GUAYAQUIL, Ecuador — Mayo Clinic is adding a second patient information office in Ecuador. The new staff in Guayaquil will assist patients traveling to Mayo Clinic for care and help insurance companies, referring physicians and others connect with Mayo.

Mayo Clinic's first office in Ecuador opened in Quito in 2009. Mayo now has patient information offices in 15 countries, including several locations in Latin America.

The office staff in Ecuador, fluent in Spanish and English, help patients make appointments at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota; Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona; Jacksonville, Florida; and Mayo Clinic Healthcare in London.

"We are pleased to add services for patients and their families in Guayaquil and the surrounding area," says Jorge Pascual, M.D., a pulmonary medicine physician at Mayo Clinic in Florida and Mayo Clinic executive medical director of the Americas. "Mayo Clinic excels in caring for patients with serious, complex and unsolved medical needs. Our office staff in Guayaquil and Quito play a critical role in facilitating patients' travel to Mayo for care."

The staff help with travel, lodging, billing, and insurance arrangements; provide general orientation to Mayo Clinic; facilitate Mayo review of medical records; and coordinate future appointments. The services are free of charge. The office does not provide medical care.

Mayo accepts appointment requests directly from patients and patient referrals from physicians. Interpreters are available at no cost to assist with communication between healthcare providers and patients whose primary language is not English.

Mayo care teams work together to provide a healing environment and a seamless patient experience. That includes coordinated appointment schedules, with specialists, tests and procedures located in close proximity to each other; coordination of care by one personal physician; and smooth communication at Mayo and with patients' healthcare teams at home.  

The Guayaquil office staff may be reached by email at guayaquiloffice@mayo.edu. Learn more here.

Mayo Clinic is ranked the best hospital in the world by Newsweek and is top ranked in more specialties than any other hospital in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report. In 2024, Mayo cared for patients from every U.S. state and 135 countries.

###

About Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education and research, and providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news.

Media contact:

• Sharon Theimer, Mayo Clinic Communications, newsbureau@mayo.edu
  
  

The post Mayo Clinic opens second patient information office in Ecuador appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

GUATEMALA CITY — Mayo Clinic's patient information office in Guatemala, one of Mayo's first local offices to assist patients in the region, is growing.

Mayo Clinic is adding a second representative to the office to assist patients, referring physicians, health insurance companies, and others interested in connecting with Mayo. The office in Guatemala City opened in 2008. Mayo Clinic now has patient information offices in 15 countries, including several locations in Latin America.

The office staff, fluent in Spanish and English, help patients make appointments at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota; Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona; Jacksonville, Florida; and Mayo Clinic Healthcare in London.

"The growth of the office in Guatemala reflects Mayo Clinic's commitment to providing an excellent patient experience before, during and after patients visit Mayo for care," says Jorge Pascual, M.D., a pulmonary medicine physician at Mayo Clinic in Florida and Mayo Clinic executive medical director of the Americas. "The Mayo team partners with patients and their families to assist with arrangements and meet individual needs and preferences throughout their care experience."

Mayo accepts appointment requests directly from patients and patient referrals from physicians. Interpreters are available at no cost to assist with communication between healthcare providers and patients whose primary language is not English.

The staff also help with travel, lodging, billing, and insurance arrangements; provide general orientation to Mayo Clinic; facilitate Mayo review of medical records; and coordinate future appointments. The services are free of charge. The office does not provide medical care.

Mayo Clinic is a destination for patients with serious, complex or undiagnosed conditions. Mayo care teams work together to provide a healing environment and a seamless patient experience. That includes coordinated appointment schedules, with specialists, tests and procedures located in close proximity to each other; coordination of care by one personal physician; and smooth communication at Mayo and with patients' healthcare teams at home.  

The Guatemala office staff may be reached by email at guate.oficina@mayo.edu. They can be contacted by phone at (502) 5551-5137 and (502) 3848-6031. The office is located at Blvd. Vista Hermosa 25-19 Multimedica Nivel Of 1206, zona 15, Guatemala City.

