Baptist HealthTalk

Exercise is an important component of maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system. But there’s often an assumption that athletes, or physically active people, are not at risk of heart-related issues. Athletes are not immune. They can suffer from cardiovascular conditions at any point in their lives. Activity can range from mild to intense -- from the amateur to the marathon runner or professional...

Nearly 4 percent of the world’s population – or more than 320 million people -- is affected by one of more than 80 autoimmune diseases, with some of the most common ones being multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. In the vast majority of cases, autoimmune diseases are not fatal, and individuals can live full lives. But managing such a disease can be a frustrating battle if you don’t know wh...

Did you know that one in ten people suffer from a thyroid disorder? The thyroid is a small gland that plays a huge role in your body through the hormones it produces. More than half of U.S. adults who suffer from a thyroid disorder don’t even know it. What this small butterfly-shaped powerhouse can do includes controlling your body’s temperature, figuring out how quickly you burn calories – and ma...

Cervical cancer is still one of the most common cancers, with more than 14,000 women in the United States diagnosed every year But, there is some good news. Thanks to advancements in screening and diagnosis, cervical cancer is not only preventable, but also one of the most successfully treatable cancers.    Host: Johanna Gomez, Emmy Award-Winning Journalist and TV Host    Guest: John Diaz, M.D., C...

Pregnancy brings many changes to a woman’s body -- physically and hormonally. Many of these changes can present with symptoms or signs that may raise concerns of underlying cardiac conditions. Additionally, many women who have certain medical conditions may have a worsening of issues with pregnancy involving their cardiovascular conditions. Often, doctors are not fully aware of the cardiac issues...

Lung cancer is the No. 1 cancer killer in the United States every year. And while smoking rates across the country are on a downward trend, the effects from smoking can linger for years. The American Cancer Society suggests there are over 5 million smokers or previous smokers who should undergo annual screenings for lung cancer – with early detection being the best shot at beating the deadly disea...

Have you ever heard of someone being hit with a sudden headache -- but not just any headache -- one of an explosive and unexpected nature that is likened to a "clap of thunder?" When followed by vomiting and blurry vision, the odds are high that it's a brain aneurysm. And the individual should seek medical care immediately.   A brain aneurysm is a weak or thin spot on an artery in t...

Breast cancer dates back more than a thousand years and is the world's most prevalent cancer. The dreaded C-word is one that strikes fear far too often. But the chances for survival are always improving. The past 20 years have seen advances in treatment regimens, bringing hope for millions of women and their families.   Guests: Jonathan Fialkow, M.D. , Chief of Cardiology at Baptist Hospital...

Chest pain -- it’s the warning bell that scares us. Sometimes, we accurately presume “heart attack.” But what if it isn’t?  While men are more likely to suffer heart attacks, and at a younger age, roughly 24% of women in emergency rooms for chest pain are found to have coronary artery disease. Women don't tend to think of themselves as at risk for coronary artery disease and heart attacks. An...

Left untreated, chronic hepatitis C can cause serious health problems, including liver damage, liver cancer, and even death. CDC estimates that more than 2 million people in the United States have hepatitis C, and those numbers don’t include hepatitis A, B, D and E.   Host: Jonathan Fialkow, M.D. , Chief of Cardiology at Baptist Hospital and Chief Population Health Officer at Baptist Health .   Gu...

Did you forget where you put your keys again? Forget to get eggs at the grocery store? These are common memory lapses. They happen with age. Absent-mindedness is one common and often unavoidable downfall of getting old. But, when you have noticeable memory difficulties like experiencing confusion about where you are, then your loved ones start questioning your lucidity. And then Alzheimer’s or oth...

Skin cancer affects more than 3 million people in the U.S. every year, with sun exposure being the most common factor. But don’t worry, there’s a simple and safe solution: Sunscreen. Hats, clothes and properly applied sunscreen are vital for protection. Even then, no defense is perfect. But if skin cancer is found early enough, it can often be easily treated. Left unchecked? Well, that’s when the...

Is your child’s sedentary lifestyle of playing videogames, watching TV or being on their phones affecting their waistlines? They’re not alone. Diagnoses by pediatricians of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes and painful joint conditions have increased in recent years. The American Academy of Pediatrics released new guidelines for treating childhood obesity, and the report has s...

