Tanya Dutt

Self-Sabotage: Why You Might Be Hindering Your Own Progress

While it can seem shocking that individuals would actively undermine themselves, <span>self-sabotage</span> is a deeply ingrained pattern that can stem from various psychological, emotional, or environmental factors. It can manifest in different ways depending on the person and situation. 

Think about it: why might someone intentionally procrastinate on a goal they’ve set, or avoid a meaningful commitment, even if it has the potential for long-term benefits? Often, these behaviors are an attempt to avoid discomfort, fear of failure, or even <span>fear of success</span>. 

Self-sabotage isn’t a random behavior; it arises from a complex mix of factors. There are both conscious and unconscious reasons behind this behavior, and understanding these triggers can help people recognize patterns and work toward positive change. 

<h4>Conscious vs. Unconscious Self-Sabotaging</h4> 

Conscious self-sabotage involves deliberate actions that derail progress. For instance, a dieter might decide to binge on ice cream despite knowing it undermines their goal. In contrast, unconscious self-sabotage is much subtler. For example, an individual might miss a work deadline out of fear of failure, even though at first glance it may seem like mere forgetfulness or time mismanagement. 

<h4>Influence of Childhood Experiences</h4> 

Your formative years play a major role in shaping patterns of behavior. Those who grew up in dysfunctional or unstable family environments may develop attachment issues or internal beliefs that contribute to self-sabotaging behavior. An example might include having parents who undermined your confidence by emphasizing your shortcomings or doubting your abilities. These experiences can lead you to unconsciously hold yourself back, fearing failure or rejection. 

Difficulty in romantic relationships can lead to patterns of self-sabotage. For instance, individuals who’ve faced emotional rejection or toxicity in prior relationships may engage in sabotaging behaviors in new relationships to protect themselves from potential heartbreak. This could involve cheating, withdrawing emotionally, or unnecessarily ending relationships prematurely. 

According to a study involving Australian psychologists, many of these behaviors in romantic settings stem from fear, low self-worth, or unresolved trauma. This fear can lead individuals to prioritize short-term emotional safety over long-term emotional intimacy. 

<h4><span rel="noindex">Cognitive Dissonance</span> and the Conflict of Beliefs</h4> 

Cognitive dissonance refers to the mental discomfort experienced when someone holds conflicting beliefs or values. People struggling with cognitive dissonance may unknowingly sabotage their own efforts because their actions contradict their internal beliefs. For example, an individual might be preparing to marry someone they love but struggles with doubts stemming from their family history of failed relationships. Despite a desire to build a happy life, these fears might lead them to engage in self-destructive behaviors. 

<h2>Common Reasons Behind Self-Sabotaging Behavior</h2> 

Many self-sabotaging behaviors stem from deeper psychological fears and unresolved emotions. Recognizing these reasons can empower individuals to address them head-on. Some of the most common causes include: 

<h4><span rel="noindex">Imposter Syndrome</span></h4>

Imposter syndrome can leave individuals doubting their own accomplishments and feeling like a "fraud." Despite their education, experience, and success, those with imposter syndrome fear being discovered as inadequate. This fear can lead to procrastination, avoiding opportunities, or giving up on tasks altogether, as they would rather not risk the possibility of failure. 

<h4>Ambivalence and Fear of Decision-Making</h4> 

Being stuck in a state of ambivalence—where a person is unsure about making choices—can also lead to self-sabotage. Avoiding a choice can feel safer than committing to the unknown, especially if all options seem stressful or uncertain. Self-sabotage offers a form of relief by removing the need to make that tough decision, even if it means remaining stagnant. 

Fear of success is a surprising but common cause of self-sabotage. Success brings with it change, responsibility, risk, and the unknown. Some people fear the pressure that comes with success and sabotage themselves as a way of avoiding these expectations. Success may force individuals to adapt to new environments, relationships, or expectations, all of which can be overwhelming. 

Self-sabotaging behavior can emerge when you fear the disapproval of others. This fear can be so strong that you unconsciously avoid working toward goals to avoid potential scrutiny, failure, or rejection. 

