dissection, who shares his long, painful, but successful, fight for his life. The physician who David credits for saving his life joins the discussion. It's aortic specialist, Dr. George Arnaoutakis, Cardiothoracic Surgeon at University of Texas (UT), Austin, who recently moved from the University of Florida, Gainesville, to build a specialty center at UT. He and Dr. Phillips talk about the prevalence of aortic dissection and aneurysms, the difference between the two life-threatening conditions, how to prevent them, and how to know if you need to seek treatment for one.

Mindset is medicine for both the physician and patient. Medicine already recognizes the persuasive power of beliefs. The use of placebos is a great example of that. But it's much more than that, especially with chronic, painful vascular ailments such as peripheral artery disease (P.A.D.), which is restricted blood flow in mainly the leg arteries due to plaque build-up. Patients with P.A.D. feel at times as though a tourniquet is wrapped tightly around their legs when they walk. Sometimes the leg pain and cramping wake them up at night. Dr. Paramjit Romi Chopra joins hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips to talk about the powerful combination of science and spirituality to help patients and physicians persevere in challenging life and limb-saving situations.

Podiatrist Dr. David Alper joins co-hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips to talk about the cold weather dangers for those with poor circulation and how to protect their life and limb, especially feet.

Open Enrollment just wrapped up and call centers were center stage, handling a high volume of calls from patients looking to secure their health insurance for 2023. On the front lines ready to prevent call center failure was Cyara, a quality assurance technology company that helps organizations, including those in healthcare, spot problems and find resolve of them before the customers discover them and hang up. Show hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips talk to Cyara Senior Vice President of Customer Experience Dennis Renos about the biggest call enter fails and how to fix them. Also, a former Highway Patrol Call Center Supervisor, Connie, shares her limb saving story in our Save My Piggies series. She continued to help facilitate potentially life-saving calls for others while fighting for her own life.

Show co-host Kym McNicholas is dedicating this how to her Mom Marilyn Lou Baum McNicholas who transitioned earlier this year due to an undetected abdominal aortic aneurysm that ultimately ruptured. Marilyn's cardiologist told Kym that there's still so much doctors don't know about aneurysms and because of that, there are gaps in care, which lead to premature death. Marilyn was diagnosed with having a 4cm thoracic aneurysm six months prior to her transition. Her cardiologist would only say it's not at a size to worry about since a surgeon typically does not treat an aneurysm until it's at least 5cm. Her cardiologist never discussed how to preventthe aneurysm from growing, what symptoms to look for, or her increased risk of having an abdominal aortic aneurysm because of it. So, not further testing was done despite textbook symptoms of symptoms of increasing erratic blood pressure, tachycardia, a pulsating feeling around her belly button, an abdominal mass, and severe radiating pain in her back. Her cardiologist, a vascular surgeon, and an emergency room doctor told her there was nothing life-threatening with her symptoms. They told her to take muscle relaxers and prescribed physical therapy, along with traction. The autopsy revealed what doctors missed.    Should Marilyn's 4cm thoracic aneurysm have been taken more seriously? Should she have been tested for an abdominal aortic aneurysm after being diagnosed with a thoracic aneurysm? Should her symptoms have been a red flag for doctors? In this episode, co-host Dr. John Phillips leads the discussion with guest Cardiac Surgeon Dr. Arnaoutakis, about specifically thoracic and thoraco abdominal aneurysms. For those who aren't familiar with what an aneurysm is and how it forms, they will go through the basics. But the primary discussion will be around the current gaps in care, new innovative approaches to diagnosis and treatment, as well as critical questions to discuss with your healthcare team.  Also, Retired Veterinarian, triathlete, and author Dr. Kevin Morgan shares his personal story about how he diagnosed his own aortic aneurysm, found the right treatment, and continues to compete in running and cycling events.

Get ready for the unhealthiest time of year -- the holidays! Research shows half of Americans will break their diet to give into the temptation of holiday food. A little cheat here or there -- well - we are all human. But you don't want to make a holiday habit of eating foods that will light your arteries on fire. The more logs on the fire --- the more retardant you will need to put out the flames. In body speak, the more fats and cholesterol being called in to patch up the artery damage. Don't worry, we are not here to be scrooge and tell you not to enjoy your holiday favorites. We are going to be your Holiday Angels, offering some healthier ways to enjoy them! The Way To My Heart has released its first publication called, "Food For Thought," and one of the largest sections is all about healthier substitutes. So during the next hour, hosted by Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips, co-hosted by Nurse Practitioner Kay Smith, we are going to show you how to healthify your holidays. Patients with Peripheral Artery Disease, restricted blood flow in mainly the leg arteries caused by plaque build-up, share their favorite holiday hacks. Dietitian Melissa Hooper rounds out the broadcast with some of her non-negotiables for anyone trying to stick to their medical diets

Since November 14th is World Diabetes Day, hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. Phillips are joined by guest co-hosts Podiatrist Dr. David Alper and Nurse Practitioner Kay Smith, to talk about one of the most prevalent complications of Diabetes, amputation. Every 20 seconds globally, a limb is amputated due to diabetes. Why? Extra sugar in the blood can damage the artery walls, allowing for fats and cholesterol to sneak in and push the artery wall out, hindering blood flow to the feet. Sometimes the first sign a diabetic has restricted blood flow in the leg arteries, known as Peripheral Artery Disease (P.A.D.) is when an ulcer appears on their foot or toe that won't heal. Every 1.2 seconds somewhere in the world there is a new diabetic foot ulcer that appears on someone. Diabetic Foot Ulcers are responsible for more hospitalizations than any other complication of diabetes, driving direct costs through the roof. Innovators at Sensoria® Health and Defender believe they have one way to help heal diabetic wounds faster, minimize related amputations, and reduce costs. Dr. Jason Hanft, podiatrist, and Michael DiTullo, a former shoe developer at Nike, have created the Foot Defender® to help patients expedite the healing time for their diabetic ulcers. The Foot Defender is designed to help heal diabetic foot ulcers and reduce the risk of amputations by improving patient adherence to mechanical offloading, monitoring patient usage, activity, improving outcomes, and reducing healthcare costs. A patient supported by P.A.D. advocacy organization The Way To My Heart shares his long journey trying to save his legs from amputation as well as his feedback after trying out The Foot Defender® for a few weeks.

If you have symptoms A, B, and C, it is likely your physician will follow a decision-tree that leads them to choose X as treatment. Treatment algorithms exist across healthcare. They're detailed, step-by-step flow charts that outline the recommended treatment for patients with a specific disorder. These algorithms are a critical foundation for any physician. They're also critical for standardizing treatment around the world so as to provide equitable care. In this week's show hosts, Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips are joined by The Way To My Heart's Nurse Practitioner Kay Smith and Rush Hospital's Dr. Kumar Madassery about the value of treatment algorithms as well as where they fall short for patients, costing life and limb. They also discuss critical questions patients can ask their doctor to determine their treatment algorithm so they can weigh it against another physician who may use a different flow chart for treatment. During the Save My Piggies segment in the second half of the show, a patient, John, and his wife, Amy, who discovered almost too late that different doctors have different treatment algorithms, share their plight to save his life and limb and the importance of getting a second opinion. 

