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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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: [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
In June we celebrate fathers and the special male figures in our lives. Since June is Men’s Health Month, one of the best ways to show your love and appreciation is to check in with them about their well-being, both physical and mental. According to research from the CDC, men are less likely than women [...]
An estimated 700,000 sternotomies are performed annually in the United States. It is a serious surgery that opens up the chest cavity through the breastbone, or sternum, to gain access to the lungs and heart. A sternotomy procedure is done in advance of other procedures like coronary artery bypass surgery, aortic valve repair and replacement, [...]
For 27-year-old Rachael Boyle, heart health was a familiar topic. Her younger brother had experienced heart problems as a teenager, but she had always been healthy. That all changed when she fell ill in April 2024. The First Signs As Rachael wrapped up her spring semester at the University of Texas, she started experiencing persistent [...]
If you never experienced symptoms of heart trouble and were in excellent shape, would you think to visit a cardiologist? What if you had a family history of cardiovascular disease – would you change your mind? For CTVS patient Chad Benestante, these questions hit close to home. Chad is a very active, fit and generally [...]