<h4>Avoidance of <span rel="noindex">Emotional Pain</span></h4> 

Avoidance is a key driver of self-sabotage. When a person expects emotional pain—such as rejection, failure, or disappointment—they may choose behaviors that prevent them from confronting those feelings directly. 

<h2>How to Stop Self-Sabotaging Behavior </h2>

Recognizing patterns is the first step toward overcoming them. Once you understand the causes of your self-sabotaging behaviors, you can take active steps to break the cycle. Here are a few strategies:

<ul><li>Self-Awareness: Start by acknowledging the triggers behind your actions. Journaling can help identify patterns over time. </li><li>Therapy: Working with a <span rel="noindex">mental health</span> professional can provide clarity on the origins of self-sabotage and provide you with coping strategies. </li><li>Practice Mindfulness: Mindfulness and meditation can help you reduce anxiety and improve emotional regulation. </li><li>Set Realistic Goals: Unrealistic expectations lead to feelings of overwhelm. Break goals into small, achievable steps. </li><li>Challenge Cognitive Dissonance: Address internal conflicts by aligning your beliefs and actions through introspection. </li><li>Embrace Success Without Fear: Reframe how you view success—not as a burden but as an opportunity to grow.</li></ul>

Breaking free from the cycle of self-sabotage isn’t about achieving perfection but committing to personal growth and understanding your triggers. With time, consistency, and patience, you can learn to overcome these patterns and move toward the life you truly want to lead. 

Self-sabotage is a common but complex behavior. It can stem from unresolved fears, early childhood experiences, cognitive dissonance, or fears of judgment and success. Recognizing the signs, understanding your triggers, and taking actionable steps can set you on the path to unlocking your full potential. 

