My mission in life is to have everyone over the age of 40 get a Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) score. I have seen it change HUNDREDS of lives.
#WhatsYourCAC
?
Bucket List - Check! Lake Louise- just outside of Banff, Alberta Canada
Highly recommend the Lake Agnes Tea House hike just off the lake and UP the mountain.
#familyvacation
#lakelouise
#banff
Everyday I see my colleagues and staff thinking they are eating healthy because they have a salad. Check the calories and sugar content of these premade salads/dressing and you will see how shockingly UNHEALTHY they are.
#DontKidYourself
In my humble opinion: We need to be sending a WAY MORE AGGRESSIVE MESSAGE to families.
- Eat WAY LESS
- AVOID ALL FAST FOOD
- STARBUCKS IS A DESSERT RESTAURANT
- Moving/Exercise DAILY
Less GO. We can and MUST do better for our kids
@American_Heart
@NIH
@Obesitykills_
The benefits of EVOO are OFF THE ROOF!!
2 Tablespoons a day-
Obvious cardiovascular benefits but it really helps your brain too-
"In Greece, the average person consumes two liters a month! Here in the U.S., we average a paltry one liter each per year.
“If we all had two
Just this week, new research out of Harvard University showed that people who eat more than half a tablespoon of olive oil a day had a 28% lower risk of dying from dementia than folks who rarely eat it.
Thanks to all my team for the b-day wishes. A rare splurge for me- a cupcake!
My birthday wish- keeping my patients happy and heart healthy for another year✌️👊
#Stretch
! Research from the U. of Milan showed a 12 week stretching regimen improved blood flow, lowered blood pressure & decreased the stiffness of arteries. Good blood flow leads to less damage on artery walls and may mean a lower risk for heart attacks and strokes. Stretching
Everyone enjoy this Thanksgiving!
Happy to be NOT ON CALL this holiday and all my girls are home. 😎
Start thinking about how you can make 2024 the healthiest year ever! (join me on my plant- based diet journey starting 1/1/24?)
Eat fresh. Eat whole foods. Be smart. Processed foods are messing with our health.
(Seafood is an “excellent source of omega-3 FAs- but the shrimp pictured is not your best option. Eat Salmon!”)
#noprocessedfoods
#eatfresh
For me, it’s mostly about the “bad” cholesterol. This is our primary treatment target for CAD prevention. The so called “good” cholesterol is way more complicated than we used to believe. I’d rather call it “generally not bad” rather than good!!
#cholesterol
#loweryourLDL
There is a lot going on in this nice chart below.
For my patients: the summary is EXTREMELY important:
The Mediterranean Diet REDUCES deaths and heart attacks.
So-
What you eat matters ALOT. This is a great tasting, easy to follow "diet". It works. Please adapt it. 🥦🍎🥑🐟
The
#Mediterranean
diet outranked 6 other popular diets in reducing heart attack, stroke, and all-cause mortality in a recent study.
Dietary counseling should be part of every care plan in those at high risk for
#cardiovascular
disease
I'm all IN.
You don't need a fancy gym-> just walk out your front door.
- add some light weights if you get bored
- I like to listen to podcasts when out
- Invest in the right gear: this is money well spent
- DO NOT LET WEATHER BE AN EXCUSE- be prepared!⛈️🌧️💥🌈🌨️🌦️
#TipTuesday
This is the best test to see if you have cholesterol building up in your arteries- WAY BEFORE you will ever have symptoms. That white stuff is a heart artery filled up with cholesterol. Ask me about “Heart Scans”.
#WhatsYourCAC
?
Lipoprotein (a) is purely a genetic risk for cardiovascular disease. I think everyone should have their Lipoprotein (a) level checked ONCE at a relatively young age.
