Cardiovascular Matters

Welcome to Cardiovascular Matters! In this episode, Dr. Craig Walker and Terry Roberts discuss an exciting advancement in peripheral vascular intervention — techniques designed to prevent embolization during procedures to open blocked leg arteries. Dr. Walker explains: ✔ What embolization is and why debris breaking loose during procedures can be dangerous.  ✔ Why traditional angiograms may not rev...

Welcome to Cardiovascular Matters! In this episode, Dr. Craig Walker and Terry Roberts discuss varicose veins and chronic venous disease, a condition that affects millions of people and is often ignored until serious symptoms develop. Dr. Walker explains: ✔ What causes varicose veins and why they become more common with age. ✔ How venous disease impacts circulation, leg swelling, pain, and skin ch...

Welcome to Cardiovascular Matters! In this episode, Dr. Craig Walker and Terry Roberts explore one of the most common — and potentially dangerous — heart rhythm disorders: Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) . Dr. Walker breaks down this complex condition in simple, practical terms and discusses: ✔ What atrial fibrillation is and how it disrupts the heart’s normal rhythm.  ✔ The most common causes — from a...

Welcome to Cardiovascular Matters! In this episode, Dr. Craig Walker and Terry Roberts explain the vital role of coronary calcium scores in assessing your heart disease risk. Dr. Walker discusses:  ✔ What the coronary calcium score test measures and why it's important.  ✔ How calcium buildup relates directly to heart disease risk.  ✔ Who should consider getting a calcium score test and at wha...

Welcome to Cardiovascular Matters! Join Dr. Craig Walker and Terry Roberts as they discuss groundbreaking new medications revolutionizing cardiovascular treatment. In this episode, you'll learn about:  ✔ The latest FDA-approved medications for cardiovascular disease prevention.  ✔ How these drugs effectively manage cholesterol and diabetes.  ✔ Reducing cardiovascular risks through medication...

Welcome to Cardiovascular Matters! In this episode, Dr. Craig Walker and Terry Roberts shed light on microvascular heart disease , a condition that affects many women — and is often overlooked or misdiagnosed. Dr. Walker explains:  ✔ What microvascular disease is and how it differs from large vessel heart disease.  ✔ Why women are more frequently affected and often dismissed as having “nothing wro...

Welcome to Cardiovascular Matters! In this episode, Dr. Craig Walker and Terry Roberts dive into peripheral artery disease (PAD), a widespread yet frequently unnoticed condition that significantly increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and amputation. Peripheral artery disease can silently progress without noticeable symptoms, especially in older adults or those with diabetes or a history of...

Welcome to Cardiovascular Matters! In this episode, Dr. Craig Walker and Terry Roberts tackle the serious condition known as critical limb ischemia (CLI), a leading cause of limb amputation. Critical limb ischemia occurs when blockages severely reduce blood flow to the legs, causing pain, ulcers, and gangrene. Dr. Walker shares: ✔ How to recognize the symptoms and risk factors of critical limb isc...

Welcome to Cardiovascular Matters! In this episode, Dr. Craig Walker and Terry Roberts discuss pelvic congestion syndrome, a condition that significantly impacts the quality of life but is frequently misunderstood and misdiagnosed. Pelvic congestion syndrome involves the improper drainage of blood through the veins in the pelvis, leading to various symptoms. Dr. Walker explains: ✔ The difference b...

Welcome to Cardiovascular Matters! In this episode, Dr. Craig Walker and Terry Roberts delve into the topic of small vessel disease, an often overlooked condition that affects more women than men but is crucial to understand for both. Small vessel disease can lead to serious cardiovascular events due to the obstruction of the smallest blood vessels in the heart. Dr. Walker explains: ✔ What small v...

Welcome to Cardiovascular Matters ! In this episode, Dr. Craig Walker and Terry Roberts discuss one of the most common yet crucial questions: When should you go in for a cardiovascular checkup? Heart disease remains the #1 cause of death , but early detection can save lives. Dr. Walker explains: ✔ Who is at highest risk for heart disease. ✔ The 5 major risk factors that demand an early screening....

Discover how a groundbreaking class of medications, GLP-1 agonists, are revolutionizing the treatment of sleep apnea. In this insightful discussion, Dr. Craig Walker and Terry Roberts delve into the profound impact these drugs can have on addressing the underlying causes of sleep apnea, particularly obesity. Explore the recent approval of Trulicity for the treatment of sleep apnea, and learn about...