Health Conditions A-Z

health

mental health

self-sabotage

causes of self-sabotage

fear of success

cognitive dissonance

imposter syndrome

emotional pain

overcoming self-sabotage

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While it can seem shocking that individuals would actively undermine themselves, self-sabotage is a deeply ingrained pattern that can stem from various psychological, emotional, or environmental factors. It can manifest in different ways depending on the person and situation. Think about it: why might someone intentionally procrastinate on a goal they’ve set, or avoid a meaningful commitment, even if it has the potential for long-term benefits? Often, these behaviors are an attempt to avoid discomfort, fear of failure, or even fear of success. Why Do People Self-Sabotage? Self-sabotage isn’t a random behavior; it arises from a complex mix of factors. There are both conscious and unconscious reasons behind this behavior, and understanding these triggers can help people recognize patterns and work toward positive change. Conscious vs. Unconscious Self-Sabotaging Conscious self-sabotage involves deliberate actions that derail progress. For instance, a dieter might decide to binge on ice cream despite knowing it undermines their goal. In contrast, unconscious self-sabotage is much subtler. For example, an individual might miss a work deadline out of fear of failure, even though at first glance it may seem like mere forgetfulness or time mismanagement. Influence of Childhood Experiences Your formative years play a major role in shaping patterns of behavior. Those who grew up in dysfunctional or unstable family environments may develop attachment issues or internal beliefs that contribute to self-sabotaging behavior. An example might include having parents who undermined your confidence by emphasizing your shortcomings or doubting your abilities. These experiences can lead you to unconsciously hold yourself back, fearing failure or rejection. Struggles in RelationshipsDifficulty in romantic relationships can lead to patterns of self-sabotage. For instance, individuals who’ve faced emotional rejection or toxicity in prior relationships may engage in sabotaging behaviors in new relationships to protect themselves from potential heartbreak. This could involve cheating, withdrawing emotionally, or unnecessarily ending relationships prematurely. According to a study involving Australian psychologists, many of these behaviors in romantic settings stem from fear, low self-worth, or unresolved trauma. This fear can lead individuals to prioritize short-term emotional safety over long-term emotional intimacy. Cognitive Dissonance and the Conflict of Beliefs Cognitive dissonance refers to the mental discomfort experienced when someone holds conflicting beliefs or values. People struggling with cognitive dissonance may unknowingly sabotage their own efforts because their actions contradict their internal beliefs. For example, an individual might be preparing to marry someone they love but struggles with doubts stemming from their family history of failed relationships. Despite a desire to build a happy life, these fears might lead them to engage in self-destructive behaviors. Common Reasons Behind Self-Sabotaging Behavior Many self-sabotaging behaviors stem from deeper psychological fears and unresolved emotions. Recognizing these reasons can empower individuals to address them head-on. Some of the most common causes include: Imposter SyndromeImposter syndrome can leave individuals doubting their own accomplishments and feeling like a "fraud." Despite their education, experience, and success, those with imposter syndrome fear being discovered as inadequate. This fear can lead to procrastination, avoiding opportunities, or giving up on tasks altogether, as they would rather not risk the possibility of failure. Ambivalence and Fear of Decision-Making Being stuck in a state of ambivalence—where a person is unsure about making choices—can also lead to self-sabotage. Avoiding a choice can feel safer than committing to the unknown, especially if all options seem stressful or uncertain. Self-sabotage offers a form of relief by removing the need to make that tough decision, even if it means remaining stagnant. Fear of SuccessFear of success is a surprising but common cause of self-sabotage. Success brings with it change, responsibility, risk, and the unknown. Some people fear the pressure that comes with success and sabotage themselves as a way of avoiding these expectations. Success may force individuals to adapt to new environments, relationships, or expectations, all of which can be overwhelming. Fear of Judgement or RejectionSelf-sabotaging behavior can emerge when you fear the disapproval of others. This fear can be so strong that you unconsciously avoid working toward goals to avoid potential scrutiny, failure, or rejection. Avoidance of Emotional Pain Avoidance is a key driver of self-sabotage. When a person expects emotional pain—such as rejection, failure, or disappointment—they may choose behaviors that prevent them from confronting those feelings directly. How to Stop Self-Sabotaging Behavior Recognizing patterns is the first step toward overcoming them. Once you understand the causes of your self-sabotaging behaviors, you can take active steps to break the cycle. Here are a few strategies:Self-Awareness: Start by acknowledging the triggers behind your actions. Journaling can help identify patterns over time. Therapy: Working with a mental health professional can provide clarity on the origins of self-sabotage and provide you with coping strategies. Practice Mindfulness: Mindfulness and meditation can help you reduce anxiety and improve emotional regulation. Set Realistic Goals: Unrealistic expectations lead to feelings of overwhelm. Break goals into small, achievable steps. Challenge Cognitive Dissonance: Address internal conflicts by aligning your beliefs and actions through introspection. Embrace Success Without Fear: Reframe how you view success—not as a burden but as an opportunity to grow.Breaking free from the cycle of self-sabotage isn’t about achieving perfection but committing to personal growth and understanding your triggers. With time, consistency, and patience, you can learn to overcome these patterns and move toward the life you truly want to lead. Self-sabotage is a common but complex behavior. It can stem from unresolved fears, early childhood experiences, cognitive dissonance, or fears of judgment and success. Recognizing the signs, understanding your triggers, and taking actionable steps can set you on the path to unlocking your full potential. 

self-sabotage: why you might be hindering your own progress

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<span>Pneumonia</span> is one of the most common infections that was responsible for 14% of all deaths in children under the age of five, influencing the death of 740,180 children in 2019. It is a form of acute respiration infection that affects the lungs, making it difficult or painful to breathe. The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention statistics explain that the number of visits to the emergency department due to pneumonia happens to be 1.4 million people in 2021. 

The symptoms and effects of pneumonia can be mild like coughing, shortness of breath to fever, chest pains nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. However, since the infection can be severe, doctors must treat them with urgency. To help them identify severe cases quicker, a new study published in the Lancet May 2025, reveals new models that can help doctors distinguish severe cases from the moderate ones. 

<h2>Can This Help <span rel="noindex">Lower The Risk Of Pneumonia</span> </h2>

The researchers made an interesting discovery about common cold symptoms. They found that if a child has a runny nose and feels stuffed up, they are actually less likely to have a more serious type of pneumonia. In fact, the chances are lower by quite a bit! On the other hand, the study also pointed out some warning signs that suggest a child might have severe pneumonia. 

The research showed that some common cold symptoms, like a runny nose and congestion, actually means a child is less likely (by 41%) to have a more serious form of pneumonia. On the other hand, certain signs like stomach pain, difficulty breathing, a fast heartbeat, and low oxygen levels in the blood point to a higher chance of <span>severe pneumonia in children</span>. 

The study pointed out that doctors haven't had a good way to know for sure which of these children are in danger of getting much sicker. This new research is trying to fix that problem by giving doctors better tools to quickly identify the kids who need the most help right away. 

<h2>Symptoms That <span rel="noindex">Identified Mild from Severe Pneumonia</span> </h2>

The researchers analyzed 2,200 children between the age bracket of 3 months and 14 years of age. The symptoms that were associated with increased risk of moderate or severe pneumonia 

<ul><li>Children with stomach pain had a significantly higher chance (52%) of having moderate or severe pneumonia.</li><li>Kids who wouldn't drink fluids also faced a greater likelihood (57%) of a more serious pneumonia case.</li><li>If a child had already been given antibiotics before coming to the emergency room, their risk of moderate or severe pneumonia was notably higher (64%).</li><li>Labored breathing made the risk of moderate or severe pneumonia almost three times (2.8 times) as high.</li><li>A faster than normal heartbeat also indicated a considerably increased risk (64%) of more serious pneumonia.</li></ul>

<h2>Pneumonia's Impact on Children's Health </h2>

Pneumonia is not just a minor illness; it's actually one of the most common infections that affects children all across the globe. It's also a very frequent reason why children in the United States end up needing to be admitted to the hospital. This shows just how important it is for doctors and scientists to really understand pneumonia and find the best ways to diagnose it, treat it, and even predict how serious it might become for each child who gets it. 

Researchers pointed out that said that while most kids who get pneumonia will thankfully have a milder form of the illness, there's a small group, about 5 out of every 100 children, who will become very sick and might develop serious health problems. It's absolutely crucial for doctors to be able to spot these children very early on. This way, they can start strong and fast treatments to stop their condition from getting worse and potentially causing long-term issues. 

<h2>Impact of This Study On Pneumonia Care </h2>

Being able to tell how severe a child's pneumonia will be doesn't just help the very sick kids. It can also help the kids who are likely to have a milder illness. If doctors can confidently say that a child's pneumonia is not serious, they can avoid doing extra medical tests that might not be needed. They can also prevent the child from having to stay in the hospital if it's not really necessary, which can be a big relief for both the child and their family.

Severe Pneumonia In Children

Pneumonia

Lower The Risk Of Pneumonia

symptoms of Severe Pneumonia

new model to identify Severe Pneumonia

Identified Mild from Severe Pneumonia

Pneumonia is one of the most common infections that was responsible for 14% of all deaths in children under the age of five, influencing the death of 740,180 children in 2019. It is a form of acute respiration infection that affects the lungs, making it difficult or painful to breathe. The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention statistics explain that the number of visits to the emergency department due to pneumonia happens to be 1.4 million people in 2021. The symptoms and effects of pneumonia can be mild like coughing, shortness of breath to fever, chest pains nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. However, since the infection can be severe, doctors must treat them with urgency. To help them identify severe cases quicker, a new study published in the Lancet May 2025, reveals new models that can help doctors distinguish severe cases from the moderate ones. Can This Help Lower The Risk Of Pneumonia The researchers made an interesting discovery about common cold symptoms. They found that if a child has a runny nose and feels stuffed up, they are actually less likely to have a more serious type of pneumonia. In fact, the chances are lower by quite a bit! On the other hand, the study also pointed out some warning signs that suggest a child might have severe pneumonia. The research showed that some common cold symptoms, like a runny nose and congestion, actually means a child is less likely (by 41%) to have a more serious form of pneumonia. On the other hand, certain signs like stomach pain, difficulty breathing, a fast heartbeat, and low oxygen levels in the blood point to a higher chance of severe pneumonia in children. The study pointed out that doctors haven't had a good way to know for sure which of these children are in danger of getting much sicker. This new research is trying to fix that problem by giving doctors better tools to quickly identify the kids who need the most help right away. Symptoms That Identified Mild from Severe Pneumonia The researchers analyzed 2,200 children between the age bracket of 3 months and 14 years of age. The symptoms that were associated with increased risk of moderate or severe pneumonia Children with stomach pain had a significantly higher chance (52%) of having moderate or severe pneumonia.Kids who wouldn't drink fluids also faced a greater likelihood (57%) of a more serious pneumonia case.If a child had already been given antibiotics before coming to the emergency room, their risk of moderate or severe pneumonia was notably higher (64%).Labored breathing made the risk of moderate or severe pneumonia almost three times (2.8 times) as high.A faster than normal heartbeat also indicated a considerably increased risk (64%) of more serious pneumonia.Pneumonia's Impact on Children's Health Pneumonia is not just a minor illness; it's actually one of the most common infections that affects children all across the globe. It's also a very frequent reason why children in the United States end up needing to be admitted to the hospital. This shows just how important it is for doctors and scientists to really understand pneumonia and find the best ways to diagnose it, treat it, and even predict how serious it might become for each child who gets it. Researchers pointed out that said that while most kids who get pneumonia will thankfully have a milder form of the illness, there's a small group, about 5 out of every 100 children, who will become very sick and might develop serious health problems. It's absolutely crucial for doctors to be able to spot these children very early on. This way, they can start strong and fast treatments to stop their condition from getting worse and potentially causing long-term issues. Impact of This Study On Pneumonia Care Being able to tell how severe a child's pneumonia will be doesn't just help the very sick kids. It can also help the kids who are likely to have a milder illness. If doctors can confidently say that a child's pneumonia is not serious, they can avoid doing extra medical tests that might not be needed. They can also prevent the child from having to stay in the hospital if it's not really necessary, which can be a big relief for both the child and their family.