If your Lp (a) level is elevated, we will aggressive treat your
#LDLcholesterol
to help lower your risk of
Any bit of exercise will help change your life. I always see a nice trickle down effect. Mini-exercise-> avoid an unhealthy snack -> get into a better mindset -> eat a healthier dinner -> more energy to go for a walk after work -> happy heart
#fitfriday
#squats
#healthyhabits
Ladies: KNOW YOUR RISK FOR HEART ATTACKS!!
I will add a few other items women should be doing:
- get your lipid blood test checked
- if you are close to the age of 50 and have CV disease risk factors or a family history of heart issues-> get a Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) test.
Ladies, you're never too young or old to start taking steps toward a heart-healthy lifestyle. Taking preventive measures now can lower your risk of developing heart disease later on. Get started with these tips:
Dr Lipid- I love this graph so much. (thanks for sharing your great knowledge).
Patients.... if your Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) score is above 300--> we need to be SUPER AGGRESSIVE about getting your LDL and risks down.
I am aiming for an LDL in the 50's.
Let's get this
Based on LoDoCo & COLCOT the case can be made that any ASCVD pt in a tertiary prevention scenario should be taking colchicine. Can also make the case that anyone with a CAC score > 300 should be on it. I meet the later criteria & started it myself last week. See
This is really a nice explanation of the difference between a Cardiac Arrest and a Heart Attack.
Very pertinent considering the news from the basketball world today. 🙏🙏
@HeartNews
If you wait for your doctor, or for your spouse or your children, to take control of your heart health and cardiac risk factors, it will be too late.
Start today. Take charge of your health and protect yourself from disabling heart attacks or premature cardiac death. It is never
People: PLEASE START WALKING.🚶♂️🚶🚶♀️
Start a group. Grab a friend. Call your kids.
GOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!
"Adults 60 and older who walked between 6,000 and 10,000 steps a day saw a 42% reduction in risk of early death, while people under 60 who walked between 7,000 and 13,000 steps a
Finally released! Based on the data from 17 cohorts studies with almost 230,000 participants we showed that we may need only about 4000
#steps
/day to see the significant
#health
benefit and
#mortality
reduction with the most pronounced reductions (even up to 50% in younger
Numerous studies have shown that saturated fat intake increases heart disease risk factors, including LDL (bad) cholesterol and apolipoprotein B (ApoB). LDL transports cholesterol in the body. The greater the number of LDL particles, the greater the risk of heart disease.
ApoB
I have been waiting to comment on this study as I am just so incredibly happy with the trajectory of our medications to treat these chronic illnesses. Weight loss and improved survival!!!!
"People who received .. semaglutide (whose brand name is Wegovy) showed a significant 20%
A new study found that people who received the weight loss drug semaglutide (whose brand name is Wegovy) showed a significant 20% reduction in heart-related deaths, heart attacks, or strokes.
ANOTHER great reason to be proactive with getting a Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) score.
Every diabetic (not already diagnosed with atherosclerotic CV disease) should have a CAC to assess for CAD and risk assessment.
#WhatsYourCAC
Coronary Artery Calcium Scores in Older Adults With Diabetes & The Association With Diabetes-Specific Risk Enhancers (from ARIC) led by Dr. Funmi Obisesan & Team Blaha-aka MJ23 of Prevention
@CiccaroneCenter
@JohnsHopkinsSPH
@hopkinsheart
🥍
Every Monday morning I re-commit to healthy eating for the week.
Packing up my food for the work day.
Fruits and healthy nuts EVERYDAY.
Nobody is perfect. Just keep looking forward.
🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓
LDL = Low Density Lipoprotein. This is the “Lousy”
#cholesterol
. It is our primary target of treatment for heart disease prevention. You MUST know your LDL and your targets. Total cholesterol levels and “ratios” are not very help.
#KnowYourLDL
#LowerYourLDL
Lp (a) is a purely genetic marker for increased risk of cardiac events. If you have a family history of heart disease MAKE SURE you get this lab checked.
