MedBlog

COVID; Heart

Tragic trifecta: Coronavirus, heart attacks, and empty ERs

Fear of COVID-19 in the ER has led to fewer visits for heart attack symptoms. Unfortunately, the virus itself can cause severe heart damage. Do not ignore chest pains, especially during the pandemic. Get the facts in this week's MedBlog.

Joseph A. Hill, M.D., Ph.D.

April 30, 2020

Brain; COVID; Heart

Are stroke sufferers silent victims of COVID-19?

COVID-19 fear and isolation is keeping patients with stroke symptoms from coming to the ER until it’s too late. Babu Welch, M.D., discusses the crisis in this MedBlog.

Babu Welch, M.D.

April 22, 2020

Heart

Destiny's patient: A heart-stopping story of survival at UT Southwestern

Paul Garner made the right turn, got the right doctors, and UT Southwestern had the right stuff to save him after he had a massive heart attack and died for 30 minutes.

February 28, 2020

Heart

Transradial angioplasty – a handy fix for blocked coronary arteries

Transradial angioplasty is a "handy" way to fix blocked heart arteries – by way of the wrist. It's safer than the standard approach for some patients. Dharam Kumbhani, M.D., Director of the Cardiac Catheterization Lab at UT Southwestern discusses the benefits and the procedure. Learn more.

Dharam Kumbhani, M.D.

February 26, 2020

Aging; Heart; Prevention

Why fatal heart disease is striking middle-aged patients younger and more often

After years of steady decline, heart disease death rates have increased 1.5% among the 45-60 age group – right in the prime of their personal and professional lives. In this MedBlog, Amit Khera, M.D., discusses the major causes and how preventive cardiology can help reverse this alarming trend.

Amit Khera, M.D.

February 19, 2020

Heart; Prevention

10 questions to test your heart-health knowledge

How much do you know about heart disease risks? Take this 5-minute quiz to find out what you know – and don't – about heart health.

Amit Khera, M.D.

February 13, 2020

Heart

LVADs no longer just a bridge, but a long-term alternative to heart transplant

Left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) can help patients with advanced heart failure live longer and give them a better quality of life. Dr. Alpesh Amin answers four common questions he gets from patients about LVADs.

Alpesh Amin, M.D.

February 12, 2020

Heart

Medication as effective as stents, bypass for treating blocked arteries, major study shows

A landmark study has confirmed that, in certain patients with chest pain and abnormal stress tests, drug therapy can be just as effective as bypass or stents to prevent heart attack. In this MedBlog, James De Lemos, M.D., discusses how the findings can help patients save time and money, plus reduce unnecessary risks.

James de Lemos, M.D.

February 5, 2020

Discovery; Heart

Improving treatment for abdominal aortic aneurysm – without open surgery

Abdominal aortic aneurysms take 15,000 lives in the U.S. each year. UT Southwestern is part of a clinical study to examine the effectiveness of a new device that may give more patients access to a less-invasive option to repair abdominal aortic aneurysms. Learn more

Melissa Kirkwood, M.D.

January 9, 2020

Discovery; Heart; Prevention

Obesity and high blood pressure: How a supplement might break the link

Obesity is one of the main causes of high blood pressure, although the connection has not been well understood. But Philip Shaul, M.D., and colleagues recently discovered that changes in our sugar molecules might be the missing link – and a supplement might help break the link. Learn more.

Philip Shaul, M.D.

December 26, 2019