An interesting question came from another sub-specialist–via the comments section of my recent post on the practical difficulties of screening young athletes with routine ECGs. “I’m asked week-in and week-out about screening exams and tests for adult athletes. What do YOU recommend for the seemingly healthy 25-45 year old male non-elite athlete who asks about […]
Category: General Medicine
Sunday nights in Autumn means one thing for this doctor-cyclocross racer: aches and pains. Tonight, just as the thought popped into my head: “a few Alleve(s) probably wouldn’t fire up that reflux very much,” I hear from the computer room… “Hey John, how much alleve were you taking when you had your AF,” asked my […]
You can be for freedom. You can be for smaller government that intrudes less. You can be for lower taxes. You can be for most anything, but if you are interested in improving the sagging health of American citizens, get on Michael Bloomberg’s wheel. Today, as reported in the WSJ, NYC mayor, Michael Bloomberg, has […]
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The most noble Nobel…
He is perfectly soft, easy to hold. He is warm, infectiously so, of body and soul. He smiles, a lot. He cries, just a little. He soothes the hearts of many. Soon, he will throw a ball, spell a word, write a story, kiss a girl, walk to class on a crisp autumn morning, teach […]
It hurts…a bunch. Nothing punches the heart harder than grief can. And few things in life cause more grief than suicide. In my professional life, I have seen suicide cause the ‘broken heart syndrome,’ and unfortunately, in my personal life I have felt the awfulness of grief’s tug on my own heart, at the funeral […]
Hey cyclists, You are fit bunch. Near perfect. You eat right, exercise bunches and surely do not smoke. The “side effects” of such a focused lifestyle is good blood pressure, low cholesterol and smooth arteries. Congratulations. Unfortunately, there is one component of health you cannot control–your parents, your DNA. In heart disease and many cancers […]
A first for me: a clinical quiz. The patient has had seventy birthdays. He presents with shortness of breath and constant chest pressure. These symptoms began abruptly 24 hours before presenting. He describes feeling “dreadful.” Past history is remarkable for an implanted device 8 years ago. A thorough physical exam is… you guessed it…normal. Here […]
As if we need more evidence that schools should bring back daily gym class. Researchers at the University of Illinois studied 9-10 year-old children with MRIs (no radiation exposure), VO2 treadmill testing, and memory evaluations. Their findings should spank those in the educational elite who give regular gym class only lip service. “Dr M, you […]
Do you see anything wrong with this picture? (Hint: right column) It is certainly true that atrial fibrillation management guidelines needed an update; the last comprehensive update was in 2006. Much has changed in AF therapy, including the expanded role of catheter ablation and the soon-to-be warfarin substitutes. I guess the European electrophysiologists couldn’t wait […]
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When docs are "taken-up"…
It is that time of year again. School is back in session; the little virus vectors are out of their basements, off their video games and back amongst themselves in classrooms. In harboring infections, school-age children are like petri-dishes. Yes, as if there was need for further proof that doctors are human, I present as […]
The medical assistant who checked the patient in tells me, “Dr Mandrola, this guy had coronary artery disease since the 1980’s. He is 90 years-old now, and his only medicines are that statin and aspirin.” One of the more common questions that arises in cardiology is whether a person should take a statin drug. Despite […]