Own Your Heart Health with Dr. Regina Druz

Your heart can show signs of distress without a single symptom, and sometimes, the trigger isn’t physical at all.

Dr. Alan Rozanski, a pioneer in nuclear cardiology and now a thought leader in integrative care, joins Dr. Regina Druz to explore how emotional and behavioral patterns can directly influence heart health and vitality. He shares the turning point that led him from high-tech imaging to psychosomatic medicine: watching a patient’s heart function visibly deteriorate, not during exercise, but while talking about stress.

That moment launched decades of research into how chronic stress, depression, and social isolation affect physical health, and why mindset matters just as much as metrics. Dr. Rozanski also introduces his six domains of optimal health: physical health, mental vitality, emotional mastery, social connectivity, stress management, and purposeful living. He explains how even the smallest shifts in any one of them can reignite energy and drive meaningful improvement across the board.

From gratitude to optimism to redefining what it means to feel truly well, Dr. Druz and Dr. Rozanski’s conversation challenges the traditional boundaries of cardiology and invites a more connected, human approach to heart health.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Introduction to Heart Health and Integrative Cardiology

01:28 How Dr. Alan Rozanski Shifted from Imaging to Mind-Body Cardiology

11:35 Can Chronic Stress Disrupt Heart Function?

18:22 Depression, Inflammation, and Heart Disease

22:20 How Optimism and Gratitude Improve Cardiac Health

36:39 The Six Domains of Optimal Health Explained

49:34 Why Movement Is the Best First Step Toward Vitality

Links

Connect with Dr. Alan Rozanski:

Website: https://alanrozanski.com/six-domains-of-health/

Schedule a Discovery Call: https://go.holisticheartcenters.com/apply

Access Courses and Events: https://holisticheartcenters.info/hearthealth

Get Heartwell Toolkits: https://shop.holisticheartcenters.com/

Schedule a Business Meeting:https://calendly.com/heartcenters 

🎉 NEW! Interact with Own Your Heart Health Podcast — on NotebookLM: https://holisticheartcenters.info/notebook

Connect with Dr. Regina Druz:

Website: http://holisticheartcenters.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@reginadruzmd

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.reginadruz 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/holisticheartcenters 

Twitter: https://x.com/heartCenters 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@holisticheartcenters

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Most doctors focus on LDL. But your lipidome holds the real clues to your cardiovascular risk. In this episode, Dr. Regina Druz introduces a tool she uses with patients called “cholesterol marbles,” a hands-on way to see cholesterol not as good vs. bad, but as a complex network of particles with very different roles. 

What does it mean if your LDL is high? What’s the role of VLDL or small dense LDL? And why do some people with “great” HDL numbers still end up at risk? Dr. Druz breaks down how these lipoproteins behave, how they form, and how they quietly drive cardiovascular risk. She explains the “40-30-20-10 rule” to help make sense of why LDL still matters, while also showing why markers like ApoB and non-HDL cholesterol may be even more useful. You’ll also hear why high HDL isn’t always protective, why small dense LDL is particularly dangerous, and how metabolic dysfunction, often tied to diet and insulin resistance, can shift your lipid profile in the wrong direction.

Whether you’re managing high cholesterol or simply trying to understand your lab results, Dr. Druz will change the way you think about cholesterol labs, and what you should really be asking for in your bloodwork.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 What are Cholesterol Marbles?

