“There are a lot of reasons why. Some are genetic, but the vast majority of why people have coronary artery disease or the diseases that I treat is very much lifestyle.”

-Dr. Heather Shenkman

According to the World Health Organization, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the number one cause of death globally. More people die from CVD than any other cause. There are millions upon millions of ticking time bombs out there right now, many of which don't even know they have the disease. Take our podcast guest, Gail Mc Carthy from episode nine for instance. Her husband Jimmy, a seemingly fit and healthy dad suffered a massive heart attack on the swim of a triathlon while in his early 40s. Sure there were markers but never a thought that he would be one of the people whose life would be claimed by this serial killer disease.

But is it that blind? Is this killer really something that has become so normalized that it simply sneaks up on us and selfishly just takes lives on a whim?

According to our guest today, Dr. Heather Shenkman, Interventional Cardiologist, the majority of people suffering from this disease find themselves there as a result of their lifestyle and not by chance. Regularly eating foods heavily laden with oil and animal fat. Diets devoid of fiber and phytonutrients. Lack of movement from a body that was designed to move and low motivation to make changes when medications can bring symptoms of CVD to respectable levels. All the while, plaque builds on the walls of the arteries and blood flow to and from the heart becomes compromised causing undo stress on the cardiac muscle of this primary organ that sustains life.

A doctor that talks the talk and walks the walk, Heather is a shining example of a healthy heart life for her patients and colleagues. Today we share Heather's wisdom, intellect and story of becoming the Vegan Heart Doc and a multi-time Ironman triathlete. By living the example of what she wants to see in the world, she is creating massive change in the field of cardiology and in the lives of her patients. She has the talent to meet people where they are at and effectively share the benefits of a whole foods plant-based diet and exercise on the health of the heart.

We are so honored to share this amazing woman with you today, there is no doubt in our minds that she is serving up her purpose in this life. Please share this episode with at least one person that can benefit from this information, their life may just depend on it.