I urge everyone to get their Lipoprotein (a) checked at least once. If it is normal- you never need to check it again. 👍
Here is another big reason I am moving to a plant-based diet 1/1/24!
The BMC article they are quoting is a new review of 37 publications looking at plant-based diets:
"Replacing a single serving of processed meat each day with whole grains, nuts, or beans was associated with a
Just to be VERY CLEAR-
#Plantbased
low-carb is NOT associated with heart disease
I moved to a plant based, low carb diet July 4th and I am down 8 pounds and feel great. (aiming for a pound a week and i am right on target).
Thanks for sharing this interesting article!!
👁️📜 Meta-analysis confirming that
#lowcarb
diets are associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease ❤️🩹
This is likely a consequence of low-carbers basing their diets on animal products.
💬
#Plantbased
low-carb is not associated with heart disease 💚
Do you get out of breath while walking up the stairs? A study by the European Society of Cardiology
@escardio
found that you can assess your
#hearthealth
by timing how long it takes you to ascend four flights of stairs. Ask me for the details!
I am on a mission that EVERYONE over the age of 40 to get a Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) Score. No pain, no IV and no prep needed. It is the earliest way to look for atherosclerosis and can be life changing.
#WhatsYourCAC
?
#heartsmart
#CoronaryArteryCalcium
The authors: 😂😂
M.M. received funding from the British Egg Industry Council to research and write this review. C.H.S.R. received funding from the British Egg Industry Council to research and write this review. She also serves on Advisory Group for the British Egg Council.
talking to your kids
looking around at the world
looking at the sky
chatting with your wife
meeting new people
doing true research
understanding more than a headline
walking
Be on the lookout for my podcast with guest Dr. John Vu on this very topic. The "Living Heart Smart" podcast will debut Sept. 1. More updates over the summer!🎙️🎙️❤️
Damar Hamlin shares intimate details about his recovery and how it led him to discover a higher calling. Watch a special conversation with Damar, founder of the Chasing M’s Foundation, on At the Heart of It with Nancy Brown
@HamlinIsland
|
@NancyatHeart
So amazing to look back at these three little ladies and to know what beautiful, talented and caring young women they have blossomed into. So Proud. So Lucky.
#LoveMyGirlies
#mondaymemories
Libraries are one of my favorite places to go with my family.
#Peabody
library is stunning! Tell me about the most amazing library you have visited!
#CardioTwitter
#MedEd
Winning a doubles match makes my heart happy. I love all racquet sports. Right now my focus is
#pickleball
and NO ONE beats me in table tennis (don’t you dare call it ping pong).
I usually just stick to cardiac topics- but -> VERY INTERESTING (from Columbia + Harvard).
"Our study provides evidence that multivitamin supplementation can help maintain or enhance cognitive functioning in later life, a top health concern among older adults".
#brainhealth
Should older adults take a multivitamin?
This randomized, placebo-controlled trial of 3,500 adults found that those who got the multivitamin had improved memory (immediate recall performance) by an equivalent of 3 years of age-related memory change.
Your heart is just silently pumping away:
70 beats a minute⌚️
4,200 beats a hour ⏱️
100,800 beats a day 🕰️
36,792,000 times a year ⌛️
Be good to your HEART. Its working hard for you.
Take your LDL cholesterol levels to VERY LOW levels:
--> "Because every cell can synthesize cholesterol, no cell has an absolute requirement for cholesterol uptake. Plasma LDL-C levels can therefore be very low with few adverse effects. "
Example: It was both effective and safe
Here we present "a comprehensive overview of the rationale for dietary recommendations for fat intake", focusing on atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
@jacobjchr
@ATHjournal
Most of my patients still focus on the total cholesterol numbers. Most cardiologists don’t even look at this number! It's all about the LDL. Please know your LDL and your target numbers based on your risks.
#loweryourLDL
Thank you BEST FAMILY IN THE WORLD! I am a lucky man. Summer trip hiking around
#Banff
and
#LakeLouise
was incredible (and chilly). The Canadian Rockies are truly majestic and a must see.
