Heart Doc VIP with Dr. Joel Kahn

This week, Dr. Kahn discusses a new report from the American Heart Association on the causes of heart-related deaths in the U.S., and the sobering reality that cardiovascular disease remains the nation's leading cause of death. Despite this, prevention and early detection continue to be underemphasized at the national level—meaning much of the responsibility still falls on individuals. Dr. Kahn al...

This week, Dr. Kahn dives into four new research papers on omega-3 fatty acids and their impact on heart and brain health. The discussion highlights several eye-opening findings, including reduced atrial fibrillation risk and improved cardiovascular outcomes in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Dr. Kahn also explains how omega-3 intake supports brain health and why the "right" dose depends on the...

This week, Dr. Kahn breaks down the newly released USDA 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines and the surprising upside-down food pyramid they present. He explains how the final report differs from last year's Advisory Committee recommendations, including changes in committee membership and the influence of advisors with financial ties to the meat and dairy industries. Looking back at the original 1980 die...

Dr. Kahn kicks off 2026 by reviewing recent media reports on aspirin use and dosing for the prevention of cardiovascular events in the President of the United States. Much of the coverage overlooks an important factor: the relationship between aspirin dose and body weight. Dr. Kahn examines data from multiple studies suggesting that, in some cases, only higher-dose aspirin was effective in prevent...

Tim Kaufman's journey is nothing short of remarkable. Diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome—an inherited condition affecting collagen that impacts the heart, joints, and tendons—Tim found himself in a dark place by 2011, struggling with food, alcohol, and painkiller addiction, compounded by morbid obesity. His inspiring recovery through a plant-based diet led him to complete the Lake Placid Ironma...

This week, Dr. Kahn shares his curated list of the top advances in heart research from 2025. He highlights key insights and perspectives from Drs. Kim Williams and Noel Merz, along with important updates from the American Heart Association. Dr. Kahn also reviews a newly published research paper on the 5-day Fasting Mimicking Diet (PROLON), including the first human evidence showing activation of a...

This week on Heart Doc VIP , Dr. Joel Kahn takes a fresh look at niacin (vitamin B3) therapy and its role in managing cholesterol and Lipoprotein(a). He reviews both classic and recent research, explains why many clinicians have moved away from niacin, and then walks through data that suggest it may still have value when used thoughtfully and selectively. Dr. Kahn also shares a real-world case stu...

This week, Dr. Joel Kahn dives into a timely topic: how cold weather affects heart health. He breaks down why snow shoveling can put extra stress on the heart, what warning signs to watch for, and the simple steps anyone can take to stay safe — especially when the risks can include sudden cardiac events. He also covers a grab-bag of fascinating updates, including new insights on Lipoprotein(a) and...

This week, Dr. Kahn breaks down new research on erectile dysfunction (ED) as an early warning sign—a "canary in the coal mine"—for heart disease and cardiovascular events, including mortality. He also discusses the emerging role of endocrine-disrupting chemicals and highlights new findings suggesting that ED medications like Viagra and Cialis may reduce all-cause mortality and potentially lower th...

Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving week. In this episode, Dr. Kahn breaks down the latest science on eating for longevity and overall health. He covers everything from high-protein versus plant-based diets to antioxidants, high-fat diets and Alzheimer's risk, red meat and inflammation, and how vegan diets support a lower carbon footprint. Short topics this week include new data on smoking and m...

This week, Dr. Kahn provides details on presentations just made and published at the annual scientific meeting of the American Heart Association in New Orleans. Topics include a polypill for heart failure, coffee for atrial fibrillation, an oral PCSK9 inhibitor, beta-blockers after heart attacks, gene editing to lower cholesterol, and the use of PCSK9 inhibitors (Repatha) in a randomized trial of...

This week, Dr. Kahn breaks down new research presented at the American Heart Association linking melatonin use to congestive heart failure. Should you be concerned? He shares his expert perspective. Also in this episode: aspirin use in diabetes, fruit's role in Parkinson's disease, how metformin affects exercise results, the impact of heavy metals like mercury on heart health, why daily walking su...

This week on Heart Doc VIP , Dr. Joel Kahn reviews the latest advances in treating aortic and mitral valve disease. While prevention remains the cornerstone of heart health, not all valve conditions can be avoided — and many require medical or surgical intervention beyond lifestyle changes. Dr. Kahn brings you up to date on the newest valve therapies and what they mean for patients. Short topics t...

