Asked & Answered Podcast
The Texas Heart Institute Center for Cardiovascular Care's general and interventional cardiologist, Dr. Alexander Postalian, answers patients' questions about cardiovascular health.
Submit your questions in the comment section to be featured in the next episode of
Asked and Answered.
Read more about our specialties: www.texasheartmedical.org/edu
Episodes
42 episodes
How do I know if I have varicose veins or chronic venous insufficiency?
Symptoms of varicose veins often worsen by day's end, leading to pain, cramping, leg swelling, and visible veins.Read more varicose veins here:
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Season 1
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Episode 42
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1:36
What is an abdominal aortic aneurysm and what are the risks?
Dr. Jorge Miranda explains vascular surgery and addresses key questions about abdominal aortic aneurysms. He highlights the risks associated with the aorta, comparing its dilation to a balloon that can burst. Treatment options include minimally...
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Season 1
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Episode 41
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1:35
What is carotid artery disease and how is it related to stroke?
Dr. Jorge Miranda explains the carotid artery's importance in supplying blood to the brain and its link to stroke risk. She discusses various treatment options for carotid artery problems, including open surgery to remove plaque, stenting to wi...
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Season 1
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Episode 40
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1:31
What is Peripheral Artery Disease and what are the risks?
Peripheral arterial disease causes blockages in leg blood vessels, resulting in pain and non-healing wounds. Read more about peripheral artery disease here:
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Season 1
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Episode 39
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2:10
What is a vascular surgeon and how do cardiologists and vascular surgeons work as a team?
Vascular surgeons specialize in treating blood vessels outside the heart. They work closely with cardiologists to provide minimally invasive treatment options. Read more about cardiovascular surgery here:
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Season 1
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Episode 38
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1:35
How long does it take to become a cardiologist?
"4 years of college, 4 years of med school, 3 years of internal medicine, 3 years of cardiology, 1-2 years of subspecialty training. Yes, you can do it."- Dr. Alexander Postalian, General and Interventional Cardiologist...
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Season 1
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Episode 34
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1:12
What is white coat hypertension and when should I worry?
"What matters most is your average blood pressure, not occasional (small peaks). However, sometimes medication is needed if you are deemed to be at high risk of intermittent elevation."- Dr. Alexander Postalian, General and Interventiona...
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Season 1
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Episode 32
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1:15
I pass out many times a year, usually when it is hot outside or if I must stand for a long time. What’s wrong with me?
"The most likely cause is a degree of “dysautonomia” – most of the time this is benign. Sometimes, we can use medications to help out during flare-up periods."- Dr. Alexander Postalian, General and Interventional Cardiologist...
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Season 1
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Episode 35
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2:10
Do I need open heart surgery after a heart catheterization?
"Some patients only need stents, some absolutely can only get bypass surgery, and there is a large gray area – talk to your doctor (or multiple doctors if needed)."- Dr. Alexander Postalian, General and Interventional Cardiologist
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Season 1
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Episode 33
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1:41
I was told I have mitral valve prolapse, but a recent echocardiogram showed nothing – who’s messing up here?
"Mitral valve prolapse has varying severity, and different thresholds to call it such depending on the reader. The likelihood is that your valve is (mostly) normal."- Dr. Alexander Postalian, General and Interventional Cardiologist
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Season 1
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Episode 36
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1:27
I have high cholesterol and DO NOT want to take statin poison. A friend is getting the cholesterol shots – how can I get the same?
"Statins are beneficial and harmless to most patients. In patients that cannot take them, or if the numbers are bad despite being on them, many alternatives exist – including multiple types of injections."- Dr. Alexander Postalian, Gener...
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Season 1
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Episode 37
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3:07
I feel my heart “jumping” inside my chest every now and then. Whenever I get an ECG, I am told it is normal. Do I need to worry?
"The most common reason for this is your heart “skipping beats”, which is benign. However, dangerous arrhythmias can be ruled by performing rhythm monitoring with a patch."- Dr. Alexander Postalian, General and Interventional Cardiologis...
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Season 1
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Episode 31
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1:21
I have severe aortic stenosis due to a bicuspid aortic valve, can I have the replacement through my groin?
"While we are very good at doing aortic valve replacements through the groin, this is still not the current strategy for patients under the age of 60. Maybe in the future."- Dr. Alexander Postalian, General and Interventional Cardiologis...
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Season 1
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Episode 30
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2:24
My doctors checked my lipoprotein(a) and it was SKY HIGH. Am I doomed? What does this mean?
Dr. Alexander Postalian explains what Lipoprotein A is, why it's important, and what it means for your heart health. He also discusses the future of treatments for Lipoprotein A and what you can do to stay healthy in the meantime.Read M...
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1:52
I had a calcium score of 732, and my nuclear stress test was apparently “normal”. I feel nothing. What’s going on?
On this episode of Asked and Answered, Dr. Alexander Postalian answers a question from a patient, regarding their calcium score and whether or not 732 is considered too "high".Read More:
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Season 1
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2:00
Asked and Answered with General and Interventional Cardiologist Dr. Alexander Postalian
On this episode of Asked and Answered, general and interventional cardiologist Dr. Alexander Postalian answers some of the most common questions that he gets from patients regarding cardiovascular health.The question...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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17:42
If I’m Overweight at What Age Should I Start Being Concerned About Heart Disease?
On this episode of Asked and Answered, Dr. Stephanie Coulter sits down with Dr. Briana Costello to discuss when patients should start to be concerned about heart disease if they are overweight. ...
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Season 1
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Episode 27
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2:05
Elaborating on the Connection between Fatty Liver Disease and Cardiovascular Disease
On this episode of Asked and Answered, Dr. Stephanie Coulter sits down with Dr. Briana Costello to discuss Fatty Liver Disease (FLD) and how it relates to cardiovascular disease. For more...
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Season 1
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Episode 26
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2:20
Which is better for Cardiovascular Health, the Keto or the Mediterranean Diet?
On this episode of Asked and Answered, Dr. Stephanie Coulter sits down with Dr. Briana Costello to discuss the Keto vs. Mediterranean debate in regards to cardiovascular health. For more infor...
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Season 1
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Episode 25
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2:11
Q&A with Drs. Alexander Postalian and Briana Costello
On this epsiode of Asked and Answered, Dr. Alexander Postalian sits down with Dr. Briana Costello to answer questions given to them live from patients.Some of the topics that they discuss include:Their th...
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Season 1
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Episode 24
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43:55
What do people really mean by healthy diet?
On this episode of Asked and Answered, Dr. Alexander Postalian will discuss the confusion that is associated with what is considered a healthy diet.Read More:
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Season 1
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Episode 23
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2:35
My Mom Is Scheduled to Have a Heart Catheterization, Should I Be Scared?
On this episode of Asked and Answered, Dr. Alexander Postalian will describe a heart catheterization and the risks that are associated with the procedure.Read More:
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Season 1
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Episode 22
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2:04
My husband snores like a rhino on steroids, and sometimes stops breathing at night.
On this episode of Asked and Answered, Dr. Alexander Postalian will discuss obstructive sleep apnea and how it affects cardiovascular health.Read More:
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Season 1
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Episode 21
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2:06
My Friend Had Their Aortic Valve Replaced Through The Groin, but My Doctor Tells Me They Have to Crack Me Open to Replace Mine
On this episode of Asked and Answered, Dr. Alexander Postalian will discuss how each case is different and some patients require different treatment then others.Read More:
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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3:33