EP346: Cholesterol and Statin Non-Believers

Doctor Warrick Bishop - Heart Health

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.

This podcast discusses common beliefs and skepticism around cholesterol and statin medications. The host, Dr. Warrick Bishop, a cardiologist, addresses misconceptions such as cholesterol not being harmful, heart disease not being caused by high cholesterol, and saturated fats not being harmful. He explains that while cholesterol levels alone don't directly predict plaque buildup, lowering cholesterol is crucial for those at high risk of heart disease. Dr. Bishop also responds to claims that the cholesterol hypothesis is incorrect, that statin side effects are underreported, and that statins deplete vital nutrients. He emphasizes that while lifestyle changes are important, medication is often necessary for those at high risk. Overall, the podcast provides a balanced perspective on the complex relationship between cholesterol, heart disease, and statin medications.

Takeaways:

• Cholesterol is not inherently harmful, as it is an essential part of the body's functions, but it can end up in the wrong places like the arteries and cause problems.
• The relationship between cholesterol levels and heart disease risk is complex - high cholesterol doesn't always directly correlate with plaque buildup, but for those at high risk, lowering cholesterol is crucial.
• The role of saturated fats is still debated, but if someone has significant plaque buildup, lowering cholesterol through diet and medication is recommended.
• The "cholesterol hypothesis" linking cholesterol to atherosclerosis is supported by evidence, especially for high-risk individuals where lowering cholesterol reduces risk.
• Cholesterol can potentially reach the arteries from the outside via the vasa vasorum, not just from the bloodstream, but this doesn't negate the benefits of lowering cholesterol.
• LDL particle size is not the sole driver of atherosclerosis, as the process is more complex involving inflammation and other metabolic factors.
• Statins are highly beneficial for those with significant heart disease, reducing risk of recurrent events, but may be less warranted for low-risk individuals.
• Statin side effects tend to be over-reported rather than underreported, and most people can tolerate them well.
• Concerns about statins depleting nutrients like CoQ10 or impairing cognitive function are not strongly supported by the evidence.
• Lifestyle changes alone can improve cholesterol and heart health, but are very difficult for most people to implement and sustain to the degree needed to reverse advanced disease.

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!

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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

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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