Welcome to my podcast. I am Doctor Warrick Bishop, and I want to help you to live as well as possible for as long as possible. I’m a practising cardiologist, best-selling author, keynote speaker, and the creator of The Healthy Heart Network. I have over 20 years as a specialist cardiologist and a private practice of over 10,000 patients.
In this podcast, Dr. Warrick Bishop, a cardiologist and CEO of the Healthy Heart Network, discusses the misconceptions surrounding cholesterol and its role in heart health. He emphasizes that heart disease is prevalent in Australia, with a heart attack occurring every twenty minutes, many of which could be prevented with better understanding. Dr. Bishop critiques the term "coronary artery disease," arguing that it overlooks the long-term process of atherosclerosis, which develops over decades. He highlights the importance of distinguishing between primary and secondary prevention of heart disease, noting that while cholesterol-lowering treatments are effective after an event, their role in primary prevention remains ambiguous.
He warns against the term "low risk," as it can create a false sense of security and downplay the lifelong risk individuals face. Dr. Bishop clarifies that cholesterol as a molecule differs from cholesterol in the blood, which is carried by various proteins, particularly Apo B 100, linked to cardiovascular risk. He discusses the continuum of cholesterol levels, stressing that "high cholesterol" encompasses various categories, from borderline to very high, which have different clinical implications. The podcast concludes with a call for clearer communication regarding cholesterol and cardiovascular health, encouraging listeners to seek more information on evaluating their risk.
Takeaways:
- Heart disease is a significant issue in Australia, with a heart attack occurring every twenty minutes, often preventable through better understanding of health metrics like blood pressure, weight, and cholesterol.
- The term “coronary artery disease” is misleading as it focuses on the final stage of a long-term process, atherosclerosis, which develops over years or decades without symptoms until an event occurs.
- Shifting the conversation from managing coronary artery disease to managing atherosclerosis could enhance early identification and treatment of individuals at risk before events happen.
- The concept of “low risk” in cardiovascular disease can lead to false security; everyone should be considered potentially at risk, especially over a lifetime.
- Cholesterol is often misunderstood; it’s important to differentiate between the cholesterol molecule and the cholesterol associated with proteins in the bloodstream that correlate with cardiovascular risk.
- High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is generally protective, while very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), intermediate density lipoprotein (IDL), and low density lipoprotein (LDL) are associated with increased cardiovascular risk.
- The risk associated with cholesterol is not just about high levels but also the type and company it keeps in the bloodstream, particularly with apolipoprotein B100.
- The classification of cholesterol levels (high, borderline high, very high) should be contextualized; a continuum exists rather than a strict cutoff, impacting treatment decisions.
- Misuse of terms like “high cholesterol” can create confusion and misrepresent the true risk levels, particularly in discussions about borderline high cholesterol.
- Understanding and communicating the nuances of cholesterol and cardiovascular risk is crucial for effective prevention and management strategies.
Australia, like the rest of the western world, has a heart problem.
Over 9 million people around the world die from heart disease every year.
Every 10 minutes, someone in Australia suffers a heart attack. And 21 lives are lost daily because of it.
The devastating fact in all of this is…
Almost every one of those cases could have been prevented.
This podcast is for anyone who wants to improve their health literacy and gain information to help them make the best decisions about their risk of heart attack, their cholesterol, blood pressure, risk of diabetes, weight loss and general health. Join me on my personal mission journey to prevent Heart Attack on a global scale. If you like this podcast, I would be honoured by a 5-star review and appreciate if you let your friends and family know about this podcast; you may even save the life of someone you love!
Are You at Risk of a Sudden Heart Attack? How Healthy is Your Heart? Really?
Heart disease is the #1 killer in the Western World. In Australia, someone dies every 28 minutes from heart disease. That’s 51 people a day. In the US, someone has a heart attack every 40 SECONDS! Fortunately, many heart attacks are preventable. However, regular exercise and eating healthy are no guarantee you won’t succumb to this silent killer.
- 94% of Australians have at least One Risk Factor for heart disease.
- 59% of Australians have been Touched by heart disease.
- Yet only 3% of Australians have had a Full Heart-Health Assessment in the past 12 months.
Do the free heart check today at www.virtualheartcheck.com.au
Join the Healthy Heart Network and become part of our growing community!
Do You Want to Improve Your Heart’s Health and Reduce Your Risk of Suffering a Heart Attack? Join The Healthy Heart Network For Only $5 Lifetime Access (Valued at over $55)!
The Healthy Heart Network is designed to help members:
- understand the present state of their heart’s health
- recognise their current level of risk of suffering a heart attack
- Learn the positive steps they can take to improve their situation
Visit https://healthyheartnetwork.com/ and click on the JOIN THE FAMILY BUTTON
