Welcome to Cardiovascular Matters! In this episode, Dr. Craig Walker and Terry Roberts explain the vital role of coronary calcium scores in assessing your heart disease risk. Dr. Walker discusses: ✔ What the coronary calcium score test measures and why it's important. ✔ How calcium buildup relates directly to heart disease risk. ✔ Who should consider getting a calcium score test and at what age. ✔ The significance of high calcium scores and necessary follow-up steps. &...

Welcome to Cardiovascular Matters! Join Dr. Craig Walker and Terry Roberts as they discuss groundbreaking new medications revolutionizing cardiovascular treatment. In this episode, you'll learn about: ✔ The latest FDA-approved medications for cardiovascular disease prevention. ✔ How these drugs effectively manage cholesterol and diabetes. ✔ Reducing cardiovascular risks through medication and lifestyle synergy. ✔ How to significantly reduce "food noise" and cravings to...

Welcome to Cardiovascular Matters! In this episode, Dr. Craig Walker and Terry Roberts shed light on microvascular heart disease, a condition that affects many women — and is often overlooked or misdiagnosed. Dr. Walker explains: ✔ What microvascular disease is and how it differs from large vessel heart disease. ✔ Why women are more frequently affected and often dismissed as having “nothing wrong.” ✔ How the Daisy Questionnaire and advanced imaging can aid in detection. &nbs...

Welcome to Cardiovascular Matters! In this episode, Dr. Craig Walker and Terry Roberts dive into peripheral artery disease (PAD), a widespread yet frequently unnoticed condition that significantly increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and amputation. Peripheral artery disease can silently progress without noticeable symptoms, especially in older adults or those with diabetes or a history of smoking. Dr. Walker discusses: ✔ Key risk factors for peripheral artery disease, including age, s...

Welcome to Cardiovascular Matters! In this episode, Dr. Craig Walker and Terry Roberts tackle the serious condition known as critical limb ischemia (CLI), a leading cause of limb amputation. Critical limb ischemia occurs when blockages severely reduce blood flow to the legs, causing pain, ulcers, and gangrene. Dr. Walker shares: ✔ How to recognize the symptoms and risk factors of critical limb ischemia. ✔ Why early intervention can dramatically reduce the risk of amputation. ✔ Advanced proc...

Welcome to Cardiovascular Matters! In this episode, Dr. Craig Walker and Terry Roberts discuss pelvic congestion syndrome, a condition that significantly impacts the quality of life but is frequently misunderstood and misdiagnosed. Pelvic congestion syndrome involves the improper drainage of blood through the veins in the pelvis, leading to various symptoms. Dr. Walker explains: ✔ The difference between pelvic congestion in men and women and why it's more severe in women. ✔ Common causes o...

Welcome to Cardiovascular Matters! In this episode, Dr. Craig Walker and Terry Roberts delve into the topic of small vessel disease, an often overlooked condition that affects more women than men but is crucial to understand for both. Small vessel disease can lead to serious cardiovascular events due to the obstruction of the smallest blood vessels in the heart. Dr. Walker explains: ✔ What small vessel disease is and why it's often missed in traditional screenings. ✔ How the disease manife...

Welcome to Cardiovascular Matters! In this episode, Dr. Craig Walker and Terry Roberts discuss one of the most common yet crucial questions: When should you go in for a cardiovascular checkup? Heart disease remains the #1 cause of death, but early detection can save lives. Dr. Walker explains: ✔ Who is at highest risk for heart disease. ✔ The 5 major risk factors that demand an early screening. ✔ What tests you should consider based on your family history and lifestyle. ✔ Why even young a...

Discover how a groundbreaking class of medications, GLP-1 agonists, are revolutionizing the treatment of sleep apnea. In this insightful discussion, Dr. Craig Walker and Terry Roberts delve into the profound impact these drugs can have on addressing the underlying causes of sleep apnea, particularly obesity. Explore the recent approval of Trulicity for the treatment of sleep apnea, and learn about the potential for other GLP-1 agonists to be utilized in this application. Understand the ...

Welcome to Cardiovascular Matters! In this episode, Dr. Craig Walker and Terry Roberts tackle an important question: How do you know if you're at risk for heart disease, even if you feel fine?Many people appear to be in perfect health—until they suffer a sudden cardiac event. This leaves loved ones wondering, Could it have been prevented? Dr. Walker explains the vital tests and screenings available for those with a family history of heart disease or other risk factors.💡 Topics covered in this...

