Dr. David Kandzari, Chief of the Piedmont Heart Institute and Chief Scientific Officer at Piedmont Healthcare, breaks down what high blood pressure really is, why nearly one in two adults in the United States are affected, and how even modest reductions can lead to meaningful decreases in the risk of stroke, heart attack, and heart failure.

He explains the difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure, how genetics and lifestyle factors contribute to hypertension, and why the condition is often called a silent killer.

The conversation also covers proper home monitoring, white coat hypertension, and the importance of tracking blood pressure over time rather than relying on single readings.

Dr. Kandzari shares today’s treatment approaches, including lifestyle changes, medications, and newer therapies for resistant hypertension, and emphasizes why knowing and managing your numbers is one of the most important steps in preventing long term complications.

Dr. Mabra, a primary care physician with Piedmont Healthcare, joins Living Real Change to discuss the growing role of wearable technology in modern healthcare. From activity trackers and smartwatches to medical grade tools like continuous glucose monitors, Dr. Mabra explains how wearables are helping patients and physicians gather meaningful data beyond the office visit.

In this conversation, she shares how wearables support prevention, personalize treatment plans, and empower patients to better understand their health day to day. Dr. Mabra also offers practical guidance on setting realistic goals, avoiding anxiety around health metrics, and using data thoughtfully to improve long term outcomes.

Host Dr. Lacy Knight talks with Dr. Andrew Page, surgical oncologist at Piedmont HealthCare, about pancreatic cancer, why it is often difficult to detect early, and what patients and families may want to understand. They discuss trends seen across the Southeast, factors that can influence risk, and the importance of coordinated care and awareness.

Dr. Page also describes the work taking place within Piedmont’s Early Detection Clinic, including efforts to strengthen screening through imaging, blood assays, genetic evaluation, and research partnerships. He walks through the general pathway of diagnosis and treatment and reflects on how new approaches are shaping care for people facing this disease.

This conversation offers a grounded look at pancreatic cancer, from understanding risk to the evolving tools that may support earlier detection and treatment.

Stroke care has transformed dramatically in recent years, evolving from simple early treatments to advanced imaging, rapid diagnostics, and technologies that let doctors see what is happening in the brain within minutes. Dr. Michael Stiefel explains how Piedmont’s coordinated, systemwide approach ensures patients get the right care fast, including the use of telestroke programs, AI driven imaging, and real time collaboration across hospitals.

He also discusses why strokes are more common in the southeastern United States, what recovery can look like, and how new tools and innovations may shape the future of stroke treatment.

Diabetes affects one in ten Americans, yet many people do not fully understand the condition or recognize its early signs. In this episode, Dr. Lacy Knight talks with Dr. Matthew Roberts, a family physician who works closely with patients managing diabetes. He explains the symptoms people often overlook, the lifestyle changes that can make a meaningful difference, and the new medications and support programs that are helping patients manage diabetes more effectively and prevent serious complications.

Dr. Lacy Knight talks with Dr. Priya Vishnubhotla, a medical oncologist at Piedmont, about how breast cancer care has transformed through personalized treatment, advanced therapies, and a deeper understanding of tumor biology. Dr. Vishnubhotla discusses the impact of equity and access, the role of lifestyle and genetics in risk, and why survivorship now includes long-term support for quality of life. She also offers compassionate guidance for newly diagnosed patients, families, and caregivers—emphasizing that most breast cancers today are not only treatable, but often curable.

In this powerful episode of Living Real Change, host Dr. Lacy Knight sits down with Dr. Brian Wright, Medical Director of Behaviorial Health at Piedmont Eastside Medical Center, to confront one of today’s most urgent public health crises: suicide. Dr. Wright shares insights on the rising rates across all age groups, the role of stigma in preventing people from seeking care, and the practical steps each of us can take to recognize warning signs and support those in need. From the impact of life stressors and substance use to the importance of connection, faith, and access to care, this conversation underscores that mental health touches everyone and that awareness and compassion can save lives.

Dr. Ezequiel Molina, Surgical Director of Heart Transplant and LVAD Program at Piedmont Heart Institute, shares how his team is tackling one of the Southeast’s most pressing health challenges.

From life-saving LVAD implants and record-setting transplant programs to groundbreaking heart-kidney procedures, Dr. Molina explains why early diagnosis matters, how cutting-edge therapies are changing lives, and what’s ahead for heart failure treatment in the next decade.

Whether you’re a patient, a caregiver, or simply curious about medical innovation, this episode offers expert insight, practical advice, and hope for those facing advanced heart disease.