Expert Commentary
Inova’s Minimally Invasive Surgical Options Help Patients with Heart Valve Disease
Eric L. Sarin, MD, is a cardiac and thoracic surgeon with Inova Schar Heart and Vascular. He is Section Chief of Adult Cardiac Surgery, Co-Director of the Structural Heart and Valve Program and Co-Director of Cardiovascular Research. Matthew W. Sherwood, MD, MHS, is an Inova interventional cardiologist, Director of Inova’s Left Atrial Appendage Closure/WATCHMAN Program…
Read MoreHeart Failure Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Options from Inova’s Experts
“Heart failure” is something of a misnomer. Although many people think that heart failure means a person’s heart abruptly stops beating, heart failure is not the same as cardiac arrest. Heart failure simply means that a person’s heart is not pumping optimally, to keep up with the body’s needs. “Many patients come to me with…
Read MoreCardio-Oncology: What It Is, Who It’s For and How It Can Help
Jennifer Shea, MD, FACC, is a cardiologist at Virginia Heart’s Vienna office. She is Co-Founder of Inova Heart and Vascular Institute’s (IHVI) Cardio-Oncology Program. Undergoing cancer treatment is a journey that demands your attention and focus. Many people will stop at nothing to eradicate the tumor and make the triumphant transition from “cancer patient” to…
Read MoreWhat You Need to Know About Cardiovascular Health During Pregnancy
Paula Pinell-Salles, MD, FACC, specializes in general cardiology and vascular medicine and is a Co-Founder of Inova’s Women’s Heart Health program. She is board certified in cardiovascular disease. Dr. Pinell-Salles is a cardiologist in Virginia Heart’s Fairfax office. For most women, pregnancy is marked by good health and the excitement of bringing a new life into the world. Still,…
Read MoreBack from the Brink: Will Returns to Life After Spine Surgery to Repair Damage from MRSA Infection
If you need evidence of just how quickly a person’s health outlook can change, look no further than arts lover and travel enthusiast Will Elwood, age 78. On a Sunday in June 2018, he felt fine. “On Monday, I felt like I had a little cold. I was chilled, and I decided not to attend…
Read MoreWomen and Heart Disease: Signs and Symptoms are Different from Men
Kelly Epps-Anderson, MD, is an interventional cardiologist at Inova Heart and Vascular Institute. She is board certified in interventional cardiology and cardiovascular disease and has clinical interests in preventative care, women’s heart health, coronary artery disease and structural (valvular) heart disease. She is based at the Inova Cardiology – Fairfax office located at the Inova…
Read MoreThe Mental Health Benefits of Gratitude
The positive effects of gratitude have gained traction over the last 10 to 15 years. While we’re only beginning to understand the profound connection between mind and body, cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, is built on the idea that what you think about affects your behavior. By changing your thought patterns, you can redirect your…
Read MoreCan You Get Sick From Cold Weather? How Winter Can Affect Your Health
Zain J. Sultan, MD, is a board-certified primary care physician practicing family medicine at Inova Medical Group – Crystal City. He focuses on the whole patient and encourages patients to use lifestyle changes, in addition to necessary medications and other treatments, to prevent and manage chronic disease. Each year there are millions of cases of the…
Read MoreA Holistic Approach to Managing Cholesterol: Looking Beyond the Numbers
Jason Morda, MD, is an Inova cardiologist who is board certified in internal medicine and cardiovascular disease. He practices in several Inova Cardiology offices. He attended medical school at the University of Virginia and did his residency at University Hospitals of Cleveland. He also completed his fellowship in cardiology and cardiovascular disease at University of…
Read MoreSmoking cessation: 5 tips to help you quit for good
Christian Machado, MD is a board-certified primary care physician practicing family medicine at Inova Primary Care – Annandale. He loves working with patients to understand what motivates them so he can help them work toward healthier lifestyle choices. Wanting to stop smoking is easy—approximately 68% of adult smokers say they want to quit. Around half of…
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