What is chronic total occlusion (CTO)? Chronic total occlusion, commonly referred to as simply CTO, is a complete blockage of a coronary artery, lasting longer than three months. Once plaque has built up to the point of complete blockage, blood flow to the heart is compromised. If left untreated, CTO can lead to a slew…

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, J.B. shared her breast cancer story with us. Now read her recollection of meeting her surgeon and a piece she wrote that was inspired by the Netflix series, “The Queen’s Gambit”.   My Surgeon The first time I met my surgeon after two mammograms, a breast biopsy and…

Art Lucero has been active his entire life, staying in shape playing tennis and volleyball and swimming. He lived with a sore right knee from a old basketball injury, but that didn’t stop him from riding his bike to work for 15 years. While he has had some aches and pains along the way, wrapping…

Often when we think of exercise during pregnancy, we think of cardio or maybe a low impact perinatal fitness class. Cardio during pregnancy can be healthy when approved by your OB or midwife; however, cardio is not the only exercise regimen that provides health and wellness. During the very first few days of pregnancy a…

Bernadette G. was never a fan of doctor’s offices or annual check-ups and vowed to avoid them whenever she could. But, when a close friend was diagnosed with breast cancer, she began to prioritize her health, taking proactive steps by regularly performing breast self-exams at home. Shortly after getting into this new routine, Bernadette became…

J.B. shares, first-hand, her breast cancer journey.   On November 17, 2020, I was officially diagnosed with Grade 2 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma breast cancer.  This was after a routine yearly mammogram that had been delayed for seven months because of the pandemic. Luckily, it was caught in time so that with a lumpectomy and radiation,…