Mayo Clinic Talks

Heart Health Edition: Pharmacologic Options to Maintain a Healthy Heart

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D.

Guest: Thomas C. Gerber, M.D., Ph.D.

Like an automobile engine, our heart runs longer and better when it’s well cared for. In our last podcast, we reviewed the various lifestyle changes our patients can make which benefit the heart and keep it healthy. We’re going to continue that discussion in this podcast and concentrate on the pharmacologic options we have available. Which statin should we use? How do we manage the statin intolerant patient? Does Co-Q10 give benefit? These are questions I’ll be asking my guest, Thomas C. Gerber, M.D., Ph.D., a preventive cardiologist from the Department of Cardiovascular Diseases at the Mayo Clinic as discuss “Pharmacologic Options to Maintain a Healthy Heart.”

For more information on heart health, check out Mayo Clinic Talks: Heart Health | Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development

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Heart Health Edition: Primary Prevention - How to Keep Your Heart Healthy

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D.

Guest: Thomas C. Gerber, M.D., Ph.D.

The heart is an amazing organ. At rest, the average heart beats approximately 4500 times per hour, slightly over 100,000 times per day. It’s quite a reliable organ and unlike our kidneys, lungs and eyes, we only have one heart. We expect a lot from it, if it stops working for even a minute, everything else in our body shuts down. Like an automobile engine, it runs longer and better if it’s well cared for. What can we recommend to our patients and what can we do for ourselves to keep the heart healthy? My guest for today’s podcast is Thomas C. Gerber, M.D., Ph.D., a preventive cardiologist from the Department of Cardiovascular Diseases at the Mayo Clinic and we’re going to discuss preventive strategies to maintain a healthy heart.

For more information on heart health, check out Mayo Clinic Talks: Heart Health | Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development

Connect with Mayo Clinic Podcasts | Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development

Heart Health Edition: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D.

Guest: Jeffrey B. Geske, M.D.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy affects 1 in 500 adults or about 600,000 individuals in the U.S. and represents the most common inherited cardiomyopathy.  It often goes undetected, and it’s estimated that about 85% of those with the condition remain undiagnosed. HCM can produce a variety of symptoms, the most serious being sudden death. The topic for this podcast is Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.  What are the clues that might make us suspect a patient has HCM and how should we confirm the diagnosis? Are we able to prevent sudden death in patients with the condition and finally, what is the most effective treatment? I’ll asking these questions of my guest, Jeffrey B. Geske, M.D., from the Department of Cardiovascular Diseases at Mayo Clinic.

For more information on heart health, check out Mayo Clinic Talks: Heart Health | Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development

Connect with Mayo Clinic Podcasts | Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development

Heart Health Edition: Cardiac Rehabilitation

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D.

Guest: Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, M.D., M.S.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States as well as globally. It’s estimated that over 700,000 individuals in the U.S. die annually from some form of cardiac conditions, most often coronary heart disease.  Cardiac rehabilitation is often recommended to our patients who have a variety of cardiac health problems, and it’s intended to improve this mortality rate. But what exactly is cardiac rehabilitation? Who’s a candidate for it? Who’s qualified to supervise a cardiac rehab program and has it been proven to reduce mortality? I’ll be getting answers to these questions as we discuss “Cardiac Rehabilitation”. My guest for this podcast is Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, M.D., M.S., a preventive cardiologist from the Department of Cardiovascular Diseases at the Mayo Clinic.

For more information on heart health, check out Mayo Clinic Talks: Heart Health | Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development

Connect with Mayo Clinic Podcasts | Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development

Heart Health Edition: Lowering Blood Pressure

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D.

Guest: Sandra J. Taler, M.D.

Hypertension is an extremely common health problem, affecting at least half of all adults in the United States. Since it’s typically asymptomatic, a significant number of individuals are unaware that they have the condition. In those who are aware of the diagnosis, the majority have blood pressures that are not adequately controlled. Once we’ve established that a patient has hypertension and needs treatment, how should we start? What are effective lifestyle changes? When is pharmacologic therapy indicated and what are the recommended medications for the initial management of hypertension? We’ll be discussing these topics and more as we review the topic “Lowering Blood Pressure”. My guest for this podcast is nephrologist and hypertension specialist Sandra J. Taler, M.D., from the Mayo Clinic.