01:28 The Lipidome and Why It Matters

07:04 How VLDL Becomes LDL 

09:02 The “40-30-20-10 Rule” for Lowering Heart Risk

17:02 Small Dense LDL Cholesterol and Cardiovascular Risk

26:00 HDL Cholesterol Functionality

29:04 Genetic Profiles and Lipid Pathways

33:03 Heart Disease as a Fundamental Process of Aging

35:35 Guidelines for Lipid Management

Links

Schedule a Discovery Call: https://go.holisticheartcenters.com/apply

Access Courses and Events: https://holisticheartcenters.info/hearthealth

Get Heartwell Toolkits: https://shop.holisticheartcenters.com/

Schedule a Business Meeting:https://calendly.com/heartcenters 

🎉 NEW! Interact with Own Your Heart Health Podcast — on NotebookLM: https://holisticheartcenters.info/notebook

Connect with Dr. Regina Druz:

Website: http://holisticheartcenters.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@reginadruzmd

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.reginadruz 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/holisticheartcenters 

Twitter: https://x.com/heartCenters 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@holisticheartcenters

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Laughter and heart health might seem like an unlikely pairing until you hear the science behind it.

Dr. Regina Druz is joined by Dr. Sam Shay, a functional medicine doctor who also happens to be a stand-up comic. Together, they explore how humor therapy works on a biological level, from lowering stress hormones to improving blood flow. Could laughter help prevent heart disease? And what role does humor play in building trust between patients and practitioners?

Dr. Shay shares how comedy became part of his clinical practice after growing up in a family shaped by cardiovascular illness. He explains why humor rooted in truth can disarm fear, build connection, and shift a patient’s mindset, which are all crucial elements when it comes to healing.

This episode invites a different perspective on heart health, one where humor isn’t a distraction but a meaningful tool for connection, resilience, and recovery.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Heart Health and Humor

01:05 Personal Story and Family Heart Disease

04:05 Science Behind Laughter Therapy

08:57 How Humor Supports Cardiovascular Health

19:31 Practical Ways to Use Humor for Health

21:13 Humor in Clinical Practice

30:01 The Neural Harmony Model

38:00 Humor as a Tool for Truth and Connection

Links

Connect with Sam Shay:

Neurospicy Stand-Up Comedy Special https://youtu.be/auxjQWEGFCQ?si=rDl8KbDiqTRMLu7F

Schedule a Discovery Call: https://go.holisticheartcenters.com/apply

Access Courses and Events: https://holisticheartcenters.info/hearthealth

Get Heartwell Toolkits: https://shop.holisticheartcenters.com/

Schedule a Business Meeting: https://calendly.com/heartcenters 

🎉 NEW! Interact with Own Your Heart Health Podcast — on NotebookLM: https://holisticheartcenters.info/notebook

Connect with Dr. Regina Druz:

Website: http://holisticheartcenters.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@reginadruzmd

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.reginadruz 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/holisticheartcenters 

Twitter: https://x.com/heartCenters 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@holisticheartcenters

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Most people scan their cholesterol panel and zero in on the LDL. But could there be a better indicator of risk hiding in plain sight?

In this episode, Dr. Regina Druz walks through the standard lipid panel (total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides) and explains why the context behind the numbers matters more than the numbers alone. She breaks down what each marker can and can’t tell you, why fasting makes a difference, and how calculated values like LDL can be misleading if the test wasn’t done correctly.

Dr. Druz also challenges the outdated idea of “good” and “bad” cholesterol and introduces a smarter way to think about risk: by focusing on the full picture, including ApoB and a simple ratio anyone can calculate with basic labs. That ratio? Triglycerides divided by HDL. It’s one of the clearest signals of insulin resistance, and one of the most overlooked.

Using a real patient example, Dr. Druz shows how to interpret results in context and why statins may not always be the answer. Could your elevated cholesterol actually be a sign of metabolic dysfunction? And if so, what would it take to reverse it?

As part two of the Statin Overprescribing Solution series, this episode offers a practical way to rethink your lipid profile, and a clear path toward better heart health!