Learn more here.

Mayo Clinic is ranked the best hospital in the world by Newsweek and is top ranked in more specialties than any other hospital in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report. In 2024, Mayo cared for patients from every U.S. state and 135 countries.

###

About Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education and research, and providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news.

Media contact:

• Sharon Theimer, Mayo Clinic Communications, newsbureau@mayo.edu
  
  

The post Mayo Clinic expands patient information office in Guatemala  appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Pick's disease, a neurodegenerative disease of unknown genetic origin, is a rare type of frontotemporal dementia that affects people under the age of 65. The condition causes changes in personality, behavior and sometimes language impairment. In patients with the disease, tau proteins build up and form abnormal clumps called Pick bodies, which restrict nutrients to the brain and cause neurodegeneration. The only way to diagnose the disease is by looking at brain tissue under a microscope after a person dies.

In a new study, Mayo Clinic researchers have identified gene expression changes in the brains of people with Pick's disease. Since Pick's disease is a rare neurodegenerative disorder that cannot be diagnosed during life, their findings offer valuable insights that may help guide the development of biomarkers and therapeutic strategies.

Researchers at Mayo Clinic in Florida, University College London in England and collaborators worldwide have established the Pick's Disease International Consortium to study a specific MAPT gene variation known as MAPT H2 that makes the tau protein and acts as a driver of disease. They investigated a connection between the gene and disease risk, age at onset, and duration of Pick's disease. Their findings are reported in The Lancet Neurology.

Mayo Clinic researchers identified the first MAPT gene mutations for a behavioral form of dementia in 1998, and other genetic changes associated with related dementias in 2001, which paved the way to understanding the mechanisms of tau-related disease. This new study confirms a tau genetic factor linked specifically to Pick's disease and opens up new avenues of therapeutic design.

"Our research could have profound implications for the development of therapies for Pick's disease and other related neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease and progressive supranuclear palsy," says Owen Ross, Ph.D., a Mayo Clinic neuroscientist and senior author of the paper. The consortium hosts a database of clinical, pathological and demographic information about patients with the disease who donated their brain tissue for science.

To conduct the study, researchers investigated brain samples of 338 patients confirmed to have Pick's disease to compare with blood samples from 1,312 neurologically healthy individuals. Patients confirmed to have the disease came from 35 brain banks and hospitals in North America, Europe and Australia between 2020 and 2023. The Mayo Clinic Brain Bank was among the sites in the study that provided the largest collection of samples.

Analyzing DNA from the blood samples and brain tissue, the research team recorded baseline information on study participants, including age at disease onset, age at death for those with Pick's disease, and sex and age at blood collection for the control group. Disease duration was calculated by the difference between age at Pick's disease onset and age at death. In addition, the researchers looked at clinical characteristics such as clinical diagnosis, impairment in behavior and language.

"We found that the MAPT H2 genetic variant is associated with an increased risk of Pick's disease in people of European descent," says Dr. Ross. "We were only able to determine that because of the global consortium, which greatly increased the sample size of pathology cases to study with Pick's disease."

The team's next steps are to expand the consortium to the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Latin America, further resolve the genetic architecture of the disease, and assess this specific genetic variant as a biomarker or test for clinical diagnosis of Pick's disease. There is currently no clinical test or diagnosis available for Pick's disease. For the first time, the creation of the consortium may allow for the development of a clinical test.

Funding for this research at Mayo Clinic was supported in part by the National Institutes of Health, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the State of Florida Ed and Ethel Moore Alzheimer’s Disease Research Program, and Mayo Clinic Alzheimer's Disease Research Center. For a full list of authors, collaborating institutions and disclosures, see the paper.

###

About Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education and research, and providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news.

