Own Your Heart Health with Dr. Regina Druz

By Dr. Regina DruzHealth & Fitness

Own Your Heart Health with Dr. Regina Druz episodes

February 06, 2025Three Men Walk Onto a Golf Course: Calcium Score Revisited
Is your calcium score telling the full story of your heart health? Dr. Regina Druz unpacks what a coronary artery calcium score really means, how it relates to vascular age, and why even a seemingly low score can signal long-term risks.

Starting with a quick story of three men on a golf course comparing their calcium scores, Dr. Druz illustrates how numbers like 75, 220, or 3000 can mean very different things depending on age and overall health. Using insights from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis, she explains how to assess whether your arteries are aging faster than you, and what that means for your heart.

The episode also tackles the role of cholesterol and the impact of statins in slowing, but not reversing, atherosclerosis. Dr. Druz points out a comprehensive approach to heart health, combining lifestyle changes, medication when necessary, and tools like the MESA calculator to track risk over time.

Dr. Druz encourages listeners to take control of their heart health, advocate for themselves, and use available resources to make informed decisions. Are you wondering, “How high is my calcium score, and what does it mean for me?” This episode has the answers.

Quotes
“For you to own your heart health, you have to advocate for yourself and use some of the tools that were initially meant to be practitioner focused, but use it for yourself.” (05:18 | Dr. Regina Druz)
“What is the coronary age? It’s simply an age at which an average healthy individual has the same calcium score that a person of interest has.” (12:56 | Dr. Regina Druz)
“Accelerated atherosclerosis is essentially the aging of the arteries. Are your arteries aging faster than you? And for many patients, this actually is the case.” (26:22 | Dr. Regina Druz)
“Once a person has plaques in their arteries, whether it's coronary arteries or carotid arteries, we can certainly help them to slow down the progression and cause a regression, but we can’t completely reverse them.” (30:47 | Dr. Regina Druz)

Links
MESA Coronary Age Calculator: https://internal.mesa-nhlbi.org/about/procedures/tools/mesa-score-risk-calculator
Holistic Heart University Guest Access: https://holisticheartcenters.info/visit

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
48 min
January 23, 2025"So Me" and "So You": Unpacking the Social Media with Dr. Dana Corriel
“Doctors aren’t on social media. I recognized early on that this was going to be a really powerful medium into which we needed to place ourselves because doctors were missing,” says Dr. Dana Corriel, a pioneer in the realm of physicians on social media. In this episode, Dr. Corriel and Dr. Regina Druz discuss how social media is transforming healthcare, creating opportunities for physicians to connect with patients, build trust, and advocate for holistic heart health.

Why are so few physicians on social media, and what risks or rewards does it bring? Dr. Corriel shares her journey from clinical practice to becoming a leading voice online, and points out the importance of responsible content creation and navigating the challenges of misinformation. They also discuss how social media can support community-building among healthcare professionals while also serving as a space to empower patients with reliable information.

Join Dr. Regina Druz and Dr. Dana Corriel’s discussion to discover a fresh perspective on the evolving role of physicians in the digital space and the impact of social media on modern healthcare communication.

Quotes
“There are so many reasons to be online. And I definitely cautiously encourage it because it’s literally where everyone is at. And this is how we can positively influence our patients and the world in general and encourage better health.” (04:24 | Dr. Dana Corriel)
“The power is where everyone is gathered and all of their attention is. It doesn’t have to be a physical gathering. It could be an intellectual gathering, a gathering of the minds. So when all of the attention of the majority of humans is being placed online, it is where influence happens.” (05:30 | Dr. Dana Corriel)
“Every person who’s watching should take that information that they’re learning back to their own doctor... because every patient’s different. And so if you hear a recommendation for ingesting something that might be great for someone specific, it might not be as great for you because you have certain conditions or illnesses, etc.” (07:55 | Dr. Dana Corriel)
“Social media has the capacity to influence us in many, many ways. It does allow us, it does provide us a medium in which we can connect very rapidly and we can build on advocacy for the things that cause burnout.” (32:34 | Dr. Dana Corriel)

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. Dana Corriel
https://doctorsonsocialmedia.com/about/

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
43 min
January 09, 2025Why Your Fasting is Not Working: The 3 “O”s
Fasting, cutting out carbs, and workouts might seem like the keys to better health. But could they be working against you? In this episode, Dr. Regina Druz unpacks why traditional fasting methods often fail to deliver expected results and introduces the “three O’s” that commonly sabotage progress: over-fasting, over-restricting carbs, and over-stressing.