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Understanding the Lipid Profile

04:08 Cholesterol: Good, Bad, and Ugly

09:39 Importance of Fasting for Lipid Profile

14:05 Non-HDL Cholesterol and ApoB

21:21 Risk Categories: Low, Moderate, High, Very High, Extreme

32:00 Example Patient Case Study

40:09 Triglyceride to HDL Cholesterol Ratio

43:01 Insulin Resistance Indicator

46:03 Cardiometabolic Intervention

Links

ASCVD Risk Estimator: https://tools.acc.org/ascvd-risk-estimator-plus/#!/calculate/estimate/

Reynolds Risk Score: https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/3932/reynolds-risk-score-cardiovascular-risk-women

Schedule a Discovery Call: https://go.holisticheartcenters.com/apply

Access Courses and Events: https://holisticheartcenters.info/hearthealth

Get Heartwell Toolkits: https://shop.holisticheartcenters.com/

Schedule a Business Meeting:https://calendly.com/heartcenters 

🎉 NEW! Interact with Own Your Heart Health Podcast — on NotebookLM: https://holisticheartcenters.info/notebook

Connect with Dr. Regina Druz:

Website: http://holisticheartcenters.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@reginadruzmd

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.reginadruz 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/holisticheartcenters 

Twitter: https://x.com/heartCenters

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@holisticheartcenters 

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

When it comes to your kidneys, most people are told “nothing’s wrong” until it’s almost too late.

In this episode, Dr. Regina Druz sits down with Dr. Robin Rose to expose the gaps in traditional renal care and offer a proactive path to kidney success. Dr. Rose shares her personal story of facing kidney cancer, a dangerously low eGFR, and the lack of real solutions from conventional medicine. Instead of accepting a future of kidney failure, she built a new approach: Renology, the art and science of kidney success.

They break down why early monitoring of your eGFR matters, how kidney function connects to heart and vascular health, and why plant-based nutrition, toxin reduction, and stress management should be front-line therapies. Dr. Rose also introduces the emerging role of peptides and bioregulators in supporting kidney repair, after foundational lifestyle work is done.

If you’ve ever skimmed past your kidney labs without a second thought, this conversation will change how you look at your health. Protecting your renal function isn’t just about avoiding dialysis; it’s about optimizing vitality across your whole body, starting now.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Meet Dr. Robin Rose and the Story Behind Renology

01:10 How Kidney Health Declines Without Warning

07:14 What eGFR Means for Kidney and Heart Health

15:20 Early Signs of Renal Trouble Doctors Miss

20:52 Rethinking Kidney Failure and Defining Success

25:11 How Peptides and Bioregulators Support Healing

30:24 Plant-Based Eating and Kidney Protection

39:39 The Overlooked Role of Acidosis and Toxins

45:11 Building a Personalized Kidney Health Plan

48:38 Why Early Intervention Changes Outcomes

49:26 How to Access the Renology Peptides Book

Links

Schedule a Discovery Call: https://go.holisticheartcenters.com/apply

Access Courses and Events: https://holisticheartcenters.info/hearthealth

Get Heartwell Toolkits: https://shop.holisticheartcenters.com/

Schedule a Business Meeting:https://calendly.com/heartcenters 

🎉 NEW! Interact with Own Your Heart Health Podcast — on NotebookLM: https://holisticheartcenters.info/notebook

Connect with Dr. Robin Rose:

renologyiskidneysuccess.com

Connect with Dr. Regina Druz:

Website: http://holisticheartcenters.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@reginadruzmd

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.reginadruz 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/holisticheartcenters 

Twitter: https://x.com/heartCenters 

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Most people measure aging by wrinkles or energy levels but your arteries tell the real story.

Dr. Regina Druz kicks off a new series with the launch of the Statin Overprescribing Solution (SOS), a program designed to challenge the one-size-fits-all approach to LDL cholesterol. We’ve all heard that LDL is “the bad cholesterol,” but what does a high low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol level really mean? And is the goal always to lower LDL, no matter the cost?

In this episode, Dr. Druz invites listeners to reconsider long-held beliefs. She explains why measuring LDL cholesterol might not be enough information and how personalized testing can tell a much more complete story. Have you ever asked your doctor what causes high LDL cholesterol in your specific case, or whether saturated fat truly raises LDL cholesterol for you? This kind of nuance is missing from most traditional care.

