Evexeya Health Direct Care

03/05/2026

Could erectile dysfunction be warning you about your heart? 🫀

If you're a man under 60 — this is especially important to read.

Here's something most men don't know: Vascular erectile dysfunction (ED) and coronary artery disease share similar underlying biology. The same process that narrows and stiffens the arteries of the heart can show up first in the smaller arteries involved in erections — often 2 to 5 years earlier.

That makes ED one of the most underappreciated early warning signs for cardiovascular disease in men.

Why does age matter so much?
Men between 40 and 59 with vascular ED are at significantly higher relative risk for undetected coronary artery disease than older men. After 70, other risk factors tend to take over — but in midlife, ED can be the clearest signal your body sends.

📊 A few stats worth knowing:
• 50% of men who die suddenly from cardiac causes had no prior warning symptoms
• 1 in 10 men aged 40–59 with ED have undiagnosed diabetes (vs. 1 in 50 without ED)
• Men 40–49 with ED show the highest relative rate of coronary artery disease compared to peers without ED

The bottom line: If you or someone you love is experiencing ED, the conversation shouldn't stop at a prescription. It should start a deeper look at heart health — including cardiovascular risk scoring and potentially a coronary artery calcium (CAC) scan to detect silent plaque before symptoms appear.

👉 Read the full blog article for the complete picture, including the clinical pathway our cardiologist Dr. Mike uses when evaluating patients.

⚕️ This post is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalized guidance.

03/03/2026

❤️ Protecting Women’s Hearts: What New Research Is Revealing

Heart attack deaths are rising in middle‑aged adults and are particularly deadly in women. New research shows that women’s heart disease behaves differently than men’s, and these differences can impact diagnosis, treatment, and survival.

Women’s arteries are smaller, which means even a small amount of plaque can create a dangerous blockage. Smaller vessels can also limit options for procedures like stent placement during an acute heart attack.

Their plaque biology is different, too. Women tend to develop more calcified plaque, while men more often have soft, rupture‑prone plaque. In women, even “stable‑appearing” plaque can become dangerous simply because it narrows a smaller artery.

Most concerning: middle‑aged women are now experiencing more deaths from severe heart attacks (STEMIs) than men of the same age. Atypical symptoms, delayed recognition, and differences in treatment options all contribute to this growing gap.

Understanding these differences is essential — it can save lives. If you’re a woman experiencing unusual fatigue, nausea, jaw or back pain, shortness of breath, or chest discomfort, early evaluation is critical.

We’ve broken down the full research findings and what they mean for women’s heart health in our latest blog post.

02/20/2026

Your Pregnancy History Could Be Predicting Your Heart's Future

Heart disease is the #1 killer of women — yet the warning signs are often missed. Did you know that complications like preeclampsia during pregnancy can significantly raise your risk of heart disease decades later? 🫀

At Evexeya Health, we believe in connecting all the dots of your health history — including your pregnancies. In our latest blog post, we break down how hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are linked to long-term cardiovascular risk, what new research says about prevention, and what every woman should be telling her cardiologist.

Read the full post here: https://www.evexeyahealth.com/post/preeclampsia-and-heart-disease

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women — yet it's frequently overlooked. Did you know a complicated pregnancy can predict your heart's future? Learn how preeclampsia, aspirin, and early awareness can protect your heart for decades to come.

02/04/2026

😳 It can be overwhelming trying to understand which nutrition advice is *actually best for your heart, how much alcohol is "ok", what the big deal is about "AFib", or why your doctor is recommending medication for cholesterol control.

✨ Dr. Mike Frangiskakis is Dane County's Direct Care Cardiologist and would love your feedback on topics you want to learn more about when it comes to cardiovascular health, and how you want to learn about it (social media, brief webinar, etc).

📣 Please take his 2 minute, 4 question survey to help him know what means most to you!
https://s.surveyplanet.com/6axjxbuz

🩺 We are so thrilled to have Evexeya Health's expertise for our community. 🩺
HAPPY HEART MONTH!

