Calcium supplements may increase the risk of aortic stenosis. Dr. Samir Kapadia and Dr. Nicholas Kassis discuss supplemental calcium, both with and without Vitamin D, and the connection to aortic stenosis, the need for aortic valve replacement and the risk of death.

Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE) is a complex surgery to remove long-term blood clots from arteries in your lungs that can’t be treated with medication. Drs. Nicholas Smedira and Haytham Elgharably discuss what to expect if you need a surgery to remove these clots.

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) tests are an incredibly helpful test for your care team to learn about your heart. Dr. Deborah Kwon, Director of Cardiac MRI at Cleveland Clinic talks with Christopher Nguyen, PhD, Director of MRI Research in the Advanced Imaging and Simulation Center for MRI, about the benefits of cardiac MRI and how they are working together improve this technology and the patient experience.

Left atrial appendage (LAA) closure is an alternative solution to anticoagulants (blood thinners) to prevent blood clots and stroke in some patients with atrial. Last week, the team spoke about who would be a good candidate for this procedure. This week, Dr. Oussama Wazni, Dr. Walid Saliba, Dr. Mohamed Kanj and Dr. Tyler Taigen discuss the challenges and strategies to ensure successful treatment and outcomes.

There are many things to consider if you have atrial fibrillation. In part 1, Dr. Oussama Wazni speaks with Drs. Walid Saliba and Mohamed Kanj about the benefits of this treatment option and who would be a good candidate, with special consideration to anticoagulation (blood thinners) therapy. Next week, Dr. Wazni will continue the conversation.

Clinical trials are an important part of how your doctor cares for you better. Dr. Samir Kapadia and Dr. Kevin Hodges discuss why we have clinical trials, the advantages of being in a clinical trial and how to get involved. They explain that participating in a clinical trial does not prevent you from getting care and should not have any associated added costs.

Valve-sparing aortic root replacement (David procedure) is heart surgery to treat an enlarged aortic root wall (aortic aneurysm). This surgery replaces your aortic root while keeping your own aortic valve. Drs. Eric Roselli and Marijan Koprivanac discuss why they may choose this option and how it might be better for patients.

Protein shakes can be a great after exercise beverage or serve as a meal replacement. Julia Zumpano, a registered dietician from the Preventive Cardiology Program at Cleveland Clinic explains that the most important thing to consider is the nutritional make up of your shake. It should have enough protein, amino acids, fiber and not a lot of added sugar. Some protein shakes come ready-to-drink, which can be good option if you are on the go. Protein powders can be good on their own mixed with water or other base. You may choose to make them into a smoothie by adding other ingredients; it will keep you fuller, longer.

A low sodium diet may mean making some big changes in the way you eat. Sodium is found naturally in some foods but is also added to many foods, which can make lowering your intake challenging. Julia Zumpano, a registered dietician from the Preventive Cardiology Program at Cleveland Clinic, explains the current recommendations for sodium intake and how to get started lowering your intake. It is important to read nutrition labels to ensure you are not going over your recommended limit.

When you hear “heart surgery”, you may think of a big incision or scar on someone’s chest. Thanks to robotically assisted mitral valve surgery, this may be a thing of the past. Dr. Marc Gillinov and Dr. Daniel Burns discuss who is a good candidate and the advantages of robotically assisted mitral valve surgery.