Because of its commonly recognized respiratory symptoms -- heavy coughing and difficulty breathing -- the most severely damaged part of the body following a bout of COVID-19 was thought to be the lungs, until now. A small study recently conducted in Germany and profiled in JAMA-Cardiology reveals that the effects of COVID-19 on the heart following [...]
Smartwatches can track everything from steps taken to sleep habits, and now they may even be able to detect a dangerous heart condition. A recent study from the Cleveland Clinic suggests that smartwatches (specifically the Apple Watch 4) were able to identify instances of atrial fibrillation (AFib), or an irregular heartbeat/arrhythmia. The research was conducted [...]
Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States according to the American Stroke Association. Most strokes are caused by a buildup of plaque that cause blockages in the brain, and how quickly you receive treatment plays a large part in your ability to recover. CTVS board certified vascular surgeon Dr. Mazin Foteh [...]
In the United States, someone suffers from a stroke every 40 seconds while someone dies every four minutes (according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention- CDC). This makes stroke one of the leading causes of long-term disability in our country. Yet in a survey (conducted by the CDC), only 38% of people polled [...]
Social distancing is a new concept for many of us right now during our citywide shelter-in-place due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19). But for those who are organ transplant patients, social distancing and self-isolation is all too familiar. April is Donate Life Month, and we at Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeons (CTVS) in Austin hold a special [...]
February is our favorite month of the year here at Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeons (CTVS) in Austin. We love to show appreciation for our family, friends and patients in honor of American Heart Month. American Heart Month is a nationally designated event each February to bring awareness to and share the power of prevention in [...]
With the start of the new year, everyone is hitting the gym to make good on resolutions to get fit. HIIT-specific workout centers especially are packed right now. HIIT—or high-intensity interval training—combines quick bursts of activity with short rest periods to maximize calorie burn. It’s an effective workout for many, but it’s not without risk [...]
