Cancer, stroke, bone loss among diseases and conditions studied in microgravity

JACKSONVILLE, Florida — Mayo Clinic physician and researcher Dr. Abba Zubair’s work combines two passions — medicine and space — for the benefit of astronauts and people on Earth. His research in space is yielding discoveries in cancer, stroke, bone loss and more. In this expert alert, Dr. Zubair answers five questions about his studies in microgravity.

What are you hoping to accomplish through your research?

"The goal is to harness the uniqueness of the space environment for the betterment of humanity, be it on Earth or in space," Dr. Zubair says."We wanted to take advantage of the environment at the International Space Station to study how it affects human physiology."

The absence of gravity and the impacts of radiation and vacuum are three fundamental aspects of the uniqueness of space, adds Dr. Zubair, who has sent three research projects to the International Space Station (ISS) since 2017, with more to come.

As a regenerative biotherapeutics specialist, Dr. Zubair's work focuses in part on adult stem cells — known as mesenchymal stem cells —and their use in future treatments for stroke. He noted that he uses stem cells in regenerative medicine and in supporting Mayo's bone marrow transplant program.

"I also know how challenging it is to grow them in the lab. One of the first fundamentals is to see how the absence of gravity influences how stem cells divide and the growth rate," Dr. Zubair explains. "We wanted to see whether cells grown in space are any better or grow faster than cells grown in the lab. When we did our first space flight, we had a really interesting finding, because we realized that the absence of gravity affects stem cells, but it depends on the type of stem cells."  

That led Dr. Zubair to another project on the ISS: studying how mesenchymal stem cells, the precursor for bone-forming cells, play a role in bone formation or osteoporosis, bone loss. He notes that astronauts tend to lose bone density despite rigorous exercise. 

How might your research benefit people with cancer?

Dr. Zubair is also studying how leukemia stem cells, the cells that form the seed of this blood cancer, respond to the space environment.

"We are also working to understand the impact of space radiation, from the angle of how we can mitigate the effect of radiation and prevent cancer," Dr. Zubair says. "In the long run, we really want to protect astronauts, especially during long-term space travel, such as to Mars, where they would be deep in space and away from any magnetic field protection that we get from Earth."

The research also may benefit people on Earth by revealing how to protect stem cells or cells in general when there is radiation exposure, such as nuclear accidents, he adds.

In addition, Dr. Zubair's space research could have implications for CAR-T treatment, bone marrow transplants or other therapies for cancer patients.

"If we can understand how stem cells in space, especially hematopoietic stem cells (cells that live in the bone marrow and produce cells that function in the blood), expand and differentiate to make immune cells like T cells, microphages, we will learn how to make them more efficiently," Dr. Zubair says.

You've remarked that you can envision a time when people might go into space to receive certain medical treatments. How would that work, and might it be possible to simulate microgravity for those treatments on Earth?

If cells proliferate more in space, for example if cancer cells go into what is called cell cycle and multiply abnormally when they proliferate, then chemotherapy will be more effective, Dr. Zubair says.

"If that is the case, that absence of gravity can induce leukemia cells or other cancer cells to go into cell cycle, that makes them susceptible to chemotherapy," he explains. "So instead of giving the chemo on Earth, you might go into space where the absence of gravity makes the cancer cells more vulnerable to chemotherapy. That would be one more reason to go to space. That is definitely something that I would love to explore."

It would be difficult to create a comparable microgravity environment on Earth, but technically, it could be done, Dr. Zubair adds.

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"Microgravity on Earth is basically like going into a swimming pool, a state of buoyancy where you are kind of in suspension; the gravity is canceled out by the effect of the water," he says. "Now, obviously it wouldn't be pleasant to be in water for quite some time. In the lab, we use a microgravity simulator where cells are suspended. It would be interesting if you could do the same for a human being."

What attracted you to space research?

Dr. Zubair grew up in Kano, Nigeria, and remembers gazing at the night sky as a child.

