The Doctor's Kitchen Podcast #319 “Do I Have Heart Disease Despite a Perfect Plant Based Diet?” | Simon Hill
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Oct 15, 2025 
Simon Hill, a physiotherapist and nutrition scientist passionate about plant-based eating, shares his personal journey with heart disease. He discusses the surprising early signs of cardiovascular issues revealed by his screening, prompting a crucial choice between immediate treatment or monitoring his condition. The conversation delves into dietary fats, effective cholesterol management, and supermarket swaps for heart health. Simon emphasizes the importance of tailored lifestyle changes and the potential of diet to influence heart health without solely relying on medication.
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Family Heart Attack Sparked Prevention Path
- Simon witnessed his father have a heart attack at age 15 which motivated his focus on prevention.
- That event drove him to study nutrition and pursue lifelong dietary changes to lower his cardiovascular risk.
Screen Early With Family History
- If you have strong family history, consider early targeted screening like coronary CT angiography.
- Use scan results to decide whether lifestyle alone suffices or whether to start lipid-lowering therapy.
Cholesterol Exposure Is Cumulative
- Atherosclerosis reflects cumulative exposure to atherogenic particles across years, like pack years for smoking.
- Past decades of higher LDL meaningfully influence current plaque burden despite recent improvements.