Drawing from a case study, Dr. Druz explains how over-fasting can lead to sustained cortisol spikes and chronic stress, which undermine metabolic health. She points out the risks of over-restricting carbs, such as impaired muscle maintenance and gut health, while advocating for a personalized approach to macronutrient balance using tools like Lumen. Finally, she explores the impact of over-stressing through excessive exercise without adequate recovery, emphasizing the role of rest and tools like the Oura Ring to achieve metabolic flexibility.

Dr. Druz also introduces AI 2.0, a cutting-edge approach that integrates digital biomarkers, blood markers, and genetic data to create tailored strategies for heart health. With insights and advanced tools, this episode provides a progressive view on optimizing heart health and overall well-being in 2025.

Quotes
“If you don’t eat for prolonged periods of time, that cortisol spike is not coming down. So, I routinely see patients who, because they are doing the three O’s and one of them, the first one is over-fasting, their cortisol curves are not normal.” (08:42 | Dr. Regina Druz)
“The over-restriction of carbs does not allow you to maintain good muscle mass and lose visceral fat, and it also impairs the ability of your microbiome to stay healthy because you need the fiber.” (19:48 | Dr. Regina Druz)
“If you don’t recover, you don’t repair. And if you don’t repair, there is a damage that keeps on accruing constantly, and it will flip your switch from metabolic health to metabolic rigidity.” (29:06 | Dr. Regina Druz)
“The over-fasting, the over-restriction of carbs, and the over-stressing, meaning working out too much or not balancing your workout, your physical and mental exercises with appropriate recovery, are the three things that jeopardize fasting or lifestyle effort.” (34:19 | Dr. Regina Druz)

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
38 min
December 26, 2024Top 5 for Heart Health and Longevity for 2025
Heart health and longevity are built on daily actions, self-awareness, and the courage to take ownership of your well-being. In this episode, Dr. Regina Druz shares her top five insights for 2025, blending science and self-compassion into a practical roadmap for well-being.

Dr. Druz points out the connection between metabolic health and overall well-being, introducing tools like the Lumen device to measure metabolic flexibility and guide personalized health decisions. Her philosophy, “decide with data,” stresses the value of tracking metrics like blood pressure and body composition to make informed choices.

Dr. Druz also explains the power of daily gratitude, personal accountability, and making data-informed decisions to shape your health journey. From tools like the Lumen device to insights on stress, sleep, and supplements, she explains how small, consistent actions create meaningful change.

Tune in to discover how to align intention with action and set a foundation for a healthier, longer life. Plus, learn more about the resources available through Holistic Heart University, including a new group program launching in January! Visit holisticheartcenters.com/holistic-heart-university/

What steps will you take to own your heart health in the year ahead?

Quotes
“The number one heart health and longevity thing for me in 2025 will be to continue to show grace to myself and to be grateful… Give grace to yourself, be curious, accept yourself as you are, recognize yourself as a human being as you continue to move forward into 2025.” (04:10 | Dr. Regina Druz)
“If you’re thinking there’s a specific intervention out there that will radically transform your health, I encourage you to reset your mindset and recognize that the true agent of change is you.” (09:12 | Dr. Regina Druz)
“Investing in metabolic health is really a priority because metabolic health is linked to cardiac health, brain health, cancers, obesity, musculoskeletal wellness, dementia, and pretty much every single chronic disease. Even if it’s not directly related to cardiometabolic parameters, it will actually alter those cardiometabolic parameters. And we had seen this through various spectrums of multiple diseases. And so investing in cardiometabolic health is absolutely a priority.” (16:50 | Dr. Regina Druz)
“Some of the very impactful things that we use data decisions for, in addition to blood pressure measurements, include body composition analysis. So in all of our weight loss programs, we do not just track weight loss, we actually track body composition because body composition is key to cardiometabolic health… And this is why we essentially are deciding with data, because deciding with data is really powerful, and it brings together multiple variables for us.” (21:48 | Dr. Regina Druz)

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
45 min
December 12, 2024Am I a Ticking Time Bomb? Bio-age Revealed!
“If we truly want to focus on preventative medicine and address the biggest risk factor, that risk factor is the biological aging process,” says Ryan Smith, the co-founder of TruDiagnostic, a company at the forefront of epigenetic testing. In this episode, he joins Dr. Regina Druz to break down how advanced tools like DNA methylation clocks are redefining what we know about aging and health.