Media contact: 

• Tia Ford, Mayo Clinic Communications, newsbureau@mayo.edu 

The post Advancing the study of Pick’s disease, rare form of early-onset dementia appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

GENOLIER, Switzerland and ROCHESTER, Minn. — Swiss Medical Network and Mayo Clinic are proud to announce that seven clinics and centres of Swiss Medical Network have joined the Mayo Clinic Care Network, becoming the first healthcare provider in Western Europe to enter the collaboration. The agreement includes Clinique de Genolier in Genolier, Privatklinik Bethanien in Zurich, Clinica Sant’Anna in Lugano and Swiss Visio centres in Genolier, Montchoisi, Zurich and Bellinzona.

The Mayo Clinic Care Network is a select group of more than 45 medical institutions worldwide that collaborate with Mayo Clinic to advance excellence in patient care. As part of Mayo Clinic Care Network, Swiss Medical Network will leverage Mayo Clinic's globally recognized expertise, advanced medical knowledge and best practices to further elevate healthcare in Switzerland. The collaboration aims to support the development of preventive care programs — including executive health and check-ups — enhance knowledge sharing in ophthalmology research, and advance nursing education.

For patients, the collaboration means advanced diagnoses and care services, specific executive health and check-up programmes, and access to international experts from the Mayo Clinic Care Network without traveling abroad. Complex cancer cases can be presented to Mayo Clinic's multidisciplinary specialists.

"We are pleased to welcome Swiss Medical Network to the Mayo Clinic Care Network," said Eric J. Moore, M.D., head and neck surgical oncologist and medical director, Mayo Clinic International. "Our collaboration is built on shared values and a commitment to patient-centered care. We look forward to collaborating and innovating to deliver even better outcomes for patients across Switzerland."

Physicians from Clinique de Genolier, Privatklinik Bethanien, Clinica Sant’Anna, and the above-mentioned Swiss Visio entities, will have direct access to a suite of advanced clinical resources through the Mayo Clinic Care Network, including:

• AskMayoExpert – A point-of-care tool providing clinical information on hundreds of medical conditions, including treatment recommendations and best practices.
• eBoards – Live video conferences where Swiss Medical Network's medical teams can consult directly with Mayo Clinic's multidisciplinary specialists on complex cases.
• Healthcare consulting – Exclusive access to Mayo Clinic's expertise in clinical, operational and business strategies to support Swiss Medical Network's continued growth and excellence.

In addition, medical professionals from the newly affiliated entities will benefit from Mayo Clinic's extensive scientific library, patient education materials and continuous medical education programs, ensuring the highest standards of care for all patients.

Dino Cauzza, CEO of Swiss Medical Network, emphasized the significance of this relationship:

"As a member of Mayo Clinic Care Network, this collaboration is a defining milestone for Swiss Medical Network and, most importantly, for our patients. By integrating Mayo Clinic's expertise into our network, we will accelerate the development of our executive health and check-up programs as a key element of preventive health in our vision of integrated care. This is a defining moment in our journey toward medical excellence."

Swiss Medical Network will remain independent while joining a global ecosystem of medical innovation and shared knowledge. Established in 2011, the Mayo Clinic Care Network now includes over 45 leading healthcare organizations across the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, India, and Mexico.

For more information, please visit www.swissmedical.net and www.mayoclinic.org.

###

About Swiss Medical Network
Swiss Medical Network is one of Switzerland's two leading private hospital and clinic groups. With 21 clinics and hospitals, over 70 outpatient centers, 5,000 employees and more than 2,300 doctors practicing in 15 cantons, the group covers the entire medical spectrum, operates listed and contracted hospitals, and cares for more than 1.2 million patients a year.  

A pioneer in integrated care with the VIVA project, the Réseau de l'Arc has become the leading integrated care organization in Switzerland, now accessible to a large proportion of the population of the Jura Arc. At the beginning of 2025, the launch of VIVA in Ticino and Rete Sant'Anna extended this model, reinforcing the Group's commitment to integrated care accessible to all in Switzerland.

Swiss Medical Network is a 77%-owned subsidiary of AEVIS VICTORIA SA, listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange.

Visit Swiss Medical Network for additional information.

About Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education and research, and providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news.

Media contacts:

• Magali Dauwalder, Swiss Medical Network, +41 79 486 34 14, media@swissmedical.net
• Elizabeth Baxter, Mayo Clinic Communications, newsbureau@mayo.edu

The post Swiss Medical Network joins the Mayo Clinic Care Network appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Mayo Clinic Healthcare cardiologist shares tips to safely get your blood pumping again

LONDON — Around the world, people are starting to engage in outdoor activities after a winter spent largely indoors and perhaps with less physical activity than during more temperate seasons. In other climates, people may be starting an indoor, less-active time. Gosia Wamil, M.D., Ph.D., a cardiologist at Mayo Clinic Healthcare in London, offers five tips to protect your heart when you spring into action after a sedentary period.  

It may be tempting to immediately move garden equipment and furniture out of storage, start a landscaping project, go on a long hike or engage in other physically demanding activities that were on hold due to poor weather.

"Spring is a great time to reconnect with nature and enjoy movement, but it’s vital to respect your body’s limits," Dr. Wamil says. "Even light daily activity can have meaningful benefits for heart health. Consistency matters more than intensity."

Busy lifestyles and, for many people, long days spent working at a desk, compound seasonal challenges that may mean less activity. Together, the lack of movement may decondition your body, requiring a bit of time before you return to more optimal shape. Stress can further compound demands on the heart.

Dr. Wamil's first tip: Ease into physical activity gradually.

"After a long season of reduced activity, it's important not to jump straight into strenuous tasks," she explains. "Start with light activities like walking or gentle stretching and gradually build up intensity. This helps reduce the risk of injury or sudden cardiac stress."

2. Warm up before and cool down after physical activity.

"Whether you’re gardening or going for a hike, taking five to 10 minutes to warm up prepares your muscles and heart for the activity ahead," Dr. Wamil says. "A proper cooldown helps your body return to baseline and prevents dizziness or blood pressure drops."

3. Listen to your body — and don’t ignore warning signs.

"If you feel chest discomfort, unusual shortness of breath, dizziness, or palpitations, stop immediately and seek medical attention," Dr. Wamil advises. "These symptoms could signal a heart problem, especially in people who haven’t been active for a while."

4. Stay hydrated and dress appropriately for the weather.

"Dehydration and overheating can put extra strain on the heart, especially in older adults," Dr. Wamil says. "Wear layers you can remove as you warm up, and drink water regularly even if you don’t feel thirsty."

5. If you have known heart disease or risk factors, talk to your doctor before starting a new physical-demanding activity.

"People with high blood pressure, diabetes, or a history of heart conditions should check in with their healthcare provider before beginning more vigorous outdoor tasks," explains Dr. Wamil, whose tools to diagnose a variety of heart diseases include cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (cardiac MRI). "A tailored plan can keep you safe and active."

###

About Mayo Clinic Healthcare
Mayo Clinic Healthcare, located in London, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mayo Clinic, a not-for-profit academic medical center. Mayo Clinic is top ranked by U.S. News & World Report in more specialties than any other hospital for a reason: quality of care. Mayo Clinic Healthcare is the U.K.'s front door to that unparalleled experience. Visit Mayo Clinic Healthcare for more information.

Media contact:

• Sharon Theimer, Mayo Clinic Communications, newsbureau@mayo.edu

The post Springing into action after a sedentary season? Here’s how to protect your heart appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago — Mayo Clinic has opened a patient information office in Trinidad and Tobago to assist patients and their families, referring physicians, health insurers and others interested in engaging with Mayo. The office is Mayo Clinic's second in the Caribbean.

The office staff will help patients make appointments at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota; Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona; Jacksonville, Florida; and Mayo Clinic Healthcare in London.

The staff will also assist with travel, lodging, billing, and insurance arrangements; provide general orientation to Mayo Clinic; facilitate Mayo review of medical records; and coordinate future appointments. The office does not provide medical care.