"As far back as I can remember, I was always fascinated by what is out there in space. Looking at the moon and all the stars, and really that ignites my passion for space and space exploration," Dr. Zubair says.

Dr. Zubair's first dream was to become an astronaut, but an adviser in high school counseled him to find a more practical career, and he pursued medicine.

What's next?

One of Dr. Zubair's next two payloads to the International Space Station, not yet scheduled for launch, will examine whether umbilical cord blood cells, rich in stem cells and potential therapeutic value, can be expanded. Another study will explore different cell types that participate in bone formation and whether the problem of bone loss in space can be alleviated through use of a special compound. 

"If it works, then definitely we will see how we can treat patients with osteoporosis, particularly women, cancer patients, or people who are bedridden for a long time and are not weight-bearing, which affects their bone," Dr. Zubair says.

Dr. Zubair notes that all of his space experiments are done in parallel on Earth with identical cells to compare the two results and validate the findings from space.

 "I really think there is a lot out there that is just waiting for us to explore and use," he says. "And that's why I do what I do."

Dr. Zubair has been honored by NASA with the Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal for demonstrating that human-derived mesenchymal stem cells grown aboard the International Space Station could be used for potential clinical applications.

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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

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BUCARAMANGA, Colombia, and ROCHESTER, Minnesota — Hospital Internacional de Colombia (HIC) and Mayo Clinic announced that HIC in Bucaramanga has joined the Mayo Clinic Care Network. HIC is the first hospital in Colombia and in South America to join the network, a group of carefully vetted health care organizations with special access to Mayo Clinic's knowledge and expertise.

HIC is one of the highest-rated medical institutions in Latin America and recipient of the Five-Star Global Hospital Rating by Newsweek and Statista.

With the formal signing of the agreement, HIC becomes part of a select group. Created in 2011, the Mayo Clinic Care Network has roughly 45 member organizations across the United States and in Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East.  

To select network  members, Mayo Clinic conducts a thorough evaluation process that includes an in-depth review of each institution’s clinical and business practices, quality, safety, and service efforts. HIC and other members of the Mayo Clinic Care Network remain independent.

“The agreement with Mayo Clinic represents a significant achievement—not only for our institution, but also for Colombia and the entire region. This milestone is the result of more than a year of continuous work, and today we are proud to announce that we are part of the Mayo Clinic Care Network. We take on the responsibility of evolving our care model by progressively incorporating its guidelines into our clinical protocols, workforce training, and safety standards,” said Dr. Víctor Raúl Castillo Mantilla, President of the Hospital Internacional de Colombia – FCV.

Objectives include further strengthening HIC’s diagnostic and treatment capabilities in key areas such as oncology and cardiology, while also enhancing medical training and overall quality of care, Dr. Castillo added.

“Mayo Clinic is pleased to welcome HIC to the Mayo Clinic Care Network,” said Dr. Eric Moore, medical director, Mayo Clinic International, and chair of head and neck surgery at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. “We look forward to working together to develop innovative solutions to advance our common purpose: high-quality, patient-centered care.

Among projects planned, Mayo Clinic will conduct a comprehensive review of HIC’s breast cancer care and offer guidance on best practices in areas including diagnostics, clinical protocols, workflows, and quality. Both institutions will also explore the integration of additional innovative technologies into patient care.

Benefits of Joining the Mayo Clinic Care Network

Through membership in the Mayo Clinic Care Network, HIC physicians have access to Mayo Clinic clinical tools and services, including:

• AskMayoExpert

This point-of-care tool offers concise clinical information on hundreds of medical conditions and includes treatment recommendations, clinical protocols, and medical references. The database can be used wherever care is provided.

• eBoards

These live, scheduled video conferences allow member hospital medical teams to review and discuss complex cases with a multidisciplinary panel from Mayo Clinic and other physicians across the Mayo Clinic Care Network.

• Healthcare Consulting

Member hospitals can access Mayo Clinic’s extensive experience, knowledge, and subspecialty expertise to achieve clinical, operational, and business goals.

