Prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC) contains small amounts of heparin to prevent clotting within the vial or during administration. PCC is a blood product rich in clotting factors (e.g., factors II, VII, IX, and X) and has a high potential for thrombogenicity. Without heparin, the concentrate might form clots during storage or infusion. However, the amount…More
Author Archives: Simon Downes, MD, PhD
Medical educator
Which is more sustainable – a healthy diet or good exercise?
Both a healthy diet and good exercise are essential for long-term health and sustainability, but their relative importance depends on your goals and overall lifestyle. Here’s a breakdown: 1. A Healthy Diet 2. Good Exercise Which Is More Sustainable? For a well-rounded, sustainable approach, balance both according to your lifestyle. Small, consistent changes in both…More
Why do sweets (sugary foods) cause inflammation in the body?
Sugary foods can cause inflammation in the body due to the way sugar impacts metabolism, the immune system, and cellular processes. Here’s a breakdown of the main reasons: 1. Blood Sugar Spikes and Insulin Resistance 2. Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) 3. Activation of the Immune System 4. Oxidative Stress 5. Impact on Fat Cells…More
How can anxiety exacerbate symptomatic LBBB (Left bundle branch block)?
Anxiety can exacerbate Left Bundle Branch Block (LBBB) by increasing the overall sympathetic nervous system activity, which can affect the heart’s electrical conduction system. Here’s how anxiety might worsen LBBB symptoms or its underlying condition: 1. Increased Heart Rate (Tachycardia) 2. Increased Sympathetic Nervous System Activity 3. Hyperventilation 4. Stress on the Heart 5. Worsened…More
Is it possible that someone had LBBB their whole life but it only became symptomatic after getting covid or the covid vaccine?
Yes, it is possible for someone to have an asymptomatic left bundle branch block (LBBB) for years, potentially their whole life, and then develop symptoms after a significant health event such as COVID-19 or vaccination. Here’s why: 1. LBBB as a Pre-existing Condition 2. COVID-19 and LBBB 3. COVID-19 Vaccination and LBBB 4. Symptom Emergence…More
Transient symptomatic LBBB and normal cardiac MRI
If your cardiac MRI is normal and the LBBB is transient, occurring only with exercise or stretching, this changes the context significantly. Transient or rate-dependent LBBB (also called intermittent or exercise-induced LBBB) is less likely to cause long-term remodeling unless there are underlying structural or functional heart issues, which in your case have been ruled…More
In a structrually normal heart, why does symptomatic LBBB (Left bundle branch block) come and go?
In a structurally normal heart, symptomatic left bundle branch block (LBBB) that comes and goes can be attributed to a few factors related to electrical conduction and autonomic nervous system regulation. Here’s why this might occur: 1. Autonomic Nervous System Influence: 2. Changes in Heart Rate: 3. Electrolyte Imbalances or Acute Triggers: 4. Ischemia or…More
Why does LBBB seem to resolve with stretching?
Left bundle branch block (LBBB) is a condition in which there is a delay or blockage in the electrical conduction through the left bundle branch of the heart’s conduction system. This causes the left ventricle to contract later than the right ventricle, resulting in an abnormal QRS complex on an ECG. While the exact mechanism…More
Treating symptomatic Left Bundle Branch Block (LBBB) with His bundle pacemaker
A His bundle pacemaker is another potential option for treating symptomatic Left Bundle Branch Block (LBBB) and heart failure, and it works differently from traditional pacemakers or biventricular pacemakers. The His bundle is part of the heart’s electrical conduction system, located near the center of the heart, and it is responsible for transmitting the electrical signal from…More
How to know if you are BIPOLAR
My best friend’s mom was diagnosed with bipolar disorder a few weeks ago. After knowing that, I realized my friend might also have a few symptoms and tendencies, but I’m not sure. She sometimes has very unusual shifts in mood.. but these ups and downs might not necessarily reflect bipolar disorder symptoms. How can I…More
Simon Downes, MD, PhD 