Heart Doc VIP with Dr. Joel Kahn

This week on Heart Doc VIP, Dr. Joel Kahn takes a deep dive into one of the most influential research projects in cardiovascular history: the Framingham Heart Study. Launched in 1948 and still going strong, this landmark study helped identify many of the risk factors we now take for granted, including smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, and physical inactivity. Much of what modern cardiology considers "common knowledge" about prevention started in Framingham.
Dr. Kahn also explores practical and emerging topics in heart health, including the role of magnesium and berberine supplementation, how to approach both low-carb and low-fat diets in a healthy way, and concerns about long-term proton pump inhibitor use. Additional discussion covers EECP therapy and strategies to improve coronary blood flow, along with the potential benefits of ezetimibe for cholesterol reduction and brain health.
Thank you to this week's sponsor, Igennus. Visit igennus.com and use code DRKAHN for a special discount.

This week, Dr. Kahn breaks down a new paper examining the risks and reported side effects of statins—including the surprising finding that placebo alone is linked to many of the same symptoms. He also covers an oral PCSK9 inhibitor currently under study and what it could mean for cholesterol management.
The episode then dives into the latest research on emerging therapies designed to lower lipoprotein(a), including a real-world case study that highlights where this rapidly evolving field is headed. 
Shorter discussions include heart disease at a young age, why so many patients fail to reach blood pressure treatment goals, aspirin use one year after AFib ablation, skeletal muscle as an endothelial stabilizer, and why exercise variety may be one of the most powerful risk reducers we have. 
Thanks to WellBean for sponsoring the show. Save on their delicious bean-based products at wellbean.life with code DrKahn15. 
Dr. Kahn will also be leading a free online seminar on cholesterol on February 17, 2026 at 7 PM EST with Forks Over Knives. Register HERE.

This week, Dr. Kahn discussed a case study involving a 30-year-old man with newly discovered, very high cholesterol. The implications of heart disease in young adults—backed by a recent paper from the CARDIA study group—suggest that early intervention, beginning with lifestyle changes, should be offered, along with follow-up lab testing. The Portfolio Diet plan would be a strong starting point on the journey toward a more plant-based diet.
Other topics covered include the risks of diet soda, the health impacts of being a night owl, coffee consumption for atrial fibrillation patients, the role of genetics in longevity, plant-based diets for kidney health, and red light therapy for brain illness and trauma. 
Thanks to getfreshDRKAHN.com for the $1 offer on a bottle of fresh-pressed olive oil from some of the finest estates.

EXTENDED SHOWNOTES: 

Dr. Kahn also touched on several additional topics during the episode. He discussed olive oil tasting and shipping, encouraging listeners to sign up before the current shipment from Italy ends and explaining how tasting fresh olive oil helps assess quality.

Red light therapy came up in the context of brain injury, including a study showing potential benefits from nasal exposure in college athletes with repeated head trauma. He also mentioned advocacy efforts to promote routine coronary calcium scoring starting at age 45.

Several studies on diet and longevity were reviewed, including research showing that plant-forward diets are associated with better kidney health and that genetics may account for up to 50% of longevity—though lifestyle choices still matter greatly.

Dr. Kahn also covered caffeine and heart rhythm, noting research where coffee consumption was linked to fewer episodes of atrial fibrillation, while diet soda was associated with a higher risk of dementia.
Finally, he discussed sleep patterns, citing data suggesting that night owls face higher cardiovascular risks than early risers.

In this bonus episode, Dr. Kahn sits down with his longtime friend TJ Robinson, founder of the Fresh Pressed Olive Oil Club and self-described "olive oil hunter." TJ has made it his life's mission to track down the freshest, highest-quality extra virgin olive oils in the world — often straight from small producers in Europe and South America — and get them shipped to the U.S. as quickly as possible.
The conversation dives into what most people don't realize about olive oil: how freshness impacts flavor, health benefits, and antioxidant levels, and why the oil sitting on a grocery store shelf may not be doing your heart any favors. TJ explains how he sources each harvest, what separates truly exceptional olive oil from the rest, and why timing is everything when it comes to preserving polyphenols and taste.
Dr. Kahn and TJ also discuss why extra virgin olive oil remains one of the healthiest dietary staples available, especially for cardiovascular health, and how consumers can avoid misleading labels and outdated products. 
Listeners can sample the latest Fresh Pressed Olive Oil Club release for just $1 shipping by visiting getfreshDRKAHN.com . 
If you prefer to watch the conversation, the full video interview is available on YouTube: youtube.com/watch?v=AZP64Au_j5M

This week, Dr. Kahn discusses a new report from the American Heart Association on the causes of heart-related deaths in the U.S., and the sobering reality that cardiovascular disease remains the nation's leading cause of death. Despite this, prevention and early detection continue to be underemphasized at the national level—meaning much of the responsibility still falls on individuals.

Dr. Kahn also covers several shorter topics, including a response to the CSPI food pyramid, water quality on airplanes, Apple Watch detection of atrial fibrillation, why earlier meal timing is better, the vascular benefits of extra-virgin olive oil, and the cholesterol-lowering power of oats.

Thanks to the Fresh Pressed Olive Oil Club, you can sample a bottle of high-quality extra-virgin olive oil for just $1 at getfreshDRKAHN.com.

Registration is now open for Dr. Kahn's lecture on January 29, 2026 at 7:00 PM EST.

Sign up HERE.