In this episode of We're All Heart, Dr. Barry Bertolet sits down with Dr. Baker Boler to unpack the silent threat of hypertension. From understanding what those blood pressure numbers really mean to exploring lifestyle changes, medications, and even groundbreaking procedures like renal denervation, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone looking to take control of their heart health. Whether you're newly diagnosed or managing long-term hypertension, you'll walk away with actionable insights and hope for better outcomes.

• (00:00:03) - Heart Health: Hypertension
• (00:00:48) - What is Hypertension?
• (00:03:11) - Heart disease and hypertension in Mississippians
• (00:07:41) - Heart disease and high blood pressure
• (00:12:12) - High blood pressure, medicines
• (00:13:24) - Heart Hypertension, Spironolactone and Other Ways
• (00:19:43) - North Mississippi Health Services CEO and President, Tupelo Community Foundation

In Episode 7 of We're All Heart, host Dr. Barry Bertolet sits down with cardiac electrophysiologist Dr. Jim Stone to demystify arrhythmias—from the everyday nuisance to life-threatening emergencies.

Learn how smartwatches are revolutionizing early detection
Discover the difference between AFib and atrial flutter
️ Explore cutting-edge treatments like pulse field ablation (PFA)
⚡ Hear how electrophysiologists fix the “electrical wiring” of the heart
Find out how arrhythmia care is evolving in North Mississippi

Whether you're curious about your own heart rhythm or supporting a loved one, this episode offers expert insights and hope for healing.

Subscribe for more episodes featuring local experts in heart & vascular care.
Brought to you by North Mississippi Health Services in partnership with Cardiology Associates of North Mississippi.

Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or watch on YouTube.
New episodes drop every other week.

#HeartHealth #AFib #Arrhythmia #Electrophysiology #CardiologyPodcast #NorthMississippi #TrueNorthCare #SmartwatchHealth #PFA #Ablation

• (00:00:05) - Heart health
• (00:00:52) - Cardiac Electrophysiologist
• (00:01:52) - Heart arrhythmia, what is it?
• (00:05:36) - So if somebody has an arrhythmia, what are the
• (00:07:45) - What is an AFIB Ablation? (Pulse Field Ab
• (00:11:17) - Alternatives to AFIB medication in heart failure patients
• (00:12:56) - Heart Flutter and AFIB: Are They the Same?
• (00:17:57) - North Mississippi doctor's true north

Join Dr. Barry Bertolet and Dr. Michael Boler in this compelling episode of We're All Heart as they dive deep into Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI)—a minimally invasive procedure that saves lives by restoring blood flow to the heart. Learn how stents are deployed, the use of the Impella device for patients with heart failure, and how advanced cardiac care is transforming outcomes at North Mississippi Health Services. Whether you're a patient, caregiver, or healthcare professional, this episode offers valuable insights into modern cardiology practices.

Topics Covered:

• What is PCI and how it works
• Radial artery access and recovery
• Treating blocked bypass grafts
• Stent technology and deployment
• Managing complex cases with Impella
• Outpatient vs. inpatient procedures
• Availability of interventional cardiologists

Presented by North Mississippi Health Services in partnership with Cardiology Associates of North Mississippi.

• (00:00:04) - All Heart
• (00:00:38) - We're All Heart
• (00:02:14) - What is Percutaneous Cardiac Intervention? (Cardiac Surgery
• (00:05:00) - What a Stent is?
• (00:12:08) - Heart Stents and Percutaneous Intervention
• (00:15:32) - Heart disease: Branch Point Fixation
• (00:18:21) - North Mississippi Interventional Cardiologist on Call 24/7
• (00:19:57) - One of North Mississippi's Cardiology Doctors on We're ALL HE

A message from NMHS CEO Shane Spees:

Reflecting on this past year, I am reminded of a recent interaction I had with a friend and member of our community. Her family member was receiving care at our facilities, and she recognized our team’s “exceptional innovation, dedication and compassion”. She detailed how our team’s care and support made a significant difference in her loved one’s recovery journey. She also lifted an idea about how we could even further enhance their experiences by making simple changes to our processes. The whole interaction was a powerful reminder of the impact we have on the lives of those we serve. It was also an affirmation of the mission I know we work toward every day – to continuously improve the health of the people of our region.

I’m excited we will continue to leverage A. G.R.E.A.T. Strategy to guide our efforts. Your feedback and leadership bring our strategy to life. Continuing our journey of improving communication flow and helping you better understand our strategy, I am pleased to introduce the final episode of our podcast series. This episode addresses the questions and feedback we received from you throughout the series. We have an opportunity to share more feedback coming up this week as our Employee Engagement Survey launches Sept. 11!

As you can see from the positive difference we’re making every day and our future plans to continue that work, your feedback shapes our shared success. Your commitment to our shared True North – our patients – drives us forward.

