Episode 478: Heart Disease in 2026 — Still the #1 Killer
Heart Doc VIP with Dr. Joel Kahn
Release Date: 01/27/2026
Episode 486: Top 10 Takeaways of New Cholesterol Guidelines 2026
Heart Doc VIP with Dr. Joel Kahn
The replay of the 4th Reversing Heart Disease Summit is going on now. Register here: drtalks.com/summits/reversing-heart-disease This week, Dr. Kahn addresses the newly published 2026 guidelines for the management of hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol), which will be studied and used by medical professionals all over the world. The top 10 takeaways are presented and are similar to the approach used at the Kahn Center for over a decade. Other topics include the challenge of staying vegan, the influence of cold temperatures on aortic dissection, the development of clogged arteries after a normal...
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Episode 485: What’s the Hoopla About Nattokinase?
Heart Doc VIP with Dr. Joel Kahn
The 4th Reversing Heart Disease Summit began March 7, 2026. There will be a replay available, and the event is free to attend online. Register here: This week, Dr. Kahn addresses the recurring posts on social media about nattokinase supplements as a “powerhouse” for reversing atherosclerosis. Is there new data? Is it powerful? Would mainstream medicine accept it? Should you use it? These questions and more are addressed. Other topics include the risks of sleep apnea with insomnia, sleep duration and glucose control, possible risks of spermidine, and the happy feeling that eating...
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Episode 484: Red Meat, Cancer Risk, and Why Plants Keep Winning
Heart Doc VIP with Dr. Joel Kahn
Join Dr. Kahn for the 4th Reversing Heart Disease Summit beginning March 7, 2026. The event is free to attend online. Register here: This week, Dr. Kahn reviews new research examining the connection between red meat consumption and the risk of diabetes, elevated cholesterol, and cancer. He also discusses findings from a large study showing that vegetarian diets are associated with a lower risk of several types of cancer. Additional topics include emerging treatments for Lipoprotein(a), the role of coronary CT angiography in women and in individuals with a family history of heart...
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Episode 483: Sharing My Personal Heart Journey
Heart Doc VIP with Dr. Joel Kahn
This week, Dr. Kahn discusses his current health challenge: a leaky mitral valve due to mitral valve prolapse, a condition of unknown cause that is unrelated to lifestyle or diet. He reviews data on mitral valve surgery, comparing repair to replacement, as well as the current availability of robotic surgery and its advantages. He plans to keep the Heart Doc VIP community updated on his status and is feeling great day to day. Short topics this week include wine, olive oil, plant-based diets for breast cancer, Life’s Essential 8, the health of babies raised in vegan families, and new data on...
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Episode 482: Why the Framingham Heart Study Still Matters
Heart Doc VIP with Dr. Joel Kahn
This week on Heart Doc VIP, Dr. Joel Kahn takes a deep dive into one of the most influential research projects in cardiovascular history: the Framingham Heart Study. Launched in 1948 and still going strong, this landmark study helped identify many of the risk factors we now take for granted, including smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, and physical inactivity. Much of what modern cardiology considers “common knowledge” about prevention started in Framingham. Dr. Kahn also explores practical and emerging topics in heart health, including the role of magnesium...
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Episode 481: What’s Coming Next for Lipoprotein(a) Treatments
Heart Doc VIP with Dr. Joel Kahn
This week, Dr. Kahn breaks down a new paper examining the risks and reported side effects of statins—including the surprising finding that placebo alone is linked to many of the same symptoms. He also covers an oral PCSK9 inhibitor currently under study and what it could mean for cholesterol management. The episode then dives into the latest research on emerging therapies designed to lower lipoprotein(a), including a real-world case study that highlights where this rapidly evolving field is headed. Shorter discussions include heart disease at a young age, why so many patients fail to...
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Episode 480: At What Age Do We Treat High Cholesterol?
Heart Doc VIP with Dr. Joel Kahn
This week, Dr. Kahn discussed a case study involving a 30-year-old man with newly discovered, very high cholesterol. The implications of heart disease in young adults—backed by a recent paper from the CARDIA study group—suggest that early intervention, beginning with lifestyle changes, should be offered, along with follow-up lab testing. The Portfolio Diet plan would be a strong starting point on the journey toward a more plant-based diet. Other topics covered include the risks of diet soda, the health impacts of being a night owl, coffee consumption for atrial fibrillation patients, the...
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Bonus Episode: TJ Robinson, the World-Famous Olive Oil Hunter
Heart Doc VIP with Dr. Joel Kahn
In this bonus episode, Dr. Kahn sits down with his longtime friend TJ Robinson, founder of the Fresh Pressed Olive Oil Club and self-described “olive oil hunter.” TJ has made it his life’s mission to track down the freshest, highest-quality extra virgin olive oils in the world — often straight from small producers in Europe and South America — and get them shipped to the U.S. as quickly as possible. The conversation dives into what most people don’t realize about olive oil: how freshness impacts flavor, health benefits, and antioxidant levels, and why the oil sitting on a grocery...
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Episode 478: Heart Disease in 2026 — Still the #1 Killer
Heart Doc VIP with Dr. Joel Kahn
This week, Dr. Kahn discusses a new report from the American Heart Association on the causes of heart-related deaths in the U.S., and the sobering reality that cardiovascular disease remains the nation’s leading cause of death. Despite this, prevention and early detection continue to be underemphasized at the national level—meaning much of the responsibility still falls on individuals. Dr. Kahn also covers several shorter topics, including a response to the CSPI food pyramid, water quality on airplanes, Apple Watch detection of atrial fibrillation, why earlier meal timing is better, the...
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Episode 477: A Boatload of Data on Omega-3 Benefits
Heart Doc VIP with Dr. Joel Kahn
This week, Dr. Kahn dives into four new research papers on omega-3 fatty acids and their impact on heart and brain health. The discussion highlights several eye-opening findings, including reduced atrial fibrillation risk and improved cardiovascular outcomes in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Dr. Kahn also explains how omega-3 intake supports brain health and why the “right” dose depends on the specific condition being addressed. Food sources, fish oil, algae-based supplements, and ahiflower are compared as practical ways to reach optimal omega-3 levels. Additional topics in this...
info_outlineThis week, Dr. Kahn discusses a new report from the American Heart Association on the causes of heart-related deaths in the U.S., and the sobering reality that cardiovascular disease remains the nation’s leading cause of death. Despite this, prevention and early detection continue to be underemphasized at the national level—meaning much of the responsibility still falls on individuals.
Dr. Kahn also covers several shorter topics, including a response to the CSPI food pyramid, water quality on airplanes, Apple Watch detection of atrial fibrillation, why earlier meal timing is better, the vascular benefits of extra-virgin olive oil, and the cholesterol-lowering power of oats.
Thanks to the Fresh Pressed Olive Oil Club, you can sample a bottle of high-quality extra-virgin olive oil for just $1 at getfreshDRKAHN.com.
Registration is now open for Dr. Kahn’s lecture on January 29, 2026 at 7:00 PM EST.
Sign up HERE.