Rethinking Heart Health: A Functional Medicine Perspective

Show Notes

In Today’s Episode

Preventive cardiologist Dr. Joel Kahn joins Melody Hartzler on this episode of Table Talk to break down how lifestyle changes, nutrition, and advanced diagnostic testing can protect your heart. Dr. Kahn shares his journey from traditional interventional cardiology to preventive care and explains how inflammation, diet, hormone changes, and personalized risk assessments can help identify cardiovascular issues before they become serious.

Key Take Aways

• Heart disease prevention starts with understanding individual risk factors, including inflammation, family history, metabolic health, and lifestyle habits.
• Advanced testing such as coronary artery calcium scans, carotid ultrasounds, and inflammatory markers can provide a more complete picture of cardiovascular risk.
• Whole-food, plant-based nutrition remains one of the most powerful tools for preventing and even reversing heart disease.
• Lipoprotein(a) is an often-overlooked genetic risk factor that can significantly impact cardiovascular health, especially in women.
• Lifestyle changes—including nutrition, exercise, stress management, sleep, and weight management—should be the foundation of any heart health plan before considering more aggressive interventions.

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Topics Discussed

00:00 – Welcome to Table Talk
Melody Hartzler introduces today’s guest, preventive cardiologist Dr. Joel Kahn, and previews the discussion on heart disease prevention and functional medicine.

01:06 – Dr. Kahn’s Journey to Preventive Cardiology
Dr. Kahn shares how his experience in traditional cardiology led him to focus on preventing heart disease through lifestyle and nutrition.

03:00 – The Impact of Plant-Based Nutrition
How nutrition transformed Dr. Kahn’s approach to patient care and cardiovascular health.

04:15 – A Common Patient Scenario
Discussing women approaching menopause and the cardiovascular changes that often emerge during this stage of life.

05:27 – Looking Beyond Standard Labs
The importance of comprehensive cardiovascular assessments, lifestyle factors, and personalized risk evaluation.

06:00 – Understanding Inflammation and Heart Disease
Key inflammatory markers and why inflammation plays a central role in cardiovascular health.

07:24 – Omega-3 Testing and Nutritional Strategies
How omega-3 levels and targeted nutrition can support heart health and reduce risk.

07:41 – Measuring Arterial Health
Using carotid ultrasounds and artery age assessments to detect cardiovascular issues early.

08:39 – Coronary Artery Calcium Scans Explained
Who should consider a calcium scan and how it helps identify hidden heart disease risk.

09:51 – Interpreting Calcium Scores
What different calcium scores mean and when intervention may be necessary.

11:37 – Advanced Cardiovascular Testing
Exploring inflammatory markers, metabolic indicators, and additional tools for risk assessment.

12:38 – The Importance of Lipoprotein(a)
Understanding this genetic risk factor and its role in cardiovascular disease.

14:00 – Supplements for Heart Health
A discussion on red yeast rice, omega-3s, berberine, and other commonly used supplements.

15:31 – Niacin and Cholesterol Management
When niacin may be helpful and how it fits into a cardiovascular prevention plan.

17:02 – Choosing Quality Supplements
What to look for when selecting supplements and why quality matters.

19:00 – Red Yeast Rice vs. Statins
Comparing natural and pharmaceutical approaches to cholesterol management.

20:00 – Statins, Side Effects, and CoQ10
Addressing common concerns and discussing strategies to support patients using statins.

24:00 – Is a Plant-Based Diet Necessary?
Dr. Kahn shares his perspective on nutrition and individualized approaches to heart health.

26:00 – AGEs and Cooking Methods
How advanced glycation end products affect cardiovascular health and practical ways to reduce exposure.

27:49 – Resources and Where to Find Dr. Kahn
Dr. Kahn shares where listeners can learn more about his work and access additional resources.

28:18 – Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks
Key takeaways from the conversation and a wrap-up of the episode.

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Resources Mentioned

Table Talk Podcast — Resources & Links

• The PharmToTable Team – Functional Medicine Providers
• Therapies & Approaches Discussed:
  1. Preventive Cardiology
  2. Functional Medicine
  3. Plant-Based Nutrition
  4. Lifestyle Medicine
  5. Inflammation Reduction
  6. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
• Tests & Biomarkers Discussed:
  1. Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) Scan
  2. Carotid Artery Ultrasound
  3. Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)]
  4. High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP)
  5. Omega-3 Testing
• Supplements Discussed:
  1. Berberine
  2. Niacin (Vitamin B3)
  3. Endur-Acin®
  4. CoQ10 (Coenzyme Q10)

Supplement Spotlight

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