HIC personnel will also benefit from Mayo Clinic’s patient education materials, professional development opportunities, and continuing medical education. In addition, they will have access to Mayo Clinic-verified medical information through an online database. These tools—along with clinical consulting—will help HIC continue delivering outstanding care to its patients.

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About HIC:

The Hospital Internacional de Colombia (HIC) is one of Latin America’s top-ranked medical institutions, recognized among the Top 10 hospitals in the region by Latam Business Conference (LBC) and awarded the Five Stars Global Hospital Rating by Newsweek and Statista. As a core part of the FCV ecosystem, HIC is located in Bucaramanga, a city in northeastern Colombia, situated in the Andes mountains and approximately 250 miles from the capital, Bogotá.

HIC operates two campuses: a high-complexity medical center with more than 60 specialties, and the Cardiovascular Institute — the facility that marked the start of the hospital’s growth. With its specialized medical divisions and advanced care centers, HIC delivers comprehensive, high-complexity services. Its integrated approach combines patient-centered care, cutting-edge technology, and a strong focus on innovation, research, and medical education.

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:

• Yira Guerrero, FCV Head of Press and Protocol, yiraguerrero@fcv.org, +57 322 5251793
• Pilar Salcedo, FCV International Public Relations Specialist, internationalpr@fcv.org, +1 854236 9726
• Sharon Theimer, Mayo Clinic Communications, newsbureau@mayo.edu

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Mayo Clinic Healthcare cardiologist offers simple tips to maximize health at outdoor events

LONDON — Festival season can be surprisingly physically demanding. Hours spent standing, walking or dancing can put extra strain on the heart, especially for those with preexisting conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure or diabetes, explains Gosia Wamil, M.D., Ph.D., a cardiologist at Mayo Clinic Healthcare in London.

For people with heart failure, this can lead to shortness of breath or a worsening of symptoms. For those with coronary artery disease, in which the major vessels that supply blood to your heart become narrowed or blocked, sudden intense activity can trigger chest pain or even a heart attack, Dr. Wamil says.

"Key warning signs of heart distress at festivals include chest pain or pressure, shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea, cold sweats, or fainting," Dr. Wamil adds. "These symptoms should never be ignored, and immediate medical help should be sought if they occur."

Noise exposure at outdoor concerts, carnivals and other events also can affect heart health.

"Short-term, loud noise can trigger the body's 'fight or flight' response, raising blood pressure and heart rate," Dr. Wamil says. "Long-term, chronic noise exposure has been shown to increase the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease."

Overindulging in alcohol, caffeine or salty food poses another serious risk. It can trigger holiday heart syndrome, in which even healthy individuals develop an irregular heartbeat, or atrial fibrillation, Dr. Wamil says.

"Alcohol is a direct toxin to the heart muscle and can cause a sudden rise in blood pressure," she explains. "For those with existing heart conditions, binge drinking can trigger heart failure or even a heart attack."

People with diabetes or heart disease should plan ahead when attending festivals and other events, advises Dr. Wamil, who specializes in the link between diabetes and heart disease. It's important to take medications on time, bring medical identification and carry essential supplies, such as snacks, water and a list of medications.

Keeping blood sugar stable with healthy food choices and staying hydrated can help prevent complications. Comfortable shoes and regular rest breaks are also key, especially for those with neuropathy or fatigue.

"If you have a heart condition or other serious medical issue, staying near the edge of crowds is a sensible precaution. It allows quicker access to medical help and an easier way out if needed," Dr. Wamil suggests. "Crowded environments can lead to overheating, anxiety or unexpected physical exertion, so choosing a shaded, quieter area can reduce risk."

For everyone, staying healthy during festival season means hydrating often, especially with water, and seeking out shade on hot days.

"Try to balance fun with rest, and include healthy foods when possible," Dr. Wamil says. "Protect yourself from the sun, pace your activities, and keep your phone charged in case of emergencies."

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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

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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.

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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
  
  

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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.

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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
  
  

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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.

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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.

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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

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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."

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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

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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.

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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

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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.

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Media contact:

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

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