For more information on heart health, check out Mayo Clinic Talks: Heart Health | Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development

Connect with Mayo Clinic Podcasts | Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development

Heart Health Edition: Heart Disease in Women

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D.

Guest: Sharonne N. Hayes, M.D.

We tend to think of heart disease as a health problem for men, yet it’s the leading cause of death for women in the United States and is responsible for over 1/3 of all deaths in women each year, more than all malignancies combined. Women tend to have more atypical symptoms and often delay seeking help when they have symptoms. As clinicians, we need to realize that we commonly underdiagnose heart disease in women. How do the symptoms of heart disease differ in women compared to men? Do women have different cardiovascular disease risk factors than men? And as health care clinicians, what do we need to do to be more aware of heart disease in our female patients? I’ll be asking these questions of my guest for this podcast as we discuss “Heart Disease in Women”. My guest is Sharonne N. Hayes, M.D., a cardiologist at the Mayo Clinic.

For more information on heart health, check out Mayo Clinic Talks: Heart Health | Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development

Connect with Mayo Clinic Podcasts | Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development

Perioperative Medical Assessment

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D.

Guest: Chris R. Stephenson, M.D., M.H.P.E.

Some patients about to have a surgical procedure will have a preoperative assessment completed by the anesthesiologist on the day of the surgery. However, in many cases, patients are having an evaluation at a perioperative clinic, well prior to their procedure. Although this results in an additional visit for the patient, there are advantages to this approach. Benefits include improvements in hospital efficiency, cost savings from shorter hospital stays and more appropriate use of laboratory tests. So, what does a perioperative assessment consist of? Do they assist the surgeon in their postoperative management of the patient, and does it result in better clinical outcomes? This podcast will address the perioperative medical assessment, and these are some of the questions I’ll be asking my guest, Chris R. Stephenson, M.D., M.H.P.E., from the Division of General Internal Medicine at the Mayo Clinic.

Connect with Mayo Clinic Podcasts | Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development 

Life as a Physician Edition: Part 2 "Financial Well-Being"

Hosts: Sanj Kakar, M.D. and Dawn Marie R. Davis, M.D.

Guests: Rosanne M. Boser and Jonathan L. Verhelst, CFP(R)

Financial solvency and independence are relevant for all individuals, though physicians have unique aspects to financial health due to a long training period, education expenses, and lack of formal financial instruction. On today’s podcast, we discuss the most common conundrums physicians face regarding financial literacy and financial well-being.

Learn more at https://ce.mayo.edu/online-education/content/mayo-clinic-podcasts 

Life as a Physician Edition: Part 1 "Financial Well-Being"

Hosts: Sanj Kakar, M.D. and Dawn Marie R. Davis, M.D.

Guests: Rosanne M. Boser and Jonathan L. Verhelst, CFP(R)

Financial solvency and independence are relevant for all individuals, though physicians have unique aspects to financial health due to a long training period, education expenses, and lack of formal financial instruction. On today’s podcast, we discuss the most common conundrums physicians face regarding financial literacy and financial well-being.

Be sure to listen to Part 2 of this topic airing this Thursday, January 23, 2025!

Learn more at https://ce.mayo.edu/online-education/content/mayo-clinic-podcasts 

Life as a Physician Series: Part 2 "Mentorship and Sponsorship"

Hosts: Sanj Kakar, M.D. and Dawn Marie R. Davis, M.D.

Guests: Sophie J. Bakri, M.D., Amy S. Oxentenko, M.D. and Charanjit S. Rihal, M.D.

Healthcare takes a village, not only to care for patients, but also to maximize one’s potential as a physician. On today’s podcast, we will discuss the importance of mentorship and sponsorship for professional and personal growth and success.

Learn more at https://ce.mayo.edu/online-education/content/mayo-clinic-podcasts 

Life as a Physician Series: Part 1 "Mentorship and Sponsorship"

Hosts: Sanj Kakar, M.D. and Dawn Marie R. Davis, M.D.

Guests: Sophie J. Bakri, M.D., Amy S. Oxentenko, M.D. and Charanjit S. Rihal, M.D.

