What a Heart Surgeon Wishes You Knew Sooner

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., yet many people don't think about their heart until it's too late. In this episode of Straight from the Source, cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. David Theodoro of FMOL Health | St. Dominic in Jackson, Mississippi, shares what he wishes patients knew sooner and the small, everyday choices that can add up to a healthier heart.  Dr. Theodoro draws from nearly 30 years of clinical experience. He explains what surgeons see in the operating room that patients never do, from valves stiff as "boot leather with rocks" to hearts reshaped by disease. He also dives into subtler heart symptoms, especially in women, and the importance of early detection, awareness and vigilance.  Key Moments   From the Midwest to Mississippi: Seeing the Difference – 2:11 Mississippi Heart & Vascular Institute: Excellence at Scale – 8:42 The Hard Truth: Heart Disease Has a Clock – 18:09 Often-Missed Symptoms, Especially in Women – 20:47 The Fast-Food Reality We Don't Like to Hear – 26:31 Why Team-Based Care Matters – 32:08  Learn more about Dr. Theodoro: https://doctors.stdom.com/provider/david-alan-theodoro/2150016   Learn more about cardiovascular services at FMOL Health: https://www.fmolhs.org/services/cardiovascular-services   Read more on The Source: https://thesource.fmolhealth.org/category/care-without-compromise/heart-vascular-care/heart-disease-doesnt-happen-overnight   Straight from the Source is a podcast from FMOL Health. Have an idea for a future episode or topic? Leave a comment or email us at [email protected]