Spring is starting and that means that more fruits and vegetables will be in season. Of course you can enjoy smoothies any time of year, but they can be a refreshing treat as well as adding nutrients into your diet. Julia Zumpano, a registered dietician from the Preventive Cardiology Program at Cleveland Clinic, tells us the main types of foods you should include when making a smoothie.

Achalasia has many treatments available Thoracic surgeons Dr. Siva Raja and Dr. Monisha Sudarshan discuss how they determine the right treatment for you. They talk about pros and cons of different treatment options as well as other things to consider.

Making healthy food choices can be hard. A registered dietitian (RD) can help create a personalized plan to help you meet your diet and nutrition goals. A registered dietitian can help and support anyone. Ask your doctor if you have questions and for a referral.

Carbohydrates are not bad for your heart, as long as you choose a variety of whole, minimally processed carbs and eat them in moderation. Eating foods such as whole grains, vegetables and beans can keep you feeling full. Julia Zumpano, a registered dietician from the Preventive Cardiology Program at Cleveland Clinic explains what carbohydrates are and explains how refined carbs are different (and not healthy).

The heart and the kidneys are like a married couple. If one is not happy, the other one probably isn’t either.” Dr. Luke Laffin, Co-Director of the Center for Blood Pressure Disorders, explains the relationship between the heart and kidneys and how your doctors care for both.

A heart attack or myocardial infarction (MI) is a serious and frightening event. Returning home can be just as scary. Dr. Luke Laffin talks about ways to have a better recovery after a heart attack.

Choosing the right diet to keep your heart healthy can be hard. Julia Zumpano, a registered dietitian in the Department of Preventive Cardiology, explains what the most commonly recommended diets are for heart health and what the differences are.

Clinical research helps us find new treatments or evaluate what treatments are best for patients. Dr. Marc Gillinov, Chairman of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, describes types of research protocols used in heart surgery; patient safety; patient follow-up; and the purpose of research in clinical care.

Radiation heart disease is a difficult condition to treat. Radiation can cause damage to different parts of the heart. Dr. Douglas Johnston, Vice Chairman, Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery discusses when to see a specialized cardiologist, what tests or procedures that may be needed, and what the next steps may be.