Healthcare takes a village, not only to care for patients, but also to maximize one’s potential as a physician. On today’s podcast, we will discuss the importance of mentorship and sponsorship for professional and personal growth and success.

Stay tuned as Part 2 of "Mentorship and Sponsorship" releases this Thursday, January 16, 2025!

Learn more at https://ce.mayo.edu/online-education/content/mayo-clinic-podcasts 

 

 

Life as a Physician Series: Part 2 "Retiring Gracefully: Life After Medicine"

Hosts: Sanj Kakar, M.D. and Dawn Marie R. Davis, M.D.

Guests: Deborah J. Lightner, M.D. and Edward T. Creagan, M.D.

A career in medicine is rewarding and challenging. It is imperative physicians are prepared to transition to life beyond medicine as they consider retirement.  In this episode of our series, "Life as a Physician", we will discuss the transition to retirement, life after retirement, and how it impacts one’s personal and professional life.

Learn more at https://ce.mayo.edu/online-education/content/mayo-clinic-podcasts 

Life as a Physician Series: Part 1 "Retiring Gracefully: Life After Medicine"

Hosts: Sanj Kakar, M.D. and Dawn Marie R. Davis, M.D.

Guests: Deborah J. Lightner, M.D. and Edward T. Creagan, M.D.

A career in medicine is rewarding and challenging. It is imperative physicians are prepared to transition to life beyond medicine as they consider retirement.  In this episode of our series, "Life as a Physician", we will discuss the transition to retirement, life after retirement, and how it impacts one’s personal and professional life.

Stay tuned as Part 2 of "Retiring Gracefully: Life After Medicine" releases on Thursday, January 9, 2025!

Learn more at https://ce.mayo.edu/online-education/content/mayo-clinic-podcasts 

Bell's Palsy

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. (@ChutkaMD)

Guest: Jacob K. Dey, M.D.

Bell’s Palsy typically causes acute unilateral weakness of the facial muscles. Although it can occur at any age, Its most common in middle age and older adults. It tends to occur more often in females, especially during pregnancy. Although most cases resolve with time, treatment is available and recommended. The topic of this podcast is Bell’s Palsy, and my guest is Jacob Dey, M.D., a facial plastic surgeon in the Division of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery in the Department of Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery at the Mayo Clinic. We’ll discuss the pathophysiology of Bell’s Palsy, the typical course of the illness, it’s potential complications and the various treatment options.

Connect with the Mayo Clinic Talks Podcast HERE

RE-RELEASE from Season 2: Mayo Clinic Talks "This Podcast Will Make Your Head Spin"

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D.

Guest: Scott D. Eggers, M.D. 

Today, we're airing a popular episode from Season 2 of Mayo Clinic Talks!  Happy Holidays!

The complaint of dizziness is a common symptom our patients experience. It has a variety of causes; fortunately, most of them are benign. Despite the fact we frequently see patients with this medical concern, we still struggle evaluating them. Part of the difficulty is that dizziness means different things to different people and the cause of dizziness can be caused by disorders in one of several organ systems. To help us evaluate dizziness, Dr. Scott Eggers, a neurologist at the Mayo Clinic, reviews why dizziness is so difficult to evaluate and how we should evaluate a patient who complains of dizziness. We also explore the most common causes of dizziness including benign positional vertigo and vestibular neuritis. Finally, Dr. Eggers reviews symptoms that are suspicious for an ominous cause of dizziness.

To listen to Part 2: https://www.podbean.com/pu/pbblog-5t26h-585902  

Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd. 

Crohn's Disease

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. (@ChutkaMD)

Guest: Jana Al Hashash, M.D., M.S.

Crohn’s Disease is an inflammatory bowel disease, but on occasion, it can involve much more than the bowel. The disease can affect any part of the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus. It’s estimated that more than half a million people in the U.S. have Crohn’s disease and over time, it’s become more common, not only in the U.S., but in other parts of the world as well. It can result in a variety of complications and also results in an increased risk of colon cancer. The topic for this podcast is Crohn’s Disease and my guest is Jana Al Hashash, M.D., M.S., from the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology from the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. We’ll be discussing the typical presenting symptoms of Crohn’s, the recommended evaluation of a patient with suspected Crohn’s and the current treatment options.

Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd.

RE-RELEASE from Season 2: Mayo Clinic Talks "Evaluating Hematuria"

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D.

Guest: Aaron M. Potretzke, M.D.

Today, we're airing a popular episode from Season 2 of Mayo Clinic Talks!  Happy Holidays!

Microscopic hematuria, and less commonly gross hematuria, are conditions commonly seen by the primary care provider. Malignancy is the most ominous cause of hematuria. Fortunately, other causes are much more likely. Since this is a relatively common health condition, when should we investigate hematuria and what should the evaluation consist of? How do we evaluate a patient’s risk for urinary tract malignancy? Dr. Aaron Potretzke, a urologist at Mayo Clinic, joins us to discuss these questions.

Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd. 

Holiday Stress and Wellness Edition: Alcohol Use and the Holidays

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D.

Guest: Terry D. Schneekloth, M.D.

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, there’s a significant increase in alcohol consumption during holidays. Christmas and New Years are times of celebration and alcohol use is often part of that celebration. Binge drinking is common, and this can result in impaired judgment, motor vehicle accidents, and risky behaviors. Who’s at greatest risk for alcohol-related behaviors? How can we as health care clinicians detect those at risk for a problem with alcohol during the holidays and what advice can we give our patients recovering from an alcohol addiction to get through the holidays and maintain their sobriety? The topic for this podcast is “Alcohol Use and the Holidays” and these are some of the questions I’ll be asking my guest, Terry Schneekloth, M.D., from the Department of Psychiatry and Psychology at the Mayo Clinic.

Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd. 

Holiday Stress and Wellness Edition: Holiday Stress and Mental Health

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D.

Guest: Mark A. Frye, M.D.

For many, the holidays are a time for happiness and connecting with family and friends. It’s often a time of celebration. But for some, it can be a time of increased stress, anxiety and sadness. In some cases, our good health habits such as eating healthy, regular exercise and getting adequate sleep are replaced by overeating, consuming excess alcohol and taking on too many responsibilities. A recent study by the American Psychological Society found that 89% of those surveyed felt stressed during the holiday season. What are the most common reasons for this stress? Can we avoid it? If not, what are the best ways to manage it? I’ll be discussing these topics with my guest, Mark Frye, M.D., a psychiatrist from the Mayo Clinic. The topic for this podcast is “Holiday Stress and Mental Health”.

Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd. 

Holiday Stress and Wellness Edition: Exercise and the Holidays

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D.

Guest: Amanda R. Bonikowske, Ph.D.

There are many benefits of exercise, from improving our mental health to reducing the risk of chronic disease. It can improve our sleep, increase our energy and can help establish relationships with others. It’s an activity that almost anyone can do, and it doesn’t have to cost a thing, other than an individual’s time. The holiday season will soon be upon us as well as its associated stress and in many cases, weight gain. Can exercise help with some of these problems associated with the holidays? How much exercise is optimal? What kind of exercise should we recommend for those who are unable to participate in vigorous exercise? Does it matter if we do one type of exercise or is a variety of exercise better? These are questions I’ll be asking my guest, Amanda Bonikowske, Ph.D., an exercise physiologist from the Department of Cardiovascular Diseases at the Mayo Clinic as we discuss “Exercise and the Holidays”.

Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd. 

Holiday Stress and Wellness Edition: Pharmacologic Management of Depression

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D.

Guests: Bruce Sutor, M.D. & Megan R. Leloux, Pharm.D., R.Ph., BCPP

Depression is very common both in the U.S. and worldwide. It’s estimated that major depression affects over 8% of American adults, representing over 20 million individuals. Fortunately, we now have a variety of pharmacologic options for the management of depression and they’re much safer than what we had available in the past. However, we now have so many choices, how do we know which medication is best for our patient? What’s the difference between an SSRI and an SNRI? Is there an anti-depressant that’s also effective in treating anxiety? Are some medications better for our elderly patients? I’ll be asking these questions and more to my guests, psychiatrist Bruce Sutor, M.D., and pharmacist Megan R. Leloux, Pharm.D., R.Ph., BCPP, from the Mayo Clinic as we discuss “Pharmacologic Management of Depression” as part of our “Holiday Stress and Wellness” podcast series.

Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd. 

Holiday Stress and Wellness Edition: Seasonal Depression

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D.

Guest: Craig N. Sawchuk, Ph.D., L.P.

It’s relatively common for individuals to feel somewhat sad or have the “winter blues” when the days get shorter and then feel better when we get our daylight back in the spring. However, for some, mood changes can be more serious, and they may be experiencing seasonal affective disorder, a type of depression characterized by recurrent mood changes related to a change in the season. It’s estimated that up to 10 million Americans are affected by this disorder. What’s the natural history of seasonal affective disorder? Is it the same as depression which tends to occur around the holidays? Is seasonal affective disorder related to the time of year or the amount of sunlight and does it ever occur during the summer months? I’ll be asking these questions and more of my guest as we discuss “Seasonal Depression” as part of our “Holiday Stress and Wellness” podcast series. My guest for today’s podcast is psychologist Craig N. Sawchuk, Ph.D., L.P., from the Mayo Clinic.

Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd. 

Holiday Stress and Wellness Edition: How to Avoid Gaining Weight During the Holidays

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D.

Guest: Tara Schmidt, RDN, LD

It’s not uncommon to gain a pound or two each year as we get older. For many, most of our annual weight gain occurs during the holidays.  It’s a time of celebration and is filled with parties and events, often with high calorie foods and drinks. Holidays can also be stressful, and many find some relief of stress by eating. Weight gain during the holidays occurs so easily and quickly, yet losing this weight can be quite challenging and can take months. In fact, some studies have shown that weight put on during the holidays never comes off. How do we deal with the abundance of food we’re exposed to over the holidays? How should we approach holiday parties? How can we avoid contributing to the problem when we bring food to holiday events? With the holidays approaching, today’s podcast is directed at our own personal health in our “Holiday Stress and Wellness Series” as we discuss “How to Avoid Gaining Weight During the Holidays.” My guest for this podcast is registered dietician and nutritionist Tara Schmidt, RDN, LD, from the Mayo Clinic.

Check out our guest’s podcast, “Mayo Clinic on Nutrition” Here https://mcpress.mayoclinic.org/podcasts/on-nutrition/

Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd. 

Nicotine Dependence: Update on Vaping

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D.  

Guest: Jon O. Ebbert, M.D.

According to the CDC, in 2020 nearly 20% of high school students reported using a vaping product, and nearly a quarter of them indicated they used the product daily. It’s now known that vaping has potential health risks and is just as addictive as combustible tobacco products with some vaping cartridges having a higher concentration of nicotine than cigarettes. In this podcast, we’ll discuss nicotine dependence with an update on vaping. My guest is Jon O. Ebbert, M.D., an internist and nicotine dependence specialist at the Mayo Clinic. I’ll be asking Dr. Ebbert about the health risks of vaping, including second-hand exposure, the likelihood of “vapers” to switch to traditional tobacco products and whether vaping has any potential to help individuals discontinue use of tobacco products.

Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd. 

Inflammation and Cardiometabolic Disease: Chronic Kidney Disease as a Systemic Inflammatory Syndrome

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D.  

Guest: Aleksandra Kukla, M.D.

In 2023, an estimated 14% of all adults in the U.S. or just over 35 million individuals had chronic kidney disease and it’s even more common in the elderly population affecting over 1/3 of those over the age of 65. It represents the 8^th leading cause of death in the U.S. It’s now known that chronic kidney disease is associated with systemic inflammation, which is responsible for a variety of complications including atherosclerosis and subsequent cardiovascular disease. Does kidney disease result in inflammation or does inflammation produce renal dysfunction? Are there inflammatory markers we could measure to assess this inflammation? Can we do anything to reduce the inflammation and if so, does it improve patient outcome? These are just some of the questions I’ll be asking my guest, Aleksandra Kukla, M.D., from the Division of Nephrology at the Mayo Clinic as we discuss “Chronic Kidney Disease as a Systemic Inflammatory Syndrome”.

These talks on Inflammation and Cardiometabolic Disease are sponsored by Novo Nordisk

Learn more about this series HERE

Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd.