The Healthspan Podcast

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For most of us, the truth is, our health isn’t what we want it to be. We do our best, but it’s a challenge these days. It’s no secret the world can be an unhealthy place and the result is that more than 60% of adults are sick with diseases like high blood pressure, unhealthy weight, high blood sugar, and heart disease. All of that disease is costing us. We are taking tons of medications - spending too much time in doctor’s offices and hospitals - and not living life to the fullest. That’s why I started ”The Healthspan Podcast”. As a cardiologist with over two decades of experience, I’ve seen firsthand the power of lifestyle modification in treating and even reversing the chronic diseases that plague our society. In this podcast, we’ll delve deep into the world of preventive medicine, exploring evidence-based strategies to help you optimize your health, reclaim your vitality, and break free from the cycle of medications and doctor’s visits. Each episode features insightful discussions with leading experts and inspiring stories from individuals who have successfully transformed their health through lifestyle changes. We’ll cover topics like nutrition, exercise, stress management, sleep hygiene, and mental and emotional wellbeing. Our goal is to empower you with practical knowledge and actionable advice for your health journey. Join me, Dr. R. Todd Hurst, MD, FASE, FACE, as we uncover the heart of the matter and embark on a journey towards better health and more vibrant life. Let’s cut through the noise and misinformation and, together, create a path to a healthier, happier, and more fulfilling life. Subscribe now to The Healthspan Podcast and take the first step towards transforming your health and the quality of your life.

Why I Told This Patient NOT to Get A Stent Even With A Severe LAD Blockage

A severe blockage in the "widowmaker" artery sounds like an automatic trip to the cath lab but is it always? In this episode, Dr. Robert Todd Hurst, MD, FACC, FASE shares a remarkable real-world case that challenges conventional thinking about stents and heart disease treatment. He explains the difference between stable and unstable coronary artery disease, reviews the research behind stents versus aggressive medical therapy, and reveals how one patient with a severe LAD blockage improved his artery health without undergoing an invasive procedure. You'll also learn why understanding root causes, optimizing risk factors, and taking a personalized approach to prevention may be more important than many people realize. About Dr. Robert Todd Hurst, MD, FACC, FASE Dr. Robert Todd Hurst, MD, FACC, FASE is a board-certified preventive cardiologist, former Mayo Clinic physician, and founder of HealthspanMD. His mission is simple: that no one dies of a heart attack, ever. Through a proactive, precision-medicine approach, he helps patients identify hidden cardiovascular risk, reverse heart disease, and add strong, vital, mentally sharp years to life. In this podcast, he shares practical insights from more than two decades of experience helping people prevent and overcome cardiovascular disease. Key Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction: Do severe blockages always require a stent? 00:27 – Case study: A patient with a severe LAD ("widowmaker") blockage and no symptoms 01:14 – Why stress testing, echocardiograms, and symptoms matter when evaluating blockages 01:39 – What research shows about stents versus aggressive medical therapy for stable coronary artery disease 02:46 – The real risks of angiograms, stents, and invasive procedures 03:36 – Why the patient's condition did not automatically justify a stent 04:15 – Optimizing cholesterol, insulin resistance, and other root causes 04:42 – One year later: Severe blockage improves to moderate stenosis 05:04 – Evidence of plaque regression and why the results matter 05:35 – How cardiology thinking has evolved since the COURAGE trial 06:07 – When stents and bypass surgery may still be the right choice 06:41 – Questions every patient should ask before agreeing to a stent 07:02 – Long-term considerations and risks of living with a stent 07:20 – Why healthcare remains reactive instead of preventive 07:47 – HealthspanMD's mission: Moving from disease treatment to health optimization 08:08 – Final thoughts and invitation to learn more about HealthspanMD 08:34 – Medical disclaimer This episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always discuss treatment decisions with your healthcare provider. This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Don't make any decisions about your medical treatment without first talking to your doctor. * Connect* with HealthspanMD : 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/company/healthspanmd/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/healthspanmd/] 👉 https://www.facebook.com/healthspanmd [https://www.facebook.com/healthspanmd] 👉 https://www.instagram.com/healthspanmd/ [https://www.instagram.com/healthspanmd/] 👉 https://open.spotify.com/show/5KQuoWqKP2vTBu05ci6EQB?si=fdb033a52b674909 [https://open.spotify.com/show/5KQuoWqKP2vTBu05ci6EQB?si=fdb033a52b674909] 👉 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-healthspan-podcast/id1680270608 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-healthspan-podcast/id1680270608] 🏆 Become a Member / 🤝 Partner With Dr. Hurst and His Expert Team To Add a Decade or More Of Healthy Life At HealthspanMD, we combine cutting-edge medicine, advanced technology, and concierge care to help high-achievers avoid heart attacks, strokes, and dementia. 🔍 Learn how patients add years to their lives by going to 👉 https://www.healthspanmd.com [https://www.healthspanmd.com]. 📅 Or Schedule a Call Directly with a HealthspanMD Dedicated Patient Advisor by clicking 👉 https://join.healthspanmd.com/call [https://join.healthspanmd.com/call]

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