COVID-19 in its early days was classified as only a respiratory illness with varying degrees of severity. But as healthcare professionals learned more over time, they started also considering it a vascular disease because of blood clots that led to serious complications, including death, in patients suffering from COVID-19. In today's show hosts, Dr. John Phillips and Kym McNicholas are joined by guest co-host Nurse Practitioner Kay Smith and Cardiothoracic Surgeon Dr. David Allie, and a patient who almost lost his legs following vascular complications due to COVID-19, to talk about those vascular complications and strategies to minimize arterial/venous thromboembolism (blood clots), myocardial infarction (damage to the heart muscle caused by lack of blood supply, which could be the result of a blood clot) complications. Some of those strategies discussed include earlier bloodwork to check cardiovascular biomarkers such as D-dimer and troponin as well as ultrasound imaging of the lungs, heart, and legs upon the early presentation of symptoms, which could signal an earlier need for aggressive intervention and treatment.

Hosts Interventional Cardiologist Dr. John Phillips and Emmy Award-winning journalist Kym McNicholas are talking about innovation around ALS. Most are familiar with ALS now more than ever because o the famous internet ice bucket challenge involving the pouring of a bucket of ice water over a person's head, either by another person or self-administered, to promote awareness of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis , or ALS. ALS is a progressive nervous system disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, causing loss of muscle. Most people with this disease begin with muscle stiffness or weakness. But they eventually lose the ability to walk, dress, write, speak, swallow, and ultimately breathe on their own when the muscle paralysis spreads to vital organs such as the lungs. We are talking about it here on the Heart of Innovation for three reasons: First, although it's not considered a vascular disease, some researchers believe that an ALS-linked gene mutation could cause disruptions in the blood-spinal cord barrier, causing the neurovascular inflammatory response, which is ALS; Second, due to the lack of mobility as ALS progresses, many people with ALS end up with circulation issues in the legs (Circulation issues in the legs is known as peripheral vascular disease. We've talked about that at length on this show where arteries start hardening and the flaps that help usher blood flow back to the heart start malfunctioning.); Third, innovation around treatment and disease management has led to a longer, better quality of life for people with ALS due to organizations such as the Gleason Foundation, founded by former New Orleans Saints NFL great Steve Gleason. Kearney Gray, Director of development for the Gleason Foundation talks about how patient-driven innovation with communication and mobility are helping patients to live a longer, better quality of life. The Gleason foundation has played an integral role in raising the patient voice to create change in care, empowering companies to create new, novel approaches to improving communication for people with ALS, and not only educating lawmakers on ALS, but inspiring them to take action to help elevate care. Dietitian Melissa Hooper also joins the discussion to talk about the importance of nutrition in slowing the progression of disease and improving the quality of life of people with ALS. Since people with ALS maintain their cognitive ability throughout disease progression, knowing what's to come and what's happening can impact mental well-being. So, Kathryn Walker, CEO, MSN-Anesthesia, MSN-Psychiatry, at mental wellness treatment centers, Rivatalist, adds to the conversation with available options to improve mental health.

Description: Having a chronic illness and/or a surgical procedure can be scary. In this episode of the Heart of Innovation, we are talking about pre and post surgery stress and anxiety, especially tomophobia, 'the fear of surgery'. In the hospital, people are given medicine to help them sleep or sedatives to put them at ease. At home, it's not always as easy. Either way, many times the hurry up and wait game for any procedure is sure to put you on edge. The Way To My Heart Nurse Practitioner Kay Smith along with CRNA Kathryn Walker, CEO of Rivitalist , a group of mental wellness centers and her colleague Beth Ward, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) talk to hosts Kym McNicholas and Interventional Cardiologist Dr. John Phillips about how to discuss doubt, fears, and anxiety with your healthcare team. They also offer tangible, actionable ways in which you can put yourself at ease pre and post surgery. Grady, a family member of a patient who is now recovering from open heart surgery kicked off the discussion with a candid description of his experience leading up to his brother's procedure. He discussed the fear driven by the procedure itself but also the revolving door of physicians, the numerous pre-operative tests, the gaps in communication at times, and worries about what happens if treatment doesn't work. He also drove home the importance of a patient's healthcare team to recognize the stress and anxiety of a patient's family and to keep them in the loop to ensure all are on the same page so they can more effectively support the patient and help accelerate versus hinder the healing process. Marcia, a patient with peripheral artery disease (P.A.D.), asked the therapists and Dr. Phillips about how to deal with post-surgery symptoms and the emotional stress that comes with so many questions that may arise between appointments with her healthcare team. Most patients don't have a physician or clinician on speed dial every single time a question pops up. So, what might be a small, normal post-surgery side effect, can be magnified the longer a patient waits for an answer. A big takeaway from CRNA Kathryn and LCSW Beth is to recognize that stress, anxiety, and fear step from worrying about the future and things you can't control. They say the key is to focus on what you can control. Draw a circle on a piece of paper and place inside the circle all of the things you are worried about that YOU can actually do something about. That includes planning for options to accelerate recovery, such as starting to contemplate rehab possibilities, setting up a meeting with a dietitian, obtaining items for improved comfort and mobility at home, etc. Focus on those. For the others, sit down and come up with questions that may arise around them which can be discussed with your healthcare team or that of your family member. In summary, it's most important to not burden yourself with regrets of the past and the 'what if's' of the future. Catch them coming into your mind, and remind yourself to look for things that are within your power tand control to change and do right now. For more, listen to this powerful conversation:

