Baptist HealthTalk

Are visible veins simply cosmetic, or could they reveal a problem with your circulation? Tired legs, swollen ankles, cold feet and recurring leg cramps are common symptoms, but knowing when to take them seriously can make a difference.

Baptist HealthTalk host Johanna Gomez welcomes Dr. Michelle Taubman, vascular and endovascular surgeon at Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, to explain the differences between normal changes in our veins and potential signs of vascular disease.

Topics include:

• Spider veins versus varicose veins
• Symptoms of poor circulation and venous insufficiency
• Blood clots and swelling after travel
• Compression socks and their benefits
• Circulation concerns during exercise and pregnancy
• Warning signs that warrant medical evaluation
• Everyday habits that support vascular health

Discover why vein health is about more than appearance and when it's important to seek medical advice.

Host:
Johanna Gomez
Award-Winning Host & Journalist

Guest:
Michele Taubman, M.D.
Vascular & Endovascular Surgeon 
Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute

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Nervous about a mammogram, MRI, colonoscopy or heart scan? Wondering which medical screenings matter, whether they'll hurt or what an abnormal result really means?

In this episode of Baptist HealthTalk, host Johanna Gomez speaks with Dr. Ricardo Cury, chair of Diagnostic Radiology at Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, to answer common questions about screening tests and explain why early detection matters.

You'll learn about:

• What to expect during mammograms and ways to ease discomfort
• Lung cancer screening, PSA tests and abnormal results
• The differences between MRIs, CT scans and X-rays
• Heart calcium scores and how AI is improving medical imaging
• Bone density scans, colonoscopies and their alternatives
• How to understand imaging results and make informed decisions with your doctor

Screening recommendations depend on your age, medical history and individual risk factors. Talk with your healthcare professional about which tests are appropriate for you.

Learn more from Baptist Health: https://baptisthealth.net/news

#MedicalScreenings #PreventiveHealth #EarlyDetection

Host:
Johanna Gomez
Award-Winning Host & Journalist

Guest:
Ricardo Cury, M.D.
Director of Cardiac Imaging
Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute
Chairman of Radiology, Radiology Associates of South Florida
Chairman and Professor of Radiology, FIU

Flu, RSV or COVID? When fever, coughing and body aches strike, how do you know what actually helps—and when it's time to see a doctor?

In this episode of Baptist Health Talk, host Dr. Anthony Gonzalez speaks with emergency medicine physician Dr. Maria Escarcia about treating flu and RSV symptoms, choosing medications and recognizing warning signs.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Which over-the-counter cold and flu medications can help
• Why timing matters with Tamiflu and Xofluza
• Why antibiotics don't treat viral infections
• What to keep in your sick-day kit
• When to visit urgent care or the emergency room
• The truth about flu shots, RSV, supplements and home remedies
• When it's safe to return to work or school

Get practical advice to help you navigate flu season and protect your family.

Host:
Anthony Gonzalez, M.D.
Chief of Surgery, Baptist Health Baptist Hospital
Medical Director of Bariatric Surgery, Baptist Health

Guest:
Maria Escarcia, D.O.
Emergency Medicine Physician
Baptist Health

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La Gripe Hoy Se Siente Diferent: Qué Es Real y Qué Ha Cambiado

Breast cancer and heart disease are more connected than many women realize. For Black women, higher rates of cardiovascular risk factors and breast cancer mortality make understanding this connection especially important. But how can breast cancer treatment affect the heart, and what can women do to protect themselves?

On this episode of Baptist HealthTalk, host Sandra Peebles speaks with Dr. Heather Johnson, cardiologist and director of preventive cardiology for women's services at Baptist Health, and Dr. Kerry-Ann McDonald, breast surgical oncologist at Baptist Health, about the relationship between breast cancer, cardiovascular disease and long-term women's health.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why Black women face higher rates of death from breast cancer despite lower diagnosis rates.
• How chemotherapy, radiation and hormone therapy can affect heart health.
• What breast arterial calcifications on a mammogram may reveal about cardiovascular risk.
• Why blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar monitoring are so important.
• When women should begin breast cancer risk assessments and mammogram screenings.
• How cardiologists and oncologists work together to protect patients during cancer treatment.
• Why physical activity and long-term monitoring matter for breast cancer survivors.

