Love Your Heart: A Cleveland Clinic Podcast

Cleveland Clinic led a trial that found a left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) may be an effective alternative to taking blood thinners for those with atrial fibrillation. Walid Saliba, MD speaks with Oussama Wazni, MD, Section Head of Cardiac Electrophysiology and Pacing at Cleveland Clinic and Primary Investigator of the OPTION Trial. The question they wanted to answer with this trial was if LAAC would safely reduce bleeding rates while maintaining low stroke rates compared to blood thinners after atrial fibrillation ablation.

Learn more about the Atrial Fibrillation Center
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/departments/heart/depts/atrial-fibrillation-center

Learn more about the Atrial Fibrillation Stroke Prevention Center
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/departments/heart/depts/atrial-fibrillation-stroke-prevention-center

Elevated levels of Lipoprotein(a) cholesterol, or Lp(a), can increase the likelihood of cardiovascular disease. Steven Nissen, MD shares research on new drugs to treat Lp(a).

Learn more about Lipoprotein(a). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/23229-lipoprotein

Cardiac rehabilitation has been shown to reduce the risk of hospital readmission and improve quality of life, with benefits that persist even years after completing the program. Erik Van Iterson, PHD, MS, MA describes how cardiac rehab can help people reach their heart health goals.

Learn more about Cardiac Rehab at Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/services/cardiac-rehab

Healthcare is filled with technical terms that need their own dictionary. Clear and concise language can ensure that patients understand what a provider is telling them.  Natalie Salvatore, DNP, MBA, RN, a nurse in the Heart, Vascular and Thoracic Institute, talks about medical jargon, the importance of clear communication and the most important thing you can do as a patient.

Cardiology is the study and treatment of disorders of the heart and the blood vessels. Many doctors specialize in areas within cardiology such as electrophysiology, imaging and  prevention. Karlee Hoffman, DO, a cardiologist who specializes in heart failure, explains why you may need more than one cardiologist and the value of having a specialized team care for you.

Learn about the different specialties offered by the Tomsich Family Department of Cardiovascular Medicine. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/departments/heart/depts/cardiovascular-medicine#cardiovascular-specialties-tab

Women have unique healthcare needs.  Experts from the Women's Cardiovascular Center in the Heart, Vascular and Thoracic Institute at Cleveland Clinic share their advice.

View the full program on YouTube.

Leslie Cho, MD, Cardiologist, Director, Cleveland Clinic’s Women’s Cardiovascular Center
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/staff/6638-leslie-cho

Christine Jellis, MD, PhD, MBA, Cardiologist, Vice Chair, Heart Vascular & Thoracic Institute – Patient Experience & Physician Engagement
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/staff/19994-christine-jellis

Donna Kimmaliardjuk, MD, FRCSC, Cardiac Surgeon
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/staff/30663-donna-kimmaliardjuk

In part five of this panel discussion, our heart doctors talk about risk factors and treatment options for atrial fibrillation.

Meet our panelists:

Leslie Cho, MD, Cardiologist, Director, Cleveland Clinic’s Women’s Cardiovascular Center
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/staff/6638-leslie-cho

Christine Jellis, MD, PhD, Cardiologist, Vice Chair, Heart Vascular & Thoracic Institute – Patient Experience & Physician Engagement
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/staff/19994-christine-jellis

Donna Kimmaliardjuk, MD, FRCSC, Cardiac Surgeon
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/staff/30663-donna-kimmaliardjuk

Julia Zumpano, a Registered Dietitian, explains the Mediterranean Diet, a way of eating that emphasizes plant-based foods and healthy fats. The Mediterranean Diet has been shown to lower your risk of heart disease, including heart attack and stroke.
Learn more about the Mediterranean Diet - https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/16037-mediterranean-diet

In part four of this panel discussion, our heart doctors talk about when to watch and when to operate for women with aorta disease.
Meet our panelists:

Leslie Cho, MD, Cardiologist, Director, Cleveland Clinic’s Women’s Cardiovascular Center
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/staff/6638-leslie-cho

Christine Jellis, MD, PhD, Cardiologist, Vice Chair, Heart Vascular & Thoracic Institute – Patient Experience & Physician Engagement
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/staff/19994-christine-jellis

Donna Kimmaliardjuk, MD, FRCSC, Cardiac Surgeon
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/staff/30663-donna-kimmaliardjuk

In part three of this panel discussion, our heart doctors talk about their recommendations for the popular GLP-1 medications, weight loss and hormone replacement therapy.

Meet our panelists:

Leslie Cho, MD, Cardiologist, Director, Cleveland Clinic’s Women’s Cardiovascular Center
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/staff/6638-leslie-cho

Christine Jellis, MD, PhD, Cardiologist, Vice Chair, Heart Vascular & Thoracic Institute – Patient Experience & Physician Engagement
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/staff/19994-christine-jellis

Donna Kimmaliardjuk, MD, FRCSC, Cardiac Surgeon
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/staff/30663-donna-kimmaliardjuk