Dr. Druz shares how tools like the LDL cholesterol goal level calculator and the HeartWell Toolkit can give you real insight into your individual risk. She also introduces the idea of age proofing, a way to assess and slow the aging of your arteries, rather than just tracking numbers on a chart.

Whether you’re trying to decide if statins are right for you, looking to better understand your lipid profile, or searching “LDL cholesterol Spanish” for resources in your language, this episode delivers practical, science-backed answers. It’s a must-listen for anyone ready to move past generic advice and into a plan that truly fits.

Episode Breakdown

00:00 Introducing the Statin Overprescribing Solution (SOS)

02:12 What Is Age Proofing?

04:58 Cardiovascular Aging and Atherosclerosis

08:04 A Holistic Approach to Heart Health

16:59 Rethinking the Cholesterol-Centric Model

20:25 Precision and Personalization in Cardiology

25:52 Why Early Intervention Matters

27:27 Digital Biomarkers and Patient Monitoring

34:23 How to Estimate Your Cardiovascular Risk

39:05 Age Proofing Strategy in Action

46:52 HeartWell Toolkit: At-Home Testing for Lipid Profiles

49:54 Understanding Biological Age and Healthspan

52:00 AI-Powered Podcast Navigation with Notebook LM

Links

Schedule a Discovery Call: https://go.holisticheartcenters.com/apply

Access Courses and Events: https://holisticheartcenters.info/hearthealth

Get Heartwell Toolkits: https://shop.holisticheartcenters.com/

Schedule a Business Meeting:https://calendly.com/heartcenters 

🎉 NEW! Interact with Own Your Heart Health Podcast — on NotebookLM: https://holisticheartcenters.info/notebook

Connect with Dr. Regina Druz:

Website: http://holisticheartcenters.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@reginadruzmd

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.reginadruz 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/holisticheartcenters 

Twitter: https://x.com/heartCenters

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Most women have been misled about hormone therapy. This episode sets the record straight on what’s true, what’s outdated, and what your hot flashes are really telling you.

Dr. Regina Druz is joined by hormone expert Dr. Lorraine Maita for a conversation that challenges long-held beliefs about hormones, bioidentical hormones, and the risks often associated with them. Together, they revisit the Women’s Health Initiative study and explain why its conclusions may no longer apply to today’s treatments or today’s patients.

What do hot flashes reveal about your heart? Are hormones and breast cancer always linked? And why does the timing and type of hormone therapy matter more than most people realize?

If you’re questioning what you’ve heard about hormones and the heart, or whether bioidentical hormones are actually safe, this episode brings clarity, context, and a smarter way to think about hormone health.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

01:30 Dr. Maita’s Path to Hormone Expertise

04:00 How Hormonal Therapy Became Part of Her Practice

07:40 The Women’s Health Initiative and Its Lasting Impact

13:40 Why Timing Matters in Hormonal Therapy

20:00 Common Myths About Hormones

21:00 Hormones and Breast Cancer

27:40 Hot Flashes and Heart Health

32:55 Rethinking Menopause

35:00 How to Assess and Personalize Hormone Therapy

43:00 Detoxification and Hormone Metabolism

46:45 Hormone Testing and Metabolites

Links

Schedule a Discovery Call: https://go.holisticheartcenters.com/apply

Access Courses and Events: https://holisticheartcenters.info/hearthealth

Get Heartwell Toolkits: https://shop.holisticheartcenters.com/

Schedule a Business Meeting:https://calendly.com/heartcenters 

🎉 NEW! Interact with Own Your Heart Health Podcast — on NotebookLM: https://holisticheartcenters.info/notebook

Connect with Dr. Lorraine Maita: 

Course: Is Hormone Replacement Therapy Right for You? https://www.hrtforyou.com/hrt59937778

