Episode 489: Big Heart Health News You'll Want To Know About

This week, Dr. Kahn shares exciting updates from the American College of Cardiology meeting, highlighting several new trials focused on reducing heart events in patients with diabetes and those with established heart disease. The results are promising and could help prevent strokes, heart attacks, and even save lives. Additional topics include vegan diets and cancer risk, heart disease in police officers, the link between Alzheimer's disease and statins, concerns around erythritol sweeteners, Lp(a) levels in stent patients, niacin for fatty liver disease, and the role of beta blockers after heart attacks.  This episode is brought to you by Igennus Healthcare Nutrition—formulators of high-quality, science-backed supplements designed for optimal absorption and effectiveness. Their products are rigorously tested and trusted by health professionals worldwide. Visit igennus.com and use code DrKahn to save on your order.

What if a quick, painless ultrasound could reveal your true vascular age? In this bonus episode of Heart Doc VIP, host Dr. Joel Kahn sits down with Joseph Ence to discuss CIMT (carotid intima-media thickness)—a simple, non-invasive test used in over 5,000 research studies over the past 20+ years to measure plaque and thickness in the carotid arteries. Safe and radiation-free, this ultrasound provides valuable insight into your cardiovascular health by estimating your "vascular age."  They also explore how targeted interventions—like lifestyle changes, supplements, and medications—may help improve—and even reverse—vascular age.

This week, Dr. Kahn breaks down new research on dementia risk, including the roles of high blood pressure and early menopause. He looks at conflicting studies on red meat and ApoE4, which pretty much sums up nutrition science: one study says yes, another says absolutely not. For now, limiting red meat—especially processed—is still the safest move. He also covers the risks of skipping breakfast, calcium CT scoring for elevated lipoprotein(a), tooth loss and heart disease, long-term clopidogrel use after stents, ultraprocessed foods, Repatha and statins, Cleerly AI scans, micro-exercise breaks, and why elevated TMAO may increase blood clot risk.  This episode is sponsored by Igennus. Visit igennus.com and use code DRKAHN for a discount.

The replay of the 4th Reversing Heart Disease Summit is going on now. Register here: drtalks.com/summits/reversing-heart-disease This week, Dr. Kahn addresses the newly published 2026 guidelines for the management of hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol), which will be studied and used by medical professionals all over the world. The top 10 takeaways are presented and are similar to the approach used at the Kahn Center for over a decade. Other topics include the challenge of staying vegan, the influence of cold temperatures on aortic dissection, the development of clogged arteries after a normal heart artery CT scan, the role of olive oil on the brain, red light therapy and music and the autonomic nervous system, plant-based diets and TMAO, bacteria and the brain, the role of a low uric acid level, the advantages of Eliquis over Xarelto in a new trial, and the FDA inquiry into the maker of Wegovy and Ozempic.  Thanks to Igennus.com for their support. Use the discount code DrKahn to save.

The 4th Reversing Heart Disease Summit began March 7, 2026. There will be a replay available, and the event is free to attend online. Register here: drtalks.com/summits/reversing-heart-disease This week, Dr. Kahn addresses the recurring posts on social media about nattokinase supplements as a "powerhouse" for reversing atherosclerosis. Is there new data? Is it powerful? Would mainstream medicine accept it? Should you use it? These questions and more are addressed.  Other topics include the risks of sleep apnea with insomnia, sleep duration and glucose control, possible risks of spermidine, and the happy feeling that eating flavanol-rich foods like grapes can give you.  Thanks to Igennus.com for their support. Use the discount code DrKahn to save.

Join Dr. Kahn for the 4th Reversing Heart Disease Summit beginning March 7, 2026. The event is free to attend online. Register here: drtalks.com/summits/reversing-heart-disease This week, Dr. Kahn reviews new research examining the connection between red meat consumption and the risk of diabetes, elevated cholesterol, and cancer. He also discusses findings from a large study showing that vegetarian diets are associated with a lower risk of several types of cancer.  Additional topics include emerging treatments for Lipoprotein(a), the role of coronary CT angiography in women and in individuals with a family history of heart disease, newly identified predictors of cardiovascular risk in women, dietary patterns that support brain health, and screening strategies to reduce the risk of cardiac arrest in young athletes.  Thanks to Igennus. Visit igennus.com and use the discount code DrKahn for savings on their products.