02/03/2026

❤️ February is Heart Month — and this Friday is Go Red for Women Day! ❤️

I’m Dr. Mike with Evexeya Cardiology.

Women’s heart health is often overlooked, especially when it comes to how reproductive history affects risk. If you have 3 or more of 12 key risk factors, your chances of developing coronary artery disease may be higher than you realize.

Factors like early menopause (before 40), high blood pressure during pregnancy, and even the age of your first period all play a role. You can find the full list and a free form to review with your doctor on the Evexeya Health website.

Protect your heart by keeping blood pressure under control, maintaining healthy cholesterol, avoiding diabetes, and focusing on nutrition and regular activity—lifestyle changes benefit women even more than men.

Join us in raising awareness and Go Red for Women this Friday. ❤️

01/29/2026

For Heart Month, I'm creating FREE content on heart health topics, but I need YOUR input on what matters most to you.

Next Friday (February 7) is Go Red for Women Day ❤️
Heart disease kills more women than all cancers combined—but we can change that through awareness and education.

2-minute survey: https://s.surveyplanet.com/6axjxbuz
Topics: cholesterol, blood pressure, palpitations, women's heart health & more
Formats: Choose what works for you!

Help me help our Dane County community. And wear RED next Friday! ❤️

Confused about what's good and bad for your heart from the news, social media, or your favorite AI? Have you ever wanted to ask a cardiologist a question but can't get in or don't think you need a formal visit? I'm Dr. Mike Frangiskakis, a cardiologist with nearly 20 years of experience. I am board....

01/24/2026

💊 Thinking About Taking Supplements for Your Heart? Read This First.

I spent hours reviewing the latest research on cardiovascular supplements so you don't have to. Here's what you need to know:
📊 The Study: Meta-analysis of 884 clinical trials, 883,627 participants, 27 different supplements
🔍 What I Found:
• Most popular supplements lack meaningful heart benefits
• Omega-3s help to some extent, but people likely aren’t taking the right kind of omega-3s
• Coenzyme Q10 shows the most promise
• Some supplements (like beta-carotene) may actually be harmful
• The FDA doesn't regulate supplements—quality varies dramatically

💡 My Recommendation: Skip most supplements and invest in healthy food instead. A colorful Mediterranean diet with vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fish, nuts, and olive oil will do far more for your heart than any pill.

If you do choose supplements, look for the USP Verified Mark and discuss with your physician—supplement-drug interactions are real.

Read the complete analysis with references and specific dosing data: https://www.evexeyahealth.com/post/dietary-supplements-for-heart-health

Outline • Understanding the Evidence: 27 Supplements, 884 Clinical Trials • Which Supplements for Heart Health Show Potential Promise? • Supplements to Avoid or Question • Important Safety Considerations • Quality Control: The USP Verified Mark • The Bottom Line: Food Over SupplementsThe...

01/14/2026

💓 Ever feel your heart “flutter,” “skip,” or “thump” and wonder what’s going on?

I just wrote a new article breaking down palpitations—what they are, why they happen, and when they actually matter.

Palpitations are incredibly common, and most of the time they’re not dangerous. But sometimes they can signal something more serious, which is why understanding your symptoms (and talking with your doctor) is so important.

In this post, I cover:
• What palpitations really are
• The difference between PACs and PVCs
• How to describe your symptoms so your doctor can help
• What to expect during an evaluation
• When stress, caffeine, or thyroid issues might be the real cause
• Why wearable devices can help—but also sometimes mislead

If you or someone you know has ever worried about a “funny feeling” in their chest, this article is for you.

👉 Read the full post here: https://www.evexeyahealth.com/post/palpitations

Get clear, expert-backed info on heart palpitations — symptoms, causes, when to worry, and how to manage them for better heart health.

01/12/2026

🫀 Heart Attack & Stroke: Know the Symptoms. Protect Your Health.

