"Lub-dub" are the words often used to describe the sound of a normal beating heart. But when a swooshing sound is mixed in, the words "heart murmur" become a part of the conversation. To a doctor, questions­ arise: Is it an innocent, or an abnormal murmur? Is it a heart valve problem or a structural defect that could lead to real trouble? Host: Jonathan Fialkow, M.D., Chief of Cardiology at Baptist Hospital and Chief Population Health Officer at Baptist Health.  Guest: Nish Patel, M.D., Interventional Cardiologist, Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute

There’s a lot of buzz about AI these days, or artificial intelligence. But there's been very little talk about the brains of the whole operation -- ours. The human brain is the command center of everything we create and do. It is ever evolving as we grow from childhood through adulthood. The question is: What are those changes and how can we improve on them by helping and maintaining what life gave us? Host: Jonathan Fialkow, M.D., Chief of Cardiology at Baptist Hospital and Chief Population Health Officer at Baptist Health.  Guest: Michael McDermott, M.D., Chief Medical Executive of Baptist Health Miami Neuroscience Institute

Maybe you’ve had it. Maybe someone near and dear to you died from it, or you’re dealing with long term effects from it. It was a global pandemic that impacted each and every one of us. Three years ago, COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization. More than 6.5 million have died from it, with 1.1 million of those right here in the United States. Is it over? No. But as we learn to live with the new normal, what is ahead of us?  Host: Jonathan Fialkow, M.D., Chief of Cardiology at Baptist Hospital and Chief Population Health Officer at Baptist Health.  Guest: Samer Fahmy, M.D., Chief Medical Officer at Boca Raton Regional Hospital and Associate Professor and Associate of Clinical Affairs at Florida Atlantic University

Atrial Fibrillation, or AFib, is the most common arrhythmia, a condition in which the heart beats with an irregular or abnormal rhythm. AFib affects more than 2.7 million yearly. Left unattended, it can lead to strokes or even heart failure. So, what causes AFib and what can be done to avoid or even correct it before it does damage? Host: Jonathan Fialkow, M.D., Chief of Cardiology at Baptist Hospital and Chief Population Health Officer at Baptist Health.  Guest: Mario Pascual, M.D., Medical Director of Electrophysiology and Arrhythmia Management at Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute

February is American Heart Month. Despite overall increased awareness over the years, heart disease is still the leading cause of death in the U.S., according to public health officials. The good news: You can do a lot to protect your heart and stay healthy.  Understanding your risk factors for heart disease and how to live a heart-healthy lifestyle can reduce the risks -- and ultimately save your life.  Host: Jonathan Fialkow, M.D., chief of cardiology at Baptist Hospital and Chief Population Health Officer at Baptist Health.   Guests: Patrick Azcarate, M.D., Preventive cardiologist, Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute Cardiology Group. Amy Kimberlain, RDN, Registered dietitian, Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute Prevention Program.

With the start of Heart Month, it’s important to review some of the tools that are readily available to save someone’s life. What if that “someone” is somebody close to you? Are you prepared to jump to their rescue? Tools such as AEDs (automated external defibrillators) and CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) can save lives. Unfortunately, not many people know how to put them to use. Here’s what you need to know.   Host: Jonathan Fialkow, M.D., chief of cardiology at Baptist Hospital and Chief Population Health Officer at Baptist Health.   Guest: Eli Friedman, M.D., Medical Director of Sports Cardiology at Baptist Health’s, Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute.

Proper nutrition is vital for healthy living. It’s important to be mindful of what we put in our bodies to manage weight and prevent chronic diseases. In terms of your health, the expression -- “You are what you eat.” – should be taken seriously.   Host: Jonathan Fialkow, M.D., chief of cardiology at Baptist Hospital and Chief Population Health Officer at Baptist Health.  Guests: Amy Kimberlain, R.D., Registered Dietitian at Baptist Health’s Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute George Sanchez, M.D., Gastroenterologist at Gastro Health. Lisa Davis, PA-C, Physician Assistant and leader in the Cardiac Prevention and Risk Reduction Program at Baptist Health’s Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute

