GLP-1 Drugs’ Heart Health Benefits Aren’t Just From Weight Loss — Here’s Why
GLP-1 medications (like semaglutide and liraglutide) are often discussed as “weight-loss drugs,” but that label misses a big part of the story. In large clinical trials, GLP-1 receptor agonists have been shown to reduce major cardiovascular events, things like heart attack and stroke, in people at elevated risk. And importantly: researchers are finding those heart benefits aren’t explained by weight loss alone. So what’s going on? First: the proof that heart benefits are real. For years, GLP-1 drugs have been studied in people with type 2 diabetes who already had cardiovascular disease (or were at high risk). One of the [...]
Why the Holidays Can Exacerbate Cardiac and Vascular Conditions
The holiday season is supposed to be joyful, but for many people living with heart or vascular disease (or risk factors like high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, or a history of smoking), it can be a perfect storm of routine changes that puts extra stress on the cardiovascular system. From richer meals and more alcohol to travel, disrupted sleep, emotional stress, and winter illnesses, the “season of more” can quietly amplify symptoms or, in some cases, trigger urgent events. Here’s why it happens and what you can do to protect your heart and blood vessels through the holidays. 1) [...]
From a Birthday Dinner to a Life-Changing Diagnosis: Jimmy’s Story
When Jimmy Caddell turned 60, he celebrated, like so many of us do, with a big meal surrounded by family – nothing unusual for a man who loves good food and good company. But that night, something felt off. Lying flat in bed suddenly made it hard to breathe. His blood pressure spiked, and he ended up sleeping in a recliner just to catch his breath. “I figured it had to be something with my lungs, heart, or circulation,” Jimmy recalled. “I’ve been a nurse my whole life, so I knew it wasn’t nothing, but I didn’t expect it to [...]
CTVS’ Dr. Faraz Kerendi on KXAN: Breakthrough Heart Valve Technology
At Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeons (CTVS), innovation isn’t just part of what we do, it’s what defines us. This month, our very own Dr. Faraz Kerendi was featured on KXAN News for helping perform the first U.S. commercial implant of a new transcatheter valve replacement system designed to treat one of cardiology’s most complex conditions: severe mitral annular calcification (MAC). Redefining What’s Possible for High-Risk Heart Patients Mitral annular calcification is a buildup of calcium around the mitral valve, one of the heart’s four vital valves that keeps blood moving efficiently. When that valve stiffens or narrows, patients can experience [...]
Inside the OR on KXAN: How “Subzero” Pain Control Is Helping CTVS Patients Recover Faster
At Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeons (CTVS), we’re always looking for ways to make surgery safer, recovery faster, and life afterward better. As of late, one of the most exciting advancements we’ve brought to Central Texas is a pain-control technique that literally freezes away pain after open-heart surgery … and the results have been nothing short of remarkable. Recently featured on KXAN News, our own Dr. Eric Hoenicke, M.D., demonstrated how a technology called cryoanalgesia helps patients heal with less pain, fewer painkillers, and more confidence. Turning Down Pain … With Cold When Anastasia Allen, a 38-year-old cardiac nurse, came to [...]
CTVS Surgeons Lead the Way in TCAR Research and Stroke Prevention
Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeons (CTVS) is proud to celebrate major practice milestones in vascular surgery, from published research to first-in-nation procedures that advance patient care and stroke prevention. Six vascular surgeons from CTVS co-authored a new study published in the Journal of Vascular Surgery, analyzing outcomes for patients undergoing TransCarotid Artery Revascularization (TCAR). The study highlights TCAR as a safer and effective alternative to traditional carotid endarterectomy for treating carotid artery disease, a major cause of stroke, particularly in patients at higher risk for complications. In addition, vascular surgeon Dr. Bradley Boone was the first in the nation to use a newly [...]
Understanding PAD and Diabetes
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a serious condition that occurs when arteries in the legs and feet become narrowed or blocked, reducing blood flow. People with diabetes are at higher risk for PAD, which can lead to slow-healing wounds, infections, and in severe cases, amputation. September is PAD Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to learn about the connection between PAD and diabetes, recognize symptoms early, and understand available treatments options at CTVS. PAD and Diabetes: Why the Risk is Higher Diabetes can damage blood vessels over time, making it harder for your body to circulate blood efficiently. Poor circulation increases the likelihood [...]
How Heat Affects Your Heart
When the thermometer soars into triple digits, the impact goes beyond just feeling uncomfortable. Extreme heat puts added stress on the cardiovascular system as it works harder to keep the body cool, and that extra demand can be especially dangerous for people with heart conditions. Why Hot Weather Strains Your Cardiovascular System The body’s response to heat involves blood vessel dilation and sweating to cool down—mechanisms that lower blood pressure and reduce blood volume. In turn, the heart must pump harder and faster just to maintain circulation. This can worsen heart failure, trigger arrhythmias, or even lead to acute events [...]
Quality Sleep Matters as Much as Quantity for Your Heart
A new scientific report suggests that how well you sleep may matter just as much as how long you sleep. Beyond counting hours, factors like falling asleep easily, maintaining a regular sleep schedule, and waking up refreshed all play a vital role in supporting heart health. Sleep is so important, the American Heart Association recently added it to the Life’s Essential 8TM cardiovascular health checklist alongside diet, physical activity, blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, weight, and nicotine exposure. Why Sleep Is Good for Your Heart When you sleep, your body enters a natural state of restoration that directly benefits your cardiovascular system. [...]
The Evolving Face of Heart Disease
Over the past 50 years, the landscape of heart disease has changed dramatically, and largely for the better. According to a new report from the American Heart Association, overall death rates from heart disease have dropped by 66%, and deaths from heart attacks specifically have declined by nearly 90%. These numbers reflect decades of progress in preventive care, early intervention, and innovations in treatment to help people live longer. While fewer people are dying from heart attacks, the types of heart disease affecting patients, and leading to death, are shifting. From Heart Attacks to Heart Failure, Arrhythmias, and Hypertensive Heart Disease Today, [...]