In this bonus episode, Dr. Kahn sits down with Dr. William Hsu , Chief Medical Officer at L-Nutra (Prolon) and former Harvard Medical School faculty member, for a fascinating look at how fasting can help put Type 2 diabetes into remission. Dr. Hsu explains why muscle mass is crucial for managing diabetes — it's where glucose gets absorbed — and how the Fasting Mimicking Diet (just five days a mont...

This week, Dr. Kahn dives into new research linking plant-based diets to both a lower risk of type 2 diabetes and improved control in type 1 diabetes. (Fun fact: even eating one juicy mango a day can help with blood sugar control!) He also tackles the recent Consumer Reports headlines about lead in protein powders, explaining why the use of California's Prop 65 limits may have exaggerated the conc...

This week, Dr. Joel Kahn explores three advanced methods for cleansing the blood. He begins with apheresis, a medical technique that removes LDL cholesterol and Lipoprotein(a), and discusses new developments in access to this life-saving therapy. Dr. Kahn also breaks down two emerging treatments gaining popularity— EBOO (Extracorporeal Blood Oxygenation and Ozonation) and TPE (Therapeutic Plasma E...

This week, Dr. Kahn dives into the latest research on how healthy plant-based diets can benefit the body from head to almost toe — including lowering dementia risk, improving sexual health, reducing mortality, and supporting the planet. He also breaks down new studies showing the downsides of even one egg a day, the low testing rates of Lipoprotein(a), and why traditional heart risk factors still...

Connie Zack, co-founder of Sunlighten Sauna , joins Dr. Kahn to discuss the science and benefits behind infrared sauna and red light therapy. Sunlighten is the leading brand in "full spectrum" infrared saunas, designed to deliver maximum results even at lower temperatures. Connie explains how infrared sauna therapy can improve cardiovascular health and support healthy blood pressure—benefits that...

This week marks the 10th anniversary of the Kahn Center for Cardiac Longevity—thank you for being part of the journey! Dr. Kahn reviews important new Mayo Clinic data comparing causes of heart attacks in men vs. women under 65. The findings show that non-traditional causes are significantly more common in women. Because the study ended in 2018, neither COVID nor vaccine-related data were included....

Dr. Monica Aggarwal, a practicing cardiologist and mother, experienced rheumatoid arthritis but was able to dicontinue using medications through the diet and lifestyle changes as she shares in her book  Body on Fire . She later completed a randomized study of plant-based diets—with and without olive oil—showing that both improve outcomes compared to the standard American diet. An advocate for whol...

This week, Dr. Kahn reviews brand-new science under the headline "Things We Put in Our Mouth." He covers a range of topics, including a new study on long-term ketogenic diets and their potential harms, the risks of being underweight, the impact of high-fat diets on autophagy, gut health by diet type, cocoa powder and inflammation, cannabis use and diabetes risk, Pycnogenol and cellulite, and the r...

This week, Dr. Kahn reports on a new Mayo Clinic study on the relationship between chronic insomnia and accelerated brain aging in a group of study subjects who had advanced brain testing over time. He suggests 20 tips for better sleep and a bonus 21st: cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I). Additional topics include heart disease remaining the #1 cause of death, TMAO and cognitive imp...

This week, Dr. Joel Kahn dives into surprising results from recent medical research. The most eye-opening? Women recovering from a heart attack with relatively preserved heart function were found to have higher mortality risk when discharged on beta-blockers — a finding that challenges 40 years of clinical practice. Dr. Kahn urges listeners to discuss these results with their own healthcare teams....

This week, Dr. Joel Kahn shares the case of a patient at the Kahn Center diagnosed with ATTR cardiomyopathy, a serious disorder in which a protein (amyloid) infiltrates the heart and can be fatal. It is often associated with carpal tunnel syndrome, neuropathy, and spinal stenosis. Fortunately, exciting new therapies are now available. Other topics in this episode include the latest cholesterol gui...

This week, Dr. Joel Kahn reviews the latest research on men's health, focusing on diet and prostate cancer. He highlights findings that support whole-food, plant-based diets and discusses the connection between prostate cancer, heart disease, and the cardiovascular risks associated with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Other topics covered include plant-based diets and disease rates, the role o...