Is your body aging at the same rate as your chronological years? Ryan explains why that might not be the case and how TruDiagnostic’s DNA methylation technology offers a clearer picture of your biological health. These tools look into how different organ systems age, and provide actionable insights that can shape personalized health interventions.

Dr. Druz and Ryan discuss the evolution of epigenetic clocks, from Steve Horvath’s huge breakthrough to today’s advanced tools like DunedinPACE and SYMPHONYAge. They go into why these clocks are more effective than traditional biomarkers like telomere length and how they can measure the impact of lifestyle changes in real-time.

This episode challenges how we think about aging. If biological age is a stronger predictor of health outcomes, what does that mean for the way we approach preventative care? Join Dr. Druz and Ryan’s discussion to gain a clear understanding of how science is shaping the future of longevity and health optimization.

Quotes
“I just want to stress the importance of this process of aging. I think when people hear about it, they might think of things like aesthetics, their skin appearance, or some of these more vain applications. But what most people don’t realize is that aging is the biggest risk factor for almost every chronic disease and death.” (04:42 | Ryan Smith)
“By looking at an individual’s longitudinal journey, we can get clearer signals of what happens as we age. The DunedinPACE gives you a pace of aging, showing how fast you’re aging right now. It’s helpful because it’s responsive to short-term interventions and strongly correlated to quality of life. Some may think about their grandparents’ later years and worry about quality of life, but healthspan and lifespan are correlated—improving one often improves the other. These clocks help us optimize both.” (21:50 | Ryan Smith)
“This opened a new chapter in how I approach patients at the Holistic Heart Centers, where we optimize metabolic health using digital biomarkers like stress patterns, sleep patterns, body composition, heart rate, blood pressure curves, and metabolic health parameters. We can now see how personalized interventions impact longevity.” (40:21 | Dr. Regina Druz)

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
56 min
November 28, 2024Detox Redux with Dr. Daniel Kessler
Environmental toxins are everywhere, but how do they really impact heart health? Dr. Regina Druz sits down with Dr. Daniel Kessler to uncover the ways toxins like microplastics and heavy metals affect cardiometabolic health. They break down which toxins are most likely to contribute to heart disease and what really happens when toxins leave our bodies.

Dr. Kessler shares insights from his work in European biological medicine, and offers practical solutions for reducing toxic exposure. From improving your water quality to eating a colorful, fiber-rich diet, these steps can support the body’s natural detox processes. He challenges the usual focus on high LDL cholesterol, pointing instead to inflammation and oxidative stress as the real culprits behind heart disease.

The choices we make every day can help lower our toxic burden. More importantly, understanding how toxins connect to cardiometabolic health can empower us to protect our cardiovascular system. This episode offers a fresh perspective on the path to better heart health, and provides actionable steps to get there!

Quotes
“Toxins are metabolic disruptors. They disrupt the function. If we think about biological medicine, my mentors always said, it’s very logical. We have systems—our body has systems, like the cardiovascular system, endocrine system—systems that become dysregulated because of the toxic burden.” (06:02 | Dr. Daniel Kessler)
“From a preventative standpoint, it is so important to tell people, if you have blood pressure, what is normal? What is abnormal? The first thing is always lifestyle. But what are the forces in your life that are affecting you? We start simple: food, diet, sleep, stress, etc. And then, if they are still uncontrolled, we ask, well, could it be environmental toxins? What is super important is the relationship of the mouth to the lymphatic system… We all know that our lymphatic system is what keeps us healthy. If people have metals in their mouth or infections or periodontitis, gingivitis—all these things—these are bacterial burdens, toxic burdens that have to be removed. And it drains, and the lymphatic system is very close also to the arteries, and there’s this interchange.” (30:47 | Dr. Daniel Kessler)
“You need to understand toxin-induced loss of tolerance. So, if you draw a line from left to right, this is your life. You make a little pivot in the middle. You say, ‘What do I have to remove that is toxic and be unapologetic about it?’ I always tell people, this is the number one: make a not-to-do list. Not a to-do list, but a not-to-do list. What are you not going to do anymore from today? And decrease the burden. It could be a relationship, food, whatever, but stick to it. Then, induced loss of tolerance means if you’re staying in the same environment and expecting different outcomes, that’s the definition of insanity.” (47:50 | Dr. Daniel Kessler)

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
50 min
November 14, 2024“Watch Your Breath”: Your Heart and Lungs Will Thank You
“Lung cancer is still the number one killer in men and women worldwide against all other cancers combined,” says Dr. Nina Maouelainin, an interventional pulmonologist, as she joins Dr. Regina Druz to tackle a powerful question: Why are so many non-smokers, especially younger women, now at risk? Dr. Maouelainin reveals how factors like air pollution, cooking fumes, and microplastics are affecting lung health in ways we’re just beginning to understand. She explains the importance of proactive screening and how family history can heighten risk—even for those with no smoking background. In a world full of invisible risks, are we paying enough attention to what we’re breathing? Dr. Maouelainin’s advice to “watch what you breathe” serves as a reminder that a healthy environment at home could be one of the most impactful steps toward better lung and heart health.