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the U.S., with 1 in 3 people affected in 2023. Even more concerning—1 in 5 heart attacks are silent, meaning many people never realize they’ve had one.

Evexeya Health has published a clear, comprehensive guide to recognizing heart attack and stroke symptoms, understanding risk factors, and taking steps toward prevention. This resource is especially valuable for women, who may experience different or more subtle warning signs.

👉 Read the full article: https://www.evexeyahealth.com/post/heart-attack-and-stroke

Empower yourself and your loved ones with knowledge that can save lives. Early recognition and quick action truly make a difference.

Learn the key heart attack and stroke symptoms, risk factors, and prevention tips to protect your heart health and act fast in emergencies.

01/08/2026

Food, Tests, & Pills - Cholesterol Update for 2026

The new 2026 nutrition guidelines are already causing confusion — and for good reason. They overlook years of solid science, especially around cholesterol, one of the biggest drivers of heart disease. The good news is that most people can dramatically improve their cholesterol with the right information. I’ve broken down what really matters — from testing to food choices to supplements and medications — in a new blog post.

• Why cholesterol matters and how it contributes to heart disease
• Which tests are actually useful—and which ones add cost with limited value
• Food patterns that truly lower risk, including what the evidence says about Mediterranean, vegetarian, and other diets
• Specific foods to prioritize or avoid based on real science, not industry influence
• Supplements with evidence (and many that don’t live up to their claims)
• Modern medications that are safer, more effective, and often more affordable than people expect

You can read the full article here:
👉 Cholesterol Management in 2026
https://www.evexeyahealth.com/post/cholesterol-management-in-2026

12/29/2025

❤️ 2025 Cardiology Year in Review: What Every Clinician Should Know

As we wrap up 2025, the landscape of cardiovascular prevention has shifted in meaningful ways. From revamped blood pressure guidelines to deeper insights into lipid management and heart failure prevention, this year brought major updates that will shape how we care for patients moving forward.

One of the most important takeaways?
Women’s cardiovascular risk is still being underestimated.

Even with improvements in the AHA PREVENT calculator, it continues to underperform in women compared to men. A growing body of evidence shows that female‑specific risk enhancers—often overlooked in routine care—carry predictive power comparable to having a coronary calcium score ≥100.

👉 That’s why we’re spotlighting twelve key questions you may not realize are directly tied to heart health in your female patients.
These questions are so clinically meaningful that they deserve a place on every clinic’s intake questionnaire—right alongside traditional risk assessments like coronary calcium scoring.

If you care for women, you need to be asking these.
If you are a woman, you deserve to have these asked.

📌 Read the full breakdown and see why these questions matter as much as CAC scoring:
https://www.evexeyahealth.com/post/2025-cardiology-year-in-review

Let’s make 2026 the year we close the cardiovascular knowledge gap for women—starting with the questions we ask.

As 2025 draws to a close, there have been a number of important changes in the management of cardiovascular health. When reviewing the work of the American College of Cardiology (ACC), American Heart Association (AHA), American Society of Preventive Cardiology (ASPC), National Lipid Association (NLA...

11/27/2025

❤️ Rethinking Heart Care: A New Model for Patients

When it comes to heart health, access and affordability can make all the difference. Dr. Mike Frangiskakis is practicing a Direct Specialty Care model that puts patients first—removing barriers, reducing costs, and ensuring personalized attention.

This innovative approach means more time with your doctor, transparent pricing, and care that’s tailored to your needs. It’s a step toward transforming how we think about cardiology and specialty medicine.

💡 Imagine a healthcare system where specialists are accessible without the usual hurdles—this is what Dr. Frangiskakis is building.

https://captimes.com/sponsored/rethinking-heart-care-dr-mike-frangiskakis-and-the-direct-specialty-care-model/article_7699333b-c6e7-4161-bad2-6f7834ada30e.html

The increasingly popular direct care model is simple but transformative: patients pay directly for services or through a membership, bypassing insurance entirely and instead working directly with their physicians.