Heart & Vascular

Anyone who’s suffered a deep emotional loss knows the feelings brought on by a broken heart. But did you know “broken heart syndrome” is a real medical condition? Here, Dr. Dipti Itchhaporia, M.D., M.A.C.C., Eric and Shiela Samson Endowed Chair in Cardiovascular Health and director of disease management at the Jeffrey M. Carlton Heart & … Read More

Marfan syndrome is a rare medical condition affecting about one in 5,000 people – or approximately 200,000 in the United States. This genetic condition can have impacts on cardiovascular, skeletal and other systems of the body. In this Q & A, David Liang, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Hoag Marfan Syndrome & Related Conditions Program, … Read More

The holiday season is a time for celebration, togetherness, and often, indulgence. But with all the festivities, it’s also a period when millions of Americans make sudden lifestyle changes – traveling to see family, eating richer foods, drinking more, and interrupting their regular exercise and sleep routines. These shifts, while enjoyable, can pose hidden risks … Read More

James Chao is an athlete, so he knows how to strive for something better. A better time in the bike races in which he’s competed. A better level of fitness in his training. So when his energy started to wane, it is unsurprising that he wanted to address it right away in the best way … Read More

If you experience leg pain, your blood vessels may be the last thing on your mind, but the pain may be caused by issues with your circulation. “When and how you experience leg pain is a tell-tale sign of what is causing your pain,” said Antonio Covarrubias, M.D., a vascular and endovascular surgeon at Hoag’s … Read More

You may be one of the millions of people wearing a smartwatch that measures heart rhythm. But do you know what the gadget’s information means? And more importantly, do you know what to do if your watch alerts you to an irregular heartbeat? “If a patient notices that they are experiencing irregular heartbeats, that could … Read More

Robot-assisted surgery has become a more widespread procedure across multiple areas in medicine. Cardiac surgeons have adopted robotic techniques throughout the years due to the benefits the procedure provides. Such examples include reduced muscle cutting, no broken or displaced bones to gain access to the operation site, and reduced recovery time compared with traditional cardiac … Read More

Over dinner, Sonia Jamin’s dad cried tears of joy. When Sonia revealed she was pregnant with her second child, her father was so moved that he wept, laughed and bought wine for the entire restaurant. The following morning found her dad crying again. This time, though, he was terrified. “The next call he gets from … Read More

Diabetes. High blood pressure. A history of smoking. Each of these conditions raise your risk of carotid artery disease, one of the most common causes of ischemic stroke. “Carotid artery disease involves fatty plaque clogging the arteries in your neck that deliver blood to your brain,” said Emaad Farooqui, M.D. a vascular surgeon at Hoag. … Read More

Abi Basu and his wife traveled to India to perform a religious ritual honoring their deceased parents, but it was his own mortality that faced a terrifying threat. Multiple times on the journey, Abi lost his breath for several minutes. At night he awoke, gasping for air. He blacked out on a train platform. He … Read More