What’s the best medicine for treating AF? Now that is a frequently asked question. You already know the answer. But perhaps the obvious deserves a few words? First, let’s clarify what we are talking about when we use the term AF medicine. I’m speaking here about the so-called anti-arrhythmic drugs. Other names include “membrane-active†or […]
When you look around at other riders before the start of a bike race, and yes, everyone looks at everything before bike races, you will see an array of colored drinks in riders’ bottles. What are they hydrating with, you wonder? Likewise, when you roll into the store stop two hours into a four-hour training […]
For those interested in atrial fibrillation, there was significant news made last week. Dr. Sanjay Narayan and colleagues, including highly respected Indiana University electrophysiologist, Dr. John Miller (also a JMM), finally published their exciting data on FIRM ablation. The CONFIRM trial (Conventional Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation With or Without Focal Impulse and Rotor Modulation) has […]
I thought this was interesting: Six-placed Tour finisher Haimar Zubeldia, who rides for the US-based RadioShack/Nissan/Trek team, disclosed that he sat out for three months earlier this season for “persistent atrial fibrillation.” As reported by Cyclingnews.com, Mr Zubeldia said this in his statement: “I had four weeks of complete rest and treatment.†Fortunately, “everything went […]
It’s going to have to be brief tonight. The data from today: 7 bottles, 4 water stops, 110 degrees and 2200+ calories. (Strava proof.) Needless to say, as I type, my legs are on the brink of locking up. My brain feels as if it’s shrunk down in my head. Even this Retina screen looks […]
The headline called it “the new†science behind America’s deadliest diseases. WSJ reporter Laura Landro was talking about inflammation and its role in causing human disease. Now, you all know my reaction when a prestigious newspaper features a founding principle of this blog. Well, let’s just say it felt awfully nice. A brief Mandrola review […]
When you have 15 minutes, I’d recommend heading over to the Private Practice Blog of Dr Seth Bilazarian at theHeart.org. Dr B has beautifully summarized both the clinical and real world factors that go into the difficult decision of which blood thinner to choose for prevention of stroke in patients with AF. Seth has a […]
To be fair, most of the health messages coming from the American Heart Association and American Diabetes Association are spot on. Yet, nobody is perfect. The statement came from a “writing committee†of the AHA and ADA—two of the world’s leading health organizations. The writers hailed from places like Harvard, Stanford, Purdue and Northwestern. These […]
On the surface, both WSJ articles painted a gloomy and depressing picture of US healthcare, now and beyond. That wasn’t my take. I felt a rush of optimism. Let me explain. In, ObamaCare’s Lost Tribe: Doctors, deputy WSJ editor Daniel Henninger wrote about the (forgotten) plight of doctors in the Affordable Care Act. He critiqued […]
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Don’t look away…
It’s time to reenter. Vacation is over and normal life looms large. Before diving back into matters medical, I need to reflect on a day trip my family made in Washington, DC. It wasn’t an easy place to visit. But it was important. Education always is. I’ll tell you about it in a few paragraphs. […]
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Cycling Wednesday…
…is on vacation. See you in a few days. JMM