What if the biggest medical stories of 2025 weren’t the ones that made the loudest headlines?

In this episode of Real Doctors, Real Medicine, cardiologist Dr. Joshua Yamamoto and internist Dr. Kristen Thomasbreak down the ten most important—and most misunderstood—medical developments of the past year, as we move into 2026. From policy changes and FDA updates to viral health scares and quietly groundbreaking studies, they separate medical reality from media noise.

You’ll hear what really happened with Medicare and telemedicine, why melatonin does not cause heart failure, and how surprising research shows coffee and tea may actually reduce atrial fibrillation risk. They also explain why GLP-1 medications are being viewed by cardiologists as far more than weight-loss drugs, how vaginal estrogen labeling changes could prevent life-threatening infections in older women, and why wearables and direct-to-consumer testingcan be helpful—or misleading—depending on how they’re used.

Perhaps most importantly, this conversation tackles a growing concern in modern healthcare: the rise of medical advice coming from AI, media, and non-medical sources, and what that means for your health decisions.

If you’ve ever felt confused, alarmed, or overwhelmed by health news, this episode offers something rare—calm, experience-based perspective from doctors who practice real medicine with real patients every day.

In this episode of Real Doctors, Real Medicine, cardiologist Dr. Joshua Yamamoto tackles a question more and more people are asking:

With so many ads promising early detection and peace of mind, whole-body MRIs and CT scans can sound like the ultimate shortcut to catching disease before it strikes. But the truth is a lot more nuanced.

Dr. Yamamoto breaks down what these scans actually do (and don’t do), the real differences between MRI and CT, and when they can truly be lifesaving. He also pulls back the curtain on the hidden downsides — from false alarms and unnecessary biopsies to the emotional toll of worrying about things that were never dangerous in the first place.

Instead of one-size-fits-all screening, he explains why personalized risk assessment, smart testing, and an ongoing relationship with a trusted physician are the real keys to staying healthy as we age.

If you’ve ever wondered whether a whole-body scan is worth it — or worried you might be missing something — this episode will help you feel informed, grounded, and empowered to make the right decision for you.

In this episode, cardiologist Dr. Joshua Yamamoto breaks down one of the most important — yet rarely explained — topics in healthy aging: what actually happens to our blood vessels as we get older, and how those changes impact the brain. He shares why issues like atrial fibrillation (AFib) become more common with age, how they silently raise the risk of stroke and dementia, and why these shifts aren’t random or inevitable mysteries… they’re predictable patterns we can get ahead of.

Dr. Yamamoto offers a clear roadmap for managing AFib, from medications that prevent stroke to the procedures that can restore long-term rhythm stability. His message is both empowering and refreshing: aging doesn’t have to mean losing heart or brain function. With the right prevention strategies — and the right partnership with your doctor — you can protect your brain, safeguard your quality of life, and age with far more confidence.

Health headlines can feel like a moving target — one week a supplement is “safe and natural,” the next week it’s all over the news for the wrong reasons.

In this timely episode, Dr. Kristin Thomas and Dr. Joshua Yamamoto cut through the noise and break down what’s actually true about some of today’s most talked-about health topics. They unpack the real risks and benefits of common supplements like melatonin, explain the latest thinking on hormone replacement therapy, and clear up the confusion around caffeine and heart rhythm — including who may need to be more cautious.

The doctors also tackle recent studies and media stories, separating solid science from sensationalism, and explain why staying up-to-date on vaccines — especially flu and COVID-19 — remains essential for long-term health. With practical guidance and a down-to-earth approach, they help listeners make sense of conflicting information, ask better questions, and have more confident conversations with their own healthcare providers.

If you’re tired of mixed messages and just want trustworthy, evidence-based clarity, this episode delivers it.

We all know the heart pumps blood — but we rarely think about what that means for the brain.

In this revealing conversation, cardiologist Dr. Josh Yamamoto explains how the way our blood vessels age can directly influence memory, focus, and long-term brain health. He breaks down what happens when arteries stiffen, inflammation builds, or heart rhythm subtly shifts — and how those changes can quietly reduce blood flow to the brain years before symptoms ever show up.

Dr. Yamamoto also dives into fascinating differences in vascular aging between men and women, why traditional blood pressure readings don’t always tell the whole story, and why personalized care matters more than one-size-fits-all guidelines. From exercise and medication to smart monitoring and prevention, he offers clear, practical steps to keep circulation strong and protect cognitive health as we age.

If you’ve ever wondered whether dementia risk is something you can take control of, this episode delivers both clarity and real-world hope.

Most people think dementia starts in the brain — but what if the real story begins with the heart?

In this eye-opening episode, preventive cardiologist Dr. Josh Yamamoto reveals how the same changes that happen to our blood vessels as we age can quietly affect memory, clarity, and long-term brain health. He breaks down what’s normalaging versus what’s preventable, and explains why inflammation, stiffening arteries, and even subtle rhythm shifts can set the stage for vascular dementia long before symptoms appear.

Dr. Yamamoto also shares the surprising roles that genetics, diabetes, smoking, and everyday lifestyle habits play in how quickly our vessels age — and what we can do to slow the process. From early warning signs to statins and smart prevention strategies, this conversation is packed with practical, science-based guidance to protect both your heart andyour brain.

If you’ve ever wondered whether dementia risk is something you can actually influence, this episode will leave you informed, empowered, and hopeful.

In this episode of "Real Doctors Real Medicine," Dr. Joshua Yamamoto introduces the podcast’s mission: to offer practical, personalized medical advice and help listeners navigate overwhelming health information. Drawing on his background as a preventive cardiologist and Navy veteran, Dr. Yamamoto emphasizes the importance of prevention, the doctor-patient relationship, and critical thinking in medicine. He discusses aging, the pitfalls of over-labeling natural processes as disease, and the need for individualized care. The episode previews future topics, including vascular dementia and current health debates, all aimed at empowering listeners to make informed health decisions.