Take 5 with Brian M. Go, MD, FACC, Interventional Cardiologist, WakeMed Heart & Vascular

Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I was born and raised in a small town outside of Baltimore. Until just recently, my mother was able to live independently in the house where my sister and I were raised. My sister is an internist in Virginia, and I’m fortunate enough to have an incredible wife and two children.

Q: What is your patient care philosophy?

I chose cardiology as my specialty more than 25 years ago because I knew I wanted to build lifelong relationships with my patients to help them improve their overall health and well-being. Spending time talking, offering education, reviewing their care plans and giving them the opportunity to express concerns and ask questions are all very important to me.

Q: November is Diabetes Awareness Month. What are your top words of wisdom for patients managing both heart disease and diabetes?

Diabetes and the heart are very intertwined, putting individuals with one condition at increased risk for the other. However, both can be controlled and managed. Taking all medications as prescribed and maintaining close follow-up with all your physicians are important. Adding in good nutrition and fitness programs can support both a healthy heart and better diabetes control. Lastly, though not prescribed by cardiologists, a whole new class of diabetic weight loss medications that have been shown to benefit the heart.

Q: The world of interventional cardiology is always changing – what are some of the most exciting innovations you’ve seen in recent years?

Indeed, I am proud to be part of a specialty that is at the forefront of innovation and data-driven practices. If I compare my first 10 years of practice to my last 10, the pace has only accelerated. I can list numerous things that I do better now than I did just five years ago, thanks to advances in the field. My participation on the Transaortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) team has been particularly rewarding, and we celebrated our 10-year anniversary last year. From start to finish, TAVR is a collaborative team effort. I have had the privilege to work with and learn from outstanding interventional cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, advanced practice providers, our nurse coordinator, imaging specialists and the anesthesia team. Working as a team and with exceptional leadership, we achieved the highest quality rating for our TAVR program this past year.

Q: What are some fall activities and flavors you enjoy?

I love gathering with my family around our outdoor fireplace where I build a roaring fire and the kids enjoy too many s’mores. I also like making soups like pea or butternut squash, as they are hard to mess up and remind me of weekend lunches growing up.

This blog is adapted from Heart to Heart Magazine. Subscribe today.