Understanding your risks and taking action early can make a meaningful difference. Learn how preventive care, early detection and coordinated treatment can help protect both your breast health and your heart.

Baptist HealthTalk is powered by Baptist Health South Florida.

Host:
Sandra Peebles
Award-Winning Journalist

Guests:
Heather Johnson, M.D.
Cardiologist and Director of Preventive Cardiology for Women’s Services
Baptist Health Heart & Vascular Care

Kerry-Ann McDonald, M.D.
Breast Surgical Oncologist
Baptist Health Cancer Care

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Breast Cancer Diagnosis: Who Do You See First and What Comes Next?

Breast cancer treatment may end, but survivorship brings a new set of physical and emotional challenges. In this deeply personal conversation, host Johanna Gomez and fellow breast cancer survivor Andrea de Armas share what life after diagnosis and treatment has really looked like for them.

They talk candidly about the parts of survivorship that are often harder to see from the outside, including:

• Building a strong support system and learning not to go through cancer alone
• Being diagnosed with breast cancer at a young age and confronting an unexpected future
• Speaking up, asking questions and advocating for yourself during treatment
• Anxiety, panic attacks and the emotional impact that can continue after treatment
• Body image, reconstruction and learning to feel comfortable in a changed body
• Dating, relationships and family planning after breast cancer
• Why the end of chemotherapy or radiation does not always feel like the end of the journey
• Finding perspective, confidence and hope while moving forward

Johanna and Andrea offer an honest reminder to anyone facing breast cancer: survivorship is not one single moment. It is an ongoing process of healing, adapting and learning how to live fully again.

Host:
Johanna Gomez
Breast Cancer Survivor
Award-Winning Host & Journalist

Guest:
Andrea de Armas
Breast Cancer Survivor

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Leg pain, swelling, numbness or cold feet can be easy to dismiss — especially when you’re young and otherwise healthy. But when do those symptoms point to a circulation problem, and how early can vascular disease actually begin?

In this episode, you’ll learn:

•  What vascular disease is and how it affects arteries, veins and lymphatics 
•  Why vascular disease can develop silently for years before symptoms appear 
•  Warning signs such as reproducible leg cramping, swelling, numbness and cold limbs 
•  Risk factors including obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking and vaping 
•  How to tell everyday leg soreness from circulation-related pain 
•  What happens during a vascular evaluation and which tests may be used 
•  How exercise, medications and minimally invasive treatments can help 
•  Simple lifestyle steps that may reduce vascular risk over time 

Host Dr. Anthony Gonzalez talks with Dr. Young Lee, a vascular and endovascular surgeon at Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, about how to recognize vascular disease earlier and what you can do to protect your circulation for the long term.

Host:
Anthony Gonzalez, M.D.
Chief of Surgery, Baptist Health Baptist Hospital
Medical Director of Bariatric Surgery, Baptist Health

Guest:
Young Christina Lee, M.D.
Vascular and Endovascular Surgeon 
Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute

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Heart Disease in Young Adults: Why It's Rising (And What to Watch For)

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Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for women, yet the warning signs can be easy to miss or mistaken for stress, menopause or everyday fatigue. In this episode of Baptist HealthTalk, host Johanna Gomez speaks with cardiologist Dr. Andrea Vitello about the symptoms, risk factors and life stages that can affect a woman’s heart health.

They discuss:

•  Subtle heart symptoms women should not ignore, including fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, palpitations, jaw pain and shoulder discomfort 
•  How pregnancy complications, menopause and autoimmune conditions can influence cardiovascular risk 
•  Why family history, cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar matter earlier in life than many people realize 
•  The connection between chronic stress, poor sleep and heart health 
•  What early heart disease prevention and personalized cardiovascular care can look like 
•  Three everyday habits that can make a meaningful difference: healthy eating, quality sleep and regular exercise 
•  Why women should trust their instincts, advocate for themselves and ask questions when something does not feel right 

Dr. Vitello also explains how Baptist Health’s women’s heart program takes a comprehensive, personalized approach to evaluating cardiovascular risk across every stage of life.