Imagine you've just come home from a stressful day, and there on the counter are those delicious cookies staring right at you. You know they’ve got artificial sweeteners in them, so -- no harm, no foul. Right?  Not so fast. More and more, new research shows how fake sugars negatively affect your gut and metabolic health, and your heart. They boost food cravings and insulin resistance, which i...

Chadwick Boseman, Oscar-award winning actor died at 43 of colon cancer.  44-year old superstar Ryan Reynolds gets a colonoscopy after losing a bet, revealing several polyps that were discovered and removed successfully.    As if there aren’t enough headlines about the dangers of colorectal cancer lately, listen up! Colorectal cancers are getting diagnosed more frequently at a younger age and preve...

"Lub-dub" are the words often used to describe the sound of a normal beating heart. But when a swooshing sound is mixed in, the words "heart murmur" become a part of the conversation. To a doctor, questions­ arise: Is it an innocent, or an abnormal murmur? Is it a heart valve problem or a structural defect that could lead to real trouble?   Host:   Jonathan Fialkow, M.D. , Chie...

There’s a lot of buzz about AI these days, or artificial intelligence. But there's been very little talk about the brains of the whole operation -- ours. The human brain is the command center of everything we create and do. It is ever evolving as we grow from childhood through adulthood. The question is: What are those changes and how can we improve on them by helping and maintaining what lif...

Maybe you’ve had it. Maybe someone near and dear to you died from it, or you’re dealing with long term effects from it. It was a global pandemic that impacted each and every one of us. Three years ago, COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization. More than 6.5 million have died from it, with 1.1 million of those right here in the United States. Is it over? No. But as w...

Atrial Fibrillation, or AFib, is the most common arrhythmia, a condition in which the heart beats with an irregular or abnormal rhythm. AFib affects more than 2.7 million yearly. Left unattended, it can lead to strokes or even heart failure. So, what causes AFib and what can be done to avoid or even correct it before it does damage?   Host:   Jonathan Fialkow, M.D. , Chief of Cardiology at Baptist...

February is American Heart Month. Despite overall increased awareness over the years, heart disease is still the leading cause of death in the U.S., according to public health officials. The good news: You can do a lot to protect your heart and stay healthy.  Understanding your risk factors for heart disease and how to live a heart-healthy lifestyle can reduce the risks -- and ultimately save your...

With the start of Heart Month, it’s important to review some of the tools that are readily available to save someone’s life. What if that “someone” is somebody close to you? Are you prepared to jump to their rescue? Tools such as AEDs (automated external defibrillators) and CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) can save lives. Unfortunately, not many people know how to put them to use. Here’s what y...

Proper nutrition is vital for healthy living. It’s important to be mindful of what we put in our bodies to manage weight and prevent chronic diseases. In terms of your health, the expression -- “You are what you eat.” – should be taken seriously.     Host:   Jonathan Fialkow, M.D. , chief of cardiology at Baptist Hospital and Chief Population Health Officer at Baptist Health .    Guests:   Amy Kim...

A burning sensation when urinating can spell trouble -- UTI (urinary tract infection) to be specific. It happens to more than 3 million people a year in the United States. Women suffer UTIs the most, but it can also strike men. Symptoms include fever, pelvic and urination pain, and abdominal pain. Let untreated, UTIs can spread from the bladder to the kidney, causing a cascading event of health is...

Menopause is a natural occurrence in the cycle of a woman’s health, marking the end of the reproductive stage. While some women complete this stage free of symptom, most experience hot flashes, sleep issues, mood swings, pain during sex and/or depression. There are temporary solutions for these symptoms caused by an hormonal imbalance, but not all are effective or equal.     Listen as our experts...

We now have 60 years of studies to show which of the more than 5,000 chemicals inhaled by tobacco smokers can impact their health. But we’re only just beginning to see the damage caused by vaping, the cigarette alternative. Diacetyl, formaldehyde and acrolein, a weed killer, are just a few of the chemicals found in vape pens, and ER cases and hospital stays are on the rise from vaping. Baptist Hea...