Living Heart Smart

Episode #22

In this episode, Dr. Carolyn Lacey and Dr. Matt DeVane discuss the essential aspects of heart valves, including their function, common issues like murmurs, and the importance of echocardiograms in assessing valve health. They explain the differences between regurgitation and stenosis, how to interpret echocardiogram reports, and provide insights on managing heart valve health. The conversation also addresses common misco...

Episode #21

Welcom Back! In this conversation, cardiologists Dr. Matt DeVane and Dr. Carolyn Lacey discuss the alarming rise of cardiovascular issues among young people, exploring modern risk factors such as substance use, environmental influences, and mental health. They emphasize the importance of awareness and proactive measures to mitigate these risks, advocating for healthier lifestyle choices and stress management techniques.t...

Episode 20

Hi Everyone- In this episode, Dr. Matt DeVane and Dr. Carolyn Lacey discuss how making specific lifestyle changes can lead to a longer life, based on recent research published in the New England Journal of Medicine. They emphasize the importance of understanding cardiovascular risk factors and how controlling them can significantly impact longevity. The conversation highlights key findings from a large study, including t...

Season 2: #19 Dr. Matt DeVane and Dr. Carolyn Lacey discuss the critical aspects of heart health, focusing on symptoms, the importance of stress testing, and the misconceptions surrounding it. They delve into the anatomy of the heart, the process of atherosclerosis, and the various types of stress tests available. The discussion emphasizes the significance of understanding stress test results and exploring alternative methods for a...

Episode #18: In this conversation, Dr. Matt DeVane and Dr. Carolyn Lacey discuss the common issue of heart palpitations, specifically focusing on premature ventricular complexes (PVCs). They explore what PVCs are, their significance, and how patients can identify triggers and symptoms.

The doctors emphasize the importance of lifestyle changes and self-monitoring, as well as the role of modern technology in tracking heart health. Th...

Episode #17: Dr. Carolyn Lacey and Dr. Matt DeVane discuss the critical issue of high blood pressure explore proven methods to lower blood pressure through lifestyle changes, emphasizing the importance of monitoring blood pressure at home. The discussion covers dietary changes, including reducing sodium and increasing potassium intake, as well as the benefits of the DASH diet.

The doctors stress that while lifestyle changes can be ...

Episode # 16:

Dr. Matt DeVane and Dr. Carolyn Lacey discuss the critical issue of hypertension, often referred to as high blood pressure. They explore the inadequacies in public awareness and management of this condition, emphasizing the need for a different approach to understanding and addressing blood pressure. The discussion delves into the role of the endothelium, a vital organ affected by blood pressure, and challenges common...

Season 2: #15: In this episode of Living Heart Smart, cardiologists Dr. Matt DeVane and Dr. Carolyn Lacey discuss essential cardiology tests, focusing on the EKG and echocardiogram. They demystify the processes involved in these tests, explain the anatomy of the heart, and emphasize the importance of understanding EKG results. The conversation highlights the significance of having a baseline EKG and how technology has evolved in he...

Season 2, #14: Cardiologists Dr. Matt DeVane and Dr. Carolyn Lacey discuss the recent advisory from the U.S. Surgeon General regarding alcohol consumption and its links to cancer. They explore the complexities of alcohol's effects on heart health, the classification of alcohol as a drug, and the importance of understanding dosage.

The discussion also touches on the Mediterranean diet and its relationship with alcohol consumption...

Season 2, #13: In this conversation, Dr. Matt DeVane and Dr. Carolyn Lacey discuss health-related New Year's resolutions for 2025, reflecting on their past year's goals and sharing insights on maintaining a healthy lifestyle. They emphasize the importance of simplicity in setting resolutions, the significance of regular health checks, understanding cholesterol levels, and the necessity of exercise. The doctors also provide ...

Season 1, #12: In this episode of Living Heart Smart, our guest, cardiologist Dr Andy Benn, introduce the topic of atrial fibrillation (AFib) and discuss the basics of the condition. They reassure listeners that AFib is a livable condition and emphasize the importance of a team approach in managing it. The hosts also mention the common symptoms of AFib, such as palpitations, breathlessness, and fatigue. They explain the diagnostic ...

Season 1, Ep #11: In this episode of Living Heart Smart, Drs. Matt DeVane and Carolyn Lacey discuss the essential steps for heart attack survivors. He emphasizes the importance of education, teamwork with physicians, understanding medications, controlling risk factors, participating in cardiac rehabilitation, and making lifestyle changes. The conversation provides a comprehensive survival guide for those navigating life after a hea...

Season 1, Ep#10: Drs. Matt DeVane and Carolyn Lacey provide a comprehensive overview of atrial fibrillation (AFib), focusing on five key strategies for managing the condition. The discussion emphasizes the importance of patient education, lifestyle changes, stroke prevention, recognizing symptoms, treatment options, and the necessity of teamwork between patients and healthcare providers. The speakers aim to empower listeners with a...

Season 1, Ep#9: Cardiologists Matt DeVane and Dr. Lacey discuss the Mediterranean diet, emphasizing its benefits for heart health and overall wellness. They share personal experiences and practical tips for adopting this lifestyle, including the importance of nutrition, healthy snacking, and reducing processed foods. The conversation highlights the role of specific foods like nuts, olive oil, and fish, while also addressing the nee...

Season 1, Ep#8: In this episode of Living Heart Smart, Dr. Matt DeVane and Dr. Lacey discuss the procedure of cardioversion, focusing on its role in treating atrial fibrillation. The conversation covers the basics of arrhythmias, how cardioversion works, the procedure itself, preparation needed, risks involved, and what to expect post-procedure. The episode aims to educate listeners on heart health and the importance of managing at...

Season 1, Ep#7: Dr. DeVane and Dr. Lacey focus on women's heart health, emphasizing the importance of awareness, understanding symptoms, and making lifestyle changes to prevent heart disease. The doctors discuss the unique physiological aspects of women that affect heart health, the significance of stress management, and the necessity of regular check-ups to monitor heart health. They encourage women to take proactive steps in reco...

Season 1, Ep#6: Andy Dublin MD joins Dr. Matt DeVane and Dr. Carolyn Lacey to discuss the Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion Device, also known as the Watchman device.

They explain that atrial fibrillation is not a fatal heart disease, but the biggest risk is the risk of stroke. The Watchman device is an alternative to blood thinners for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation. The procedure involves inserting the device...

Season 1, Ep #5: In this episode of Living Heart Smart, Dr. Andy Benn discusses the relationship between atrial fibrillation (AFib) and stroke. They emphasize the importance of stroke prevention and the impact it can have on patients' lives. The conversation covers the definition of a stroke, the different types of strokes, and the role of AFib in stroke development. They also discuss the CHADS-VASc score, which helps determine...

Season 1, Ep #4: Our Guest- Andrew Benn, MD, FACC discusses atrial fibrillation (AFib) and why it happens. He covers various risk factors and lifestyle changes that can help manage AFib.

The main takeaways from the conversation are: 1) AFib is often accompanied by other heart conditions that need to be managed, 2) AFib treatment is a team effort between the patient and cardiologist, 3) AFib is a chronic condition that requires ongo...