Host:
Johanna Gomez
Award-Winning Host & Journalist

Guest:
Andrea Vitello, M.D. 
Cardiologist 
Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute

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What does a prostate cancer diagnosis really mean — and how do you know when screening or treatment is needed? Prostate cancer is common, but not every case carries the same risk, and today’s diagnostic tools and treatment options can help men make more informed decisions while protecting quality of life.

In this episode of Baptist Health Talk, host Willard Shepard speaks with urologist and surgical oncologist Dr. Manuel Ozambela of Baptist Health Herbert Wertheim Cancer Institute about prostate cancer screening, diagnosis and the technology changing how the disease is treated.

•  Why prostate cancer often causes no symptoms in its early stages 
•  How PSA testing works and what an elevated PSA may — and may not — mean 
•  Who may be at higher risk based on family history, genetics and race 
•  How MRI and targeted biopsy help diagnose prostate cancer 
•  How robotic surgery, HIFU and IRE are expanding treatment options 
•  How PSMA imaging helps doctors determine where cancer is located 
•  How AI is beginning to improve prostate imaging and treatment planning 
•  Why preserving urinary and sexual function is an important part of treatment 

The takeaway: knowing your personal risk, talking with your physician and staying current with screening can help detect prostate cancer earlier — when more treatment options may be available.

Host:
Willard Shepard
Award-Winning Journalist

Guest:
Manuel Ozambela, M.D.
Urologic Surgical Oncologist
Herbert Wertheim Cancer Institute

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High cholesterol can start damaging your arteries long before you feel anything — and your total cholesterol number does not tell the whole story. So when should you start checking it, what do LDL and other cholesterol particles really mean, and when are lifestyle changes no longer enough?

In this episode of Baptist Health Talk, host Dr. Anthony Gonzalez speaks with Dr. Sanjeev Gulati about how cholesterol contributes to heart attacks and heart failure, why screening should begin earlier than many people think, and the treatment options available today.

•  Why high cholesterol is directly linked to heart attack risk 
•  Common cholesterol myths, including the idea that diet is the only cause 
•  How LDL and lipoprotein(a) contribute to plaque buildup and inflammation 
•  How uncontrolled cholesterol can ultimately contribute to heart failure 
•  Why cholesterol screening may need to begin in your 20s 
•  How family history and familial hypercholesterolemia change cardiovascular risk 
•  Lifestyle steps that can help lower cholesterol 
•  When cholesterol-lowering medication may be needed 
•  Why cholesterol control remains critical even after a heart attack 
•  How advanced lipid testing can provide a clearer picture of individual risk

Host:
Anthony Gonzalez, M.D.
Chief of Surgery, Baptist Health Baptist Hospital
Medical Director of Bariatric Surgery, Baptist Health

Guest:
Sanjeev Kumar Gulati, M.D., 
Executive Deputy Director
System Chief of Cardiovascular Medicine
Baptist Health Heart & Vascular Care

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Endometrial cancer cases are rising — and abnormal bleeding is the warning sign women should never ignore. Who is most at risk, why are more women being diagnosed, and what symptoms should prompt a call to your doctor?

In this episode of Baptist Health Talk, host Sandra Peebles speaks with Dr. John Diaz, gynecological oncologist at the Herbert Wertheim Cancer Institute, about what women need to know about endometrial cancer, from early warning signs and risk factors to diagnosis, treatment and fertility-preserving options.

•  Why endometrial cancer cases are increasing in the U.S. and around the world 
•  How obesity and prolonged estrogen exposure can raise risk 
•  The abnormal bleeding patterns women should report — including after menopause 
•  Other warning signs such as pelvic pain, bloating and abnormal discharge 
•  Why endometrial cancer can also affect younger women 
•  How doctors diagnose endometrial cancer and why there is no routine screening test 
•  Treatment options for early and advanced disease, including immunotherapy 
•  When fertility-sparing treatment may be possible 
•  How family history and Lynch syndrome can affect risk

Host:
Sandra Peebles
Award-Winning Journalist

Guest:
John P. Diaz, M.D.
Chief of Gynecologic Oncology
Herbert Wertheim Cancer Institute
Chair, Obstetrics & Gynecology, FIU

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