Heart Surgeon: Spike in Heart Deaths, Tips to Reverse Arterial Plaque
Feb 15, 2024
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Heart Surgeon Dr. Phil Ovadia discusses the drivers of early-onset heart disease including processed foods and high carbs. Reversing atherosclerosis is possible. Tests for heart health include CAC and CCTA. High LDL may not be dangerous in metabolically healthy individuals. Statin use for over 10 years increases the risk of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Iron levels and the dangers of dichotomous thinking in dietary choices are also discussed. Bioidentical hormones for menopause and improving metabolic health are explored.
Reversal of atherosclerosis is possible, especially for non-calcified soft plaque.
Lifestyle changes that improve metabolic health are effective in preventing heart disease.
Diets high in processed foods and carbohydrates contribute to metabolic disease and increased heart disease risk.
Deep dives
Reversing Atherosclerosis
Reversal of atherosclerosis is a controversial topic, but it is possible to lower coronary artery calcium scores, especially for non-calcified soft plaque. The body's ability to heal itself suggests that reversing heart disease is possible.
Preventing Cardiovascular Disease
Heart disease is largely preventable, and most heart disease cases can be attributed to metabolic disease and insulin resistance. Lifestyle changes that improve metabolic health, such as diet and exercise, are effective in preventing heart disease.
The Impact of Diet on Heart Health
Diets high in processed foods and carbohydrates, especially those containing vegetable and seed oils, contribute to metabolic disease and insulin resistance, leading to an increased risk of heart disease. Eliminating processed foods and adopting a whole foods approach has extensive health benefits.
Understanding Heart Disease Risk Factors
Triglycerides should be considered an important marker for heart disease risk, as they are often elevated in individuals with metabolic disease. Monitoring and reducing triglyceride levels, along with improving metabolic health, can greatly reduce the risk of heart disease.
Hormones and Cardiovascular Health
Hormone replacement therapy, including bioidentical hormones, can be beneficial for managing symptoms of menopause and improving cardiovascular health in women. Similarly, addressing low testosterone levels in men through lifestyle changes and, if necessary, testosterone replacement therapy can positively impact heart health.
0:00 Intro 1:30 Up to 95% of people with cardiac disease are insulin resistant. 4:45 Processed foods and high carbs are the two primary drivers of metabolic disease, the primary driver of heart disease. 6:53 Insulin resistance damages blood vessels. 11:18 Exercise is indirectly helpful in preventing atherosclerosis. 13:10 The better you can maintain muscle as you age, the better you can deal with the aging process. 14:30 It is possible to reverse atherosclerosis. 16:30 Tests: coronary artery calcium scan (CAC) and coronary CT angiogram (CCTA). 18:30 People in their 30s and 40s now end up on the cardiac operating table. 20:30 High LDL may not be dangerous in a person who is metabolically healthy. 21:00 The quality of your LDL particles is important. 22:54 90% of adults are metabolically unhealthy, so their high LDL is likely dangerous. 24:05 Statin use for over 10 years increases your risk of developing insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, primary drivers of heart disease. 26:30 Inflammation is an important part of the development of heart disease. 27:40 High blood pressure root cause is insulin resistance/metabolic disease. 31:41 Ferritin testing measures total body iron stores. It is also an inflammation marker. 35:50 Linoleic acid LDL oxidation hypothesis 37:30 Plant-based diets 40:25 Lowering your intake of omega 6 improves your omega 3 index. 41:10 Low vitamin D 42:00 Sun exposure has been misunderstood. 44:10 Triglycerides is a higher risk than LDL. 48:30 Bioidentical hormones are superior to synthetic. 50:03 Low testosterone is a risk factor for heart disease. 53:10 Heart surgery does not fix the underlying problem.
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