Mayo Clinic previously launched a patient information office in the Dominican Republic. Together, the two offices will assist patients throughout the Caribbean region.

"The new office in Trinidad and Tobago, like Mayo's office in the Dominican Republic, will play an essential role helping Mayo Clinic provide a seamless experience for patients before, during and after their care at Mayo," says Jorge Pascual, M.D., a pulmonary medicine physician at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, and Mayo Clinic executive medical director of the Americas. "The office staff will also facilitate engagement with insurance companies, insurance brokers, referring physicians and others who wish to connect with Mayo."

Mayo Clinic excels in caring for patients with serious, complex or undiagnosed conditions. Mayo care teams work together to provide an outstanding patient experience, including coordinated appointment schedules; all specialists, tests and procedures under one roof; one personal physician coordinating a patient's care; smooth communication; and a healing environment. The care team partners with patients and respects individual needs and preferences. 

The office staff may be reached by email at trinidadtobagooff@mayo.edu. Learn more here.  

Mayo accepts appointment requests directly from patients and patient referrals from physicians. Interpreters are available at no cost to assist with communication between healthcare providers and patients whose primary language is not English.

Mayo Clinic is ranked the best hospital in the world by Newsweek and is top ranked in more specialties than any other hospital in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report. In 2024, Mayo cared for patients from every U.S. state and 135 countries.

Mayo Clinic has patient information offices in roughly 15 countries around the world.

###

About Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education and research, and providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news.

Media contact:

• Sharon Theimer, Mayo Clinic Communications, newsbureau@mayo.edu

The post Mayo Clinic opens patient information office in Trinidad and Tobago  appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

MONTERREY, Mexico — Mayo Clinic has opened a patient information office in Monterrey to assist patients and their families, referring physicians, insurance companies and brokers and others interested in connecting with Mayo. The office is Mayo Clinic's second in Mexico, joining a patient information office in Mexico City that opened in 1998.

The Monterrey office staff, fluent in Spanish and English, will help patients make appointments at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota; Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona; Jacksonville, Florida; and Mayo Clinic Healthcare in London.

"The addition of a Mayo Clinic office in Monterrey reflects Mayo Clinic’s longstanding engagement with patients and healthcare providers in Mexico," says Jorge Pascual, M.D., a pulmonary medicine physician at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, and Mayo Clinic executive medical director of the Americas. "The services the office staff will provide support and further Mayo Clinic's mission to provide an unparalleled patient experience and to serve as a resource for patients and healthcare organizations in Mexico and around the world."

The office staff will assist with travel, lodging, billing and insurance arrangements; provide general orientation to Mayo Clinic; facilitate Mayo review of medical records; and coordinate future appointments. The office does not provide medical care.

The office staff may be reached by email at MonterreyOffice@mayo.edu or by phone at 52-81-3404-8502. The office is located at Av. Ricardo Margain Zozaya 335, Floor 4 and 5, Zona Santa Engracia, 66265, San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon. Learn more here. 

Mayo Clinic has patient information offices throughout the region, including Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Peru and Uruguay.

Mayo Clinic accepts appointment requests directly from patients and patient referrals from physicians. Interpreters are available at no cost to assist with communication between healthcare providers and patients whose primary language is not English.

Mayo Clinic is ranked the best hospital in the world by Newsweek and is top ranked in more specialties than any other hospital in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report. In 2024, Mayo cared for patients from every U.S. state and 135 countries.

Mayo Clinic’s ties to Mexico date back more than a century.

In 1923, Dr. William J. Mayo was made an honorary member of the National Academy of Medicine in Mexico, and roughly eight years later, his brother, fellow Mayo Clinic co-founder Dr. Charles H. Mayo, received the honor.

Professional ties between Mayo Clinic and the Mexican medical community continued to grow over the ensuing decades. The first Mexican physician to train at Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education began his residency in 1925, and since 1966 more than 60 Mexican physicians have trained at Mayo Clinic and now practice in Mexico.

###

About Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education and research, and providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news.