#familyvacation
Thank you Mrs. "Jones"- you made yesterday a great day at work. Keep up the great work!! It's still so rewarding when you see patients making life changing, heart healthy, lifestyle changes- even after a heart attack. It's never too late. 🙏
I am totally experiencing this right now.
I am just eating mostly fruits and grilled veggies.
My weight is down.
Eat better-> feel better-> want to continue to eat better.
The cycle feeds on itself.
@HeartNews
@American_Heart
I works!🍎🥑🥦
Can we make it Childhood Obesity Year! Once dietary and exercise habits are set- they are impossible to break.
Parents- Wake up 😴
Schools- Step up 🦶
Fast food industry- Pay up->$$ you should be on the hook for the medical bills of future generations.
Sorry- FED UP!! 🤬
It's National
#ChildhoodObesityWeek
. Nearly 1 in 5 U.S. children have obesity. Choosing and preparing healthy foods can help children maintain a healthy weight, which is important to their overall health. Learn more about childhood obesity:
I am not going to stop sharing this incredibly wonderful news!!
WEEKEND WARRIORS UNITE!
OK, no more stress for missing those weekday workouts.
Keep it going on the weekends!! IT STILL WORKS.
Study Summary:
"Physical activity concentrated within 1 to 2 days was associated with
One of most viewed this month:
Accelerometer-Derived “Weekend Warrior” Physical Activity and Incident CV Disease
Physical activity concentrated within 1 to 2 days associated w/ similarly lower risk of CV outcomes to more evenly distributed activity.
OK- this Graph is even better than the one I just posted.
The KEYS:
CALL 911
START CPR
LOOK FOR AN AED!!
You may save a loved one's life by following this SIMPLE PROTOCOL.
❤️❤️🧡🧡💛💛
@ACCinTouch
#cardiosmart
Over 420K Americans have an out-of-hospital sudden
#CardiacArrest
each year & about 10,200 are children. Giving CPR & using an AED within the first few minutes of SCA can greatly improve the chances of survival. Share our SCA
#CardioSmart
infographic:
Love this from ACC.
Your life may very well depend on you calling 911 when you recognize and react to these stroke symptoms.
#FAST
#cardiologymag
@ACCinTouch
This video about eating healthy while eating out is worth a watch!
I would add a few more very important points:
- Portion Control: Restaurants give you WAY TOO MUCH FOOD- split a meal- or get a To-Go box up front and take-home half (saves $$ too)
- Skip the "Free Bread"-
This is my favorite organ in the body!!! It’s a pump, it’s valves, it’s electrical and it’s arteries.
But, it’s not too smart. It’s all in your hands to take care of this little puppy. I beg you- be nice to your heart!!!
#heartsmart
#healthyheart
We tend to waste so much of our time in doing unwanted things, just spare a few moments for the well-being of your heart.
We are all pulled in too many directions every day. Life is too short to waste your precious time. Your
#mentalhealth
and your
#hearthealth
depend on it.
I am really looking forward to this Prevention Program. The speaker panel looks amazing. Thanks for providing this information at such a great price. HIGH VALUE
@khurramn1
@RonBlankstein
The 6th Annual SCCT Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Symposium takes place Sat. 8/12. Learn from the top
#preventivecardiology
leaders about the changes in this evolving field – register now to stay ahead of the game!
@khurramn1
@RonBlankstein
Register:
So BEAUTIFUL!
Pre-sunrise clouds over Mt. Diablo this am- Dec 6th. 7am.
This fires me up for a great Wednesday in the clinic.
Gonna attack some LDL-C today!
This is a game changer for discussions with my patients.
MUCH easier to get people moving a few days a week vs 5 or more.
I am pleasantly surprised with these outcomes.
KEEP MOVING.
We should be singing this from the rooftops.