Courses and Coaching The Feel Good Again Institute https://thefeelgoodagaininstitute.com/

Medical Practice (NY, NJ,PA,FL) Vibrance for Life https://vibranceforlife.com/

Connect with Dr. Regina Druz:

Website: http://holisticheartcenters.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@reginadruzmd

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.reginadruz 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/holisticheartcenters 

Twitter: https://x.com/heartCenters

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Your genetics might be the key to lasting weight loss. Dr. Phyllis Pobee knows firsthand how frustrating it can be to do everything “right” and still struggle with weight. In this episode, Dr. Pobee joins Dr. Regina Druz to discuss how genetics for weight loss plays a bigger role than most people realize. Could your genes for weight loss be working against you? And if so, what can you do about it?

From nutritional genetics to hormones like cortisol and estrogen, Dr. Pobee breaks down why weight gain—especially for women over 30—isn’t just about diet and exercise. She shares how understanding your genetic profile can help you make smarter choices about food, exercise, and stress management. They also dig into the rise of weight loss medications like Ozempic and whether they truly solve the problem or just mask deeper imbalances.

This episode challenges the idea that weight loss is simply about willpower. If you’ve ever felt stuck, Dr. Druz and Dr. Pobee’s conversation might be exactly what you need to move forward with a strategy that actually works for your body.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Introduction 

03:57 Hormonal Interplay in Weight Management

05:11 Estrogen and Heart Disease in Women

07:07 Genetic Variations and Hormonal Imbalances

08:41 Cortisol and Stress Management

10:21 Circadian Rhythm and Eating Habits

12:15 Measuring Cortisol Levels

17:54 Effective Stress Management Techniques

20:47 Testing Cortisol Levels

26:00 Hormonal Changes in Perimenopause and Menopause

30:56 Estrogen Dominance and Genetic Influence

34:00 Caution with Hormone Replacement Therapy

37:18 Key Genetic Variations Women Should Know

42:19 Overstressing and Its Impact on Weight Loss

45:25 Integrative Approach to Weight Loss

49:37 Polygenic Risk Scores in Clinical Applications

Links

Schedule a Discovery Call: https://go.holisticheartcenters.com/apply

Access Courses and Events: https://holisticheartcenters.info/hearthealth

Get Heartwell Toolkits: https://shop.holisticheartcenters.com/

Schedule a Business Meeting:https://calendly.com/heartcenters 

🎉 NEW! Interact with Own Your Heart Health Podcast — on NotebookLM: https://holisticheartcenters.info/notebook

Connect with Dr. Regina Druz:

Website: http://holisticheartcenters.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@reginadruzmd

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.reginadruz 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/holisticheartcenters 

Twitter: https://x.com/heartCenters

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Heart disease has been the leading cause of death in the U.S. for over a century, but could changing the way we eat make a real difference? Dr. Kim Williams thinks so.

In this episode, Dr. Regina Druz sits down with Dr. Williams from the University of Louisville to break down what to eat for heart health. They talk about the science behind the vegan diet, Mediterranean diet, and DASH diet, weighing the benefits of each. Dr. Williams makes a strong case for a whole food plant-based approach, pointing to research that links it to lower rates of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol. Dr. Druz, while not vegan herself, highlights the importance of personalized nutrition and the need to tailor dietary choices to individual health goals.

The conversation goes beyond food, touching on healthcare disparities, access to healthy options, and the role of AI in patient care. Dr. Williams shares how he’s using AI tools like ChatGPT to create personalized meal plans, making it easier for patients to follow heart-healthy diets without feeling overwhelmed. They also dig into community-driven solutions, from teaching kitchens to partnerships with local businesses, aimed at increasing access to fresh, affordable produce.

