Understanding RSV: What You Need to Know This Fall and Winter

RSV - respiratory syncytial virus

The cardiothoracic system includes two of our most important organs, the heart and lungs. Heart health and lung health are strongly intertwined and play an enormous role in our daily health, overall body function, and ultimately, our quality of life. Preventive cardiothoracic screenings can identify issues before they become serious problems, leading to better patient outcomes. For example, patients who undergo low-dose lung CT screenings have a 63% greater likelihood of surviving five years or more. Lung cancer often has few or subtle symptoms until the disease has become advanced; lung screenings in at-risk individuals can catch cancer before symptoms even begin.

Keeping Your Lungs Healthy During Natural Disasters

This year’s Hurricane season has been one for the record books. Those with chronic health conditions, including lung disease, may look at the news and wonder what they can do to maintain health and stay safe during times of natural disaster. The American Lung Association even put out guidelines ahead of Hurricane Milton, as almost half a million people in the Tampa Bay area live with conditions like asthma, COPD, and other forms of lung disease. Steven Riddle, Executive Director of the Tampa division of the American Lung Association, announced, “People who rely on supplemental oxygen are extremely vulnerable during a power outage, which is why we recommend securing a backup power source.”

Protecting Your Heart and Lungs

Cardiothoracic Health Screening and CT Scanner

The cardiothoracic system includes two of our most important organs, the heart and lungs. Heart health and lung health are strongly intertwined and play an enormous role in our daily health, overall body function, and ultimately, our quality of life. Preventive cardiothoracic screenings can identify issues before they become serious problems, leading to better patient outcomes. For example, patients who undergo low-dose lung CT screenings have a 63% greater likelihood of surviving five years or more. Lung cancer often has few or subtle symptoms until the disease has become advanced; lung screenings in at-risk individuals can catch cancer before symptoms even begin.

Patient Story – Bronchiectasis

John was diagnosed with bronchiectasis at age 14. Bronchiectasis is commonly defined as a condition where damage to the lungs causes the airways to widen or develop pouches which makes it more challenging to clear out mucus, leading to frequent infections. This differs from the more common condition of bronchitis, which is a temporary illness and causes no long-term damage. According to the American Lung Association, Bronchiectasis affects 350,000 to 500,000 people in the United States.