Eating healthier can add 8+ YEARS to your life!
The article says, " sustained dietary change from unhealthy dietary patterns to the Eatwell Guide dietary recommendations is associated with 8.9 and 8.6 years gain in life expectancy for
"A good rule of thumb for healthy weight loss is a deficit of about 500 calories per day. That should put you on course to lose about 1 pound per week."
Eat less---> Burn more (calories).
Set goals for the end of 2023.
I like ~ 1 pound per week. Shoot for getting down 15lbs by
These graphics reveal what any clinician & any at-risk patient (virtually all on the planet) & DENIERS need to know about ASCVD - ASCVD becomes an orphan disease at apoB < 50 mg/dL (LDL-P < 500-600 nmol/L)
@nationallipid
@society_eas
@TheFHFoundation
@fhpatienteurope
Unprocessed and processed red meat consumption are associated with a higher risk of CVD and diabetes. This leads us back to the Mediterranean Style Diet!
#MedDietForLife
The Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) test is a GAME CHANGER. I’ve had hundreds of patients lives change FOR THE BETTER after getting this test done.
Ask you doc about one- it is truly magical!!!!
#WhatsyourCAC
#heartsmart
#CoronaryArteryCalcium
Agreed.
Prevention MUST START EARLIER.
As a cardiologist, I am meeting most of my patients AFTER their first heart attack or heart scare.
If you have a family history of heart disease-> get to a cardiologist early-> we can PREVENT heart attacks.
Let's GO!!🙏🙏🙏
Walk: a little--> YES = benefits
Walk: moderately --> YES = benefits
Walk: A lot ---> YES = Major Benefits (5,500 steps a day)
S0-- JUST WALK 🚶♀️🚶🚶♂️
"we do not need so many steps to have health benefits starting with even 2,500/4,000 steps/day. ; Median steps of 5,537 had a 48%
A 1,000-step increment correlated w/ a significant ↘️ of all-cause mortality of 15% & 500-step increment correlated w/ a ↘️ risk of CV mortality of 7%. When steps exceeded ∼5,500 steps/day, the relative risks of all-cause mortality ↘️ sharply.
#cvPrev
This graph from Lancet shows:
INCREASED Cardiovascular risk:
- animal based products
- artificially and sugar sweetened beverages
- sauces, spreads and condiments
DECREASED Cardiovascular risk:
- plant based alternatives
🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽
* Those sweetened drinks you are having ARE
Powerful local take on moral injury for PCPs, 1 day clinician strike at FQHC. Adding to the chorus of canaries in the coal mine. Big changes needed now. Dedicated doctors are leaving medicine. This isn’t burnout. It’s a medical crisis
💥Mx of Worsening
#HFrEF
👉 Treat congestion
👉Manage precipitants
👉 Establish a foundation of rapid-sequence, simultaneous, and/or in-🏥 initiation of quadruple therapy
👉 Use of vericiguat & IV iron
#CardioTwitter
#cardioEd
#cardiology
This is one of my families favorite pictures. Riding the rapids in Oregon on the North Umqua River outside of Bend.
Pure joy.
I am a lucky man.
#LoveMyGirlies
#TBT
#oregon
#familyfun
More great data telling us to KEEP MOVING!
Summary: "a 1000-step increment correlated with a significant reduction of all-cause mortality of 15%, and similarly, a 500-step increment correlated with a reduced risk of CV mortality of 7%."
Yes- 15% decreased risk of DYING with every
Please read this article.
Titled "Foods That Are Bad For Your Heart". My guess is you will be shocked to see many of your favorites on this list. Just be smart.
How about French Fries once a month?
Deal?!?!? 👍👊
BREATHEEEE. It’s all good. Studies have shown how deep or diaphragmatic breathing slows your heart rate and reduces blood pressure. This kind of breathing stimulates the vagus nerve, which reduces the “fight or flight” response that causes feelings of anxiety or tension. ->
LOWER YOUR RISK OF DYING BY 8% by eating smart.