Welcome to Cardiovascular Matters ! In this episode, Dr. Craig Walker and Terry Roberts tackle an important question: How do you know if you're at risk for heart disease, even if you feel fine? Many people appear to be in perfect health—until they suffer a sudden cardiac event. This leaves loved ones wondering, Could it have been prevented? Dr. Walker explains the vital tests and screenings a...

Welcome to Episode 23 of Cardiovascular Matters ! In this inspiring episode, Terry Roberts shares his incredible journey of losing over 100 pounds in just eight months, thanks to groundbreaking GLP-1 medications and guidance from Dr. Craig Walker, founder of the Cardiovascular Institute of the South. In this episode, you’ll learn: The impact of obesity on cardiovascular health and overall well-bei...

Welcome to Episode 22 of Cardiovascular Matters ! In this engaging discussion, Terry Roberts and Dr. Craig Walker, founder of the Cardiovascular Institute of the South, dive deep into one of the most asked questions about cardiovascular health: statins and cholesterol management . In this episode, Dr. Walker explains: Why statins are a cornerstone of cardiovascular treatment. The science behind ch...

In this insightful episode of Cardiovascular Matters, host Terry Roberts and renowned cardiologist Dr. Craig Walker delve into the groundbreaking technology of renal denervation and its profound implications for the treatment of hypertension.   High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a major risk factor for a host of cardiovascular complications, including heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and...

In this powerful episode, host Terry Roberts sits down with Dr. Craig Walker, the founder of Cardiovascular Institute of the South, to discuss his lifelong mission to prevent unnecessary amputations for patients suffering from peripheral vascular disease and critical limb ischemia.   Dr. Walker shares how he became deeply committed to this cause, recognizing that far too many amputations were bein...

In this episode of Cardiovascular Matters, Dr. Craig Walker and Terry Roberts delve into the groundbreaking treatment of renal denervation for patients struggling with uncontrolled hypertension and it has been approved by the FDA. Hypertension is a prevalent and potentially life-threatening condition, often requiring a combination of medications to manage. However, for some individuals, even multi...

In this special edition of the Cardiovascular Matters podcast, host Terry Roberts sits down with Dr. Craig Walker, the founder of the Cardiovascular Institute of the South, to discuss his groundbreaking work in the field of peripheral artery disease (PAD) and limb salvage. Dr. Walker shares his personal journey, the challenges he has faced, and the innovative techniques he has developed to help pa...

In this episode of Cardiovascular Matters, we delve into the critical topic of acute limb ischemia, a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. Dr. Walker, a renowned vascular specialist, provides a comprehensive overview of this condition, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and prompt treatment. Key Points Discussed: Acute limb ischemia is a sudden cessation of blood flow t...

In this episode of Cardiovascular Matters, Dr. Craig Walker and Terry Roberts discuss the critical issue of critical limb ischemia (CLI), a severe form of peripheral artery disease. They explore the historical treatment approaches, the evolution of minimally invasive interventions, and the importance of a comprehensive approach to limb salvage. The conversation covers the various techniques, inclu...

In this episode of Cardiovascular Matters, Dr. Craig Walker and Terry Roberts delve into the critical topic of peripheral artery disease (PAD). They highlight the alarming prevalence of PAD, with an estimated 25 million Americans affected, and emphasize its deadly nature, noting that a person with a new PAD diagnosis is as likely to die of a heart attack as a heart attack survivor. The discussion...

In this in-depth podcast, cardiologist Dr. Craig Walker provides a thorough overview of high blood pressure (hypertension) - one of the leading risk factors for heart disease and stroke. Dr. Walker explains what blood pressure is and why it's important to control. He discusses the various causes of high blood pressure, including both primary (essential) hypertension as well as secondary cause...

Dr. Craig Walker and Terry Roberts discuss a new class of injectable cholesterol-lowering drugs called PCSK9 inhibitors. These medications provide an additional option for lowering LDL ("bad") cholesterol beyond statin therapy alone. Dr. Walker explains how PCSK9 normally works to block the recycling of LDL receptors in the liver, preventing further removal of LDL from the bloodstream. T...

Join Dr. Craig Walker as he provides an in-depth look at cholesterol-lowering medications, with a focus on statins. In this informative discussion, Dr. Walker breaks down the science behind these life-saving drugs, explaining how they work to reduce cholesterol production and increase its removal from the body. Learn about the two main types of statins, their differences, and why they're cruc...