Editor’s Note: Dr. Mirkin’s article today began as a response to one of our Premium Members. Greg C. wrote us: “I ride about 4,500-5,500 miles a year. This is the first year I’ve been monitoring my blood pressure after riding and noticed the systolic drops significantly after my rides. I typically run 110-120 over 70-80,…
By Gabe Mirkin, M.D. Two recent breakthrough studies give the best explanation yet of how exercise helps to prevent heart attacks. Competitive older endurance athletes may have more plaques in their arteries than non-exercisers, but they have the type of plaques that are far less likely to break off and cause heart attacks (Circulation, April…
Today’s QT comes to us from Premium Member John Tonetti, who offers a suggestion for an alternative to shaving cream or gel for those riders who shave your legs. Here’s what John wrote: Hair conditioner makes a great shaving cream for cyclists who shave their legs. Not only does it prevent razor burn, but when you…
By Gabe Mirkin, M.D. Several recent articles show that eating tree nuts or peanuts with a high-fat or high-sugar meal prevents the expected high rise in blood factors that increase risk for the inflammation that can lead to diabetes, heart attacks or strokes. Three ounces of ground peanuts that contain 198 kcal taken with a…
By Gabe Mirkin, M.D. Energy drinks can raise blood pressure and may cause irregular heartbeats, according to a recent study conducted at Travis Air Force Base in California (Journal of the American Heart Association, April 26, 2017;6(5)). This extremely well-planned, -performed and -controlled study shows that two hours after drinking 32 ounces (four cups) of…
