The Healthspan Podcast

A severe blockage in the "widowmaker" artery sounds like an automatic trip to the cath lab but is it always? In this episode, Dr. Robert Todd Hurst, MD, FACC, FASE shares a remarkable real-world case that challenges conventional thinking about stents and heart disease treatment. He explains the difference between stable and unstable coronary artery disease, reviews the research behind stents versus aggressive medical therapy, and reveals how one patient with a severe LAD blockage improved his artery health without undergoing an invasive procedure. You'll also learn why understanding root causes, optimizing risk factors, and taking a personalized approach to prevention may be more important than many people realize. About Dr. Robert Todd Hurst, MD, FACC, FASE Dr. Robert Todd Hurst, MD, FACC, FASE is a board-certified preventive cardiologist, former Mayo Clinic physician, and founder of HealthspanMD. His mission is simple: that no one dies of a heart attack, ever. Through a proactive, precision-medicine approach, he helps patients identify hidden cardiovascular risk, reverse heart disease, and add strong, vital, mentally sharp years to life. In this podcast, he shares practical insights from more than two decades of experience helping people prevent and overcome cardiovascular disease. Key Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction: Do severe blockages always require a stent? 00:27 – Case study: A patient with a severe LAD ("widowmaker") blockage and no symptoms 01:14 – Why stress testing, echocardiograms, and symptoms matter when evaluating blockages 01:39 – What research shows about stents versus aggressive medical therapy for stable coronary artery disease 02:46 – The real risks of angiograms, stents, and invasive procedures 03:36 – Why the patient's condition did not automatically justify a stent 04:15 – Optimizing cholesterol, insulin resistance, and other root causes 04:42 – One year later: Severe blockage improves to moderate stenosis 05:04 – Evidence of plaque regression and why the results matter 05:35 – How cardiology thinking has evolved since the COURAGE trial 06:07 – When stents and bypass surgery may still be the right choice 06:41 – Questions every patient should ask before agreeing to a stent 07:02 – Long-term considerations and risks of living with a stent 07:20 – Why healthcare remains reactive instead of preventive 07:47 – HealthspanMD's mission: Moving from disease treatment to health optimization 08:08 – Final thoughts and invitation to learn more about HealthspanMD 08:34 – Medical disclaimer This episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always discuss treatment decisions with your healthcare provider. This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Don't make any decisions about your medical treatment without first talking to your doctor. Connect* with HealthspanMD : 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/company/healthspanmd/ 👉 https://www.facebook.com/healthspanmd 👉 https://www.instagram.com/healthspanmd/ 👉 https://open.spotify.com/show/5KQuoWqKP2vTBu05ci6EQB?si=fdb033a52b674909 👉 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-healthspan-podcast/id1680270608 🏆 Become a Member / 🤝 Partner With Dr. Hurst and His Expert Team To Add a Decade or More Of Healthy Life At HealthspanMD, we combine cutting-edge medicine, advanced technology, and concierge care to help high-achievers avoid heart attacks, strokes, and dementia. 🔍 Learn how patients add years to their lives by going to 👉 https://www.healthspanmd.com. 📅 Or Schedule a Call Directly with a HealthspanMD Dedicated Patient Advisor by clicking 👉 https://join.healthspanmd.com/call

In this episode of The Healthspan Podcast, Dr. Robert Todd Hurst, MD, FACC, FASE, sits down with electrophysiologist Dr. Varma to break down everything you need to know about AFib, from stroke prevention and rhythm control to lifestyle modification and quality of life strategies. You’ll learn about the four core pillars of AFib management, how modern ablation techniques have evolved, and why understanding your triggers is key to getting your life back. Meet Our Guest Dr. Varma is a board-certified cardiologist and electrophysiologist who specializes in heart rhythm disorders. With a passion for personalized, whole-person care, she brings a modern, patient-centered approach to treating AFib and helping people regain control over their health and quality of life. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction from Dr. Robert Todd Hurst, MD, FACC, FASE 00:50 – The four pillars of atrial fibrillation treatment 02:30 – What “contemporary rhythm control” really means 03:15 – Why early ablation is now a top recommendation 04:00 – Lifestyle and risk factor modification explained 05:30 – Treating sleep apnea, obesity, alcohol use, and more 06:45 – How much do genetics actually matter? 07:40 – The surprising mental and emotional toll of AFib 08:15 – Dr. Varma’s approach to quality of life in AFib patients 09:30 – Final advice: take charge, see a specialist, reclaim your life 10:30 – How HealthspanMD can help with personalized heart longevity care This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Don't make any decisions about your medical treatment without first talking to your doctor. *Connect* *with* *HealthspanMD* : 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/company/healthspanmd/ 👉 https://www.facebook.com/healthspanmd 👉 https://www.instagram.com/healthspanmd/ 👉https://open.spotify.com/show/5KQuoWqKP2vTBu05ci6EQB?si=fdb033a52b674909 👉https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-healthspan-podcast/id1680270608 🏆 Become a Member / 🤝 Partner With Dr. Hurst and His Expert Team To Add a Decade or More Of Healthy Life At HealthspanMD, we combine cutting-edge medicine, advanced technology, and concierge care to help high-achievers avoid heart attacks, strokes, and dementia. 🔍 Learn how patients add years to their lives by going to 👉 https://www.healthspanmd.com. 📅 Or Schedule a Call Directly with a HealthspanMD Dedicated Patient Advisor by clicking 👉 https://join.healthspanmd.com #LongevityMindset #ProactiveHealth #Wealthspan #FinancialWellness #HealthspanMD

