Have you ever felt your heart skip a beat, flutter unexpectedly, or race out of nowhere leaving you wondering if something might be wrong? Whether it’s a momentary sensation or a concerning alert from your smartwatch, these experiences can be startling and sometimes confusing. In this episode, renowned cardiologist Dr. Mehra to unravel what’s really happening in those moments, when an irregular heartbeat is harmless, and when it’s time to pay closer attention. From the differences between benign palpitations and serious arrhythmias like AFib or SVT, to the true impact of caffeine, alcohol, stress, and sleep, we dive into which symptoms should never be ignored and how modern technology like fitness trackers is changing heart care. Whether you’re curious, concerned, or simply want to understand your heart better, this conversation will empower you with the knowledge you need to feel confident about your heart health.

00:00 Explaining heart skips and racing

04:52 Discussing arrhythmias and heart rates

07:32 When to seek heart care

12:37 Heart monitoring tools and devices

14:25 Smartwatch heart monitoring features

19:50 Understanding heart palpitations and data

21:03 Managing stress and getting checkups

Welcome to Cardiovascular Therapeutics Unplugged! In this special episode, Dr. Mehra shines the spotlight on a condition that doesn’t always get the attention it deserves: peripheral artery disease, or PAD. September marks PAD Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to dive into what PAD is, who it affects, why it often goes undiagnosed, and what warning signs you should look out for. Whether you’re a patient, caregiver, or just curious about your own cardiovascular health, this episode will guide you through the essentials of PAD, from risk factors and symptoms to the latest in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Get ready for a practical, insightful discussion to help you or your loved ones stay a step ahead in heart and vascular health.

00:00 Understanding Peripheral Arteries and Disease

04:12 Understanding peripheral arterial disease

09:43 Impact of Diabetes on Vascular Health

11:05 Understanding claudication symptoms

15:57 Non-invasive arterial ultrasound process

19:23 Exercise benefits for arterial disease

23:32 Performing angiography and treatment steps

26:20 Discussing surgical options for complex cases

27:50 Discussing limb preservation efforts

30:48 Screening for leg pain and PAD

Welcome back to Cardiovascular Therapeutics Unplugged! In today's episode, we dive into the rapidly evolving world of structural heart disease, where cutting-edge catheter-based valve therapies are reshaping how we treat faulty heart valves. For decades, open-heart surgery was the only path for patients with failing valves—often leaving older or high-risk individuals without options beyond, "You're not a candidate." But that's no longer the case.

Join Dr. Mehra he breaks down the basics of heart valve function, what happens when valves fail, and how innovations like TAVR (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement) are expanding treatment to more patients than ever before. We'll cover who qualifies for these revolutionary procedures, how outcomes compare to traditional surgery, the role of the heart team in patient care, and the critical questions every patient should ask to be sure they're exploring all their options.

Whether you're a clinician, patient, or just curious about advances in cardiology, this episode will give you a clearer understanding of the therapies changing the lives of people with valvular heart disease.

00:00 Understanding heart valves and function

04:15 Heart valve dysfunction issues

08:53 Understanding Severe Aortic Stenosis

11:28 Introducing the new heart valve technique

13:41 The necessity of alternative treatments

17:01 Discussing surgical options for valve issues

20:50 Mitral valve regurgitation treatment options

24:18 Awareness and evolution of therapies

28:54 Structural heart team approach

31:36 Encouraging patient self-advocacy

34:53 Options for catheter valve therapy