Quotes
“November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month and COPD Awareness Month. It is a topic that is very dear to me. And unfortunately, lung cancer is still the number one killer in men and women worldwide against all other cancers combined.” (01:45 | Dr. Nina Maouelainin)
“In March of this year, a study came out in the New England Journal of Medicine where a group in Italy looked at the composition of plaques taken from patients’ carotid arteries… They found that a proportion of patients actually had microplastics and nanoplastics—tiny plastic particles—present in those carotid artery plaques.” (09:46 | Dr. Regina Druz)
“We definitely do not pay attention to our radon… When was the last time you checked your radon level?” (30:07 | Dr. Nina Maouelainin)
“My biggest message is to watch what you breathe… If you see it, chances are it’s going to get deposited in your lungs. Be much more aware of what you cannot see and breathe in.” (51:08 | Dr. Nina Maouelainin)

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
54 min
October 31, 2024Busting the LDL Cholesterol Myth: It is NOT What You Think!
“I look at cholesterol as a first responder. Once inflammation starts in the blood vessels and injury occurs, cholesterol is sent to patch it up—that’s the beginning of those plaques. If plaques are active and inflammation doesn’t subside, the immune system, of course, gets involved,” says Dr. Regina Druz, challenging the conventional view that LDL cholesterol is simply a villain in heart disease.

In this episode, Dr. Druz is joined by Dr. Ernst Schaefer, a leading expert in lipidology and co-founder of Boston Heart Diagnostics, to explore a more nuanced take on cholesterol and heart health. What if cholesterol’s role is more complex than we think? They discuss the hidden risks of small dense LDL particles, which can be far more harmful than LDL alone, and how these particles drive inflammation and plaque formation in our arteries. Together, they encourage listeners to look beyond traditional cholesterol measures and consider cardiometabolic health as a whole.

With heart disease on the rise, how can we make sense of cholesterol management in a way that truly supports long-term health? Dr. Druz and Dr. Schaefer share fresh insights into personalized strategies, new risk assessment tools, and lifestyle shifts that can help you take charge of your heart health. This episode is a must-listen for anyone ready to rethink cholesterol and approach heart health with deeper understanding and practical tools.

Quotes
“The most important risk factor is high blood pressure, a disease that occurs on the arterial side of the system. Diabetes is also very important, but it only occurs in about 10% to 15% of the population. Smoking is very significant as well. LDL cholesterol really is the factor that allows us to distinguish between populations. We know that if we’re effective in lowering LDL, or if we look at populations with very low LDL, their risk is very low. You can markedly lower risk by treating high LDL through lifestyle changes and, sometimes, medications.” (09:42 | Dr. Ernst Schaefer)
“I look at cholesterol as a first responder. Once inflammation starts in the blood vessels and injury occurs, cholesterol is sent to patch it up—that’s the beginning of those plaques. If plaques are active and inflammation doesn’t subside, the immune system, of course, gets involved. Cholesterol, in many ways, acts like a firefighter arriving at the scene, attempting to put out the fire, but sometimes the fire is too intense for resolution. It’s essential for adults to understand that, as you mentioned, high blood pressure is also a critical factor.” (11:04 | Dr. Regina Druz)
“Almost all the risk associated with LDL is due to elevated small, dense LDL, which is very important. That’s the most atherogenic particle.” (18:16 | Dr. Ernst Schaefer)
“The best predictor of mortality for disease is disease itself. The coronary artery disease unfortunately will lead, if unmanaged or not mitigated, to heart failure or potentially a myocardial infarction, even a small one. And so, these are very sensitive measures. We don’t necessarily measure them on every single patient, but we measure them strategically to understand where our patients are on a continuum.” (56:37 | Dr. Regina Druz)

Links
https://tools.acc.org/ascvd-risk-estimator-plus/#!/calculate/estimate/
PREVENT TM Online Calculator
http://www.reynoldsriskscore.org
www.mesa-nhlbi.org

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
59 min
October 17, 2024#RapidResponse: How Much Weight to Lose to Fix Your Blood Pressure
“One kilogram reduction in weight usually decreases systolic blood pressure, so that’s your upper number, by about one millimeter on average,” shares Dr. Regina Druz, pointing to research that shows how even small amounts of weight loss may have a measurable impact on blood pressure. So, how much weight does one really need to lose to see a difference in their blood pressure?

