Love Your Heart: A Cleveland Clinic Podcast

A left ventricular assist device (LVAD) helps the heart pump blood and is a potential treatment option for people with heart failure. Dr. Michael Tong gives a brief history of how LVADs have evolved over the last few decades to be a durable solution for patients with advanced heart failure.

Dietary recommendations can be confusing. Having a heart condition can make it even more challenging. Dr. Amanda Vest, Section Head of Heart Failure and Transplantation Cardiology, has a special interest in making diet and nutrition choices easier for patients with heart failure. She talks about recommended dietary patterns and considerations for weight management.

Robotic heart surgery has many benefits when done by a skilled surgeon. Drs. Marc Gillinov and Tarek Malas answer the five questions you should think about if you are considering a robotic approach to valve surgery.

Heart failure is a term to describe when your heart is not pumping as well as it should. Dr. Amanda Vest, Section Head of Heart Failure and Transplantation Cardiology, talks about how nutrition plays an important role in heart health.

As blood travels through the heart, it passes through the aortic valve into the aorta. The aorta is the body’s main artery that carries blood to the body. Dr. Eric Roselli, Surgical Director of the Aorta Center, and Dr. Xiaoying Lou talk about how the aortic valve relates to the aorta.

Heart surgery is complex and requires expert surgeons. This becomes more challenging as more parts of the heart are involved or because of the health history of a patient. Dr. Edward Soltesz and Dr. Anthony Zaki talk about what might make a patient considered high-risk, how that affects their surgical plan, and the benefit of a second opinion. Their advice: ask questions and be comfortable with the plan.

The term "heart surgery" includes structures in the heart, but also connected to the heart. The aorta is the body’s main artery that carries blood to the rest of the body from your heart. Caring for your heart and the vessels around it requires a team approach. Dr. Eric Roselli, Surgical Director of the Aorta Center, speaks with Dr. Xiaoying Lou about her special interest in the aorta.

April is National Diversity Health Month. This year, the theme is Be the Source for Better Health: Improving Health Outcomes Through Our Cultures, Communities, and Connections. Dr. Lee Kirksey and Sherelle Tucker, Director of Community & Economic Development and Executive Administrator of the Center for Community Health Equity, discuss the importance of diversity in research and clinical trials and address some of the beliefs about participation.

Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of pregnancy complications. Dr. Deirdre Mattina provides an overview of high blood pressure (hypertension) in pregnancy and goals for management.

Heart failure is a term to describe when your heart is not working as well as it should. There are many myths and misconceptions around living with and managing heart failure. Dr. Amanda Vest, Section Head of Heart Failure and Transplantation Cardiology, helps sort heart failure myths from facts.

The possibility of needing heart surgery can be overwhelming. Dr. Lars Svensson, Chairman of the Heart, Vascular and Thoracic Institute, provides a brief overview of what to expect if you need heart surgery. Cleveland Clinic has an advanced cardiovascular surgery department that offers many resources to make this process easier.

Having a mass in your chest can be a scary diagnosis. Dr. Monisha Sudarshan provides an overview of what a mediastinal mass could be and what it means for your care.

In November 2023, the renal denervation procedure received FDA approval in the United States. This procedure works to lower blood pressure by cutting off the sympathetic nerves surrounding the renal arteries. Dr. Luke Laffin, co-director for the Center for Blood Pressure Disorders talks about this exciting new option for some patients looking to lower their blood pressure.

Heart failure is a condition where the heart does not pump as well as it should. During pregnancy, the stress on the heart increases causing potential risks for both the pregnant person and baby. Dr. Karlee Hoffman, a heart failure specialist with an interested in cardio-obstetrics, talks about some concerns and considerations for managing the unique needs of patients with heart failure wishing to conceive.

March is National Nutrition Month. Julia Zumpano, RD, explains the role of a Registered Dietician and tips on eating for heart health.

Patients have many questions about life before, during and after heart surgery. Lars Svensson, MD, PhD, Chairman of the Sydell and Arnold Miller Family Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute, answers common questions from our patients.

The aortic valve connects your heart to your aorta. This valve can become stiff and not open correctly or become leaky. Lars Svensson, MD, PhD, Chairman of the Sydell and Arnold Miller Family Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute gives an overview of treatment and management of these conditions.

Did you know that cardiac diseases are the leading causes of death around the world? Cardiac rehabilitation helps improve health for those at risk. Cardiac Rehab Week is the second full week in February. Dr. Erik Van Iterson, Director of Cardiac Rehabilitation in the Section of Preventive Cardiology & Rehabilitation at Cleveland Clinic, provides an overview of the phases cardiac rehab.

February is American Heart Month. This year, Cleveland Clinic conducted a Heart Health Survey to look at how Americans are using technology to improve their heart health and how they feel about the emerging role of artificial intelligence (AI) in heart care. Dr. Ashish Sarraju, a cardiologist in the department of preventive cardiology, summarizes the findings and highlights the importance that health technology should be used together with your doctor's advice.

Though the United States is a leader in number of heart tranplatation surgeries completed each year, there are many more people with advanced heart failure who are unable to receive this treatment. A left ventricular assist device (LVAD) helps the heart pump better and is a potential treatment option for people with heart failure. Drs. Michael Tong and Anthony Zaki discuss reasons for needing a LVAD, outcomes, and what to expect.