study reveals new models to help doctors distinguish severe pneumonia in children

About 2 Out Of 5 Heart Failure Patients Don’t See A Cardiologist Even Once A Year

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With the modern medicine, timely access to specialized care often makes the difference between life and death. For patients with <span>heart failure</span>, this reality has never been more true but a troubling new study indicates that roughly 40% of individuals with heart failure do not see a cardiologist even once per year despite strong evidence that even one yearly visit would greatly enhance survival.

Published in the European Heart Journal and delivered at the Heart Failure Congress 2025, the research led by Dr. Guillaume Baudry and Professor Nicolas Girerd from the Clinical Investigation Centre at Nancy University Hospital in France indicates that annual cardiology follow-ups are linked to a 24% lower risk of mortality. The results give rise to immediate questions regarding discrepancies in access to specialist care and how health systems everywhere can improve support for heart failure patients.

Heart failure ensues when the heart becomes incapable of circulating blood, usually a result of ailments like coronary artery disease, hypertension, or past heart attacks. Although irreversible in a majority of instances, heart failure can be treated for many decades with the proper medications, lifestyle modifications, and follow-up visits. Cardiologists have the key role in providing this expert care.

While the previous research took its data from a handful of middle-class medical centers, the new study, based on medical records of 655,919 heart failure patients in France, discovered that almost two in five patients saw no cardiologist whatsoever within a 12-month window. And such minimal contact has dire consequences. In accordance with the scientists, for every 11–16 patients who did visit a cardiologist on at least an annual basis, one life could be saved.

"Ever since we understood the importance of specialist care for cancer, we've also known that heart failure needs specialist attention," said Dr. Baudry. "Our study offers proof that even clinically stable patients can gain benefit from regular care by a cardiologist."

<h2>How Often Should You Visit a Cardiologist?</h2>

To maximize care delivery, the research stratified patients according to two straightforward but strongly predictive factors: recent hospitalization for heart failure and diuretic use (a common set of medications used to counteract fluid accumulation). These factors were used to determine which patients required more frequent follow-ups with specialists.

Patients with no recent hospitalization and no diuretic use were improved by at least one visit a year, cutting their risk of death from 13% to 6.7%.

Those who had not been recently hospitalized but were on diuretics required two to three visits yearly, reducing their risk from 21.3% to 11.9%.

Those hospitalized in the past five years (but not the recent year) also needed two to three visits to reduce risk from 24.8% to 12.9%.

The most at-risk group—those hospitalized in the previous year—benefited most from quarterly visits, lowering death rates from 34.3% to 18.2%.