Welcome to Episode 23 of Cardiovascular Matters! In this inspiring episode, Terry Roberts shares his incredible journey of losing over 100 pounds in just eight months, thanks to groundbreaking GLP-1 medications and guidance from Dr. Craig Walker, founder of the Cardiovascular Institute of the South.In this episode, you’ll learn:The impact of obesity on cardiovascular health and overall well-being.How GLP-1 medications work to suppress appetite and improve metabolic health.The benefits of comb...

Welcome to Episode 22 of Cardiovascular Matters! In this engaging discussion, Terry Roberts and Dr. Craig Walker, founder of the Cardiovascular Institute of the South, dive deep into one of the most asked questions about cardiovascular health: statins and cholesterol management.In this episode, Dr. Walker explains:Why statins are a cornerstone of cardiovascular treatment.The science behind cholesterol and its role in heart disease.How statins work to lower LDL cholesterol and improve heart he...

In this insightful episode of Cardiovascular Matters, host Terry Roberts and renowned cardiologist Dr. Craig Walker delve into the groundbreaking technology of renal denervation and its profound implications for the treatment of hypertension. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a major risk factor for a host of cardiovascular complications, including heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and kidney damage. Traditionally, the management of hypertension has relied heavily on a pharmaco...

In this powerful episode, host Terry Roberts sits down with Dr. Craig Walker, the founder of Cardiovascular Institute of the South, to discuss his lifelong mission to prevent unnecessary amputations for patients suffering from peripheral vascular disease and critical limb ischemia. Dr. Walker shares how he became deeply committed to this cause, recognizing that far too many amputations were being performed without even a basic vascular assessment. He describes how he set out to change th...

In this episode of Cardiovascular Matters, Dr. Craig Walker and Terry Roberts delve into the groundbreaking treatment of renal denervation for patients struggling with uncontrolled hypertension and it has been approved by the FDA.Hypertension is a prevalent and potentially life-threatening condition, often requiring a combination of medications to manage. However, for some individuals, even multiple medications fail to effectively control their blood pressure.Enter renal denervation, a novel ...

In this special edition of the Cardiovascular Matters podcast, host Terry Roberts sits down with Dr. Craig Walker, the founder of the Cardiovascular Institute of the South, to discuss his groundbreaking work in the field of peripheral artery disease (PAD) and limb salvage. Dr. Walker shares his personal journey, the challenges he has faced, and the innovative techniques he has developed to help patients avoid amputation and improve their quality of life.The episode highlights Dr. Walker's rec...

In this episode of Cardiovascular Matters, we delve into the critical topic of acute limb ischemia, a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. Dr. Walker, a renowned vascular specialist, provides a comprehensive overview of this condition, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and prompt treatment. Key Points Discussed:Acute limb ischemia is a sudden cessation of blood flow to the leg, often due to clot formation, which can lead to tissue damage and even death if not addr...

In this episode of Cardiovascular Matters, Dr. Craig Walker and Terry Roberts discuss the critical issue of critical limb ischemia (CLI), a severe form of peripheral artery disease. They explore the historical treatment approaches, the evolution of minimally invasive interventions, and the importance of a comprehensive approach to limb salvage. The conversation covers the various techniques, including balloon angioplasty, stenting, atherectomy, and lithoplasty, as well as the significance of ...

In this episode of Cardiovascular Matters, Dr. Craig Walker and Terry Roberts delve into the critical topic of peripheral artery disease (PAD). They highlight the alarming prevalence of PAD, with an estimated 25 million Americans affected, and emphasize its deadly nature, noting that a person with a new PAD diagnosis is as likely to die of a heart attack as a heart attack survivor.The discussion underscores the importance of early diagnosis, even in asymptomatic patients, as this presents a v...

In this in-depth podcast, cardiologist Dr. Craig Walker provides a thorough overview of high blood pressure (hypertension) - one of the leading risk factors for heart disease and stroke. Dr. Walker explains what blood pressure is and why it's important to control. He discusses the various causes of high blood pressure, including both primary (essential) hypertension as well as secondary causes related to underlying medical conditions. Dr. Walker stresses the importance of evaluating patients ...