Chasing Life

Do You Still Need Your Beta Blocker? Here’s the Latest

For decades, beta blockers were the go‑to prescription after a heart attack - meant to slow the heart rate and prevent future heart attacks. However, doctors are now reconsidering that long‑held approach. This week, Dr. Sanjay Gupta explains who may still need these drugs, who might not, and why tapering safely matters. Also, a listener question about the long‑term side effects of beta blockers. This episode was produced by Jennifer Lai and Nadia Kounang Showrunner: Amanda Sealy  Senior Producer: Dan Bloom Technical Director: Dan Dzula Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Did the iPhone Change Everything... Including Us?

When the first iPhone was unveiled, it sparked a tech revolution. But who could have imagined how much it would reshape our lives? In this episode, Sanjay sits down with CNN’s Chief Climate Correspondent Bill Weir to talk about his new documentary 50 Years of Apple — exploring how our devices have woven themselves into our homes, our habits, and even our parenting. They dig into the rise of screen addiction, what constant device use may be doing to our brains, and where Apple (and our tech‑filled future) may be headed next.  50 Years of Apple for The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper [https://cnnpressroom.blogs.cnn.com/2026/03/30/cnns-bill-weir-reports-in-50-years-of-apple-for-the-whole-story-with-anderson-cooper/] airs Saturday April 4 at 10 p.m. ET on CNN, or you can stream it now on CNN All Access. This episode was produced by Kyra Dahring with assistance from Jennifer Lai Medical Writer: Andrea Kane Showrunner: Amanda Sealy  Senior Producer: Dan Bloom Technical Director: Dan Dzula Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Want to Keep Your Eyes in Tip-Top Shape? Here’s How

As more of us spend our days staring at screens, keeping our eyes healthy matters more than ever. This week, Dr. Sanjay Gupta digs into the small habits, smart food choices, and the right eye drops that can help protect your “super peepers” for the long run. Plus, we dig into why one listener feels weak even while staying active -- and why the difference between strength and muscle mass matters. This episode was produced by Leying Tang and Jennifer Lai.  Showrunner: Amanda Sealy Senior Producer: Dan Bloom Technical Director: Dan Dzula Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Is Cortisol Hurting You or Helping You?

Cortisol gets blamed for everything from sleepless nights to stubborn belly fat, but the real story is far more complicated. Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks with Dr. Robert Sapolsky [https://profiles.stanford.edu/robert-sapolsky], a neuroscientist, biologist, and Stanford University professor, and author of Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers [https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780805073690/whyzebrasdontgetulcers/], about what this stress hormone actually does and why it matters. Sapolsky explains how chronic stress affects sleep, metabolism, mood, and long‑term health, and shares what we can learn from creatures who manage stress far better than we do... including how you might do the same.    Our show was produced by Jennifer Lai.   Medical Writer: Andrea Kane  Showrunner: Amanda Sealy  Senior Producer: Dan Bloom  Technical Director: Dan Dzula Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

How Early Should You Check Your Cholesterol?

If you thought high cholesterol was something to worry about later in life, you’re not alone. But new advice has a lot of people wondering if they should be getting checked sooner. Dr. Sanjay Gupta breaks down the new guidelines, who should pay attention, and what it actually means for you.  Want to check your risk? Try the American Heart Association’s PREVENT calculator. [https://professional.heart.org/en/guidelines-and-statements/prevent-calculator]    Producer: Kyra Dahring    Medical Writer: Andrea Kane    Showrunner: Amanda Sealy    Senior Producer: Dan Bloom    Technical Director: Dan Dzula  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]