Carolina Acute Care & Wellness Center, P.A.

04/24/2026

We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. William Burleson, whose life and work left a lasting imprint on our medical community.

Dr. Burleson was more than a respected physician—he was a mentor, a steady voice of wisdom, and a friend. For many of us, he represented the best of medicine: a commitment to patients, a devotion to learning, and a quiet leadership that shaped those around him.

I personally recall many days stepping through the back door of his former clinic next to our facility—seeking not just answers, but perspective. Those moments, often simple and unplanned, became some of the most valuable lessons in clinical judgment, humility, and the art of medicine. He taught not only through instruction, but through example.

His influence extended far beyond clinical care. He invested in people—guiding younger clinicians, encouraging thoughtful practice, and modeling what it means to serve with both skill and integrity. Outside the hospital, his friendship was just as meaningful.

The loss of Dr. Burleson is felt across the entire medical community he helped shape. His legacy will continue in the countless lives he touched—both patients and professionals alike.

On behalf of Carolina Acute Care & Wellness Center, we extend our sincere condolences to his family. It was an honor to know him, to learn from him, and to call him a colleague and friend.

Phillip Stephens, DHSc, PA-C

Dr. William Rowell Burleson, of Lumberton, NC, passed away on April 23, 2026. He was born on June 3, 1938 to Randall and Fannie Burleson in Albemarle, NC. Rowell graduated from Tabor City High School in 1956. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1960

04/12/2026

Tax season got you feeling tense? Take a breath. Mindful breathing can relieve stress and help you feel calm enough to tackle that return.

04/12/2026

Is walking really the best medicine for your heart?
How about your waistline?
Your bones? https://wb.md/4viHANN

04/12/2026

New study: Long COVID is tied to a higher risk of heart disease, even after mild infection.

The study also reveals that women with long COVID experience more heart problems than men.

Read more: https://ow.ly/UfV850YHftb

04/12/2026

A study by Dr. Rushad Patell reveals that GLP-1 meds for diabetes & obesity might cut blood clot risk by 48%.

More research is needed, but this could lead to new prevention methods for and .

Read more: https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2024-12-10/glp-1-meds-may-lower-clot-risk-in-people-with-diabetes

04/12/2026

Coming Soon!
Renovation to the Health Sciences Division is nearly complete in the coming months -

04/12/2026

The 2026 ACC/AHA Dyslipidemia
Guidelines

These new updates bring major shifts in risk assessment, novel lipid markers, and cholesterol targets.

Here are the most salient features you need to know.👇
https://www.jacc.org/doi/10.1016/j.jacc.2025.11.016

04/09/2026

Statin discussion.

04/09/2026

04/06/2026

New Lipid Guidelines Released — We’re Already There!

The American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association have released updated lipid management guidelines marking the most significant shift in years toward earlier detection, deeper risk assessment, and more aggressive prevention.

At Carolina Acute Care & Wellness Center, we’ve been anticipating these changes.

✔️ We have already been measuring Lp(a) and ApoB in higher-risk patients—well before these became formal recommendations

✔️ We are expanding into a dedicated Women’s Health Division this summer, recognizing that cardiovascular risk is often underdiagnosed and undertreated in women

✔️ Our approach has focused on identifying residual risk & not just traditional cholesterol numbers

What’s changing (and why it matters):

• Lp(a) is now recommended to be checked at least once in every adult
• ApoB is increasingly recognized as a more precise marker of atherogenic risk
• Lower LDL targets and earlier intervention are emphasized
• A broader, more personalized approach to cardiovascular prevention is now the standard

This is a major step toward precision cardiovascular medicine and it aligns closely with how we’ve already been practicing so this is a refreshing report we've anxiously anticipated.

We’ll be sharing a breakdown of the key updates and what they mean for patients in the coming days.

For those who want to review the full update:
🔗

Embargoed until 1 p.m. CT/2 p.m. ET, Friday, March 13, 2026 WASHINGTON and DALLAS, March 13, 2026 — The American College of Cardiology (ACC), the American Heart Association and nine other leading medical associations, today issued an updated guideline ...

04/06/2026

Regular exercise may do far more than keep you fit — it may actually help reverse some of the heart damage that comes with aging.

A study from UT Southwestern and Texas Health Resources found that a consistent exercise routine can improve the flexibility of the heart’s left ventricle, which often becomes stiffer over time due to a sedentary lifestyle. Over a two-year period, participants who exercised four to five times a week experienced an 18% increase in oxygen intake and a 25% improvement in heart elasticity. The routine included moderate-intensity endurance workouts, high-intensity interval training, and strength training.

Researchers say this matters because a stiffened heart can increase the risk of future heart failure. According to lead researcher Dr. Benjamin Levine, exercise should be viewed as part of everyday health maintenance, much like brushing your teeth. The study also showed that timing is critical: these benefits were most effective when people adopted regular exercise habits before the age of 65, while the heart still maintains enough flexibility to respond and recover.

The findings offer strong evidence that middle age is not too late to protect your heart. With the right kind of consistent training, the body may be able to repair some of the cardiovascular effects caused by years of inactivity.



Source: Circulation
Published study: Levine, B. D., et al. (2018). Reversing the Cardiac Effects of Sedentary Aging in Middle Age—A Randomized Controlled Trial: Implications for Heart Failure Prevention.

04/06/2026

Happy 250th Anniversary USA!