Commentary and Observations from
the Medical Front Lines
Sign up to receive posts from The Exchange
CATEGORIES
Latest Cardiometabolic Articles on PCE's The Exchange
Major Stroke Prevention: A New Use for a Well-Known Medication
Posted By: 
Daniel Thibodeau, MHP, PA-C
February 19, 2021
Strokes can have a devastating impact on the long-term survival and function of our patients. Therapies to treat them have been well established, and there has been a reduction in morbidity and mortality as a result. A recent study examined the impact of daily aspirin along with ticagrelor versus aspirin alone on preventing the escalation of transient ischemic attacks (TIA) and stroke into major cardiovascular accidents.
The Acute Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack Treated With Tica... Continue Reading
Filed under: Cardiometabolic
Understanding Raynaud’s Phenomenon
Posted By: 
Richard S. Pope, PA-C, MPAS
February 12, 2021
Color changes in patients' fingertips during cold weather can be confusing. It is important to distinguish Raynaud's phenomenon, as it can be associated with... Continue Reading
Filed under: Cardiometabolic, Rheumatology
Not so FAST! Febuxostat vs Allopurinol Showing Equal Safety – Results of the FAST Trial in Europe
Posted By: Richard S. Pope, PA-C, MPAS
February 09, 2021
Optimal management of gout requires urate-lowering therapy; two commonly prescribed therapies for this are febuxostat and allopurinol. However, since 2018, t... Continue Reading
Filed under: Cardiometabolic, Rheumatology
Out of the Woods? Considerations and Follow-up for When COVID Goes Away
Posted By: Daniel Thibodeau, MHP, PA-C
December 18, 2020
As we approach the 1-year mark of COVID becoming globally prominent, we are, unfortunately, also getting into the next surge of cases. At some point, this de... Continue Reading
Filed under: Cardiometabolic, Infectious Diseases, Public Health
Management of Resistant Hypertension in Primary Care
Posted By: 
Ben Taylor, PA-C, PhD, DFAAPA
December 08, 2020
We all understand that hypertension remains the world's leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease, stroke, disability, and ultimately, death. Even with... Continue Reading
Filed under: Cardiometabolic
Alcoholic Cardiomyopathy
Posted By: Ben Taylor, PA-C, PhD, DFAAPA
September 15, 2020
I had a patient the other day who came in intoxicated and tried to "school" me on the benefits of alcohol. Yes, there are some potential heart-healthy benefi... Continue Reading
Filed under: Cardiometabolic, Substance Abuse
The Basics of Diuretic Resistance in Heart Failure
Posted By: 
Ylenia A. Quiaoit, DNP, ACNP-BC
September 04, 2020
Increasing severity of congestion is the main reason patients with heart failure (HF) seek medical care. Extracellular fluid volume expansion is central to t... Continue Reading
Filed under: Cardiometabolic
Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction: An Overview
Posted By: Ylenia A. Quiaoit, DNP, ACNP-BC
September 01, 2020
Heart failure (HF) is a complex, disabling, and prevalent disease. According to the American Heart Assocation (AHA) Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics 2020... Continue Reading
Filed under: Cardiometabolic
Brain Natriuretic Peptide in Clinical Trials: Why This Matters for Practitioners
Posted By: Daniel Thibodeau, MHP, PA-C
May 26, 2020
As we look to improve the treatment and quality of life of our patients with heart failure, we often use relevant labs to help us determine the extent of the... Continue Reading
Filed under: Cardiometabolic
The Cardiovascular Impact of COVID-19
Posted By: Daniel Thibodeau, MHP, PA-C
April 03, 2020
On Wednesday, March 18th, the American College of Cardiology held a we... Continue Reading
Filed under: Cardiometabolic, Infectious Diseases
New Cholesterol Drug Soon to Make It to the United States
Posted By: Daniel Thibodeau, MHP, PA-C
January 31, 2020
Normally, when a new drug hits the United States market you will see a small market spike of curiosity. As we continually seek ways to improve the health and... Continue Reading
Filed under: Cardiometabolic, Preventive Medicine
Better Sleep Linked to Reduced Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke Risk
Posted By: Ben Taylor, PA-C, PhD, DFAAPA
January 10, 2020
We all know that sleep is crucial for heart health. Research has shown that regardless of a person's age, weight, smoking habits, and exercise l... Continue Reading
Filed under: Cardiometabolic, Preventive Medicine, Pulmonary Medicine
Intermittent Fasting
Posted By: 
Susan M. Tiso, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC
December 20, 2019
If you think about how humans have been eating for centuries, it has likely included some "natural" intermittent fasting. For examp... Continue Reading
Filed under: Cardiometabolic, Miscellaneous, Preventive Medicine, Public Health
Circadian Rhythms and Metabolic Syndrome
Posted By: Susan M. Tiso, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC
December 17, 2019
As researchers explore the complex relationship of circadian rhythm and metabolic syndrome, they are searching for root causes and best treatment approaches Continue Reading
Filed under: Cardiometabolic, Miscellaneous, Preventive Medicine, Public Health
The Continued Study of an Old Drug: Aspirin
Posted By: Daniel Thibodeau, MHP, PA-C
December 13, 2019
It started out by taking extract from the willow tree and using it as a medicinal agent well over 150 years ago. Today, this extract, now transformed into ac... Continue Reading
Filed under: Cardiometabolic, Miscellaneous
Heart Disease and Cancer Risk
Posted By: Ben Taylor, PA-C, PhD, DFAAPA
November 22, 2019
According to data to be presented this month at the American Heart Association's (AHA) 2019 Scientific Sessions, heart attack survivors may hav... Continue Reading
