MedBlog

Heart

What we know – and don’t – about South Asians’ heart disease risk

Why do South Asian people living in the U.S. have a higher risk of heart disease than other populations? In this week’s MedBlog, Parag Joshi, M.D., discusses the latest research shared at the 2019 American College of Cardiology conference in New Orleans. Learn more.

Parag Joshi, M.D.

March 22, 2019

Heart; Prevention

How CTEPH treatment can eliminate blood clots in the lungs

People who develop a blood clot in the lungs typically treat it within three months by taking blood thinners. However, select patients with CTEPH must instead undergo surgery to remove the blood clot. Learn what surgical options are available at UT Southwestern.

Sonja Bartolome, M.D.

March 8, 2019

Heart

Fish oil for heart health? A tale of two studies

Many people take fish oil supplements daily to reduce the risk of heart attack. But do omega-3 fatty acid pills really work? In this week’s blog, Joseph A. Hill, M.D., Ph.D., discusses the ongoing debate, as well as scientifically proven strategies to reduce heart attack risk.

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

February 28, 2019

Heart

MitraClip therapy: Which patients are ‘sick enough’?

MitraClip has emerged as a treatment option for patients with mitral valve disease who are not healthy enough for valve replacement surgery. However, the device is approved for only a small patient pool – and it might be unnecessary with optimized medical therapy.

Dharam Kumbhani, M.D.

February 20, 2019

Heart

Why daily aspirin therapy for heart disease might not be safe for everyone

A September 2018 study suggests that taking aspirin to lower the risk of heart disease might not be worth the risk of bleeding the drug carries for many people. Sharon Reimold, M.D., discusses what the study results mean for patients.

Sharon Reimold, M.D.

December 20, 2018

Heart

2018 cholesterol guidelines: 4 updates patients need to know

In November 2018, the national cholesterol treatment guidelines were updated for the first time in five years. Two esteemed physicians from UT Southwestern coauthored the guidelines, and in this week’s blog they discuss what the updates mean for patients.

Amit Khera, M.D.

December 14, 2018

Discovery; Heart

Taking On America's Biggest Killer

Helen H. Hobbs, M.D.

November 9, 2018

Heart

Blood pressure monitoring: Home is where your true BP numbers live

Hypertension is a leading risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and cardiovascular death. While hypertension is generally not curable, it is treatable if you are aware of it, and one of the best ways to stay on top of this disease is through home blood pressure monitoring. Read more.

Angela Price, M.D.

October 29, 2018

Heart

New AFib trials show an effective way to improve patients’ outcomes

Atrial fibrillation, the most common type of heart arrhythmia, might lead to heart failure, stroke, and other serious conditions. But new trials show reduced mortality and hospitalization rates are possible for patients who undergo catheter ablation treatment.

Mark Link, M.D.

September 24, 2018

Heart

Dr. Link’s perspective: Why family matters for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy care

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, is a genetic heart condition that affects about one in 500 people nationwide. Learn how accurate diagnoses of this dangerous disease and a Plano mother’s determination saved her life and that of her son.

Mark Link, M.D.

September 17, 2018