Expert Commentary
Giving the gift of life: Demystifying the process of becoming a living kidney donor
Heather Perez Saiz, MA, LCSW, CCTSW, is the Independent Living Donor Advocate at Inova Fairfax Medical Campus. Kirsten Curtis is the Transplant Coordinator at Inova Fairfax Medical Campus. Currently there are almost 90,000 people on the kidney transplant list in the United States and the need is greater than ever. In 2023, there were approximately…
Read More7 ways to lower blood pressure naturally
Jason Bonomo, MD, PhD, is a cardiologist at Inova Schar Heart and Vascular. Dr. Bonomo is board-certified in cardiovascular disease, echocardiography and internal medicine and has a PhD in molecular medicine and translational science. He practices at the Inova Cardiology – Fairfax and Ballston offices and cares for patients at Inova Fairfax and Inova Fair…
Read MoreInova plays a key role in trial of innovative treatment for tricuspid valve regurgitation that is now approved by the FDA
Update as of April 24, 2024: Inova’s structural heart team has now completed the first case in the Washington, DC region since the FDA approved a new device to treat tricuspid regurgitation (TR). Inova Schar Heart and Vascular’s Structural Heart/Valve Disease Program was among the top enrollers in the TRILUMINATE™ Pivotal Trial demonstrating the safety…
Read MoreMindful, intuitive eating for health: ditching the diet and feeding the soul
Lauren Trahan, MS, RD is a Registered Dietitian. She serves patients in Inova Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation. Losing weight can lower your blood pressure, reduce your cholesterol levels and decrease your chances of developing diabetes – all of which are risk factors for heart disease and stroke. The easiest way to lose weight and keep…
Read More6 tips for a healthy gut
Ivan Harnden, MD is a board-certified gastroenterologist. He serves as the System Chief of Gastroenterology at Inova. Dr. Harnden focuses on a collaborative approach and strategic vision aimed at enhancing patient outcomes and delivering outstanding GI care to the community served by Inova. Keep your gut healthy We’ve all dealt with gut issues at one…
Read MoreDebunking gynecology visit myths
Shawn Davis-Wilensky, MD is a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist. She practices at Inova Saville Screening and Prevention Center. There are many myths that exist about women’s health. In order to make informed decisions about your care, it is important to be educated with the facts. Here are some myths debunked. Myth #1: The pill can increase cancer…
Read MoreBESPOKE clinical trial supports value of blood test for colon cancer recurrence
The BESPOKE clinical trial evaluated molecular markers in blood samples as a guide that physicians can use to determine the benefit of chemotherapy for stage II and III colon cancer According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 126,000 new cases of colon cancer (colorectal cancer) were diagnosed in 2020. Colon cancer…
Read MoreInova Schar Heart and Vascular: a premier destination for the highest quality cardiovascular care
Christopher M. O’Connor, MD, MACC, is the President of Inova Schar Heart and Vascular. He is an internationally renowned authority on heart failure and practices at the Inova Cardiology – Fairfax office. Heart disease remains the number one cause of death in the nation and in Virginia. The toll is particularly high in those over…
Read MoreInflammation’s role in heart disease
Jared Spitz, MD, is a board-certified cardiovascular disease physician. He practices at the Inova Cardiology offices in Fairfax, Fair Oaks and Ballston. An elevated cholesterol level is a major risk factor for heart attack and stroke. Increasingly, treatment of inflammation has gained attention as an important part of heart disease prevention. The U.S. Food and…
Read MoreCan certain foods reduce your risk of getting cancer?
It is difficult to browse the internet or social media, especially in the new year, without coming across the term “superfood.” Surprisingly, this is not a new term. The earliest recorded use of superfood was in the early 20th century by the United Fruit Company in its quest to market bananas. The use of the…
Read More