Vaping’s Harm to Vascular Health
Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable disease and premature death in the United States, killing more than 480,000 people each year and costing more than $300 billion annually on smoking related illness. As more people understand that smoking can lead to considerable damage on every organ and system throughout the body, some have turned to vaping, thinking it might be a safer alternative. However, studies have shown that those who use electronic cigarettes have higher rates of heart attacks, stroke, depression, anxiety and circulatory problems than those who do not use e-cigarettes. Vaping also caused a 2019 outbreak [...]
CTVS Physicians Named Rising Stars
Two Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeons (CTVS) physicians have been named 2022 Super Doctors Rising Stars in the July issue of Texas Monthly magazine. Congratulations to vascular surgeon David Nation, M.D. and cardiothoracic surgeon Brendan Dewan, M.D. on this special recognition! Dr. David Nation specializes in all areas of endovascular and vascular surgery. His special interests include treatment of aortic aneurysmal disease, endovascular and open surgical treatment of peripheral vascular disease, and treatment of carotid stenosis. Dr. Brendan Dewan specializes in adult cardiothoracic surgery and special interests include adult acquired valvular heart disease including aortic root surgery, minimally invasive mitral and [...]
Smoking May Cause Limb Loss and Amputation
The effects of smoking can lead to considerable damage on every organ and system throughout the body, including the blood vessels. Smoking causes blood vessels to constrict and narrow the arteries which leads to poor circulation and high blood pressure, often resulting in a condition known as PAD (peripheral artery disease), something our cardiothoracic and vascular surgeons treat frequently here at CTVS. A recent study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that of the over 1,200 PAD patients observed, 90 percent were current or former smokers. Smoking can also have negative effects on insulin production and [...]
Dr. McNeil Shares his Surgical Skills in Nigeria
At CTVS, we are extremely proud of the work our physicians do here in our Central Texas clinics, but we are just as proud of all the care they provide outside our walls. Many of our team members frequently participate in medical missions trips all over the world. Board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Jeff McNeil recently returned from his fourth trip to Nigeria with the VOOM Foundation. In Nigeria, it is estimated that more than 95% of the people there live without essential medical services. While in Nigeria, Dr. McNeil and his fellow specialists treated a pair of remarkable and hard-working [...]
We’re Shining Light on Stroke Awareness Month and a Special Survivor
Stephen Galloway is no stranger to a health crisis. In 1991, he was a hazmat engineer who responded to a large, dangerous chemical spill in Galveston. Stephen sustained severe burns and suffered long-term health consequences due to the chemicals that he was exposed to, including painful neuropathy which later led to diabetes and near-blindness. Fast forward to March of this year. Stephen was visiting with a neighbor when he started to feel dizziness, slurred speech and weakness on the right side of his body. He was barely able to make it to his front door and told his wife that [...]
CTVS Opens New Kyle Office to Meet Growing Need in Hays County
Hays County is now the fastest growing county in the country with the area’s population having multiplied ten times over since 2000. For this reason, CTVS realized the need to offer expert and quality cardiothoracic care to residents there so they no longer have to travel to Austin for it. We are therefore pleased to announce that our new full-time clinic is now open in Kyle. “To provide this level of specialty care in Hays County is critical to the health of Central Texans,” said Dr. Stephen J. Dewan, president of CTVS and board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon. “We’re excited to provide [...]
Treating the Whole Esophagus from Cancer to GERD
The American Cancer Society expects that roughly 20,000 new cases of esophageal cancer will be diagnosed this year. Many of those cases will prove fatal if not detected and treated early. As April is Esophageal Cancer Awareness Month, CTVS urges everyone to become educated about the symptoms associated with this devastating, but treatable disease. The esophagus is the muscular tube that connects the throat and the stomach so that food and liquids can enter and nourish the body. Risk factors that may contribute to esophageal cancer include smoking, a history of Barrett’s Esophagus and other acid reflux disorders such as [...]
National Donate Life Month 2022
Have you ever considered “bee-coming” an organ donor? Or are you one already? This year’s theme for National Donate Life Month is “Bee a Donor” because bees support life throughout nature and their community. At CTVS, we are so grateful for those who choose to make the gift of organ donation and marvel at the opportunity that one human saves the life of another. One single organ donor can save up to eight different lives. Last year, 41,354 organ transplants were performed in the United States (3,817 of those were heart transplants). Despite the ongoing medical challenges of the COVID-19 [...]
New Lung Cancer Screening Guidelines Could Save More Lives and Provide Better Access
Lung cancer is one of the deadliest cancers in the United States, more so than breast, colon and prostate cancers combined. In 2022, the American Cancer Society predicts a staggering 131,180 deaths due to lung cancer, however, it also predicts that with more widespread screening, early detection could save a potential 30,000 to 60,000 lives. Updated screening guidelines were recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) last year and are now newly supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The new guidelines aim to make screenings more widely available to high risk individuals and those [...]
How Diabetes Damages Blood Vessels Causing Risk for PAD
Research shows that approximately one out of four Americans does not realize that they have diabetes. For this reason, it is often referred to as a “silent” disease. Diabetes increases the level of glucose, or sugar, in the blood to dangerous levels and can occur in one of two forms: Type 1 which is genetic, or Type 2 which is largely due to poor diet and unhealthy eating habits. If left untreated, diabetes can have a negative impact on blood vessels and circulation and lead to serious conditions like atherosclerosis, PAD (peripheral artery disease), and even stroke or heart attack. [...]