S1 E1: getting to the heart of the matter
Meet our guest Dr. Dean Ferrera of Powers Health Medical Group
Dean Ferrera, D.O. is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and a Fellow of the Society of Cardiovascular Angiography and Intervention (SCAI), He is engaged in quality care initiatives on a national level through SCAI, as well as locally in his hospital based practice at Community Hospital in Munster, Indiana. Dr. Ferrera is board certified in Interventional Cardiology, Cardiovascular Medicine, and Nuclear Cardiology. He is a consultant and educator in the medical device industry. His clinical interests include complex coronary artery disease, peripheral arterial disease, cardiogenic shock, venothromboembolic disorders and preventive cardiology. Dr. Ferrera practices in Northwest Indiana through Powers Health Medical Group. He completed his fellowships in Interventional Cardiology and Cardiovascular Disease at University of Illinois at Chicago. He attended medical school at Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his undergraduate education at Miami University in Oxford, OH. His passions outside of work include golf, snow-skiing, travel, and enjoying family life.
Episode Summary
In the debut episode of The DBT Podcast, Dr. Neel Shah sits down with cardiologist Dr. Dean Ferrera to explore the foundational truths and common misconceptions surrounding heart health. From the early days of angioplasty to modern strategies for cholesterol management, this insightful conversation covers what every person should know about how the heart functions—and how to take care of it. Dr. Ferrera explains key cardiovascular concepts in plain language, including blood pressure, cholesterol testing, statin medications, and the surprising myths that many people still believe. Whether you're new to heart health or looking for a deeper understanding, this episode gets to the core—literally—of what keeps us alive.
Episode Highlights
(1:35) The origins of angioplasty and the evolution of heart care
(2:45) What the heart actually does—and what "good" blood pressure looks like
(5:15) The real risks of high blood pressure
(7:17) Why feeling healthy doesn’t always mean being healthy
(12:00) What is cholesterol? Why do we test it?
(16:44) Understanding cholesterol panels—what matters and what doesn’t
(19:37) What are statin drugs and who should consider them?
(22:18) Should you take a daily aspirin? The current thinking
(25:00) Why and how hearts malfunction—common issues explained
(28:00) Atrial fibrillation (A-Fib): What is it, and why is it serious?
(30:00) Understanding blood clots and circulation risks
(31:47) The oldest, healthiest heart Dr. Ferrera has seen—it might surprise you
(33:40) Dr. Ferrera's personal habits for heart health, including thoughts on diet, exercise, and processed food
(38:10) Alcohol and heart health—what the research says
The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for questions about your health. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or production team. Neither the host, the guests, nor Flint Rock LLC assume any liability for actions taken based on the content of this podcast.
