Love Your Heart: A Cleveland Clinic Podcast

Pacemakers and defibrillators are both cardiac implantable electronic devices and used for different things – depending on the rhythm it is treating. Dr. Wilkoff, Director: Cardiac Pacing & Tachyarrhythmia Devices explains the different devices – and what’s new in pacing, such as leadless options.

This two part program answers all your questions about Aorta Disease and related disorders (Marfan syndrome, Ehlers Danlos, Loeys Dietz). Part 2 provides answers to questions about surgical treatments of aorta disease including when to operate, types of procedures and post-operative outcomes and concerns.

This two part program answers all your questions about Aorta Disease and related disorders (Marfan syndrome, Ehlers Danlos, Loeys Dietz). Part 1 answers questions about types of aorta disease; how this disease is diagnosed (including imaging and genetic testing); and medical management of aorta disease including monitoring, medications, blood pressure control, exercise and how to prevent progressi...

Patients often ask if they should take their blood pressure at home, how to get the most accurate results, how often to do it, and what type of monitor to use (check out https://www.validatebp.org/) Preventive cardiologist and blood pressure specialist Dr. Luke Laffin answers these important questions.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) involves more than septal thickness. Dr. Nicholas Smedira, Surgical Director of Cleveland Clinic’s Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center describes what happens when a patient has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. A team approach is used to understand the anatomy and cause of obstruction. Many surgical approaches are available to individualize the care for the HCM patient...

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is becoming more common as a diagnosis. If you have HFpEF, you may have questions about this condition and treatment.

New valve guidelines provide information about management of patients with heart valve disease including when to operate, TAVR (TAVI); valve surgery; valve choice, valve repair, surgical approach, and how the guidelines address the aorta and the tricuspid valve. Dr. Lars Svensson, Chairman, Sydell and Arnold Miller Family Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute and Dr. Marc Gillinov, Department C...

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a minimally invasive procedure used to insert a new aortic valve in patients with aortic stenosis. While risk is low, stroke remains an important risk for this procedure. Dr. Samir Kapadia, Chairman of Cardiovascular Medicine, explains why stroke occurs during TAVR and how the sentinel filter device is used during the procedure to lessen risk of str...

Dr. Milind Desai describes the results of a study performed during this COVID pandemic, looking at patients with symptoms of COVID who were not sick enough to be in the hospital. The question he answered was: Does vitamin C and/or zinc reduce the duration or severity of symptoms in patients diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)?

If you have valve disease you may have questions about symptoms, diagnostic tests and treatments. In honor of Valve Disease Awareness Day, valve specialists Dr. Paul Cremer and Dr. Christine Jellis answer questions they often get from patients about valve disease.

Heart failure is very common affecting millions of Americans. Surgeon Dr. Edward Soltesz and Cardiologist Dr. Jerry Estep talk about heart failure symptoms, how heart failure is classified to guide treatment, and innovations in heart care including new medications, left ventricular assist devices (LVAD), and transplant.

How can you eat more heart healthy this year? Is vegan the way to go? Do you need to cut out oils in your diet? Has COVID has made an impact on how you are eating? Julia Zumpano RD, LD Preventive Cardiology dietitian provides helpful tips and gets us back on track toward heart healthy 2021.

Every year to celebrate Heart Month, Cleveland Clinic performs a survey to see what people know about heart disease. This year’s focus was COVID. Dr. Leslie Cho and Dr. Jerry Estep present the survey findings – highlighting what people should know about heart care during the pandemic, how COVID affects the heart, and what heart patients should know about the COVID vaccine

Pacemakers and defibrillators are both cardiac implantable electronic devices – they are used to protect the heart from slow heart rhythms, fast heart rhythms, and in some cases help the heart pump better. Dr. Bruce Wilkoff, Director of Cardiac Pacing & Tachyarrhythmia Devices at the Cleveland Clinic Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute, explains the differences in these devices.

Pacemakers and defibrillators are both cardiac implantable electronic devices – they are used to protect the heart from slow heart rhythms, fast heart rhythms, and in some cases help the heart pump better. Dr. Bruce Wilkoff, Director: Cardiac Pacing & Tachyarrhythmia Devices explains the differences in these devices.

Have you been told you have microvascular coronary disease? Do you have chest pain but told you do not have coronary artery disease by cardiac cath? There are new ways to diagnose microvessel disease that help doctors guide treatment. Dr. Khaled Ziada, a specialist in microvascular disease and coronary spasm, talks about this condition, risk factors, how it’s diagnosed, and how treatment is planne...

It’s 2021! Time for New Year’s resolutions - or making changes (you can keep) to be healthier in the New Year. Preventive cardiologist Dr. Luke Laffin talks about heart healthy goals for 2021 – as well as tips to get there during the challenges of COVID.

Patients often ask why they need to be on an anticoagulant after ablation – or – if they can have a Watchman device at the same time as an ablation. Drs. Saliba and Wazni discuss the answers to these questions. The OPTION trial is looking at the safety and effectiveness of the Watchman device (left atrial appendage closure) vs. oral anticoagulant medications in patients with non-valvular atrial fi...

Dr. Steve Nissen talks about three trials presented at the 2020 American Heart Association Scientific Sessions: the STRENGTH trial, which looked at omega 3 fatty acid’s impact on cardiovascular events, the STOP AF trial that studied medication vs. ablation in treating patients with new onset atrial fibrillation; and the RHAPSODY trial, which looked at the drug rilonacept in the treatment of recurr...

This two part program answers all your questions about Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). Part 1 answers questions about what is coronary artery disease and microvessel disease; symptoms of CAD; how this disease is diagnosed (and what you should know about the different types of tests); and medical management of CAD including medications and risk factors for primary and secondary prevention

Having an aneurysm can be a scary diagnosis. Vascular surgeon Dr. Sean Lyden and vascular medicine specialist Dr. Scott Cameron answer many questions patients have about aortic aneurysm

Patients with pericarditis may be on various medications to prevent episodes from recurring. Dr. Allan Klein, Director of Cleveland Clinic’s Pericardial Disease Center, provides the results of the RHAPSODY trial that looked at a new medication (Rilonacept) vs. placebo for patients with pericarditis. He talks about the exciting results of this study and what this may mean for patients in the future...

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Cleveland Clinic specialists talk about symptoms of lung cancer, how lung cancer is detected, what diagnostic tests are used to stage lung cancer or determine best treatment, and what patients should know about treatment options. 15 percent of patients who have lung cancer never smoked – so it is important to know the symptoms and talk to your doctor. Early...

Clinical research is important to make progress in medicine. Dr. Nissen, Chief Academic Officer of the Heart, Vascular and Thoracic Institute, describes what you should know about randomized clinic trials and how they are being conducted during the time of COVID. When your provider approaches you about clinical research, take a moment to listen. Ask questions about the benefits and risks of trial...

This two-part program answers all your questions about Atrial Fibrillation. Part 2 provides answers to questions about medications used to treat atrial fibrillation, efficacy related to stage of disease and what you should know about blood thinner medications and alternatives. In addition, the doctors discuss cardioversion, types of ablation, the hybrid convergent procedure and the WATCHMAN device...