by Carolyn Thomas ♥ @HeartSisters ♥ July 15 , 2019
The important documentary film called “A Typical Heart“ is a triumph. It’s about the deadly disparity in diagnosis, treatment and outcomes among male and female heart patients. It packs an incredible load of unforgettable factoids and quotable quotes into just 22 short minutes. . Continue reading ““A Typical Heart” – this documentary film pulls no punches!”
by Carolyn Thomas ♥ @HeartSisters
Dear Doctor,
Several years ago, when the British Medical Association openly warned U.K. docs and med students NOT to make “personal or derogatory comments” online about their patients (guidelines mercifully updated since then), I became even more alarmed than I had been. Why, I wondered at the time, was it even necessary to issue this warning to intelligent, educated brainiacs who practice medicine? And are there some physicians who should simply not be allowed on social media?
Lately, I’ve been rethinking my former alarm. And the reason for the rethink is this: I’ve noticed that many of you physicians might be in danger of abdicating your traditional role as our medical educators. . . Continue reading “Dear Doctor – here’s why we need you on social media”
by Carolyn Thomas ♥ @HeartSisters
In their landmark review, Canadian heart researchers Dr. Karin Humphries and Dr. Louise Pilote answered this important question(1):
“Why are we examining women’s cardiovascular health in this issue of the Canadian Journal of Cardiology?” . .
Why indeed? Some of their answers may surprise you. . . .
Continue reading “Women’s cardiac care: how do you think we’re doing?”
by Carolyn Thomas ♥ @HeartSisters
If you’re a heart patient living with stable angina, the ISCHEMIA clinical trial presented last weekend at the 2019 American Heart Association Scientific Sessions is all about you. Cardiologist Dr. John Mandrola described the impact of this study in his must-read Medscape column like this:
“CARDIOLOGY CHANGES TODAY!” .
But realistically, does one study have the power to actually change the practice of cardiology? .
Continue reading “ISCHEMIA study: that blockage isn’t a time bomb in your chest”
by Carolyn Thomas ♥ @HeartSisters 
“From my earliest days in medicine, I have struggled against the prevailing model of health care” is how the pioneering cardiologist Dr. Bernard Lown sums up his long and impressive career as a rebel.
Dr. Lown is now Professor of Cardiology Emeritus at Harvard, but to me he is the physician I love to quote here on Heart Sisters – as in my blog post title, “Why Aren’t More Doctors Like Dr. Bernard Lown?“ . Continue reading “Bed rest and other kinds of cardiac overtreatment”
by Carolyn Thomas ♥ @HeartSisters
When my heart sister Katherine Leon was featured in The New York Times earlier this year, I was thrilled. Katherine, like me, is a graduate of the WomenHeart Science & Leadership patient advocacy training at Mayo Clinic. She told the Times of undergoing emergency coronary bypass surgery at age 38, several days after her textbook cardiac symptoms had first been dismissed by doctors who told her, “There’s nothing wrong with you.” .
Continue reading ““There is no gender bias in medicine. Because I said so…””