Description: You don't want to miss this compelling episode of The Heart of Innovation, not only because it has the potential to save life and limb through a deep dive into how walking can help create a ‘natural bypass,' but because a patient shares his story of how a second opinion changed his life. In segment three, Duke and his vascular specialist Dr.Yazan Khatib at First Coast Cardiovascular Institute in Jacksonville, Florida talk about how a leg amputation was thwarted. Duke has Peripheral Artery Disease (P.A.D.), which is a chronic circulation issue in mainly the legs. Duke had multiple interventions and bypasses to restore blood flow to his legs before finding Dr. Khatib. The catalyst for Duke seeking help from Dr. Khatib was the point where his previous doctor told him that it wasn't worth his time and energy financially to delay what he believed was the inevitable, which was amputation. It was Duke's Primary Care Physician who told him to get a second opinion before amputation. Four years later, Duke is still walking on two feet thanks to regular maintenance by Dr.Khatib and lifestyle modifications, especially walking. Walking is the best medicine for P.A.D. That's why duringthis episode, hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips spend the majority of time leading up to the Save My Piggies segment and afterwards talking to Interventional Radiologist Dr. Lorenzo Patrone, 2022 European Patient Champion and 2020 Global Vascular Doctor of the Year, about why walking is the best medicine for P.A.D. and other circulation issues. Mass General Hospital Vascular Surgeon Dr. Anahita Dua also shares how to walk effectively to wake up and grow your collateral network to help improve circulation without intervention. P.A.D. is defined by a narrowing of the arteries, mainly in the legs, due to plaque build-up. When flow is restricted, muscles, organs, and tissue are starved of critical nutrients, including oxygen. This may cause symptoms, such as leg pain and cramping when walking (claudication). Even worse, it could prevent healing of sores on your feet, leading to ischemia, meaning tissue loss. Wounds need oxygen to heal. Your body does have a back-up system. It's the collateral network, known as your body's "natural bypass." The collateral network consists of smaller vessels available to handle extra demand. What makes them so special is they have the ability to expand and even grow if necessary to keep up with demand.   Walking helps to accelerate this process. When you walk or exercise, your heart starts to pump harder and faster to circulate blood to deliver oxygen to your muscles, organs, and tissues. If arteries can't handle the additional rush of blood flow, the collateral vessels re-structure to meet the increased demand. Think about it like our freeway system. If there's an obstacle such as an accident on the freeway blocking the flow of traffic, more cars veer off on to side roads to continue moving forward towards their destination. Collateral vessels, like side roads, can vary in capacity, but unlike side roads collateral vessels can expand and grow with increased demand. The extent to which your collateral network can keep up with demand, depends on the individual and stage of disease.   The collateral network's effectiveness may be limited in individuals with advanced age PAD and those with smaller vessel disease below-the-knee. That's why it's important to get a full vascular assessment. During this assessment, discuss with your physician: What is the extent to which you believe mybody will be able to re-route flow and slow the progression of disease naturally? Based on my situation, what should be mydaily and weekly walking goals? If walking is my initial treatment protocol,what symptoms are a warning for me to return prior to my scheduled follow-up for immediate re-assessment? What are next steps if my Ankle-BrachialIndex (ABI) test improves by my next appointment? What are next steps if my ABI test does notimprove by my next appointment? For those without Critical Limb Threatening Ischemia(CLTI), standard protocols for treating P.A.D. suggest a three-month program that consists of medical and exercise therapy. During that time, physicians assess whether an antiplatelet drug and/or a vasodilator, coupled with brisk walking will help your body to increase flow not only through narrowed arteries, but also through the collateral network. If you are post-procedure, following an intervention orbypass, your physician will prescribe a walking regimen to help maintain the recently treated vessels open, as well as to continue to maintain and build your collateral network. If a covered stent is used or bypass is performed collateral vessels will be impacted in those areas, but walking will remain critical to increase demand for blood flow to maintain those vessels open. Some facilities offer a formal Supervised Exercise Therapy (SET) program to support walking as medicine for P.A.D. patients. If your physician doesn't have a formal walking program, go to TheWayToMyHeart.org to sign up for My Steps, which is a text-based program designed to meet each individual patient's needs and goals to increase long-term accountability. Read more about how to walk effectively togrow your natural bypass in the 20-page step-by-step PADdy's Post"Walking Special" handbook. To find other P.A.D. Warriors walking to better health, join our community at community. TheWayToMyHeart.org or search “Peripheral Artery Disease” to download our app from the App Store or Google Play. Listen to the full episode of The Heart of Innovation to hear straight from Dr. Patrone, Dr. Phillips, and Dr. Dua on how to walk effectively to grow your collateral network.

Fran Maier is a serial entrepreneur and brand builder with over 25 years experience in B2C and B2B internet businesses. She is best known for her 10+ years leading TRUSTe (now TrustArc), the leading privacy trustmark and compliance provider, and as Co-Founder and first General Manager of Match.com.Fran speaks widely on several topics relating to women in business, including opportunities for women in the collaborative economy, addressing the lucrative family travel segment, women in entrepreneurship and on boards. She serves as an advisor to many start-ups including Portfolia, Women's Start-up Lab, Sign-up.com, Kango, and Dabbl.Fran is featured as an expert in the documentary film about entrepreneurship entitled “She Started It.” With Emmy Award winning journalist Kym McNicholas, she hosted a radio show/podcast called "Female Seeking Start-up" which featured interviews with female entrepreneurs. In 2016, Fran was honored by the Stanford Graduate School of Business with the Jerry I. Porras Latino Leadership Award. In 2015, she was named one of “100 Most Influential Women in Technology” by Hot Topics. In 2011, San Francisco Business Times named Fran among the 150 Most Influential Women in Bay Area Business and in 2010, AlwaysOn named her among the Top 25 Women in Tech to Watch in Silicon Valley. She served on the board of GE Capital Bank until it was sold in 2016. In addition, she is a Member of Women Corporate Directors and is former Chair of the Steering Committee for Stanford Women on Boards. In 2012, Fran completed the Stanford Rock Center for Corporate Governance Director's College.Fran holds a BA and MBA from Stanford University. She lives in San Francisco and Santa Fe and is the mother of two grown sons. www.babyquip.comCODE: SAVVY20% on rentals of $100 or more from 09/15/2022 to 10/31/2022 (rentals and cleaning, new customers only)https://www.babyquip.com/p/savvy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Description: Chronic physical illness can lead to depression and anxiety, resulting in a mental health crisis which can further jeopardize a patient's health. The Heart of Innovation hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips are joined by The Way To My Heart's Nurse Practitioner Kay Smith, legendary business and financial reporter Bambi Francisco (Founder and CEO of Vator.TV), and Revitalist (Mental wellness treatment center chain in six states including Tennessee and Kentucky) CEO Kathryn Walker to talk about the problem and innovative solutions to improve mental health in patients with chronic physical ailments. Today's show kicked off with a couple inspirational quotes by Queen Elizabeth II to celebrate the impact she's had on the world during her reign: “Everyone is our neighbour, no matter what race, creed, or colour.” “When peace comes, remember it will be for us, the children of today, to make the world of tomorrow a better and happier place.” Queen passed away this past week of what may have been a massive stroke, although upon publish of this article, cause of death had not been released to the public. Dr. Phillips commented on the prevalence of strokes in the elderly, and the importance of getting checked annually for one common cause, which is atrial fibrillation, an irregular and often rapid heart rate that can lead to blood clots. Now that the COVID-19 lockdown has lifted and hospital facilities are starting to operate again at a normal rate, it's important for everyone to C.H.A.T. with their doctor about vascular health, which means to ask their physician to check their Carotids, Heart, Abdomen (Aneurysm), and Toes (arteries and veins). The discussion on vascular health backed into the topic of the day, which is mental health and chronic physical illness. Bambi Francisco runs a content distribution network, Vator.TV, which includes regular salons on mental health. Her next event, “Future of Behavioral and Mental Health is October 26th where topics will include “Reinventing the doctor's role”, “Future of Clinics”, “Lifestyle” and more. The premise for the event as well as how she began her discussion on mental health, is that for at least a decade, about one out of five Americans suffered from some sort of mental disorder. In the case of depression, it's become almost an epidemic rom being a rare condition 50 years ago. Critics have argued the rise has a lot to do with pathologizing normal psychic and somatic behavior, meaning society's idea of normal often means never feeling sad or hopeless. Covid and policies around the lockdown that kept kids out of schools has contributed to the elevated levels of mental stress. But it's also weighed heavily on those with chronic illnesses. Kathryn Walker, CEO of Revitalist, who's also an ICU Nurse explains why chronic physical illnesses can impact mental well-being and how psychedelics such as ketamine are becoming more accepted as mainstream treatment. Nurse Practitioner Kay also discusses the importance o Virtual Reality in the treatment of mental health issues and Bambi Francisco highlights the rise in faith-based technologies to improve mental well-being. Diane, a patient with Peripheral Artery Disease (P.A.D.), which is a chronic circulation issue, talks about the impact of P.A.D. on her mental state and how finding the right vascular specialist who uses advanced minimally invasive tools and techniques can make all the difference in the world in not only providing pain relief, but also restoring hope, her mental state, as well as her love life.

