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: [...]
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 [...]
Heart disease affects millions of Americans and remains the leading cause of death for both men and women year after year. It refers to the serious conditions affecting the heart, its operation and structure, and the many blood vessels, veins and arteries surrounding it. At CTVS, we work tirelessly to surgically treat the many serious [...]
For Michael Miskovich, an active 25-year-old, fitness is more than a hobby, it is his way of life. From mixed martial arts (MMA) and kickboxing to rigorous weightlifting, he pushes his body to the limit. But in December 2024, a slight shoulder tightness quickly took a serious turn, revealing a blood clot and a Thoracic [...]
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 [...]
CTVS patient, William Penny, shared his aortic dissection story with Nicole Villalpando from the Austin American Statesman to help raise awareness about heart health during American Heart Month. You can read his story below or find it on the Austin American Statesman website here. Will Penny and his wife were going for a run on [...]
Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeons is proud to share that several of our physicians received important accolades closing out 2024 and ushering in 2025. For several years, our team of cardiothoracic and vascular surgeons has been humbled to receive recognition as Texas Monthly Super Doctors and Austin Monthly Top Doctors. Since the practice opened as one [...]
An aortic dissection is a very serious, often times fatal, condition that takes place when the inner layers of the aorta (the body’s largest artery) weaken and tear causing blood to “dissect” the aorta into a false lumen & true lumen (very much like a double barrel shotgun). This can affect the entireity of the [...]
