Monthly Archives: October 2008

Scare tactics

Posted on October 31, 2008 by Dr. Davis

“You’re a walking time bomb.” “I can’t be responsible for what happens to you.” “Your blockage is in the artery called the ‘widow-maker.’” Familiar lines? These are the well-rehearsed warnings commonly used by cardiologists to persuade a patient to undergo … Continue reading →

Posted in Heart scams | 3 Comments

Self-Directed Testing

Posted on October 28, 2008 by Dr. Davis

In the last Heart Scan Blog post, I listed the poll results on success vs. failure in trying to obtain requested blood work through doctors. The results of that informal poll revealed that a substantial number of people encounter resistance … Continue reading →

Posted in Self-directed health | 3 Comments

Self-testing

Posted on October 26, 2008 by Dr. Davis

Here are the results of the latest Heart Scan Blog poll (84 respondents): When you ask your doctor to perform a specific blood test, does he/she: Do it without question? 38 (44%) Do it but express reservations?25 (29%) Do it … Continue reading →

Posted in Self-directed health | 9 Comments

Increasing sales, growing the business

Posted on October 23, 2008 by Dr. Davis

I continue my portrayal of the fictional hospital, St. Matthews. Though fictional, it is based on real facts, figures, and situations. Despite their success, administrators at St. Matthews’s Hospital continually fret over how to further expand their enterprise. Market share … Continue reading →

Posted in Hospitals | 7 Comments

Top Doctor

Posted on October 23, 2008 by Dr. Davis

Dr. Robert Connors is the hospital’s most prized cardiologist. Practically a fixture in the cath lab, he generates more revenues for the hospital than any of his colleagues. Last year alone, he performed over 1500 procedures, bringing in $18 million … Continue reading →

Posted in Hospitals | 2 Comments

Disease Engineering

Posted on October 20, 2008 by Dr. Davis

Imagine you contract pneumonia. You have a fever of 103, you’re coughing up thick, yellow sputum, breathing is getting difficult. You hobble to the doctor, who then fails to prescribe you antibiotics. You get some kind of explanation about unnecessary … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments

Dr. Steven Gundry on The Livin’ La Vida Low-Carb Show

Posted on October 20, 2008 by Dr. Davis

I stumbled on a great interview with cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr. Steven Gundry, on Jimmy Moore’s Livin’ La Vida Low-Carb Show. (Or, cut and paste: http://www.thelivinlowcarbshow.com/dr-steven-gundry-part-1-episode-179/) Dr. Gundry has some fun ways of looking at eating and health. I found his … Continue reading →

Posted in Low-carb diets | 4 Comments

Does fish oil ADD to statin therapy?

Posted on October 18, 2008 by Dr. Davis

Yet another patient came to my office today saying, “My primary doctor said that I should stop taking fish oil. He say’s that I don’t need it because I take Crestor.” The woman was in tears, confused and frightened over … Continue reading →

Posted in Fish oil | 9 Comments

HDL: “H” is for “happy”

Posted on October 16, 2008 by Dr. Davis

What role do emotions play in HDL cholesterol? I’ve often observed a peculiar phenomenon: People who come to the office or hospital in the midst of a difficult emotional situation-e.g., stress at home, financial struggles, hospitalization (usually an unhappy occasion)- … Continue reading →

Posted in HDL | 10 Comments

Plaquology

Posted on October 13, 2008 by Dr. Davis

Plaquology: A new term. Plaquology: def: (plaque-: atherosclerotic plaque; -ology: study of.) The study of atherosclerotic plaque, originating in the early 21st century during the time period when the material underlying atherosclerosis gained recognition as a measure superior to “risk … Continue reading →

Posted in Coronary plaque, Plaque, Self-directed health | 3 Comments