A burning sensation when urinating can spell trouble -- UTI (urinary tract infection) to be specific. It happens to more than 3 million people a year in the United States. Women suffer UTIs the most, but it can also strike men. Symptoms include fever, pelvic and urination pain, and abdominal pain. Let untreated, UTIs can spread from the bladder to the kidney, causing a cascading event of health issues. So, what triggers UTIs and what can be done to avoid them?  Host:Jonathan Fialkow, M.D., chief of cardiology at Baptist Hospital and Chief Population Health Officer at Baptist Health.   Guest:Rafael Perez, M.D., Urogynecologist and Medical Director of the Pelvic Health and Continence center at South Miami Hospital

Menopause is a natural occurrence in the cycle of a woman’s health, marking the end of the reproductive stage. While some women complete this stage free of symptom, most experience hot flashes, sleep issues, mood swings, pain during sex and/or depression. There are temporary solutions for these symptoms caused by an hormonal imbalance, but not all are effective or equal.   Listen as our experts talk hormones and menopause on this edition of the Baptist HealthTalk Podcast featuring:  Host: Jonathan Fialkow, M.D., chief of cardiology at Baptist Hospital and Chief Population Health Officer at Baptist Health.  Guest: Natalia Echeverri, M.D., gynecologist and obstetrician at Baptist Health South Miami Hospital, as part of South Miami OB GYN Associates   

We now have 60 years of studies to show which of the more than 5,000 chemicals inhaled by tobacco smokers can impact their health. But we’re only just beginning to see the damage caused by vaping, the cigarette alternative. Diacetyl, formaldehyde and acrolein, a weed killer, are just a few of the chemicals found in vape pens, and ER cases and hospital stays are on the rise from vaping. Baptist Health experts discuss the dangers of vaping and what it can do to your lungs. Host: Jonathan Fialkow, M.D., Chief of Cardiology at Baptist Hospital and Chief Population Health Officer at Baptist Health.  Guests: Brenda Gonzalez, M.D., Pulmonologist and Vice President of Medical Staff at Baptist Health Doctors Hospital. Harold Richter, M.D., Medical Oncologist at Lynn Cancer Institute at Boca Raton Regional Hospital.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, diarrhea is the second leading cause of death worldwide among children under five, and even adults can experience bouts from time to time. Experts at Baptist Health discuss the different types of diarrhea – yes, there are more than one – and their causes. They also share tips on how you can self-treat diarrhea at home and when you should see your doctor.Host: Jonathan Fialkow, M.D., Chief of Cardiology at Baptist Hospital and Chief Population Health Officer at Baptist Health. Guest: Joel Calafell, M.D., General Surgeon at Baptist Health Medical Group specializing in colon and rectal surgery.

It’s here again, that season of celebrations. Put on a sweater and a smile and pray that nobody sees the stress you’re hiding inside.  38 percent of us describe the holiday season as a stress-inducing event. Whether it’s holiday parties, children’s holiday shows, cooking, shopping, and even shopping online, take…a…deep…breath. The reason for the season is to celebrate family and friends and that’s what you and I should focus most on. But admittedly, it can be hard to not feel the stress that goes along with it. Guests: Jonathan Fialkow, M.D., Chief of Cardiology at Baptist Hospital and Chief Population Health Officer at Baptist Health. Eli Friedman, M.D., Medical Director of Sports Cardiology at Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute Ladan Pourmasiha, D.O., Medical Director of Baptist Health Urgent Care Janelle Falcon, Behavioral Specialist and Baptist Health

Antibiotics have long been used as a powerful tool for fighting infections caused by bacteria. However, improper use can actually be detrimental to your health, defeating their life-saving, healing characteristics. The overuse and misuse of antibiotics are leading contributors to antibiotic resistance, a problem the World Health Organization has said is one of the biggest threats to global health, food security and development today. The resistance not only challenges treatment options but opens the door to superbugs or viruses that can overwhelm our population. While it may be easy to turn the other cheek to global issues, antibiotic resistance can mean longer hospital stays, higher medical costs and increased mortality risks to you. So, what role can you play to slow down the creation of superbugs and what’s on the horizon in regards to new antibiotic treatment for infections? Guests: Jonathan Fialkow, M.D., Chief of Cardiology at Baptist Hospital and Chief Population Health Officer at Baptist Health. Timothy Gauthier, Pharm.D., Manager of the Antimicrobial Stewardship Clinical Program and Pharmacy Residency Program Director.

