The heart beats about 2.5 billion times over the average lifetime, pushing millions of gallons of blood to every part of the body. This steady flow carries with it oxygen, fuel, hormones, other compounds, and a host of essential cells. It also whisks away the waste products of metabolism. When the heart stops, essential functions fail, some almost instantly.
Given the heart’s never-ending workload, it’s a wonder it performs so well, for so long, for so many people. But it can also fail, brought down by a poor diet and lack of exercise, smoking, infection, unlucky genes, and more.
A key problem is atherosclerosis. This is the accumulation of pockets of cholesterol-rich gunk inside the arteries. These pockets, called plaque, can limit blood flow through arteries that nourish the heart — the coronary arteries — and other arteries throughout the body. When a plaque breaks apart, it can cause a heart attack or stroke.
Although many people develop some form of cardiovascular disease (a catch-all term for all of the diseases affecting the heart and blood vessels) as they get older, it isn’t inevitable. A healthy lifestyle, especially when started at a young age, goes a long way to preventing cardiovascular disease. Lifestyle changes and medications can nip heart-harming trends, like high blood pressure or high cholesterol, in the bud before they cause damage. And a variety of medications, operations, and devices can help support the heart if damage occurs.
Heart Health Simplified: Expert Tips That Work | Dr. Gabrielle Lyon with Dr. Christie Ballantyine M.D.
Dr. Gabrielle Lyon and Dr. Christie Ballantyne, one of the world’s leading cardiologists, for an insightful conversation on the science behind cardiovascular health, metabolic wellness, and disease prevention. In this episode, Dr. Ballantyne shares groundbreaking research, the role of genetics, and practical steps you can take to optimize heart health. Whether it’s through diet, exercise, or understanding your unique health profile, this discussion is packed with actionable strategies to help you live a longer, healthier life.
💡 Key Topics Covered:
• How genetics influence heart disease risk
• The power of lifestyle changes for heart and metabolic health
• Breakthroughs in cardiovascular research you need to know
Statins, Helpful or Harmful?
The medical establishment is convinced that statins are an essential treatment for high cholesterol and that they reduce the risk of a heart attach and/or stroke. The question is…are they right and what is the source of their information?
I am not a doctor. I cannot and would not tell you to take or not take a statin drug. I do think, however, that it is important to hear both sides of the debate. I found the following conversation extremely interesting and informative.
The Truth Behind Statins: Helpful or Harmful? | Dr. Mark Hyman, MD
Cholesterol Is Not The Cause Of Heart Disease | Dr. Mark Hyman, MD with Dr. Elizabeth Boham MD
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