September 20, 2025

EP404: What is Glycocalyx?

12 minutes

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.

Dr. Warrick Bishop, a cardiologist and CEO of the Healthy Heart Network, hosts a podcast focused on helping people improve their heart health by understanding factors like blood pressure, weight, and cholesterol. In one episode, Dr. Bishop discusses the glycocalyx, a protective lining within the endothelium that covers the cells lining the arteries. This thin, slippery layer acts as a barrier, protecting endothelial cells from direct exposure to blood contents. Damage to the glycocalyx, often caused by turbulent blood flow at branch points, can lead to wear and tear on endothelial cells, potentially contributing to the development of plaque in arteries. While there are no established treatments for the glycocalyx, maintaining low blood pressure and considering imaging for early detection are recommended.

Dr. Bishop emphasizes the importance of keeping systolic blood pressure as low as possible, ideally around 110, to minimize turbulent flow and protect the glycocalyx. He also highlights the need for further research on this complex layer, which contains various proteins and plays a crucial role in vascular health. The podcast encourages listeners to share the information with others and to visit www.virtualheartcheck.com.au to assess their heart attack risk.

Takeaways:

Dr. Warrick Bishop is a cardiologist, author, and CEO of the Healthy Heart Network, focused on helping people live healthier lives.

Heart disease is prevalent in Australia, with a heart attack occurring every 20 minutes, many of which could be prevented.

The podcast aims to educate listeners about blood pressure, weight, cholesterol, and other factors for better health.

The glycocalyx is a protective lining within the endothelium, which lines the arteries and interacts with blood.

The glycocalyx is a thin, slippery layer that protects endothelial cells from direct exposure to blood contents.

Damage to the glycocalyx may contribute to the development of plaque in arteries and coronary artery disease.

Laminar flow in arteries helps protect the glycocalyx, while turbulent flow can damage it, especially at branch points.

Current treatments for heart disease focus on reducing platelet stickiness and lowering cholesterol, but there are no established treatments for the glycocalyx.

Maintaining low blood pressure (ideally systolic below 110) can help reduce turbulent flow and protect the glycocalyx.

Imaging may be valuable in primary prevention to identify areas of arterial damage potentially linked to glycocalyx disruption.

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!

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

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

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By Doctor Warrick Bishop

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