Dr. Gerald F. Fletcher, M.D.

Heart Health Month

We discuss a new Lancet study that says if the blood pressure on your right arm is different from that on your left, you are more prone to heart disease and stroke. The findings strongly indicate that both-arm blood pressure checks ought to be performed routinely, even if you have to request it.

Gerald Fletcher is a professor of medicine, (Cardiovascular Diseases) Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic Florida, and an adjunct professor, College of Health at the University of North Florida.

Dr. Fletcher practiced internal medicine with an emphasis on cardiology for more than 35 years. Currently, he serves in many positions, including as a Fellow of the American Heart Association (AHA) Council on Clinical Cardiology, Chair of the Florida Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity, and as an AHA representative to the AMA Section Council on Cardiovascular disease. Dr. Fletcher has held many prominent positions with prestigious organizations, including: President of the Armed Forces Epidemiological Board; Chair, National AHA Advocacy Coordinating Committee; member, National AHA Board of Directors; participant, WHO Collaborating Centre on Research for Stroke Prevention and Epidemiology; Chair, AHA Subcommittee on Cardiac Rehabilitation; and, President, AHA State of Georgia Affiliate. Dr. Fletcher is currently in a two-year term as Chair of the Council on Clinical Cardiology of the American Heart Association which is the largest of the scientific councils of AHA.

Melanie Cole, M.S.

2 / 8 / 2012