Lifespan has increased dramatically in the last 100 years but "healthspan", or the number of years free of chronic medical issues, has stalled. Can we both live long and well? Here are 4 tips from the Kahn Center and Joel Kahn, MD, FACC
Conflicting studies on diet and heart health are common. How do you evaluate headlines? What do world class scientists recommend. No single study justifies a change in decades of science. A 35,000 foot view of all the science is recommended.
Lipoprotein(a) or Lp(a) is a "sticky cholesterol" particle under genetic control that is different than the lipids measured on a routine clinic visit. It must be ordered specially even though it is widely available and inexpensive. Do you know your level?
To be a good student of the human body and health, it is important to understand a process in our bodies called inflammation. Although a mouthful of a word, the root is the word flame like a fire that destroys your tissues.
Sleep quality may seem outside the wheelhouse of a cardiologist but in reality, without consistent and deep sleep of approximately 7-8 hours nightly, heart health and habits deteriorate. At the Kahn Center, sleep is a major topic of care.
At the Kahn Center we routinely see reversal of atherosclerosis in 6-24 months using CIMT (digitized carotid ultrasound) and other imaging modalities. While some argue that reversal is not possible, seeing is believing and we see reversal frequently.
Death from heart attack is an equal risk for both men and women, but on average, occurs earlier in men. A focus on why arteries clog, how to detect the process years before a heart attack, and strategies to prevent heart disease are important goals.
How can you use food to improve your heart and overall health? We teach food as medicine at the Kahn Center and eating greens and beats, chewed for maximal benefit, is another habit for optimal health.
During an average day there are about 100,000 heart beats. It is very common that <1% of them are premature or skipped beats. These may be felt as a thud, pause, or short racing of beats. They are common but cause great concern. Natural therapies work.
Lipoprotein(a) or Lp(a) is a complex cholesterol molecule inherited in 25% of people in an elevated blood level. It can cause heart and vascular disease but is rarely measured. The Kahn Center is a referral center in managing this problem.
Heart Month reminds us that we must have a plan to maintain a healthy heart and avoid the statistic that it is the number 1 risk to our lives. Here outlined from Dr. Kahn's book Dead Execs are 13 Steps to take now!
Although we share over 99% of our genes, there are differences called SNP's (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms) that are minor changes to our genes that may make a pathway not function optimally. The MTHFR gene is one we track and treat at the Kahn Center.
While it is obvious that food choices and food quality are a major determinant of health, which foods? What about conflicting reports? There is a method to evaluate new headlines like eggs raise the risk of death.
The wellness movement and its message of health, fcusing on unprocessed food, clean water, upgraded personal care products, regular fitness, meaningful relationships and stress management is as important to men as to women. But men don't just get it.
At the Kahn Center we teach steps to feel better and to improve health metrics for a longer and healthier life. The steps to take do not need to be difficult or expensive. Her are 5 simple steps to take starting today.
CIMT testing, or ‘carotid intimal medial thickness’ testing, is a new and powerful approach that is simple to administer, involves non-ionizing radiation, and is 88-92% correlated with cardiovascular disease – much more accurate than most commonly used bas
Every year roughly 610,000 Americans die of heart disease, which is the leading cause of death in the United States for both sexes. Yet research shows little shifts in diet and lifestyle can significantly boost your heart health. Here are 10 to do now.
"If you can't measure it, you can't improve it" is an often used business philosophy that may apply to optimal health too. Aging of arteries can be measured but rarely is assessed annually to guide therapy. Here is how we do it at the Kahn Center.
Congestive heart failure is a common and serious cardiac disorder. Once fully characterized as to the root cause, heart failure is treated with lifestyle and Rx medications. The role for natural and integrative therapies of heart failure are discussed
While COVID19 dominated medicine and the world in 2020, there were intersting, hopeful, and significant research studies unrelated to the pandemic. Here are several that were impactful to me.
One of the most common of heart conditions is an irregular heart beat called atrial fibrillation. It can be present some or all of the time. It usually requires many medications and procedurs to control. Is their a natural option?
A heart calcium CT scan is the most available, cost-effective, and accurate test to screen for silent heart disease of the 3 major arteries. What do you do when you the results come back and the score is high? This is what we do at the Kahn Center
Many people are having a heart calcium CT score (also known as a coronary artery calcium score or CACS). This is an important test that is simple, safe and inexpensive. The results may be concerning and high. What to do? Part 2 will follow.
An elevated cholesterol, particularly LDL particles, raises the risk of atherosclerosis or clogged arteries. At the Kahn Center we use a range of approaches to lower LDL cholesterol.
Holidays or any day, healthy gifts are a joy to give and receive. I have tried many healthy items, foods and treatments. I wanted to share my top 10 that you may not be aware of. Health. Happiness. Natural Health and Prevention
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is the number one killer worldwide. Step one is to measure blood pressure at home and work. Step two is to find therapies and lifestyle changes (exercise, diet, sleep, weight loss) that return it to normal.
Simple and consistent lifestyle decisions can add over 10 years of lifespan. Advanced testing is simple, inexpensive, and accurate for knowing your true heart risk.
The treatment of Lipoprotein(a), a genetic cholesterol impacting the risk of heart disease in over a billion persons, is controversial. This case study from the Kahn Center reports on successful therapy with diet and natural approaches.
Lipoprotein(a) is a common inherited cholesterol particle that can cause blocked arteries and valves leading to heart attacks and other serious issues. This case study demonstrates the importance of Lp(a) in a young patient.
Is there evidence for a plant-based diet? How do you learn more? Can a plant-based diet benefit your heart, brain, kidneys, skin and even your sexual health? Joel Kahn, MD of the Kahn Center for Cardiac Longevity suggests simple steps to get started.
Eat your vegetables and fruits, get seven to nine hours of sleep, don’t smoke, walk 30 minutes a day, stand more, stress less, be more mindful. If you add in a healthy sexual life you are also protecting your wellness!
Some people are drawn to the plant-based lifestyle for the impact it makes on protecting the environment and some to avoid harming animals.
Odds are you’ve heard about fasting. Defined as “abstinence from eating,” it is something you may have tried now and then.
You’ve decided to avoid animal products and jump into the world of plant-based eating but you’re wondering what your three meals a day and snacks are going to look like. How will you order at restaurants? What do you need to stock up on at home?
Preventing heart disease in patients is my main goal, but early detection is the next best thing if you cannot totally block its development.