Courtesy Centennial Health, written by Elizabeth Millard Inflammation can cause problems throughout your entire body, and unfortunately, your cardiovascular system isn’t an exception. Certain conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol can create an inflammatory response and that, in turn, can affect the heart by causing plaque buildup in the coronary arteries, says Hunter Kirkland, [...]
Popular energy drinks are great at delivering that jolt of caffeine you may need to finish an intense workout or an all-nighter spent studying. But for some, they may not be so great for your heart. Research shows that consumption of these highly-caffeinated drinks can lead to a potentially serious heart condition known as Atrial [...]
Our CTVS family of physicians continues to expand in order to serve our growing community of patients in Austin and Central Texas. Last month, we were thrilled with the arrival of Dr. Nicolas Zea, and now this month, we are delighted to welcome board-certified thoracic surgeon Dr. Matthew A. Gaudet to our team. Dr. Gaudet [...]
Heart valve issues such as regurgitation (where the valve doesn’t close tightly and leaks) or stenosis (narrowing) stemming from a congenital condition or damage due to age or a serious illness can require surgical repair or valve replacement. CTVS has spent more than 65 years treating heart valves and other cardiothoracic issues, and our board-certified [...]
Several months ago, Helen Garrison was suffering from dizzy spells she initially attributed to side effects from a new medication. Diagnostic tests later revealed she had an ascending aortic aneurysm and a leaky aortic valve. An aortic aneurysm is an abnormal bulge that forms in the wall of the heart’s most important blood vessel, [...]
In keeping up with the demands of Central Texas' growing population and health needs, CTVS is excited to welcome board-certified vascular surgeon Nicolas Zea, MD, RPVI, FACS to our staff. For more than 65 years, CTVS has always taken pride in assembling a stellar team of cardiothoracic and vascular specialists, and we are thrilled with [...]
Most people are aware of the importance of keeping your overall heart health in check--with regular exercise, eating a balanced diet, and maintaining good blood pressure. But what about your heart valves? They are the intricate structures deep inside the heart muscle that are essential for its proper functioning. If they are damaged or deteriorate, [...]
Smart watches continue to get smarter, especially when it comes to health and fitness tracking. And, more and more people are wearing them. As of early 2020, it was estimated that roughly one-in-five adults in the U.S. regularly reported wearing a smart watch or fitness tracker to monitor things like heart rate, blood pressure, and [...]
Recent data has linked myocarditis to young people (mainly ages 16 to 24 years) receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. While we do not typically treat this age group at CTVS, we do see myocarditis in our patients quite often. Myocarditis is a cardiovascular condition that occurs when the heart muscle becomes inflamed. It can be triggered [...]
As you check in with your loved ones this Father’s Day, take time to ask them about how their overall physical and mental health is too. June is Men’s Health Month which brings awareness to the many serious medical conditions that men face while also emphasizing that most of them are also highly treatable if [...]
