Vet Candy: Mindfulness with paced breathing and lowering blood pressure

According to the American Stroke Association (ASA) and the American Heart Association (AHA), more than 100 million Americans have high blood pressure. Elevated blood pressure is a major avoidable cause of premature morbidity and mortality in the United States and worldwide due primarily to increased risks of stroke and heart attacks. Elevated blood pressure is the most important major and modifiable risk factor to reduce stroke. In fact, small but sustained reductions in blood pressure reduce risks of stroke and heart attacks. Therapeutic lifestyle changes of weight loss and salt reduction as well as adjunctive drug therapies are beneficial to treat and prevent high blood pressure. 

Mindfulness is increasingly practiced as a technique to reduce stress through mind and body interactions. In some instances, mindfulness includes paced breathing defined as deep and diaphragmatic with slow rates typically about five to seven per minute compared with the usual rate of 12 to 14. Researchers from Florida Atlantic University's Schmidt College of Medicine and collaborators have published a paper in the journal Medical Hypotheses, exploring the possibility that mindfulness with paced breathing reduces blood pressure.

Click to read more ...

Andy Roark hosts 2021 College of Veterinary Medicine Virtual Graduation

 

Calling all soon-to-be graduating doctors and your families!

You've been cordially invited to attend the 2021 College of Veterinary Medicine Virtual Graduation on May 23, 2021 at 5:00PM EST (2:00 PM PST), hosted by Andy Roark! Please register using this link - don't miss this unique opportunity! 

VIN Topic Rounds

Are you missing out on clinical rotations because of COVID-19? The VIN Student Team has you covered with Tuesday Topic Rounds.  During the month of May, join Amanda Guthrie, DVM, MRCVS, DACZM, DECZM for 30 minute, case-based sessions on Zoo Medicine every Tuesday at 12ET. Everyone and all levels of experience are welcome. There will be time for Q&A and discussion following. The next session is Zoo Medicine: Mammal Cases on May 4, 2021 at 12 ET.

In this rounds:

• Recognize and understand a few of the most common diseases of zoo mammals.
• Learn how to work up zoo mammal cases in a systematic manner.
• Discuss zoo mammal diagnostics and treatment options.
• Consider zoo mammal disease prevention and the wider significance to the herd or collection, emphasizing the individual vs. the group.

TO JOIN THE SESSION, LOG INTO THE VIN STUDENT CENTER AND CLICK THE GREEN BUTTON IN THE TOP RIGHT

The Veterinary Information Network (VIN) is here to help you as a vet student – especially during this worldwide pandemic. Membership is always free as a student!

NAVLE Prep and FAQ's

Calling all soon-to-be NAVLE-takers!  Take a look at this awesome and informative infographic provided by the ICVA to help you navigate the road to the NAVLE!

VIN Topic Rounds

Are you missing out on clinical rotations because of COVID-19? The VIN Student Team has you covered with Tuesday Topic Rounds.  During the month of April, join Emilia Wong Gordon, DVM, DABVP (Shelter Medicine) for 30 minute, case-based sessions on Shelter Medicine every Tuesday at 12ET. Everyone and all levels of experience are welcome. There will be time for Q&A and discussion following. The next session is A Tale of Two URI Outbreaks, Part 2: A Sustainable Solution on April 27, 2021 at 12 ET.

In this rounds:

• Briefly review feline URI, differentials for clinical disease, and the role of stress.
• Work through a diagnostic investigation for a primary viral agent, including interpretation of population-level PCR panel results.
• Go beyond biosecurity and stress mitigation and uncover what matters most to cats in shelter confinement … and how chronic URI in a shelter can be permanently solved.

TO JOIN THE SESSION, LOG INTO THE VIN STUDENT CENTER AND CLICK THE GREEN BUTTON IN THE TOP RIGHT

The Veterinary Information Network (VIN) is here to help you as a vet student – especially during this worldwide pandemic. Membership is always free as a student!