In this episode, Dr. Druz tackles that very question, breaking down the connection between weight loss and managing hypertension. She explains that it isn’t just about dropping pounds—it’s about targeting visceral fat, the kind that plays a key role in improving vascular health and reducing inflammation. Are you tracking your progress accurately? Dr. Druz emphasizes the importance of using tools like BMI and body composition measurements to clearly understand where you stand.

Beyond the numbers, Dr. Druz also explores the possibility of achieving remission from hypertension through lifestyle changes, without the need for medication. If you’ve ever wondered how weight loss could help you gain control of your blood pressure, Dr. Druz offers practical insights and real-life strategies to help you on your journey. Tune in to learn how the right kind of weight loss can transform your heart health!

Quotes
“Blood pressure, or hypertension, is actually a chronic disease that carries significant cardiac risk. So, do we have any information on not just controlling or improving blood pressure, but actually putting it into remission so that a person has optimal blood pressure without the use of medications?” (04:23 | Dr. Regina Druz)
“Hypertension or elevated blood pressure, unfortunately, is actually quite prevalent. So, if we’re looking at the thresholds of 130 over 80 or reported use of hypertensive medications, it’s about 46%, so almost half of the adult population… As individuals age, the prevalence of hypertension increases.” (14:59 | Dr. Regina Druz)
“One kilogram reduction in weight usually decreases systolic blood pressure, so that’s your upper number, by about one millimeter on average.” (21:28 | Dr. Regina Druz)
“Studies have shown that a five to ten percent reduction in body fat, specifically visceral fat (the fat stored within and around the organs), is what drives the relationship between weight loss and blood pressure reduction. This makes sense because fat loss reduces inflammation in the body. Fat loss reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines, which are internal components secreted by our fat. It decreases insulin resistance, and it both improves our vascular tone and reduces peripheral resistance.” (26:00 | Dr. Regina Druz)
“Resistance training alone can lower blood pressure by three to four millimeters systolic and diastolic even though significant fat loss may not have occurred.” (28:28 | Dr. Regina Druz)

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
48 min
October 03, 2024You’ve Got Coronary Calcium: Now What?
“Calcium is the end stage of the inflammation that happens in the coronary arteries,” explains Dr. Regina Druz, a holistic cardiologist, in this inaugural episode of Own Your Heart Health. Dr. Druz explores heart disease from a different angle, shifting the focus from cholesterol to the deeper role inflammation plays in cardiac risk. What if understanding and addressing inflammation could be the key to better heart health? Dr. Druz unpacks this idea and emphasizes the value of the coronary artery calcium score—a diagnostic tool that measures calcium deposits in the arteries, reflecting past inflammation and helping predict future heart disease risk.

While calcium buildup in the arteries is permanent, Dr. Druz reassures us that it’s not the end of the story. She emphasizes that by targeting the root causes of inflammation through lifestyle changes, we can lower our overall risk of heart disease. Dr. Druz encourages us to have open, informed conversations with our healthcare providers about the coronary artery calcium score and other preventive steps for heart health. Combining holistic practices with conventional medicine, she empowers patients to make choices that will not only extend their lives but will also enhance their quality of life.

Quotes
“Why do I put heart health and longevity in the same sentence? You may potentially be thinking of these as two different things and let me tell you that they are absolutely not. The aging process first and foremost is reflected in our cardiovascular system.” (02:44 | Dr. Regina Druz)
“Cholesterol has been at the center of cardiovascular risk factor continuum used in all sorts of different risk estimators or equations, and the cholesterol-lowering hypothesis has dominated cardiovascular thinking for decades. Now, we do however understand that the primary driver of coronary artery disease is actually not the cholesterol but the injury to the arterial wall and the inflammatory process, the inflammation that starts in the arteries that actually then gets exacerbated with cholesterol coming in trying to patch or repair the inflamed spot. And so, this is how coronary artery plaques start.” (17:00 | Dr. Regina Druz)
“Coronary artery disease is a lifelong process. It starts at birth.” (21:45 | Dr. Regina Druz)
“Calcium is the end stage of the inflammation that happens in the coronary arteries.” (23:58 | Dr. Regina Druz)

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
55 min