• (00:00:00) - A Great Strategy: The End of A Great Strategy
• (00:01:02) - North Mississippi Medical Clinics System Board Meeting
• (00:01:44) - Access and Growth
• (00:06:26) - MSD Healthcare System's recruitment and retention of nursing staff
• (00:11:51) - Marion County Hospital and access to care
• (00:16:03) - Exploring the New Medical Office Building
• (00:18:26) - Achieving Patient Experience
• (00:20:50) - Epilepsy Care: The Through the Bridge Technology
• (00:26:14) - NRC Home Health Group Conference
• (00:28:47) - Home Health System's Connect to the Home Care Journey
• (00:31:19) - Ways to Improve Communication Flow

In this powerful episode of We're All Heart, host Dr. Barry Bertolet welcomes Dr. David Talton, cardiothoracic surgeon at North Mississippi Medical Center, to discuss the cutting-edge world of minimally invasive heart surgery. Learn how procedures like TAVR and MitraClip are helping patients avoid traditional open-heart surgery, recover faster and enjoy a better quality of life. Dr. Talton shares his journey, the evolution of cardiac care in Tupelo, and the importance of selecting the right procedure for each patient. With over 900 TAVRs and nearly 200 MitraClips performed, this episode is a must-watch for anyone interested in the future of heart health.

Presented by North Mississippi Health Services in partnership with Cardiology Associates of North Mississippi.

• (00:00:05) - All Heart
• (00:00:39) - Heart Disease
• (00:07:06) - What is a TAVR Valve Stent?
• (00:11:52) - Do TAVRs work? (Open Aortic Valve Surgery
• (00:15:26) - Mitral Valve Clip
• (00:19:31) - Mitra Clips for Aortic Valve Disease
• (00:21:40) - Heart Surgeon Dean Shaxel on Leaving Tupelo

• Going live with Epic and optimizing the now one-year-old system
• Adding NMHS-South Marion to our health care family
• Launching a new consumer-focused website
• Expanding and scaling our Virtual Nursing Program
• And so much more . . .

• (00:00:12) - North Mississippi Health Services: The Strategy Podcast
• (00:01:35) - Epic Project: The System's Transformation
• (00:02:44) - What is EPIC and its impact on patient access?
• (00:07:08) - How has EPIC Implementation helped our clinicians?
• (00:10:56) - Virtual Nursing
• (00:15:10) - North Mississippi Health Services Acquires Northwest Regional Health in Alabama
• (00:16:59) - North Mississippi Health Services' New Website
• (00:19:55) - Top 10 Things to Expect in the Next Year
• (00:26:47) - Q & A with Leadership: Accountability

Join Dr. Barry Bertolet and electrophysiologist Dr. Karthik Prasad from North Mississippi Medical Center as they break down everything you need to know about pacemakers in this episode of We’re All Heart. Learn how pacemakers treat slow heart rates, heart failure, and bundle branch block, and discover the latest innovations like leadless and conduction system pacing. Whether you're a patient, caregiver, or curious viewer, this episode offers expert insights into symptoms, treatment options, and what to expect with a pacemaker in 2025.

Topics Covered:

• What is a pacemaker?
• Symptoms of slow heart rate
• Conditions that may require a pacemaker
• Traditional vs. leadless pacemakers
• Pacemakers and heart failure
• MRI safety, airport security, and lifestyle tips
• The future of cardiac pacing

Presented by North Mississippi Health Services in partnership with Cardiology Associates of North Mississippi.

• (00:00:04) - All Heart
• (00:01:01) - Heart Cardiology Specialist Prashad Patel on Pacemaker
• (00:02:44) - What is a Pacemaker?
• (00:05:46) - Heart disease and pacemakers--
• (00:13:05) - Leadless Pacemakers
• (00:19:05) - Does a Pacemaker Treat AFIB?
• (00:22:06) - How to Have an MRI on Your Pacemaker?
• (00:27:16) - Is a pacemaker prolonging my mother's life?
• (00:29:20) - True North: Cardiology Practice in Tupelo

In this episode of We’re All Heart, Dr. Barry Bertolet sits down with Dr. Murray Estess, a non-invasive cardiologist and echocardiography expert at North Mississippi Health Services. Together, they explore the power of 3D echocardiography—how it works, what it reveals, and why it’s transforming patient care.

From diagnosing heart valve disease and congenital defects to planning surgeries and detecting rare tumors, Dr. Estess explains how this advanced imaging technology brings the heart into sharper focus—without a single incision. You’ll also hear about his journey from pharmacy to cardiology, what brought him back to Mississippi, and what “True North” means to him and the team.

Tune in to discover how a “deep bench” of specialists is making a difference in heart health across the region.

• (00:00:03) - All Heart
• (00:00:55) - Dr. Murray Estes During an Echocardiogram
• (00:05:18) - Heart Echocardiography in 3-D
• (00:08:09) - Mitral valve surgery
• (00:12:11) - Three-D Echo
• (00:14:27) - True North