Early Heart Disease Detection and the Calcium Score Revolution with Dr. Joel Kahn

In this episode of the Vibrant Wellness Podcast, Dr. Emmie Brown and Melissa Gentile sit down with renowned integrative cardiologist Dr. Joel Kahn to discuss why heart disease remains the leading cause of death and how we can change that. Dr. Kahn highlights the alarming gap in preventive care, emphasizing that most people undergo regular screenings like colonoscopies or mammograms, yet never receive a simple heart calcium CT scan that could reveal early atherosclerosis. He explains how many cardiac events occur in people who had no symptoms, and why waiting for signs like chest pain or shortness of breath often means it's already too late.

Dr. Kahn outlines a more comprehensive and proactive approach to cardiovascular health that goes far beyond standard labs. He shares why routine cholesterol checks miss the mark, and how markers like inflammation, insulin resistance, lipoprotein(a), and even genetic factors are essential for understanding actual risk. The conversation also explores how coronary artery calcium scans and AI-powered coronary CT angiography (Clearly) can identify and stage plaque buildup before it becomes life-threatening. Dr. Kahn contrasts conventional cardiology's pharmaceutical-heavy model with a functional, root-cause lens incorporating nutrition, fasting, stress reduction, and targeted supplementation.

Throughout the episode, listeners gain practical insights into reversing arterial aging and preventing heart disease through diet and lifestyle. Dr. Kahn stresses the importance of understanding "artery age" as a more accurate indicator of longevity than muscle mass or fitness level. He also debunks common myths around cholesterol and seed oils, while advocating for a whole food, plant-based approach supported by decades of data. Whether you're a clinician or simply proactive about your health, this episode empowers you to think differently about cardiovascular care and take action before symptoms ever start.

🎙 Key Topics Covered

❤️ Why early heart disease detection is missing from routine care
🧪 The best tests for assessing cardiovascular risk beyond standard labs
📉 How functional cardiology differs from conventional practice
🥦 Diet, fasting, and supplements that support heart health and artery age reversal
🧬 The truth about cholesterol, lipoprotein(a), and genetic risk factors
📊 How AI and coronary CT angiography are changing the heart disease paradigm
🌿 Why food—not just pharmaceuticals—can be powerful heart medicine

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – Why heart disease prevention is missing in routine healthcare
00:43 – Intro to Dr. Joel Kahn and his shift to plant-based, functional cardiology
01:30 – Why heart disease remains the #1 cause of death and the rise of sudden cardiac death
04:20 – The need for early detection—even without symptoms or family history
05:55 – Outdated labs vs. advanced cardiovascular testing (inflammation, genetics, etc.)
08:20 – Coronary artery calcium scans: who needs one, what it costs, and why it matters
10:45 – Artery age vs. chronological age: the real longevity metric
13:00 – Functional vs. conventional cardiology: labs, supplements, lifestyle focus
15:35 – Diet, fasting, and food-as-medicine protocols to reverse heart disease
17:00 – How AI and coronary CT angiography (Clearly) are changing detection and staging
20:20 – The glycoalyx: vascular protection, seaweed-based support, and clinical tools
23:25 – High-protein diets and heart risk: what the science says
24:40 – The five pillars of nutritional longevity (Dr. Valter Longo’s model)
29:55 – Clarifying the truth about plant-based diets, seed oils, and cooking methods
35:06 – Proactive steps for patients: tests, labs, and conversations to initiate
39:07 – Cholesterol, LP(a), and the real markers that matter in heart disease
43:30 – Vitamin C, arterial damage, and theories on why humans are so prone to plaque
47:00 – LP(a) treatment options now and what’s coming next
51:00 – Where to find Dr. Kahn and closing reflections

🔗 Resources Mentioned

🌐 Dr. Kahn’s Practice & Blog: https://drjoelkahn.com
📘 Dr. Kahn's Book: Lipoprotein(a): The Heart’s Silent Killer by Dr. Joel Kahn
📸 Follow Dr. Kahn on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjkahn
🎧 Listen to the Heart Doc VIP Podcast: https://drjoelkahn.com/podcast

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Limitations
Please note the information provided by Vibrant Wellness is intended solely for research and informational purposes to help inform lifestyle choices aimed at potential risk mitigation. The information is not intended to be used by the patient for any diagnostic purpose and is not a substitute for medical advice by a healthcare practitioner. Please consult a licensed healthcare practitioner for any questions regarding diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of any disease or health assessment.