Filed under: Cardiometabolic
November is Diabetes Awareness Month
Posted By: 
Lawrence Herman, PA-C, MPA
November 15, 2019
Along with the colder weather and the promise of holiday season, November brings us the opportunity to raise awareness about diabetes. Both type 1 and type 2... Continue Reading
Filed under: Cardiometabolic, NPs & PAs, Practice Management/Career, Preventive Medicine, Public Health
Trans Fatty Acids Now Also Linked to Higher Risk of Dementia
Posted By: Lawrence Herman, PA-C, MPA
November 12, 2019
Consumption of trans fats in high levels has been linked to coronary artery disease, diabetes and more. Now, a team of Japanese researchers have specifically... Continue Reading
Filed under: Cardiometabolic, Neurology, Preventive Medicine
Left Main Coronary Artery Occlusion: ST Elevation in aVR
Posted By: Ben Taylor, PA-C, PhD, DFAAPA
October 18, 2019
During my ECG training, we were taught that the findings from lead aVR were only important for supportive evidence of pericarditis. I subsequently learned di... Continue Reading
Filed under: Cardiometabolic
New Statement Related to Hospitalized Heart Failure Patients
Posted By: Daniel Thibodeau, MHP, PA-C
October 01, 2019
The American College of Cardiology has issued a new Expert Consensus Decision Pathway for the management of patients with heart failure. This newly released... Continue Reading
Filed under: Cardiometabolic, Health Policy and Trends, NPs & PAs
Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm (Part 2)
Posted By: Ben Taylor, PA-C, PhD, DFAAPA
September 06, 2019
Thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA) often expand slowly over time and usually without symptoms, making them difficult to detect. Some aneurysms never rupture. Ma... Continue Reading
Filed under: Cardiometabolic
Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm (Part 1)
Posted By: Ben Taylor, PA-C, PhD, DFAAPA
September 03, 2019
Thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA) are located above the diaphragm, may involve one or more aortic segments (aortic root, ascending aorta, arch, or descending a... Continue Reading
Filed under: Cardiometabolic
Are Chemicals Making Us Fat?
Posted By: Susan M. Tiso, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC
August 07, 2019
Holistic health proponents are advocating to get rid of our so-common use of plastics for environmental as well as health reasons. For example, did you ever... Continue Reading
Filed under: Cardiometabolic, Preventive Medicine
Energy Drinks Tied to QTc Prolongation
Posted By: Ben Taylor, PA-C, PhD, DFAAPA
July 26, 2019
Consuming caffeinated energy drinks is associated with QTc interval prolongation, which is a risk factor for torsades de pointes, according to a small study... Continue Reading
Filed under: Cardiometabolic
Palliative Care for Heart Failure: An Early Discussion Would Benefit Patients
Posted By: Daniel Thibodeau, MHP, PA-C
July 19, 2019
As clinicians, we care for patients over the course of a lifetime and often face the reality of patients who are challenged with end-of-life (EOL) decision m... Continue Reading
Filed under: Cardiometabolic
No Difference in Outcomes and Treatment No Matter the Etiology—Analysis from PARADIGM-HF Trial
Posted By: Daniel Thibodeau, MHP, PA-C
July 16, 2019
Heart failure (HF) is a complicated disease state with multiple, staged therapies. Over the last couple of years, addition of a sacubitril/valsartan combinat... Continue Reading
Filed under: Cardiometabolic
CHAMPS HF - We All Can do Better!
Posted By: Daniel Thibodeau, MHP, PA-C
June 14, 2019
Many of us manage patients with heart failure with a reduced ejection fraction, or HFrEF. The management of this patient population is complex, and most pati... Continue Reading
Filed under: Cardiometabolic, Preventive Medicine
Hypertension in the Pediatric Population
Posted By: Ben Taylor, PA-C, PhD, DFAAPA
May 07, 2019
The prevalence of systemic hypertension (HTN) in the pediatric population is now commonly observed to be increasing, especially in view of the growing popula... Continue Reading
Filed under: Cardiometabolic, Health Policy and Trends, Preventive Medicine
Cardiovascular Health Promotion—A Must Read for PAs and NPs
Posted By: Daniel Thibodeau, MHP, PA-C
April 23, 2019
PAs and NPs are encouraged to read a recent issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology on cardiovascular health and promotion. This... Continue Reading
Filed under: Cardiometabolic, Preventive Medicine
Was the Apple Heart Study Virtually Useless?
Posted By: 
Lawrence Herman, MPA, PA-C
April 12, 2019
My wife absolutely loves her Apple Watch and would admit that it is like her crack cocaine: she feels compelled to close all of her rings daily, even when we... Continue Reading
Filed under: Cardiometabolic, Preventive Medicine
Fluoroquinolone Use and the Potential Risk for Aortic Aneurysm or Dissection
Posted By: Ben Taylor, PA-C, PhD, DFAAPA
April 05, 2019
Fluoroquinolones have long been a popular class of antibiotics for use in a myriad of infections. There are even newer fluoroquinolones that have been develo... Continue Reading
Filed under: Cardiometabolic, Infectious Diseases
Aspirin Use for ASCVD Prevention
Posted By: Ben Taylor, PA-C, PhD, DFAAPA
April 02, 2019
For decades aspirin has been a staple of primary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in at-risk populations, based on recommendation... Continue Reading
Filed under: Cardiometabolic, Preventive Medicine
Caution: Population Is Having More Heart Attacks at a Younger Age
Posted By: Daniel Thibodeau, MHP, PA-C
March 15, 2019
This March, the American College of Cardiology will meet in New Orleans for their annual scientific assembly, and one major discussion will be the growing pe... Continue Reading
Filed under: Cardiometabolic