Media contact:

• Sharon Theimer, Mayo Clinic Communications, newsbureau@mayo.edu

The post Mayo Clinic opens patient information office in Monterrey, its second in Mexico appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

ROCHESTER, Minnesota — Dr. Eric Moore has been appointed medical director, International at Mayo Clinic. Dr. Moore will begin his new position in April.

Dr. Moore exemplifies dedication to patient care and is globally recognized as a leader in his field. He brings more than three decades of experience in clinical care, education and research to the role. He is a professor and chair of the Department of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery at Mayo Clinic in Rochester.

Dr. Moore is known for advancing care for complex ear, nose and throat conditions and leveraging research expertise to innovate therapies. He is passionate about sharing knowledge and expertise to improve global healthcare. Dr. Moore is a pioneer in minimally invasive transoral robotic surgery and has improved outcomes for patients with HPV-related cancers and oropharyngeal cancers.

As a dedicated mentor, Dr. Moore has contributed to otolaryngology education and received multiple awards for his work. He is a five-time recipient of the Mayo Fellows Teacher of the Year Award.

Before joining Mayo Clinic, Dr. Moore was a major in the U.S. Air Force. He attended medical school at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia and completed residency training at Mayo and a fellowship in Austria.

###

About Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education and research, and providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news.

Media contact:

• Elizabeth Baxter, Mayo Clinic Communications, newsbureau@mayo.edu

The post Dr. Eric Moore appointed medical director, International at Mayo Clinic appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

February is Heart Month in many countries

LONDON — You may have heard that people who feel faint should sit with their heads between their knees, but is that true? And how can you tell whether you or someone else who has fainted should go to the emergency department or perhaps even see a cardiologist? Elijah Behr, M.D., a cardiologist at Mayo Clinic Healthcare in London, explains five things it is important to know about fainting.

Fainting or blacking out, also known as syncope, is a temporary loss of consciousness due to insufficient blood flow to the brain.  

There are different types of syncope

Vasovagal syncope is the medical term for the most benign kind of fainting, simple fainting without a serious underlying cause, Dr. Behr explains. This type of fainting is common.

"In some people, if they have a drop in blood pressure from emotional distress, pain, illness or dehydration, for example, or just generally have a low blood pressure, any provocation causes a reflex in the heart," Dr. Behr says. "Rather than the heart speeding up and pumping more forcefully to maintain the blood pressure, it starts to slow down. The blood pressure drops, the heart rate slows further, and the heart can pause for many seconds; sometimes close to a minute for some people who have more severe fainting episodes."

Usually with this type of fainting, the person falls to the floor, blood pressure returns to the brain and the person starts to recover. However, if someone faints in a vulnerable location or vulnerable position, it can be dangerous to that person and others, Dr. Behr notes.

The syncope that most concerns healthcare professionals is cardiac syncope, blacking out due to an underlying heart disease such as a heart rhythm abnormality, or arrhythmia, he explains.

"This is usually a more abrupt loss and return of consciousness than in simple fainting. If you're older, you're more likely to have underlying heart disease that you may or may not be aware of. That's one of the reasons to be more concerned about loss of consciousness in older individuals," Dr. Behr says. "Young people can also have heart diseases that can cause cardiac syncope that may be a warning sign of something more serious to come, so it is important to investigate it."

Others for whom a blackout can be a warning sign of a serious heart problem include people with a family history of inherited heart problems, unexplained deaths or premature sudden deaths; people whose fainting is related to exercise; and people whose fainting is associated with heart palpitations or the heart feeling like it's racing away, he adds.

Before a simple faint, you might experience one or more signs that you should sit or lie down

"There will be a sensation of lightheadedness. There may be a sensation of nausea or buzzing or ringing in the ears," Dr. Behr says. "Some people describe tunnel vision — their vision closing in on them before they actually pass out — and some may actually lose vision but still be aware, not lose consciousness completely, and then recover. Other typical signs include feeling sweaty and clammy."