Message received
@ehj_ed
#ehj
Note: 2-3 servings of veges DAILY
Note: 2-3 servings of fruit DAILY
Note: 2-3 servings of dairy DAILY
🥑🍎🍎🥑🥦🥦🐟
Fellow earthlings, what are we doing to each other?
We only have a few good years on our little speck in the expanding Universe.
Look at this galaxy NGC 941, about 55 million light-years from us. Imagine someone (something) looking down on our Milky Way Galaxy and wondering
When you go to Starbucks just understand that you are going for dessert. These are giant cups of disgusting sugar and calories. Once a day? NO. Once a month? Negotiable.
#CutOutSugars
Daily stair climbing, disease susceptibility, and risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: A prospective cohort study
🔗
@society_eas
#CardioTwitter
No 2 heart attacks are exactly alike. Chest heaviness, tightness or “pressure” are common descriptions but arm or jaw pain, shortness of breath or fatigue may your only symptoms. GET HELP if you’re not 100% sure. It may be life saving.
#KnowYourRisks
#HeartSmart
OMG!!
Thanks
@Drlipid
This paper is AMAZING.
I PROMISE🙏
"It is time to assess cardiovascular risk factor burden from childhood on, to treat risk factors more expeditiously and intensively, and to prevent atherosclerotic plaque formation as early as possible."
@American_Heart
A masterpiece by
@maciejbanach
& colleagues of only 2-pages of which every line must be read. IF YOU FOLLOW ME - PROMISE TO READ ASAP - The paper so succinctly refutes every denier statement ever made. Free download
@nationallipid
SALT IS EVERYWHERE and in EVERYTHING!
Even if you are not adding salt with a salt shaker, the odds are that your food has plenty of salt already.
Food at restaurants is tasty but LOADED with salt (taste->yes. salty—> YES)
Check your labels.
Read your labels.
Check and read
Waiting for symptoms is often too late!
Be proactive. Measuring BP is simple.
There are no excuses for not knowing your BP and you must see you doc if it's elevated: or else, say hello to strokes, heart attacks and kidney failure.
One of the most dangerous things about hypertension – or high blood pressure – is that you may not know you have it. If your blood pressure is extremely high, there may be certain symptoms to look out for, including:
HELP ME!
OK- I have been obsessed with trying to figure out the nutritional value of the horrific looking meal that Jack in the Box is pushing.
I need help- can anyone decipher the JIBox nutritional page to give me the calories and fat in this "late night treat" ????
😩😱😱😵💫🤢
Med style "diet" and intermittent fasting for me please!
- associated with lower risks for diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, strokes, dementia, cancer, and other ailments.
Hello...
Another paper showing statins DECREASE YOUR RISK OF DEMENTIA.
I'm handing this out to my patients.
"statin therapy lowered the dementia risk compared with no statin therapy. Furthermore, statin therapy is associated with a dose-dependent reduction in dementia risk."
Good Health is about developing healthy habits.
They feed upon themselves.
Happier-> eat better -> exercise more-> sleep better---> happier......REPEAT.
The exact opposite also happens.
Look to Jan 1, 2024 to LOCK these POSTIVE HABITS.
🚶🥑🚶♀️🍓🚶🍏
@HarvardHealth
#goodhabits
Cultivating a positive attitude: Focus on the now. Do not dwell on negative things that happened in the past or stress about unforeseen events in the future. Mindfulness meditation can be a good way to learn how to live in the present moment.
Well done, Dr Barrett!
Very nice summary of the data and the statin- blood sugar relationship. Helpful to review when I have these important discussions with my patients.
@Paddy_Barrett
Eating shrimp (please- not fried), is better than eating most types of meats but its a poor source of one of the most important reasons to eat seafood- the OMEGAs! Salmon and herring are the winners. 🐡🐟