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 PEDAL PUSHER
I’m an avid biker, but in the summer days it’s just too hot to be outdoors riding my bike in the sun. Are there alternatives to outdoor riding other then the boring stationary bike at the gym?
Anthony Tempe, AZ
First of all, if you do ride outdoors make sure to wear sunscreen and protective clothing and gear to keep you sheltered from the suns rays. And, of course, be sure to properly hydrate to make sure you don’t dehydrate. Have you tried indoor cycling (also known as spinning)? The basic advantages of indoor cycling are its convenience and relative safety. Not only is the workout more intense but it can also be more precise due to less distractions and more focus on the planned program. An additional benefit is that participants have their own individual workout within a group setting. You can control your ride intensity by adjusting flywheel tension and weight. Above all, it is a great workout when it is dark outside or there is bad weather. And don’t discount several hundred calories burned! —PK
LOOKING TOWARDS THE FUTURE
Do you think we will see a cure for HIV in our lifetime? How about a vaccine for those who are not infected?
Jay Craryville, NY
It has been estimated that there are over 40 million people worldwide living with HIV. In the United States, there are approximately over one million cases and 50,000 new cases each year. An HIV vaccine is the best long-term hope to bring this epidemic under control. Currently, the HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN) is in international collaboration searching for an effective and safe vaccine. Researchers have followed many different strategies that could possibly lead to an effective vaccine, all using small parts of the HIV virus that are altered in the laboratory to create synthetic copies. Incidentally, the trial vaccines can not cause HIV. A strong interest remains in determining whether a vaccine could have therapeutic benefits in HIV-infected persons. Some researchers believe that identifying a successful therapeutic vaccine will provide valuable information on immune responses desired in a preventative vaccine. The bad news is that one of the major challenges to the development of a vaccine is the existence of more than nine genetic subtypes of HIV, also known as clades. Keeping this in mind, a specific vaccine preparation has to be developed for a specific viral subtype. That makes creating a universal vaccine very complicated. So even though the National Institue of Health has embarked on an expanded effort to accelerate AIDS vaccine development by doubling their funding—which we hope will pave the way to finidng a cure, perhaps in our lifetime—it's important to recognize that medical science still has a long way to go. —FS
HIGHER AND HIGHER
I recently went to the doctor and the nurse took my blood pressure. She looked alarmed and told me it was quite high for a 28 year-old man. She took it again, and seemed to be only more alarmed. It freaked me out. My doctor then took my blood pressure during our appointment and told me it was far better then minutes prior. Is it possible to have such a significant difference in blood pressure readings only minutes apart, or did the nurse just screw up on her reading?
Paul Dorchester, MA
Yes, it is possible that a significant blood pressure difference can occur within minutes. The first reading being high could have been due to “white coat hypertension”. This is a recognized condition in which both blood pressure and heart rate or pulse are elevated due to stress of being in a doctor’s office. As you mentioned, it is also possible that the first recording was inaccurate. It is sometimes difficult for any health care professional to take an accurate blood pressure reading because it takes experience and listening skills to become proficient. In either case, I would have your blood pressure repeated as it is not normal for someone your age to have high blood pressure. There are few heart conditions that are associated with high blood pressure at your age. If your blood pressure is high on the next visit, I would ask your doctor for a continuous blood pressure monitor. This measures and records your blood pressure at various times during the day (when not in the doctor’s office). —PF
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Instinct Online 
written by bill on July 07, 2007
please don't pose as an authority if you don't know what you're talking about. Spinning is not "more intense" than outdoor biking, it all depends on how hard you're willing to work. Personally, I (and the guys I bike with) get way more intense bikerides outside - but that doesn't mean outside biking is "more intense" either - it just inspires ME to work harder.