Episode 428: Why We Must Prevent Heart Disease in the Young

Heart Doc VIP with Dr. Joel Kahn

This week on Heart Doc VIP, Dr. Joel Kahn explores new and historic data showing that heart disease can begin shockingly early—sometimes before age 30. A pivotal 1998 study revealed that up to one-third of young adults already show signs of atherosclerosis, emphasizing the urgent need for primordial prevention starting in childhood. Dr. Kahn outlines the key health screenings every parent should know: blood pressure checks, body weight monitoring, and essential lab work.

Later in the episode, Dr. Kahn revisits new findings on the Paleo diet, showing it may have included more plant- and starch-based foods than often assumed. He also discusses concerning links between processed meats and dementia, plus a cautionary look at a recent study on a specific group following the KETO diet—don’t buy into the hype just yet.

Additional topics include:

• The ISCHEMIA trial’s insights on blood pressure control
• New research on the risk of dementia in people diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AFIB) before age 70

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