Importantly, these recommendations are based on existing resource constraints within national healthcare systems, making them practical and scalable globally.

The study also identified significant differences in access to seeing a cardiologist. Women, older patients, and patients with other chronic conditions like diabetes or pulmonary disease were less likely to be referred for cardiology treatment. Indeed, 33.8% of women did not visit a cardiologist in a year, versus 27.9% of men. Women were also less likely to take drugs like RAS inhibitors, which are routine in heart failure treatment.

In spite of these differences, women actually fared better overall in mortality and hospitalization rates—an intriguing and not yet fully explained result that merits further study.

Professor Nicolas Girerd stressed the necessity of systematic reform: "Referral to a cardiologist should be as routine in heart failure as it is in cancer care. Our study demonstrates that two simple markers recent hospitalization and treatment with diuretics—can inform these decisions without the need for expensive diagnostic machinery."

This big, population-based French study is a wake-up call, not only for European healthcare, but for health systems in general. In most nations, primary care doctors are overworked, and patients with complicated diseases such as heart failure might not get the specialist care they require.

In a supporting editorial, Professor Lars Lund of Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm cautioned, "What good is 50 years of discovery and innovation in heart failure treatment if patients aren't accessing that care?" He further said that systemic initiatives are urgently required to include <span>cardiology follow-up</span> in the standard care pathways.

Although this was an observational study and cannot establish direct causality, the scale and robustness of the findings are a powerful argument for change. The researchers plan now to conduct an interventional clinical trial to examine the effect of organized cardiologist follow-up on patient outcomes. They also want to investigate the problem in countries with varying models of healthcare in order to determine world applicability.

<h2>Hidden Cost of Skipping Cardiology Visits</h2>

Heart failure doesn’t always arrive with drama — no sudden collapse, no flashing lights. Instead, it often unfolds quietly, with fatigue, shortness of breath, or swelling easily dismissed as aging or stress. But beneath that silence lies a ticking time bomb. The latest study from France highlights a shocking truth: failing to see a cardiologist even once a year could be a matter of life and death. This isn't about access to the latest technology or expensive tests, it's about presence. 

The absence of a specialist in a patient’s journey with heart failure can mean the absence of life-saving medication adjustments, early warning signs going unnoticed, and critical therapy not being initiated. The data is sobering — skipping that one visit could mean doubling the risk of death.

One of the most powerful insights from the study is its identification of two simple, scalable criteria—recent hospitalization and diuretic use that can predict which heart failure patients are at highest risk. This is revolutionary in its simplicity. It doesn’t require advanced imaging, genomic testing, or expensive algorithms.

