Stroke Prevention In Patients With Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a complex, yet common heart arrhythmia. Individuals with AF may experience a variety of symptoms – or no symptoms at all. In fact, up to 87% of adults are initially asymptomatic. Those with symptoms will complain of palpitations, shortness of breath, fatigue, chest tightness/pain, dizziness, or fainting. Additionally, individuals with AF have a 4- to 5-fold increased risk of stroke, with a 1.5-fold (men) to 2-fold (women) increased risk of death. In addition to general risk factors, the prevalence of AF increases with age... Read More »
Immunization Update: A Focus on Medical Indications for Vaccines in Adults
The Healthy People 2030 report, published by the US Department of Health and Human Services, includes targets for reducing vaccine preventable disease rates and increasing vaccination rates in all age groups. The report points out that requiring school-age children to get vaccinated, educating adolescents, adults, and older adults about the importance of vaccinations, sending vaccination reminders, and making it easier for people to get vaccines can help increase vaccination rates in our population... Read More »
COVID-19 Update
In December 2019, a novel coronavirus was linked to a deadly outbreak of
pneumonia in Wuhan, China. This virus, named severe acute respiratory
syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2), quickly spread around the globe. The
disease it causes, COVID-19, is a spectrum of acute and long-term syndromes
ranging from asymptomatic infection to acute respiratory distress syndrome
(ARDS). A variety of coagulopathic, neurologic, and psychiatric complications
may also occur.1 The mortality rate has been staggering, with over 1.6 million
deaths worldwide and over 302,000 deaths in the US... Read More »