Description: It might be odd to think that on a show about vascular health, hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips are talking about fibroids, which are noncancerous growths in a woman's uterus. There is a vascular connection. First, studies show that cardiovascular risk factors were slightly more common for women with fibroids than for women without fibroids. Fibroids have been associated with hypertension and atherosclerosis, and some recommend using fibroids as a marker for future cardiovascular disease (CVD). Second, there's a minimally invasive technique to treat fibroids without surgery that's becoming more prevalent, known as Uterine artery embolization (UAE), where the blood supply of the fibroids is cut off, causing the fibroids to shrink. During this episode Kym and Dr. Phillips talk to Advanced Vascular Centers Interventional Radiologist Dr. Mary Costantino about Uterine Artery Embolization (UAE), what it is, how it's performed, its effectiveness, and when it's warranted versus the traditional and mainstream treatment using a hysterectomy, which is the physical removal of the uterus. We also discuss why UAE isn't offered to most women as an alternative to hysterectomy and how reimbursement may be a contributing factor as payers offer facilities more for the invasive versus minimally-invasive options. UAE isn't right for everyone, however. Some researchers express concern about using UAE in younger women with reproductive plans due to possible pregnancy complications down the road. But if hysterectomy is the only other alternative, which prevents even the possibility of a pregnancy, Dr. Costatino believes it's important for gynecologists to have an open, candid discussion about all available options along with the benefits and risks of each one. She contends that it is not fair to withhold the availability of UAE from patients and afford them the benefit of being able to gather all pertinent information and weigh her options. Dr. Costantino talks about how it's the women, themselves, who are actually the driving force behind the growing popularity of using UAE as an option to treat fibroids, because they're doing their homework, not wanting to be out of work with an up to six-week recovery from hysterectomy versus a small puncture in the wrist or groin as the only external entry point for treatment using UAE, that allows a woman back on her feet in days. An important takeaway that Dr. Costantino shares about fibroid treatment, is it's not something to rush into for any woman. Some women never have lifestyle-limiting symptoms or complications. But those who have lifestyle limiting symptoms including the below, should have the discussion about all treatment options with their gynecologist: Heavy menstrual bleeding. Menstrual periods lasting more than a week. Pelvic pressure or pain. Frequent urination. Difficulty emptying the bladder.   Backache or leg pains. If treatment is right for you, ask your gynecologist for a referral to a surgeon who would perform a hysterectomy AND to an Interventional Radiologist who can perform a UAE so that you can best weight all available options and decide what is best for you. For more information go to Dr. Costantino's website: https://advancedvascularcenters.com/uterine-fibroids/ And to find an Interventional Radiologist in your area who may treat fibroids, go to the Society of Radiology's website: https://www.sirweb.org/ Make sure to listen to today's broadcast!

In the summer, your feet are exposed to the elements more often which is especially concerning for those with diabetes, neuropathy, and Peripheral Artery Disease (P.A.D.), which is poor circulation due to plaque build-up in the arteries. Podiatrist Dr. David Alper joins hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips to talk about how to prevent common foot problems and complications. An important part of today's discussion was about how lack of circulation can put patients at-risk of more severe complications during the summer especially. Wounds don't heal as quickly and easily without proper blood flow. So, if you have diabetes or P.A.D., it's important to have a vascular specialist and podiatrist team up to help both on the inside of your arteries and outside of your foot. Dr. Anthony Pozun, an Interventional Cardiologist with Modern Vascular in the Phoenix area of Arizona, was listening to the show and called in to drive home that point. He added that tools and techniques for restoring blood flow have advanced to the point where some physicians know how to carefully navigate clear into the small vessels in the foot to help clear a path if necessary for even more flow to heal wounds faster, especially in diabetics who tend to have more vascular issues in their lower extremities. Patients wrote in many questions during today's broadcast as well about choosing appropriate shoes and proper toe nail care. Dr. Alper emphasized that flip flops are not the most supportive choice for the feet especially because they force you to grip the shoe with your big toe and second toe, which can lead to bunions and hammer toe problems. That can also pose a problem for those with neuropathy who might not feel a friction wound brewing between the two toes. Dr. Alper suggested that summer footwear should have at least a band around the heel so the foot remains secure and supported without effort. And if you do a lot of walking or running, that sneakers should be replaced every six months to ensure the best support for exercise programs. As for toe nail care, he discussed the importance of learning from a podiatrist how to cut your toe nails properly and to shy away from nail salons if you have diabetes, neuropathy, and/or P.A.D.  One of the most important points Dr. Alper raises about avoiding summer foot problems is the use of sunscreen. He said that some of the most frequent visits to his clinic during the summer were by those with second degree burns or worse, not just on the top of their feet, but also the bottom.  The latter of course is due to forgoing shoes on hot pavement. Also in this episode, you don't want to miss our Save My Piggies segment where a patient, Sheryl and her Vascular Surgeon in Oklahoma City, Dr. Bernardino Rocha, share an inspiring story of how a second opinion made the difference between life and limb. She found Dr. Rocha through nonprofit advocacy organization The Way To My Heart after she spent months in a wheelchair with no hope of ever walking again. Her primary care physician had misdiagnosed her symptoms of leg pain and cramps as gout and when medicine didn't help it, he offered her muscle relaxers and told her to drink plenty of fluid to relieve the cramps in her foot and calf. It wasn't until she went to a podiatrist for an unrelated issue that he discovered signs of a circulatory problem. Further testing uncovered she had Peripheral Artery Disease, restricted blood flow in the leg arteries due to plaque build-up. That is what was causing all the leg cramps. She thought the proper diagnosis would lead her to an easy solution, but her vascular surgeon told her that the only thing he could do was an extensive bypass that he didn't think would last very long and amputation was in her future. The Way To My Heart sent her to Dr. Rocha for a second opinion and he was able to easily clear the artery blockages using minimally invasive tools and techniques. After the angiogram procedure she felt immediate pain relief and was able to get out of the wheelchair, with a regular walking regimen each day whether on pavement or in the pool. Make sure to listen to today's broadcast!