heart health

heart failure

cardiologist visit

heart disease treatment

annual cardiac checkup

cardiovascular health

heart failure mortality

cardiology follow-up

With the modern medicine, timely access to specialized care often makes the difference between life and death. For patients with heart failure, this reality has never been more true but a troubling new study indicates that roughly 40% of individuals with heart failure do not see a cardiologist even once per year despite strong evidence that even one yearly visit would greatly enhance survival.Published in the European Heart Journal and delivered at the Heart Failure Congress 2025, the research led by Dr. Guillaume Baudry and Professor Nicolas Girerd from the Clinical Investigation Centre at Nancy University Hospital in France indicates that annual cardiology follow-ups are linked to a 24% lower risk of mortality. The results give rise to immediate questions regarding discrepancies in access to specialist care and how health systems everywhere can improve support for heart failure patients.Heart failure ensues when the heart becomes incapable of circulating blood, usually a result of ailments like coronary artery disease, hypertension, or past heart attacks. Although irreversible in a majority of instances, heart failure can be treated for many decades with the proper medications, lifestyle modifications, and follow-up visits. Cardiologists have the key role in providing this expert care.While the previous research took its data from a handful of middle-class medical centers, the new study, based on medical records of 655,919 heart failure patients in France, discovered that almost two in five patients saw no cardiologist whatsoever within a 12-month window. And such minimal contact has dire consequences. In accordance with the scientists, for every 11–16 patients who did visit a cardiologist on at least an annual basis, one life could be saved."Ever since we understood the importance of specialist care for cancer, we've also known that heart failure needs specialist attention," said Dr. Baudry. "Our study offers proof that even clinically stable patients can gain benefit from regular care by a cardiologist."How Often Should You Visit a Cardiologist?To maximize care delivery, the research stratified patients according to two straightforward but strongly predictive factors: recent hospitalization for heart failure and diuretic use (a common set of medications used to counteract fluid accumulation). These factors were used to determine which patients required more frequent follow-ups with specialists.Patients with no recent hospitalization and no diuretic use were improved by at least one visit a year, cutting their risk of death from 13% to 6.7%.Those who had not been recently hospitalized but were on diuretics required two to three visits yearly, reducing their risk from 21.3% to 11.9%.Those hospitalized in the past five years (but not the recent year) also needed two to three visits to reduce risk from 24.8% to 12.9%.The most at-risk group—those hospitalized in the previous year—benefited most from quarterly visits, lowering death rates from 34.3% to 18.2%.Importantly, these recommendations are based on existing resource constraints within national healthcare systems, making them practical and scalable globally.The study also identified significant differences in access to seeing a cardiologist. Women, older patients, and patients with other chronic conditions like diabetes or pulmonary disease were less likely to be referred for cardiology treatment. Indeed, 33.8% of women did not visit a cardiologist in a year, versus 27.9% of men. Women were also less likely to take drugs like RAS inhibitors, which are routine in heart failure treatment.In spite of these differences, women actually fared better overall in mortality and hospitalization rates—an intriguing and not yet fully explained result that merits further study.Professor Nicolas Girerd stressed the necessity of systematic reform: "Referral to a cardiologist should be as routine in heart failure as it is in cancer care. Our study demonstrates that two simple markers recent hospitalization and treatment with diuretics—can inform these decisions without the need for expensive diagnostic machinery."This big, population-based French study is a wake-up call, not only for European healthcare, but for health systems in general. In most nations, primary care doctors are overworked, and patients with complicated diseases such as heart failure might not get the specialist care they require.In a supporting editorial, Professor Lars Lund of Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm cautioned, "What good is 50 years of discovery and innovation in heart failure treatment if patients aren't accessing that care?" He further said that systemic initiatives are urgently required to include cardiology follow-up in the standard care pathways.Although this was an observational study and cannot establish direct causality, the scale and robustness of the findings are a powerful argument for change. The researchers plan now to conduct an interventional clinical trial to examine the effect of organized cardiologist follow-up on patient outcomes. They also want to investigate the problem in countries with varying models of healthcare in order to determine world applicability.Hidden Cost of Skipping Cardiology VisitsHeart failure doesn’t always arrive with drama — no sudden collapse, no flashing lights. Instead, it often unfolds quietly, with fatigue, shortness of breath, or swelling easily dismissed as aging or stress. But beneath that silence lies a ticking time bomb. The latest study from France highlights a shocking truth: failing to see a cardiologist even once a year could be a matter of life and death. This isn't about access to the latest technology or expensive tests, it's about presence. The absence of a specialist in a patient’s journey with heart failure can mean the absence of life-saving medication adjustments, early warning signs going unnoticed, and critical therapy not being initiated. The data is sobering — skipping that one visit could mean doubling the risk of death.Signs That Could Save LivesOne of the most powerful insights from the study is its identification of two simple, scalable criteria—recent hospitalization and diuretic use that can predict which heart failure patients are at highest risk. This is revolutionary in its simplicity. It doesn’t require advanced imaging, genomic testing, or expensive algorithms.

about 2 out of 5 heart failure patients don’t see a cardiologist even once a year

Ishita Roy

World's First Human Bladder Transplantation Successful In California

first human bladder transplantation

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In a historic first for modern medicine, surgeons in the United States have successfully performed the world’s first bladder <span>transplant</span> in a living human. Announced on Sunday, the groundbreaking procedure was carried out by a joint team from Keck Medicine of the University of Southern California (USC) and UCLA Health at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.

<h4>A Major Leap in Transplant Surgery</h4>

Leading this pioneering operation were Dr. Inderbir Gill, founding executive director of USC Urology, and Dr. Nima Nassiri, director of the UCLA Vascularized Composite Bladder Allograft Transplant Programme. The duo and their multidisciplinary team performed the complex surgery, marking a significant advancement in the treatment of patients with non-functional or severely damaged bladders.

“This surgery marks a historic moment in medicine and could revolutionize the treatment of patients with ‘terminal’ bladders that no longer function,” said Dr. Gill. “Transplantation is already lifesaving for many organs, and now the bladder can join that list.”

The recipient of the transplant was a man who had endured multiple serious health setbacks. More than five years ago, he underwent major cancer surgery that resulted in the loss of most of his bladder. Subsequently, both of his kidneys were removed due to renal cancer, leaving him dialysis-dependent for the past seven years.

“For carefully selected patients, this offers a promising new option,” Dr. Nassiri explained. “This first attempt at bladder transplantation was over four years in the making.”

The innovative procedure involved transplanting both a kidney and a bladder from a deceased donor. Surgeons first implanted the kidney, followed by the bladder. In a final step, they connected the newly transplanted kidney to the new bladder to allow the system to function as a unit. The surgery lasted around eight hours.

<h4>The results were immediate and remarkable.</h4>

“The kidney started producing a large volume of urine right away, and the patient’s kidney function improved immediately,” said Dr. Nassiri. “There was no need for further dialysis, and the urine drained properly into the new bladder.”

Bladder transplants have long been considered a distant possibility due to the organ’s complex structure and function. This successful case could pave the way for new treatment options for people with bladder failure, particularly those whose condition does not respond to conventional therapies.

Despite the complexity of the procedure, the patient is reportedly recovering well and showing positive signs of improvement. The success of this operation could lead to wider adoption in the future and clinical trials for selected patients.

“This is a big step forward,” said Dr. Gill. “We are hopeful that this opens a new chapter in organ transplantation and urological care.”

first human bladder transplant

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In a historic first for modern medicine, surgeons in the United States have successfully performed the world’s first bladder transplant in a living human. Announced on Sunday, the groundbreaking procedure was carried out by a joint team from Keck Medicine of the University of Southern California (USC) and UCLA Health at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.A Major Leap in Transplant SurgeryLeading this pioneering operation were Dr. Inderbir Gill, founding executive director of USC Urology, and Dr. Nima Nassiri, director of the UCLA Vascularized Composite Bladder Allograft Transplant Programme. The duo and their multidisciplinary team performed the complex surgery, marking a significant advancement in the treatment of patients with non-functional or severely damaged bladders.“This surgery marks a historic moment in medicine and could revolutionize the treatment of patients with ‘terminal’ bladders that no longer function,” said Dr. Gill. “Transplantation is already lifesaving for many organs, and now the bladder can join that list.”The Patient’s JourneyThe recipient of the transplant was a man who had endured multiple serious health setbacks. More than five years ago, he underwent major cancer surgery that resulted in the loss of most of his bladder. Subsequently, both of his kidneys were removed due to renal cancer, leaving him dialysis-dependent for the past seven years.“For carefully selected patients, this offers a promising new option,” Dr. Nassiri explained. “This first attempt at bladder transplantation was over four years in the making.”How the Surgery Was DoneThe innovative procedure involved transplanting both a kidney and a bladder from a deceased donor. Surgeons first implanted the kidney, followed by the bladder. In a final step, they connected the newly transplanted kidney to the new bladder to allow the system to function as a unit. The surgery lasted around eight hours.The results were immediate and remarkable.“The kidney started producing a large volume of urine right away, and the patient’s kidney function improved immediately,” said Dr. Nassiri. “There was no need for further dialysis, and the urine drained properly into the new bladder.”What This Means for the FutureBladder transplants have long been considered a distant possibility due to the organ’s complex structure and function. This successful case could pave the way for new treatment options for people with bladder failure, particularly those whose condition does not respond to conventional therapies.Despite the complexity of the procedure, the patient is reportedly recovering well and showing positive signs of improvement. The success of this operation could lead to wider adoption in the future and clinical trials for selected patients.“This is a big step forward,” said Dr. Gill. “We are hopeful that this opens a new chapter in organ transplantation and urological care.”

world's first human bladder transplantation successful in california

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