Dr John M

cardiac electrophysiologist, cyclist, learner

Deeds, not words, getting it done in Kentucky heart attack care

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There I was sitting at the computer in between ablation cases. It was a normal Thursday. I was thinking about my next column over at theHeart.org. A nurse from the catheterization lab came in and told me that Dr. Dillon was giving a press conference. He was announcing three major initiatives for heart attack care in Kentucky.

I knew he had been working hard lately, tweeting, giving talks. traveling around the state, writing letters to politicians, and meeting with EMS leaders. But I wasn’t thinking progress would happen this quickly. It’s Kentucky after all.

“A press conference, heh?”

I’ve seen how this rolls. I was off, notepad and recording device in hand. I put on my journalist hat. (It’s a beginner one.) There were TV cameras and reporter-looking dudes with notebooks. I was in the right place. I was a friend, but I also wanted to report the news.

If you follow heart news and care about real changes that make real differences in the lives of real patients, you will like reading about what Dr. Dillon got done. These are not extra check boxes or order sheets or a new name for something. These are three things that will (not could or might) save lives.

Heart attack care is about speed and jettisoning nonsense. The artery that is causing the heart to die must be opened quickly. We are really good at the process when patients get to the hospital. Where work is needed is before heart attack patients get to the hospital–“in the field,” or at “first medical contact.”

While you read about these initiatives, think back where we were a few years ago in Kentucky. I remember a time when many ‘experts’ thought EMS personnel shouldn’t be allowed to use AEDs (Automatic Electronic Defibrillators). What a mistake that was. It is now widely accepted that AEDs save lives. Heck, in the past month, I saw three young survivors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest who were saved by an EMT using an AED.

I hope you want to read my feeble attempt at covering breaking news. Since it applies to the health of local citizens, I published it over at the Courier-Journal site, In the Prime.

Here is the link: Team efforts will improve heart attack care in Kentucky.

JMM

P.S. You will have to excuse my journalistic failure to remain neutral. Dillon is a best bud. And I love cheering uplifting stories in healthcare, especially those that make ‘meaningful’ changes in outcomes.

In the Prime post: Toward a happier and healthier community

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Hi all,

It’s a dreary winter day here. It seems a good time to ponder warmer sunny images and hopeful notions.

I found a great article on a town in southern Spain. They did something remarkable there.

Their transformation, if you will let me use such a word, inspired me to write a short note on the Courier-Journal blog.

Here is the start:

In the famous baseball movie, Ray Kinsella did not listen to the skeptics. He stuck with the whisper. He built it; and they came to play.

Let me tell you about a real world field of dreams and how their example could lead our community to a healthier place.

All Louisvillians can agree on certain things. We would like to see our city become a greener and cleaner place, populated with happier and fitter citizens. And this: policies with these goals must be cost-effective. No one wants to waste money.

With this in mind, I would like to point you to warm and sunny town many miles away that accomplished such a feat.

To read more, just click on this In the Prime link.

Happy Friday.

JMM

In the Prime post up — On healthy eating and one of Cardiology’s biggest errors

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Hi all,

I have a new post up over at the Courier-Journal’s In the Prime/Voices section.

It’s about a new study released this week on heart-healthy eating. I went to the well again on the metaphorical “elephant in the room.” The study was important because it sheds light on one of the biggest mistakes made in Cardiology today.

Here’s the start of the post:

There was an important study released this week concerning the number one killer of humans—heart disease. It was a biggie. It addressed one of the most common errors made in Cardiology today.

It’s such a huge mistake. And it’s so common. It drives me bonkers really.

First the mistake:

That medications alone are enough to prevent heart attacks, strokes and death.

Both parties—doctors and patients–are guilty…

I hope you want to read more. If you do here is the link:

Don’t miss the forest: we are what we…

JMM

How large a role should the ‘community’ play in health?

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In Louisville, each Labor Day and Memorial Day, our government embraces health. The Mayor’s Hike, Bike and Paddle turns our Southeastern city into something, well…something that looks a little Euro.

Riding with thousands of Kentuckians just days after returning from Munich Germany got me thinking about stuff. Things like walking places, riding bikes safely, public transportation, an honor system and whether a community that values health can help its citizens be leaner and healthier.

I wrote some of my thoughts on these topics over at In the Prime at the Courier Journal.

Oh…And as I said in the CJ post, I’m awfully proud of my ESC badge:

 

 

JMM