Fran Maier is CEO and Founder of BabyQuip, the leading baby gear rental service, serving families traveling to over 650 locations in the United States, Canada, and beyond.
She is a "Super Founder" and brand builder with over 25 years of experience building B2C and B2B internet businesses. She is best known for her 10+ years leading TRUSTe (now TrustArc), the leading privacy trust mark and compliance provider, and as Co-Founder and first General Manager of Match.com.
Fran speaks widely on several topics relating to women in business, including opportunities for women in the collaborative economy, addressing the lucrative family travel segment, women in entrepreneurship and on boards. She serves as an advisor to many start-ups including Portfolia, Women's Start-up Lab, Sign-up.com, Kango, and Dabbl.
Fran is featured as an expert in the documentary film about entrepreneurship entitled “She Started It.” With Emmy Award winning journalist Kym McNicholas, she hosted a radio show/podcast called "Female Seeking Start-up" which featured interviews with female entrepreneurs.
In 2016, Fran was honored by the Stanford Graduate School of Business with the Jerry I. Porras Latino Leadership Award. In 2015, she was named one of “100 Most Influential Women in Technology” by Hot Topics. In 2011, San Francisco Business Times named Fran among the 150 Most Influential Women in Bay Area Business and in 2010, AlwaysOn named her among the Top 25 Women in Tech to Watch in Silicon Valley. She and her son Joe Maier, BabyQuip's CTO, appeared on Shark Tank in March 2020.

Episode Summary -The golden rule for building a successful business is to ensure that you're aligning your business with your customer's requirements.Most entrepreneurs build their products or services based on their self-requirements and experiences, which can be one of the major reasons they struggle in business.It is never about you; it is always about your customers.
It is imperative to know your customer's needs and wants well so that you can create the products and services that can help solve their problems and make their lives easier.In this episode, Fran Maier talks about how her in-depth understanding of customer requirements has been one of the secrets to her successful journey as an entrepreneur and an important pillar in building five successful start-up brands."Whenever there is change, there's an opportunity for entrepreneurs."
Snapshot of the Key Points from the Episode:[02:42] Fran talks about why she started BabyQuip.[07:51] The importance of understanding your customer's needs and aligning your products and services based on the solution to their problem.[09:59] Fran talks about her background story and how she became an entrepreneur.[14:43] What are the skillsets of Fran that have helped her succeed?[15:51] What are some of the mistakes most entrepreneurs make that affect their business growth?[20:38] Fran talks about her most significant accomplishments and challenges she has faced in business.[26:03] What does working from your happy place mean to Fran?[27:54] Fran shares what she learned as a start-up owner and how you can build a strong company culture that will help you make your employees more efficient & effective.[30:48] Fran's advice on how to build successful start-up companies.

How to Connect with Fran Maier:Website - https://www.babyquip.com/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/franmaierTwitter - https://twitter.com/franmaierInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/franmaier
Offer - Use the code “Happy Place” to get $30 off on any order above $150 from babyquip.com About the Host -Belinda Ellsworth is a Speaker, Trainer, Best-Selling Author, and PodcasterShe has been a professional speaker, mover, and shaker for more than 25 years. Having built three successful companies, she has helped thousands of entrepreneurs make better decisions, create successful systems, and build business strategies using her "Four Pillars of Success" system.Belinda has always had a passion and zest for life with the skill for turning dreams into reality. Over the last 20 years, she has been expertly building her speaking and consulting business, Step Into Success. How to Connect with Belinda:Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/stepintosuccessLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/belindaellsworthInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/stepintosuccess/Website - www.workfromyourhappyplace.com

Are your arteries on fire? Are there hidden (or obvious) correctable risk factors that are fueling the fire? In most cases specialized blood testing, along with a careful evaluation by a knowledgeable healthcare provider, can uncover multiple addressable areas that can reduce your risk of ongoing artery damage. On this week's The Heart of Innovation, hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips are joined by Dr. Michael Dansinger, Medical Director at heart-health company Boston Heart Diagnostics, that does specialized blood testing to help doctors and patients manage and prevent vascular diseases including peripheral artery disease. Boston Heart also provides ultra-personalized nutrition and lifestyle prescriptions for patients based on their blood test results and other factors specific to each patient. Blood tests must be ordered by healthcare providers and are partially covered by medical insurance in most cases. They discuss a variety of different advanced blood tests for cardiovascular health and what they mean. Why is it important to perform advanced bloodwork? It's for: Uncovering obvious and hidden risk factors for ongoing cardiovascular damage Designing an optimal eating strategy based on an individual's specific blood test results, medical issues, and food preferences Identifying appropriate treatments including lifestyle recommendations, medications and/or supplements Measuring improvements resulting from treatments including lifestyle habits, medications, and/or supplements There are seven different categories of specialized cardiovascular blood tests offered through Boston Heart Diagnostics: Particles that cause artery damage Cholesterol source Cholesterol elimination Fatty acid balance Diabetes risk Inflammation Genetics During this show, we focused mainly on particles that cause artery damage, cholesterol source, cholesterol elimination, inflammation, and diabetes risk. More specifically: Particles that cause artery damage LDL cholesterol: The concentration of cholesterol in LDL particles. Levels around 60-70 mg/dL are optimal for artery health, especially in people with known cardiovascular disease or peripheral vascular disease. It usually requires statin medications to get that low. Levels of 70-100 mg/dL are reasonably good for people without known vascular disease. ApoB: This measures the concentration of LDL particles rather than the concentration of cholesterol contained in LDL particles. ApoB levels predict cardiovascular risk slightly better than LDL cholesterol. LDL-P: This is an alternative way to measure the concentration of LDL particles. Small-dense LDL cholesterol: Most of the damage caused by the smallest and densest LDL particles. Boston Heart measures the amount and percentage of cholesterol specifically in small-dense LDL particles. Publishes studies show this test is a superior predictor of cardiovascular disease, and you want the levels to be as low as possible. Along with appropriate medications and/or supplements, lifestyle changes such as weight loss, eating less refined sugars and starch, and daily exercise can reduce small-dense LDL cholesterol. Lipoprotein (a): This is an artery-damaging particle that is too high in about 20% of men and women. High levels can run in families since it is genetically determined. Cholesterol Source Testing Cholesterol production: The liver makes cholesterol. In some people the liver makes too much cholesterol leading to high levels of LDL particles, including small-dense LDL particles. This may happen for genetic reasons, or because there is a lot of fat accumulated in the liver, or for other reasons. There are blood tests that identify whether high cholesterol levels are due to overproduction. Weight loss can reduce fatty liver and cholesterol overproduction. Statin drugs (for example Crestor or Lipitor) reduce cholesterol production from by the liver. Repeat testing of cholesterol production levels can demonstrate the effectiveness of treatments. Cholesterol absorption: The intestines absorb cholesterol. In some people (about 25-30%) the main source of high LDL cholesterol levels is from over-absorption rather than over-production of cholesterol. These people are more sensitive than others to dietary cholesterol, and they do not respond as well to statin drugs. They respond well to medications (like ezetimibe) and supplements (like fiber and plant sterols/stanols) that block cholesterol absorption by the intestines. In this way, knowing the source of high LDL cholesterol can guide treatment decisions by doctors and patients. Cholesterol Elimination HDL cholesterol: Most people call this “good cholesterol” but it is actually a way to measure the level of HDL particles. HDL particles help remove excess cholesterol from the body. Higher levels of HDL cholesterol indicate lower risk of heart and vascular diseases. Exercise raises HDL cholesterol; smoking lowers HDL cholesterol. Large HDL particles: You want your HDL particles to be large. The large HDL particles are the ones that remove cholesterol most effectively. Unfortunately unhealthy refined sugars and starches, abdominal obesity, and insulin resistance prevent the HDL particles from becoming large and mature. Think of apples on a tree that never become large and ripe because the tree is not getting what it needs. People with cardiovascular disease often lack the large HDL particles, which can be measured most effectively with the “HDL Map” test by Boston Heart. Studies show the HDL map test is very effective at measuring improvements caused by favorable lifestyle changes. Diabetes Risk Studies show that among people age 65 and older in the U.S., about 25% have diabetes, plus another 50% have prediabetes! We are all at risk for diabetes in our lifetime, and there are blood tests for measuring that risk. Healthy lifestyle choices and certain medications can delay the progression from prediabetes to full type 2 diabetes, or potentially improve type 2 diabetes to the point of remission. Hemoglobin A1c: this simple blood test is in common use, and can be used to measure the risk or extent of prediabetes or diabetes. It provides a 2 to 3 month average blood sugar reading by showing how “sugar coated” your blood is. Insulin testing: This simple blood test is done after an overnight fast. Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas to move sugar (glucose) from the blood into tissues to be used for energy. Some people have abnormally high or low insulin levels in the blood, which an be used to provide measures of diabetes risk. Improvements in insulin levels can be used to measure improvements in diabetes risk. At Boston Heart we offer a test called the “Beta Cell Function and Risk Index” which uses fasting insulin and glucose levels to monitor diabetes risk and recommend treatments based on the specific results. Prediabetes assessment testing: This test offered by Boston Heart gives doctors and patients a measure of how rapidly a patient is moving from prediabetes toward prediabetes toward type 2 diabetes. The test uses a combination of multiple blood tests and clinical factors that have been shown to predict (with an accuracy of 92%) the 10-year risk of diabetes in patients with prediabetes. Inflammation When we talk about “fire” in the arteries that is another way saying “inflammation” in the arteries. We can use special blood tests to measure different aspects of inflammation. C-reactive protein (CRP): This is the most common test for inflammation. Increased blood levels means there is inflammation somewhere in the body, from any cause. If there is no sign of infection, injury, or illness that could cause inflammation, then an increased blood level is often a measure of the intensity of ongoing artery damage from any cause. MPO: This is also known as “myeloperoxidase”. It is a general measure of active white blood cells and inflammation. In someone with known coronary artery disease, high levels of MPO can signal “hot plaque” that is at risk to cause a heart attack. LpPLA2: This is also known as the “PLAC test”. It is a measure of inflammation caused by cholesterol plaque inside the artery walls. It is more specific to artery health than C-reactive protein or MPO.

