[Editor’s note: Download the related podcast to this post on The Dr. Grayson Wheatley Show. Available on iTunes and Android.]

This past week we have all struggled to make sense of the sudden and unexpected passing of the famous and beloved Hollywood actor, songwriter, game and talk show host Alan Thicke.

This has been even more difficult because of his death occurring around the holidays.

With respect to Mr. Thicke’s privacy and the grieving process... Continue reading.

Cuba!?

Yes, you read that correctly.

With the recent passing of Fidel Castro, I thought it would be a good time to share some of my adventures from Cuba.

Over the last year and half, I have had the pleasure and good fortune to travel to Cuba twice to learn more about the healthcare system in Cuba and understand how patients with aortic disease are treated.

With these visits, I have also met... Continue reading.

In every presentation that I give - whether it is in the United States or internationally - there is a common theme that I emphasize with the audience.

The theme is: With regards to treatment of aortic diseases such as aortic aneurysms or aortic dissections, “Imaging is Everything”.

What do I mean by that?

When a patient is diagnosed with an aortic problem, such as an aortic aneurysm, the first thing we do is... Continue reading.

I want you to meet Cullen Timmons. His story - relative to aortic aneurysms - is a remarkable case of astute thinking and serendipity.

Cullen is a 26-year old, active, healthy medical student at the University of Virginia who was taking an elective called “Advanced Physical Diagnosis”.  As part of that class, he placed a stethoscope to his own chest to listen to his own heart. What he heard surprised even him.

Cullen... Continue reading.

Do you have an aortic aneurysm?

One of the most unique features of aortic aneurysms is that they can develop without any warning signs.

Think about it:  Most diseases or disorders develop slowly over time and once the disease has “progressed” to a certain stage, then the “effects” of the disease manifest themselves.  This is the period when someone goes to the doctor because they aren’t feeling well or have a specific complaint... Continue reading.