Some people get about a half-hour of warnings before fainting; some people may get 30 seconds, he adds.

What to do if you faint or someone else does:

• Check that the person is breathing and has a pulse. If not, call for emergency help, and if you know how to provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation, initiate it.
• If the person is still breathing and has a pulse, ensure they are lying flat, and their airway is open using the recovery position and call for help.
• If you feel like a faint may be coming on, position your head lower than your heart: for example, between the knees.
• Rest after coming out of the faint.
• Drink water after the faint, adding electrolytes if you have them.

"If your blood pressure is getting low and you're getting those symptoms, it means the blood doesn't get into your brain, and if your heart is trying to push the blood to your brain against gravity, then it's struggling. You really need to get your head level or below your heart so the blood pressure gets back to the brain, and that will avert all the symptoms and the vicious cycle that ensues," Dr. Behr advises. "Get your head between your knees or lie down and put your head down and your feet up in the air, depending on where you are and what is feasible to do."

Getting up and walking around straight away is probably the worst thing to do, he warns.

"Your blood pressure will drop further, and you’ll feel worse, and collapse and fall and injure yourself," Dr. Behr says. "The best thing is to stay where you are and get flat, and when you're feeling better, drink some water, maybe with some electrolytes if you're dehydrated. For general preventive measures, we advise most people who have fainted to drink more water and to sometimes add a bit of salt to their food, because generally they're running a low blood pressure."

Sometimes, getting hydrated and adding salt to the diet may not be enough. Occasionally people need to take medications to improve blood pressure control and increase blood pressure to prevent fainting episodes, Dr. Behr says.

When to seek medical help

"If somebody has had simple fainting with the clear precipitants that I described, it is best to have a chat with your GP (your primary care physician) to talk about it. Particularly if it's a first onset of symptoms, it's best not to ignore it," Dr. Behr says. "Often people go to the emergency department after a first faint, which I think is very fair to do and I would encourage."

If someone has had simple faints before, the circumstances that bring them on are typical for them and they have been evaluated by their primary care physician or a cardiologist before, they may not need to go to the emergency department every time, he adds.

The more concerning situations are older people having faints where other conditions may also be having an effect, people who are having recurrent faints despite keeping well hydrated, if there has been an injury due to a faint, and if the blackout comes on abruptly and with other signs that there may be an underlying cardiac condition.

"We need to make sure that they are treated and that something else isn't being missed," Dr. Behr says. "Also, sometimes faints can look like seizures. They can cause fitting activity, and differentiating a seizure and epilepsy from fainting requires involvement of a cardiologist and neurologist."

If you faint at the sight of blood, you may be able to condition yourself not to

"It's very common, but it can be surmounted by various means," Dr. Behr says.

For example, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) may help, he suggests. In CBT, you work with a mental health counselor such as a psychotherapist or therapist to become aware of inaccurate or negative thinking, so you can view challenging situations more clearly and respond to them more effectively.

###

About Mayo Clinic Healthcare
Mayo Clinic Healthcare, located in London, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mayo Clinic, a not-for-profit academic medical center. Mayo Clinic is top ranked by U.S. News & World Report in more specialties than any other hospital for a reason: quality of care. Mayo Clinic Healthcare is the U.K.'s front door to that unparalleled experience. Visit Mayo Clinic Healthcare for more information.

Media contact:

• Sharon Theimer, Mayo Clinic Communications, newsbureau@mayo.edu

The post 5 things to know about fainting: The heart’s role and when it may signal a serious condition appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

DUBAI — American Hospital Dubai, a distinguished member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network and the globally renowned Mayo Clinic, announced an enhanced collaboration marking a milestone in advancing healthcare delivery, medical education, and research in Dubai and the region.

The announcement was made at Arab Health 2025, the healthcare industry's premier event being held in Dubai from Jan. 27-30, 2025, at the World Trade Centre.

The strengthened relationship between American Hospital Dubai and Mayo Clinic underscores the shared vision of both institutions to transform patient care, promotes innovation, and further fortifies Dubai’s position as a global leader in healthcare excellence.