Why is it that some doctors are on the cutting-edge with new treatments while others still use the tools and techniques they learned from medical school despite advancements in medicine?  That's the topic Emmy Award-winning Co-host Kym McNicholas and Interventional Cardiologist Dr. John Phillips are tackling in this week's The Heart of Innovation show. Kym is LIVE from Italy on the heels of CLI-C, one of the most prestigious conferences in the world for treating blocked arteries in the legs, an issue which impacts one in five people over age 60, known as Peripheral Artery Disease (P.A.D.). Without proper treatment, P.A.D. can lead to amputation, stroke, and even heart attack. Only 10% of vascular specialists, whether it's a vascular surgeon, interventional radiologist, or interventional cardiologist, are trained in advanced treatment tools and techniques to save limbs for the most complex cases of P.A.D., which we see in patients who have Critical Limb Ischemia (CLI), limb threatening artery blockages.  That's because innovation around the treatment of these patients is moving at the speed of light and physicians may not be aware of the opportunities to learn what's new and next. You might wonder, “How is that possible that physicians aren't aware of what's new and next?” The answer is that it depends on where the physician decides to pursue their continuing medical education activities (CME). Physicians are required to participate in continuing medical education (CME) activities to meet requirements of state medical boards, medical specialty societies, etc. for licensing and accreditation. The purpose of requiring CME credits, is to encourage physicians to main, develop, or increase the knowledge, and skills. They can earn these credits by attending live meetings, working online, or watching course recordings on a variety of topics related to patient care, community health or public health, preventive medicine, quality assurance or improvement, risk management, and more. Physicians are not required to attend specific sessions covering cutting-edge treatments A lot of factors play into the CME activities of any physician such as facility, society guidelines for a specific practice which may either encourage or limit interest in certain treatment approaches, interest in new ideas, resistance to new ideas that may interfere with their standardized approach, family obligations, networking opportunities, and more. So, while they all may have the title of doctor, a specific specialty, fancy pedigree, work in a prestigious facility, it doesn't necessarily reflect their current knowledge and ability as compared to their peers. In this episode, Kym and Dr. Phillips use the CLI-C conference as an example of a CME activity that offers vascular specialists the ability to not only hear about new tools and techniques to treat complex artery blockages in the legs, but to see them put into practice with multiple live cases that allow attendees to interact with physicians in hospitals who are treating a patient in real-time. Dr. Mariano Palena and Dr. Marco Manzi were the leading physicians for this particular course in Padua, Italy this past week. They share the importance of coming to these events to discuss and even debate new treatment options for patients. The greatest value, they say, is in the open discussions that transpire between physicians with a variety of different perspectives and then seeing a physician during the LIVE case implement the best ideas as well as the patient outcomes. They encourage patients to use online resources such as The Way To My Heart to learn the most advanced treatment options for P.A.D., then search online to see what conferences physicians can attend to learn them, and see if their physician attends those conferences or ones like them to ensure they're on the cutting-edge. Some key questions discussed during the show, which patients can ask their physician about when it comes to continuing include: What are the most advanced tools and techniques available for my issue, even if you don't offer them? What CME activities do you attend to learn the most advanced tools and techniques? How often do you attend them? What was the last one you attended and what did you learn which you might apply in my case? Are you on the faculty of any advanced meetings or conferences and if so, which ones? Do you have any cases, studies, or publications you've presented at recent meetings or conferences? Tune into the show to learn more about why it's important for physicians to broaden their scope and attend a variety of different CME activities, as well as how a patient can determine if their physician is on the cutting edge. Also, you don't want to miss this week's Save My Piggies segment as author and triathlete Kevin Morgan shares his story which drives home the importance of advanced medical education as he was forced to self-diagnose when his physicians failed to diagnose an abdominal aneurysm that was about to rupture. His advanced research skills as a veterinarian and pathologist led him to attribute his symptoms to an aneurysm. He independently got an abdominal ultrasound and sought a second opinion using his scans to prove his own initial diagnosis. Successful treatment for the aneurysm has kept him on his feet competing as a triathlete and inspiring others through his blog at www.athletewithstent.com.

An Emmy Award winning Journalist and entrepreneur Kym McNicholas has more than 20 years of experience on national television. This has made her a diverse reporter of her time. Kym also helped to revolutionize journalism as pioneer of digital video content. She has an experience as an assigned beat reporter covering sports, business, energy and many more arenas. She with her expertise has proved herself a great keynote speaker, master of ceremonies, chat interviewer and panel moderator. Kym also runs a Nonprofit- The way To My Heart that educates patients about diagnosis and treatment options about vascular diseases. Host: Roger Royse Renowned Lawyer, Speaker, Author.

Covid 19 has shed light on the incredible inequities when it comes to access to nutritious foods.   Food insecurity is a big factor when it comes to nutritional deficiencies that leave our bodies vulnerable to viruses and chronic illness – whether it’s covid, diabetes, heart disease, or peripheral artery disease. You can’t stay healthy without nutrition and you can’t heal without nutrition. Therefore, it’s a vicious cycle that needs to be broken. But Dole Asia Holdings and its subsidiaries are calling on all innovators to work together to break the cycle with its increased focus on tackling food insecurities. They’ve launched the Sunshine For All Fund, which is a 2 million dollar annual fund that will support global strategic partnerships and innovation in the crucial areas of sustainability, food access, and waste. Dr. Lara Ramdin, Chief Innovation Officer of Dole Packaged Foods. discusses the business' transformation, which is deeply rooted in its purpose, and how to partner with their effort with Emmy Award-winning host Kym McNicholas 

Emmy award-winning journalist Kym McNicholas interviews author Jennifer Turliuk about key career selection lessons from her new book, How to Figure Out What to Do With Your Life (Next). BOOK DESCRIPTION: “A brilliant instruction manual on how to find purpose, build a career, and live a life of fulfillment for anyone aspiring to success in work and society.” – DEEPAK CHOPRA A surefire guide to planning your next career move and discovering the job you really want. Jennifer Turliuk was dissatisfied in her corporate job, so she quit. But she had no idea what to do next. After university, she, like so many graduates, focused on just getting a job rather than figuring out the career she really wanted. Yet how would she even begin to find out what exactly that would be? Instead of getting another degree or going back to school to change her career path, Jennifer embarked on a “self-education journey,” interviewing and shadowing some of the world’s leading professors, founders, and investors from Silicon Valley companies such as Airbnb, Square, Kiva, and more. What she discovered is not only a way to find out what she really wanted to do with her own life, but a career design process that would help others do just the same. Based on tested strategies and exercises including quantified self, design thinking, lean methodology, self-discovery, and more, Turliuk will be your guide to finding the path towards a satisfying and passion-driven career that is right for you. We partnered with local Toronto-based independent bookseller Ben McNally for this to support shopping local. If you wish to buy a copy of the book, please call them at 416.361.0032 or email them at info@benmcnallybooks.com. For those outside the area, the book is also available via Amazon (https://www.amazon.ca/Figure-What-Your-Life-Next/dp/1459747496), Indigo, etc.

We all have a superpower, but we don’t always know what it is, how to use it, or even when to use it. But when you get this right, and learn to harness your superpower, your impact becomes exponential. Meet Fran Maier, serial entrepreneur, known for growing iconic businesses like TRUSTe and Match.com.  Fran shares how her superpower as a brand builder made her such a huge success and helped her create global impact. Fran is now the CEO of BabyQuip and her superpower as a brand builder has already made the company the leading baby gear rental service for traveling families. Fran is a legendary entrepreneur and has won numerous awards and accolades. She was honored by the Stanford Graduate School of Business with the Jerry I. Porras Latino Leadership Award, named one of “100 Most Influential Women in Technology” by Hot Topics. San Francisco Business Times named Fran among the 150 Most Influential Women in Bay Area Business and AlwaysOn named her among the Top 25 Women in Tech to Watch in Silicon Valley. In this episode, Fran shares why it’s important to know your strengths and take ownership of what’s in your control. She also reveals the lessons she has learned in her career and the principles she follows as a leader. Fran is applying all of these principles as she leads BabyQuip in changing lives and improving the way families travel.   Highlights: [02:47] Fran’s superpower [05:54] The story of Match.com [09:04] Keeping brand values in alignment with business decisions [10:40] Defining company culture [13:07] Biggest lessons learned [18:39] The pros and cons of being early to market [20:23] How does BabyQuip serve the community [30:47] The effects of the pandemic on BabyQuip [33:41] Empowering women as independent business owners [37:17] Who should female entrepreneurs listen to for advice [41:20] Lesson learned from working with investors [42:38] Taking ownership of what’s in our control [46:35] Vision for BabyQuip [48:02] The question brand builders should be asking   Quotes: “Be confident and allow yourself to be vulnerable and ask for help.” – Fran Maier  “Always be open to listening to everyone’s advice, but have the conviction to decide for yourself.” – Fran Maier   About Fran Maier: Fran Maier is CEO and Founder of BabyQuip, the leading baby gear rental service for traveling families and now offering local cleaning services too. She is a serial entrepreneur and brand builder with over 25 years experience in B2C and B2B internet businesses. She is best known for her 10+ years leading TRUSTe (now TrustArc), the leading privacy trustmark and compliance provider, and as Co-Founder and first General Manager of Match.com. Fran speaks widely on several topics relating to women in business, including opportunities for women in the collaborative economy, addressing the lucrative family travel segment, women in entrepreneurship and on boards. She serves as an advisor to many start-ups including Portfolia, Women’s Start-up Lab, Sign-up.com, Kango, and Dabbl. Fran is featured as an expert in the documentary film about entrepreneurship entitled “She Started It.” With Emmy Award winning journalist Kym McNicholas, she hosted a radio show/podcast called "Female Seeking Start-up" which featured interviews with female entrepreneurs. In 2016, Fran was honored by the Stanford Graduate School of Business with the Jerry I. Porras Latino Leadership Award. In 2015, she was named one of “100 Most Influential Women in Technology” by Hot Topics. In 2011, San Francisco Business Times named Fran among the 150 Most Influential Women in Bay Area Business and in 2010, AlwaysOn named her among the Top 25 Women in Tech to Watch in Silicon Valley.  She served on the board of GE Capital Bank until it was sold in 2016. In addition, she is a Member of Women Corporate Directors and is former Chair of the Steering Committee for Stanford Women on Boards. In 2012, Fran completed the Stanford Rock Center for Corporate Governance Director's College. Fran holds a BA and MBA from Stanford University. She lives in San Francisco and Santa Fe and is the mother of two grown sons. Links: Website: https://www.babyquip.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/franmaier/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/franmaier  

Does Vitamin C treat or prevent Corona? Can you get reinfected? How should you open an amazon box? An Interview with Emmy award winning journalist Kym McNicholas.

