Could energy drinks damage your heart?
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 Fibrillation, or Afib, a type of irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) occurring in the upper chambers of the heart. If left untreated, Afib could cause heart palpitations, blood clots, stroke, and even heart failure in extreme cases. The American Heart Association estimates that at least 2.7 million [...]
CTVS Welcomes Thoracic Surgeon Dr. Matthew A. Gaudet
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 joins us from Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans where he practiced as a general thoracic and lung transplant surgeon and served as program director of the thoracic surgery residency. His interests include benign and malignant diseases of the lung, esophagus, diaphragm, chest wall and [...]
Honing In On Heart Valves: Repair and Replacement (part 2 of 2)
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 experts can help guide you in deciphering the many valve repair and replacement options that are available today. In most cases, patients can be treated with surgical valve repair. Repairing the valve is often the preferred method if someone’s native valve is strong enough. If [...]
CTVS Is First In Austin to Treat Aortic Valve Regurgitation with Innovative HAART Device
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, the aorta. This bulge can cause a disruption in blood flow and lead to leaky valves and serious complications if not treated properly, most frequently via surgery. Helen was later referred to CTVS board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Jeffrey McNeil to explore surgical options for treatment. [...]
CTVS Welcomes Vascular Surgeon Dr. Nicolas Zea
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 the new addition of Dr. Zea to our group and the amazing contributions he is sure to make. Dr. Zea joins CTVS from his most recent position with LSU Health Sciences Center and Tulane Medical Center in New Orleans, where he was both in practice [...]
Honing In On Heart Valves (Part 1 of 2)
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, serious problems could occur, and your overall heart health could be in jeopardy. CTVS has more than 65 years of experience treating heart valves and other cardiothoracic issues. How many heart valves are there and how do they work? The heart is made up of [...]
Could a smart watch help prevent heart failure in the future?
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 steps taken throughout the day. One trend that our CTVS cardiothoracic experts are always tracking themselves is a smart watch’s ability to detect signs of atrial fibrillation (AFib) which could ultimately lead to heart failure. Earlier detection of AFib could help physicians recommend quicker treatment [...]
What is Myocarditis and Its Connection to Young People Receiving the COVID Vaccine
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 by a variety of causes such as a virus (like COVID-19 itself), certain medications, or immunological disorders. Symptoms might include chest pain, shortness of breath of heart palpitations. It is easily treatable once detected with medication or medical devices (in severe cases) to restore heart [...]
CTVS Recognizes Men’s Health Month in June
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 detected early. At CTVS, we have been diagnosing and treating a variety of cardiac, vascular, and thoracic conditions that commonly affect men for more than 65 years. Some of these issues that our board-certified specialists frequently see in our male patients include: Heart disease, which [...]
Dr. Rachel Medbery Shares About the Benefits of Robotic Surgery
Robotic surgery is becoming more and more mainstream in operating rooms. This technology is used for everything from having your gallbladder removed, a hysterectomy or prostatectomy, or a hernia repair, to lung and esophageal surgery. CTVS has been treating thoracic disorders (those occurring between the abdomen and the neck) for more than 50 years and utilizes robotic thoracic surgery often in addressing a variety of these conditions. What is robotic thoracic surgery? Robotic surgery is a technique that surgeons use to perform minimally invasive thoracic surgery. Typically three-foursmall incisions between the ribs are made on one side of the chest, [...]