The enhanced collaboration will focus on optimizing clinical practices, improving operational efficiencies at American Hospital Dubai, and integrating cutting-edge technology to elevate the quality of care. A cornerstone of this relationship is establishing Dubai’s first Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) medical school, designed with guidance from the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science. This transformative initiative will nurture healthcare leaders and set regional medical education benchmarks.

The establishment of the new medical school is a pivotal achievement, reflecting the shared vision of advancing education and innovation. The medical school’s curriculum, aligned with global best practices, will feature state-of-the-art facilities, faculty development programs, and immersive learning experiences.

As a Mayo Clinic Care Network member since 2013, American Hospital Dubai has leveraged its unique access to Mayo Clinic's knowledge and expertise to enhance its clinical capabilities and ensure world-class patient care. This strengthened collaboration builds on that foundation, forging new paths, including developing a healthcare simulation center for advanced medical training, streamlining workflows to boost operational efficiency, and enhancing subspecialty service lines to address complex medical needs, further cementing American Hospital Dubai's position as a leading healthcare provider in the region.

American Hospital Dubai's enhanced relationship with Mayo Clinic extends to research and innovation and Mayo Clinic’s expertise will help American Hospital Dubai establish a clinical research infrastructure. Mayo Clinic will also assist American Hospital Dubai with optimizing resources, integrating research and clinical operations, and developing new treatment protocols aligning with international standards. Mayo Clinic will also assist American Hospital Dubai to enhance its patient-first approach through clinical and operational advancements, streamlined workflows, and comprehensive care under one roof, which will assist in fostering patient trust and satisfaction, ensuring patients in Dubai and the broader region access advanced care without travelling abroad. It will support the UAE's long-term healthcare sustainability and innovation goals and reinforce Dubai's commitment to becoming a global hub for medical tourism and healthcare excellence.

Sherif Beshara, Group CEO of American Hospital Dubai, welcomed the deepening ties between Mayo Clinic and American Hospital Dubai. "We are excited to take our collaboration with Mayo Clinic to new heights. Clinical excellence and education are partners in enabling transformative healthcare. Our expanded scope is committed to setting new benchmarks in patient care by enhancing clinical practices and promoting education and research. American Hospital Dubai will continue its mission to further enhance Dubai’s status as a global hub in medical excellence and knowledge building.”

Speaking on the collaboration, Jorge Pascual, M.D., pulmonologist and Interim President of Mayo Clinic International, emphasized the collaboration’s significance in advancing healthcare standards in Dubai and beyond. "By combining Mayo Clinic's expertise with American Hospital Dubai's capabilities and vision, we deliver innovative solutions that elevate patient care while establishing new medical education and research benchmarks. This collaboration reflects our mutual commitment to improving healthcare outcomes for the benefit of patients and communities."

Biju Samkutty, Chief Operating Officer of Mayo Clinic International and Enterprise Automation, highlighted the significance of this initiative: "The establishment of this medical school is a testament to our shared commitment to clinical and educational excellence. By integrating high-quality education with exceptional patient care, we are shaping a future where innovation and compassion define healthcare."

###

About American Hospital Dubai
American Hospital Dubai, established in 1996, is the flagship brand of the Mohammad & Obaid AlMulla Group and a regional healthcare leader, offering world-class medical services supported by cutting-edge technology and innovations. A Mayo Clinic Network Member (MCNM) with many firsts in international accreditations, American Hospital Dubai invests in AI, Research, and Education to bring new healthcare solutions to the people. The hospital has consistently set standards in quality treatments, processes and patient-focused care benchmarks, and its research breakthroughs help improve medical efficiency and care outcomes.

About Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education and research, and providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news.

Media contact:        

• Elizabeth Baxter, Mayo Clinic Communications, newsbureau@mayo.edu

The post Mayo Clinic and American Hospital Dubai Strengthen Collaboration to Transform Healthcare and Medical Education in Dubai appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.