Everyone is creative.  Yet some people seem more creative than others.  What do those people have that others might lack?  What's the secret to creativity? This week we talk about finding creative inspiration outside of work.  I'll share my thoughts on what makes people creative. We'll also hear Kym McNicholas interview Tania Katan.  Tania has […]

Everyone is creative.  Yet some people seem more creative than others.  What do those people have that others might lack?  What’s the secret to creativity? This week we talk about finding creative inspiration outside of work.  I’ll share my thoughts on what makes people creative. We’ll also hear Kym McNicholas interview Tania Katan.  Tania has […]

At the Innovation Boot Camp, I had a chance to talk with Kym McNicholas.  We've both been traveling.  Kym's made stops in Europe and Asia to promote medical innovations.  I've driven 12,000 miles in four months in the Mobile Studio. On the road, we've found innovation in non-obvious locations.  Here's a recap of what we've […]

At the Innovation Boot Camp, I had a chance to talk with Kym McNicholas.  We’ve both been traveling.  Kym’s made stops in Europe and Asia to promote medical innovations.  I’ve driven 12,000 miles in four months in the Mobile Studio. On the road, we’ve found innovation in non-obvious locations.  Here’s a recap of what we’ve […]

Top B2B Startups To Watch In 2018 - December 1st, 2017 by Kym McNicholas on Innovation

“Innovating with a purpose,” is something you might hear often. What does that really mean? Phil McKinney and Kym McNicholas touch on the upcoming technologies the cable industry and specifically CableLab are stirring up for the future -- for the better. CableLabs is the research and development arm for the cable industry. The role that broadband now plays in the world is truly remarkable. The question is -- how can they get broadband to those who don’t have it. It’s not longer a “nice-to-have” but rather, a “must-have.” At the CableLab annual conference, the team showed a video that emphasized their vision for the future of healthcare. Virtual doctors and other technologies show promise in the future of medicine. In fact, technologies such as these could cut nearly one trillion dollars in health care costs. You need to question society. What innovation do I need to create to address this societal challenge? It is all about how you define moments of need and connect them.

Kym McNicholas On Innovation - Aug 4, 2017 by Kym McNicholas On Innovation

Fran Maier and Kym McNicholas interview Portfolia CEO Trish Costello. Portfolia.com is an investing platform for the 5 Million plus accredited women to invest in the companies they want to succeed in the market. These innovative companies are often led by women and / or target the large women’s market. Trish shares her journey and her observations that wealthy women want to invest differently and how Portfolia makes that happen!

Mommy can we go to Gymboree? Listen to the first mom-prenuer and author of Play It Forward: From Gymboree to the Yoga Mat and Beyond, Joan Barnes share her story as Founder of Gymboree, its journey from a family fun time play gym to leading apparel brand. Joan shares with Kym McNicholas and Fran Maier her struggles with bulimia and how she eventually, with lots of work, got to a better place of personal balance. We’ll also share how we like to unwind!

Kym McNicholas is at the VIVA conference in Las Vegas where she talks to doctors about the rise in outpatient facilities, how they're democratizing medicine to reduce amputations in lower income communities, and increasing safety with less invasive procedures. Also, the latest in treatments for Peripheral Artery Disease and Heart Failure. Plus, a new Zero Gravity Radiation Protective System that could save your doctor's life.

Kym McNicholas and Co-Host Fran Maier talk to successful women in technology. This week we take a detour to talk to Fran’s former colleague, Gary Kremen, about Founders, Co-Founders and why it makes a difference! And we bring on Angela Pan, CEO of Ashley Chloe who shares the story behind her wearable fashionable Bluetooth headphones. Finally we share our favorite tech, here what speakers we love in our homes!

Kym McNicholas and Co-Host Fran Maier talk to successful women in technology. After marking Women’s Equality Day – 96 Years of Female Right to Vote in US, we talk to Ilana Golan, CEO of Stiya. Ilana stated out in Israel as an engineer and F16 Fighter Pilot and instructor. Now she’s a veteran entrepreneur and brings her considerable leadership skills to running Stiya, a new way for real estate agents and buyers to enhance and enrich the home buying process. She shares how she pivoted her company from travel and blogging to supporting the large real estate market. We talk about management, leadership, fundraising and more. And we share our favorite tech – from Audible to Waze to a new app to get any flight- to make your Labor Day travels even better!

Kym McNicholas and Co-Host Fran Maier talk to successful women in technology in this series. They’re first guest in the show is disrupting real estate. What would you do with an extra $20,000? A lot, right?!? That’s why more and more homeowners are choosing to sell their homes “For Sale By Owner”. They don’t have to pay commission. A new site is capitalizing on this popular trend by bringing together buyers and sellers, and closing deals with the click of a button. Sidedoor founder and CEO Shelley Janes explains how she’s going against the grain in the real estate industry. Plus, Princeton student Paige Shaw shares her favorite back-to-school technologies picks that help students stay in touch as well as make the grade. And Elite Master Networker Candice Bar shares the characteristics of the most impactful business card.

07.15.2016 - Hour 2: In our “Female Seeking Startup” series Kym McNicholas and co-host Fran Maier talk to Sara Scheer, co-founder of ride sharing service for kids, about competing against Uber and Lyft. Plus, Schaer explain what she learned from her closes competitor Shuddle’s demise and why Kango is thriving. Also, meet the winner of Technovation, the world’s largest tech program and competition for girls between the ages of 13-17. The 18-year-old Mexico City standout. Lilia Lobato, created a crowdfunding app for volunteers. Also, Luxe Networking with International Elite Master Networker Candace Bar shares the biggest mistakes people make at networking events.

 “There are no losers in innovation.” -Kym McNicholas About: Kym McNicholas - Emmy Award Winning Journalist Overview: Kym is a feisty go-getter and long-time broadcaster. She has worked as a journalist for Forbes and PandoDaily. Currently, Kym is involved as the Executive Director for the Extreme Tech Challenge. Kym McNicholas | Melinda Yeaman   Highlights: Kym’s Background: Kym has quite the resume, from professional water skier, to executive director of the Extreme Tech Challenge, Kym takes the cake on diversity. She graduated with a Communication Studies degree from Sacramento State University. Kym grew with a love of sports, and originally went to school for sports, but got a taste of broadcasting and ended up heading towards that direction. Throughout her life, she has been involved in many different types of broadcasting positions. What is the Extreme Tech Challenge: Kym has been involved with many entrepreneurs and has worked with Richard Branson on the Extreme Tech Challenge. To learn more about what the Tech Challenge is and all those who have contributed, you can find it HERE. Bucket list: Watch to find out what's on Kym’s bucket list. Hint: It includes Richard Branson Struggles: Kym shares an experience where she drove out of her way to a TV station that asked her to come out, and upon arrival was denied in a big way. She’s also had other experiences that have attacked her personally. Kym has learned to have thick skin and to not let what people say get inside of her head. Through her trials, Kym has learned that everything always works out the way it is supposed to. Advice for Entrepreneurs: Just do. Don’t listen to the naysayers. Don’t go to media too soon, because they often times rip apart your ideas. Don’t rely upon the media to promote your business. If your business can’t stand on its own, then it’s not a good business. Create a community, get on TV, and pay for advertising. Look for people who are going to offer positive criticism. You don’t have to get investment, you can bootstrap! You don’t always have to go the conventional route to be successful. Take Away: Kym is an inspiring individual who hasn't let negativity drag her down. She teaches us that with will power, and a strong determination you can do and become whatever you want. Connect With Kym: Website | @kymbee If you enjoy Outlier On Air, please Subscribe & Review on iTunes or Stitcher USE PROMO CODE "OUTLIER"