Why plaque associates with heart attack risk

In this episode of The Feldman Protocol, a central question hangs over the conversation: what actually causes a heart attack when standard risk markers look “normal”? Guest Dr. Stephen Hussey, DC (functional medicine practitioner focused on cardiovascular disease), makes the case for re-examining core assumptions about heart disease. Topics include plaque vs. risk, LDL cholesterol, CAC scoring, stress physiology, hydration, type 1 diabetes, endurance exercise, and alternative mechanisms behind myocardial infarction.

🔥 This episode is sponsored by us -- Own Your Labs [http://ownyourlabs.com](http://ownyourlabs.com) -- private blood testing services.

🩸Over 300 blood tests

💰Extremely affordable

❤️ We love our customers

(Yes, we are literally funding the entire podcast from our own company -- so if you want to show your support, keep getting your private blood testing through our service. Thank you! 🙏)

🔗 CONNECT WITH DAVE FELDMAN:

Main Channel: https://youtube.com/@realDaveFeldman

X/Twitter: https://x.com/realDaveFeldman

Instagram: https://instagram.com/realDaveFeldman

Website: https://thefeldmanprotocol.com

⏱ Chapters

3:06 – Why heart cells don’t regenerate

8:12 – Marathon runners & plaque paradox

13:48 – Introducing Dr. Stephen Hussey

18:37 – Type 1 diabetes & heart risk

23:54 – Diet changes and inflammation

29:35 – Low-carb, keto, and carnivore paths

35:10 – Insulin, carbs, and standard care

40:52 – Fear of ketosis vs ketoacidosis

46:18 – Discovering lipid anomalies

51:40 – Rejecting statins early on

57:12 – Elevated LDL in context

1:02:44 – Writing a heart disease book

1:08:30 – Widowmaker heart attack story

1:14:06 – CAC score of zero explained

1:19:42 – Stress, dehydration, and triggers

1:25:18 – The moment symptoms began

1:30:54 – Cath lab and LAD blockage

1:36:20 – Stent placement and relief

1:41:58 – Was it plaque or clot?

1:47:30 – Alternative MI mechanisms

1:53:12 – Parasympathetic nervous system

1:58:54 – Vasa vasorum hypothesis

2:04:36 – Transcytosis and ApoB

2:10:18 – Endothelial injury models

2:15:44 – Exercise-linked occlusions

2:21:06 – Post-MI medical advice

2:26:30 – Five lifelong medications?

2:31:48 – Blood pressure overshoot

2:37:22 – Blood thinners and stents

2:42:54 – Re-evaluating cholesterol blame

2:48:10 – What medicine gets wrong

2:53:36 – Prevention beyond LDL

2:58:52 – How Stephen works with clients

#FeldmanProtocol #DaveFeldman #StephenHussey #HeartHealth #Cardiology #MetabolicHealth #Cholesterol #LDL #Atherosclerosis #CACScore #Type1Diabetes #ExerciseScience