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 importance of understanding heart health, particularly in relation to heart disease, which is a significant issue in Australia. He emphasizes that many heart attacks could be prevented with better knowledge of blood pressure, weight, and cholesterol. The episode focuses on advanced imaging technologies used to detect plaque in arteries, specifically intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and optical coherence tomography (OCT). These methods allow for detailed internal imaging of arteries, helping interventional cardiologists accurately place stents and assess plaque characteristics.
Dr. Bishop highlights the role of these technologies in research, particularly in lipid-lowering trials that demonstrate the potential for reducing plaque size through effective cholesterol management. He notes that achieving an LDL cholesterol level of 1.4 millimoles per liter can lead to plaque regression in over 50% of individuals. While these imaging techniques are beneficial for specific patients, he advises that they are not for everyone and emphasizes the use of non-invasive CT scans for general assessments. Additionally, he mentions the potential future integration of artificial intelligence with these imaging technologies to enhance interpretation and clinical practice. Finally, he encourages listeners to join the Healthy Heart Network for resources on heart health and risk management.
Takeaways:
- Heart disease is a significant health issue in Australia, with a heart attack occurring every 20 minutes, many of which could be preventable with better knowledge.
- The podcast aims to educate listeners on critical health factors like blood pressure, weight, and cholesterol to promote better heart health.
- Cardiac CT imaging is a key technology used to assess plaque in arteries before any heart-related events occur.
- Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) are advanced imaging technologies that allow doctors to visualize plaque inside arteries during procedures.
- IVUS uses high-frequency sound waves, while OCT employs light to capture detailed images of plaque characteristics and stability within coronary arteries.
- These imaging technologies assist interventional cardiologists in accurately placing stents by providing detailed information on plaque location and extent.
- Research has shown that lowering LDL cholesterol to 1.4 millimoles per liter can lead to plaque regression in over 50% of individuals, as demonstrated by studies using IVUS and OCT.
- There is potential for integrating artificial intelligence with IVUS and OCT technologies to enhance image interpretation and clinical decision-making.
- While these imaging techniques are valuable, they are primarily intended for patients with specific arterial issues or those involved in clinical studies, not for routine checks in healthy individuals.
- The Healthy Heart Network offers resources and community support for individuals interested in understanding their heart health and reducing their risk of heart attacks.
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