This week, Dr. Kahn discusses his current health challenge: a leaky mitral valve due to mitral valve prolapse, a condition of unknown cause that is unrelated to lifestyle or diet. He reviews data on mitral valve surgery, comparing repair to replacement, as well as the current availability of robotic surgery and its advantages. He plans to keep the Heart Doc VIP community updated on his status and is feeling great day to day. Short topics this week include wine, olive oil, plant-based diets for breast cancer, Life's Essential 8, the health of babies raised in vegan families, and new data on Lipoprotein(a).  Thanks to Igennus. Use the discount code DRKAHN at igennus.com .

This week on Heart Doc VIP, Dr. Joel Kahn takes a deep dive into one of the most influential research projects in cardiovascular history: the Framingham Heart Study. Launched in 1948 and still going strong, this landmark study helped identify many of the risk factors we now take for granted, including smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, and physical inactivity. Much of what modern cardiology considers "common knowledge" about prevention started in Framingham. Dr. Kahn also explores practical and emerging topics in heart health, including the role of magnesium and berberine supplementation, how to approach both low-carb and low-fat diets in a healthy way, and concerns about long-term proton pump inhibitor use. Additional discussion covers EECP therapy and strategies to improve coronary blood flow, along with the potential benefits of ezetimibe for cholesterol reduction and brain health. Thank you to this week's sponsor, Igennus. Visit igennus.com and use code DRKAHN for a special discount.

This week, Dr. Kahn breaks down a new paper examining the risks and reported side effects of statins—including the surprising finding that placebo alone is linked to many of the same symptoms. He also covers an oral PCSK9 inhibitor currently under study and what it could mean for cholesterol management. The episode then dives into the latest research on emerging therapies designed to lower lipoprotein(a), including a real-world case study that highlights where this rapidly evolving field is headed.  Shorter discussions include heart disease at a young age, why so many patients fail to reach blood pressure treatment goals, aspirin use one year after AFib ablation, skeletal muscle as an endothelial stabilizer, and why exercise variety may be one of the most powerful risk reducers we have.  Thanks to WellBean for sponsoring the show. Save on their delicious bean-based products at wellbean.life with code DrKahn15.  Dr. Kahn will also be leading a free online seminar on cholesterol on February 17, 2026 at 7 PM EST with Forks Over Knives. Register HERE.

This week, Dr. Kahn discussed a case study involving a 30-year-old man with newly discovered, very high cholesterol. The implications of heart disease in young adults—backed by a recent paper from the CARDIA study group—suggest that early intervention, beginning with lifestyle changes, should be offered, along with follow-up lab testing. The Portfolio Diet plan would be a strong starting point on the journey toward a more plant-based diet. Other topics covered include the risks of diet soda, the health impacts of being a night owl, coffee consumption for atrial fibrillation patients, the role of genetics in longevity, plant-based diets for kidney health, and red light therapy for brain illness and trauma.  Thanks to getfreshDRKAHN.com for the $1 offer on a bottle of fresh-pressed olive oil from some of the finest estates. EXTENDED SHOWNOTES:  Dr. Kahn also touched on several additional topics during the episode. He discussed olive oil tasting and shipping, encouraging listeners to sign up before the current shipment from Italy ends and explaining how tasting fresh olive oil helps assess quality. Red light therapy came up in the context of brain injury, including a study showing potential benefits from nasal exposure in college athletes with repeated head trauma. He also mentioned advocacy efforts to promote routine coronary calcium scoring starting at age 45. Several studies on diet and longevity were reviewed, including research showing that plant-forward diets are associated with better kidney health and that genetics may account for up to 50% of longevity—though lifestyle choices still matter greatly. Dr. Kahn also covered caffeine and heart rhythm, noting research where coffee consumption was linked to fewer episodes of atrial fibrillation, while diet soda was associated with a higher risk of dementia. Finally, he discussed sleep patterns, citing data suggesting that night owls face higher cardiovascular risks than early risers.