If you’re wondering whether your diet really impacts your heart or questioning how to make healthier choices that actually stick, this episode is packed with helpful insights you can use.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Introduction 

01:00 The State of Heart Disease in America

03:55 Health Equity Initiatives at University of Louisville

05:04 Challenges in Inner City Health

07:02 Patient Stories and Health Disparities

10:03 Lifestyle Medicine and Prevention

12:32 Nutritional Advice for Heart Health

14:02 The Role of Time, Team, and Tools in Patient Care

16:20 Whole Food Plant-Based Diet and Heart Health

18:36 The Impact of Unhealthy Plant-Based Foods

20:15 Using AI for Personalized Nutrition Plans

27:09 AI in Medical Practice and Patient Education

30:01 Comparing Popular Heart-Healthy Diets

32:35 Misinterpretations of the Mediterranean Diet Study

35:07 Dr. Williams’ Personal Nutritional Journey

38:05 The Impact of Plant-Based Diet on Cholesterol

41:03 Statins and Plant-Based Diets in Practice

43:08 Patient Adoption of Whole Food Plant-Based Diets

45:03 Teaching Kitchens and Community Health Programs

48:43 Partnerships with Local Businesses for Healthy Eating

Links

Schedule a Discovery Call: https://go.holisticheartcenters.com/apply

Access Courses and Events: https://holisticheartcenters.info/hearthealth

Get Heartwell Toolkits: https://shop.holisticheartcenters.com/

Schedule a Business Meeting:https://calendly.com/heartcenters 

🎉 NEW! Interact with Own Your Heart Health Podcast — on NotebookLM: https://holisticheartcenters.info/notebook

Connect with Dr. Regina Druz:

Website: http://holisticheartcenters.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@reginadruzmd

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.reginadruz 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/holisticheartcenters 

Twitter: https://x.com/heartCenters

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Blood pressure readings can be misleading—are you really hypertensive, or is it just a case of white coat syndrome? Dr. Regina Druz sits down with Dr. Ellie Campbell, a primary care functional medicine doctor, to unpack the complexities of blood pressure, its role in cardiovascular risk, and why a single reading in a doctor’s office might not tell the whole story.

Dr. Campbell shares how a patient’s unexpected stroke reshaped her understanding of blood pressure management, leading her to investigate overlooked factors like inflammation and metabolic health. The conversation also covers why home blood pressure monitoring often provides a clearer picture than in-office readings, and how standard measurement mistakes can lead to unnecessary prescriptions.

For those questioning whether their numbers reflect reality, this episode offers a guide to tracking blood pressure correctly, recognizing the impact of lifestyle choices, and taking control of heart health before problems arise.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00  Introduction

01:03 The Importance of Cardiovascular Health

02:14 Dr. Ellie Kimball's Book on Hypertension

04:14 The Story of Dee and the Impact of Hypertension

08:45 The Connection Between Dental Health and Cardiovascular Events

10:55 The Silent Killer: Hypertension

14:07 Prevalence of Elevated Blood Pressure

17:45 Theories Behind Rising Hypertension Rates

19:40 The Role of Chronic Stress and Cortisol

24:50 Proper Blood Pressure Measurement Techniques

30:00 The Importance of Accurate Blood Pressure Readings

33:11 Understanding Blood Pressure Guidelines

39:49 Understanding White Coat Effect and Masked Hypertension

41:05 Home Blood Pressure Monitoring vs. 24-Hour Ambulatory Monitoring

44:40 Standardizing Home Blood Pressure Readings

Links

Schedule a Discovery Call: https://go.holisticheartcenters.com/apply

Access Courses and Events: https://holisticheartcenters.info/hearthealth

Get Heartwell Toolkits: https://shop.holisticheartcenters.com/

Schedule a Business Meeting:https://calendly.com/heartcenters 

🎉 NEW! Interact with Own Your Heart Health Podcast — on NotebookLM: https://holisticheartcenters.info/notebook

Connect with Dr. Regina Druz:

Website: http://holisticheartcenters.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@reginadruzmd

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.reginadruz 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/holisticheartcenters 

Twitter: https://x.com/heartCenters

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm