Sarasota Edition

Some Say Virtual Doctor Visits Won’t Work. Here’s Why They’re Wrong. Dr. Mayrene Hernandez, chief medical officer, UnitedHealthcare South Florida

In 2017, a well-publicized RAND Corporation study presented a startling conclusion. It found direct-to-consumer telehealth may not save money because it may increase health care utilization due to ease of access. In fact, researchers estimated an 88 percent increase in the use of specific health care services among patients studied. With findings that seem contrary to years of other research, the …

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Learn How Water Therapy is Healthier for Your Heart

Whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day, or just trying to maintain your New Year’s “get fit” resolutions, February is Heart Health Month and a good reminder of the importance of keeping our tickers in top notch. For people with heart and vascular disorders, this is of critical importance. In recent years there has been a multitude of studies on the effectiveness of …

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decoding heart disease

Erick E. Calderon, MD, FACC, FSCAI There are many things that can affect your risk for developing heart disease. Three of them you cannot control—your age, your gender and your family history. However, there are several other things you can do to help you avoid a heart attack or stroke, such as maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly and quitting smoking. …

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Learn How You Can Prevent Cancer

It’s unfortunate that most of us have dealt with cancer either personally or indirectly through a loved one, or friend. This year it is estimated that 1.7 million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer and approximately 600,000 will die from the complications of the disease.  While there are excellent treatment options available, early detection is the key to surviving this devastating …

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Advanced Surgery for Heart Valve Replacement Gives Older Patients New Lease on Life

The heart surgeon sat resting at the fitness center when a man sat down next to him. Thinking he should make room, the doctor scooted over – twice. The man then leaned in and said with a twinkle in his eye, “You operated on me.” The man in his late 80s was a regular at the gym, along with his …

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A Common Eye Issue Causes Blindness – How Medical Marijuana is Combating the Disease

By Dr. Steven Reichbach They say that the eyes are the lamp of the body and the window to our souls. But the eyes are also incredibly complex organs made up of many working parts. In our eyes, the retina detects light and converts it to various signals that are then sent to the brain through the optic nerve. There …

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If You Have AFib, Your Risk of Stroke Is 5X Greater A Cutting-Edge Procedure Can Save Your Life

Erick E. Calderon, MD, FACC, FSCAI Are you on blood thinners for AFib? Are you finding that after long-term use, you’re bleeding and bruising more often? If so, you should speak to your cardiologist about your bleeding issues, as these can be life-threatening and even cause bleeding in the brain, which can lead to imminent death. If you have AFib …

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Finding Freedom In the Water

Like most of the population, we are embarking upon our New Year’s resolutions at this time of year. Have you vowed to get healthier? That’s one of the most common goals attempted, but often times we grow weary of our objectives before we even get a chance to reach the fitness level we desire. Why Do We Fall Short? Usually …

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Fitness for All!

By Matthew Solomon The holiday season means big meals, lots of treats, and a ton of time by the pool. However, as the holiday season speeds by us, many of us are now trying to kick ourselves into gear with New Year’s Resolutions, the most common being fitness. Florida’s senior population is no different, with fitness and wellness being a vital …

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When Should I Give My Pet Vaccinations?

By Dr. Anne Luther Do we vaccinate our pets too often? Yes, if they are being given all of their vaccines on an annual basis, reports Dr. Ronald Schultz, a veterinary immunologist and chair of the Department of Pathobiological Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine. His opinion is based on more than 30 years of vaccine research. …

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