1 in 3 Americans are literally losing years off their lives every night by not getting enough sleep, are you one of them? For years the American Heart Association has provided guidance on 7-simple steps to good health. They included features such as managing weight, increased physical activity, nicotine exposure, controlling cholesterol, managing blood sugar and blood pressure, and eating better.  However, in recent years cardiologists have been linking sleep health to heart health so much so that the American Heart Association has added an 8th step to healthy living.  What used to be labeled as “Life’s Simple 7” is now called “Life’s Essential 8”.  So, the question is are you literally dying to stay awake?  Guests: Jonathan Fialkow, M.D., Chief of Cardiology at Baptist Hospital and Chief Population Health Officer at Baptist Health. Harneet Walia, M.D., Director of Sleep Medicine and Continuous Improvement at Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute.

Acne, also known as pimples, or the proverbial zits, takes many forms and usually plagues teens and young adults, but can also affect people of all ages. There are effective treatments, but for some, acne can be persistent. Where one goes away others can pop-up creating embarrassment at times. Depending on its severity, the emotional stress and scarring left behind, can be socially stigmatizing. Questions that persist, do factors like hygiene, greasy foods or even cosmetics contribute to the problem are often brushed aside for one key question… how do I treat them? Guests: Jonathan Fialkow, M.D., Chief of Cardiology at Baptist Hospital and Chief Population Health Officer at Baptist Health.Judith Crowell, M.D., Dermatologist with over 30 years of experience and a member of the Baptist Health Quality Network.

We are deep into our new school year, and it is the first truly complete year since the pandemic. The pandemic created unforeseen challenges for students back at school, and our older children are no exception to that. Between the pressure of social media and trying to figure out life in college, it can be a stressful time for kids as well as parents. With the constant headlines about concerns for the mental well-being of our kids, learning how to navigate these life changes and how to keep our mental health in check is extremely important.   Guests:Jeannette Kaplun, Content Creator and CEO of Hispana Global. Manuela Rodriguez, Behavioral Specialist at Baptist health. Maria Milla, M.D. Section Chief of Nicklaus Children’s Hospital’s Pediatric Care Centers.  Find additional resources at:BaptistHealth.net/BehavioralHealth

Pre-diabetes is a diagnosis where your blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be considered diabetes. There are a lot of misconceptions and a general lack of concern around this condition because most people think they're not really diabetic. Just because you may not be considered diabetic, yet, there are reasons as to why you need to pay attention and take action now.Guests: Jonathan Fialkow, M.D., Chief of Cardiology at Baptist Hospital and Chief Population Health Officer at Baptist Health.Lisa Davis, PA-C, Certified, Clinical Lipid Specialist at Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute and the Cardiology Group.

The package inserts on medications these days read like a laundry list of potential side effects. How do we know which would be more common than others? Which should cause more of a concern? Navigating the novel size medication labels can cause a headache in itself, but did you know there are resources available?  Guests:Lijo Jose, M.D. - Family Medicine Physician, Baptist Health Primary Care Dana Jacobs, M.D. - Primary Care Medicine and Wellness Physician, Lynn Women's Institute Sara Pinella, PharmD. - Manager, Pharmacy Ambulatory Care

For decades public health experts have warned us about the negative consequences of the obesity epidemic. However, the numbers continue to rise with no signs of slowing down, the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that more than 70% of adults over the age of 20 are either overweight or obese. The consequences of obesity are well established and include functional concerns such as back and joint stresses, but metabolic ones as well, such as diabetes, hypertension, and consequent heart disease, and there's a direct link between obesity and cancer that we know.  As America wages, its war against the waistline weight loss medications have been placed in the spotlight. While there's no magic pill that cures obesity, medications have been developed that can positively impact one's weight.  Are they the answer? 

Heat and humidity are facts of life during South Florida summers, as is the danger of heat-related illnesses. Don't take the risk lightly. Learn what you should do to prepare for outdoor activities including sports, workouts and yard work.  Michael Swartzon, M.D., a sports medicine physician with Baptist Health Orthopedic Care, joins host, Jonathan Fialkow, M.D. with expert advice on proper hydration and exercise strategies to stay safe when the temperature soars.