In this episode of The Healthspan Podcast, Dr. Robert Todd Hurst, MD, FACC, FASE, explores the powerful connection between money and longevity and why financial health plays a vital role in living longer and better. Together with wealth management expert Larry Lytle, they discuss how thoughtful financial planning can reduce stress, support proactive health investments, and create a truly fulfilling life well into your hundreds. Larry shares insights from decades of experience helping families build not just wealth but purposeful wealth that aligns with values, goals, and long-term well-being. The conversation covers wealthspan, resilience, long-term care, AI’s role in healthcare, and how quarterly check-ins can improve both financial and physical health. About the Guest: Larry Lytle is the Principal Advisor at Wiser Advisors. With a background in engineering, AI entrepreneurship, and wealth management, Larry brings a unique perspective on aligning financial strategy with life purpose. His holistic approach has helped countless clients build meaningful, sustainable prosperity. 🕒 Key Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction by Dr. Robert Todd Hurst, MD, FACC, FASE, and the mission of HealthspanMD 01:30 – Why financial health is essential to longevity 03:39 – The concept of wealthspan and aligning money with purpose 08:23 – The evolving model of work, retirement, and active aging 13:07 – How Wiser Advisors helps clients plan beyond investments 15:27 – Common mindset shifts in financial planning 17:51 – Navigating the sandwich generation and family financial support 22:33 – Life insurance innovation and healthcare integration 24:45 – The future of long-term care and AI’s impact 27:12 – Building resilience in health and finances 31:51 – Quarterly check-ins for health and wealth success 38:41 – The power of relationships in medicine and wealth management 43:11 – Larry’s career journey from engineering to financial advising 45:34 – The multigenerational story of Wiser Advisors 47:52 – Closing reflections and how to connect with Larry Lytle This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Don't make any decisions about your medical treatment without consulting your doctor first. *Connect* *with* *HealthspanMD* : 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/company/healthspanmd/ 👉 https://www.facebook.com/healthspanmd 👉 https://www.instagram.com/healthspanmd/ 👉 https://open.spotify.com/show/5KQuoWqKP2vTBu05ci6EQB?si=fdb033a52b674909 👉 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-healthspan-podcast/id1680270608 🏆 Become a Member / 🤝 Partner With Dr. Hurst and His Expert Team To Add a Decade or More Of Healthy Life. At HealthspanMD, we combine cutting-edge medicine, advanced technology, and concierge care to help high-achievers avoid heart attacks, strokes, and dementia. 🔍 Learn how patients add years to their lives by going to 👉 https://www.healthspanmd.com 📅 Or Schedule a Call Directly with a HealthspanMD Dedicated Patient Advisor by clicking 👉 https://join.healthspanmd.com/call #LongevityMindset #ProactiveHealth #Wealthspan #FinancialWellness #HealthspanMD

If you or someone you love has had a heart attack, stent, bypass, or high calcium score, this episode is for you. In this episode, Dr. Robert Todd Hurst, MD, FACC, FASE breaks down the 10 most critical facts about coronary artery disease (CAD), from understanding the real risks, to reversing progression through precision treatment, to the surprising link between muscle mass, insulin resistance, and heart health. You’ll learn what your doctor may not have told you, and how to protect your heart with the best available science and strategy. Key Time Stamps: 00:45 – What coronary artery disease means & common fears after stents or bypass 01:37 – The #1 thing to know & the staggering stats behind heart disease in the U.S. 02:17 – Who is in the highest risk category 02:55 – Why >90% of heart disease is preventable (and how) 03:15 – Understanding insulin resistance and its role in artery disease 04:22 – What your LDL and ApoB numbers should really be 05:25 – Why “mildly elevated” blood pressure isn’t actually mild 05:55 – The powerful link between fitness, muscle mass, and longevity 06:42– Why visceral fat matters more than BMI or total body fat 07:04 – How mental health, stress, and sleep impact your heart 07:20 – The danger of waiting: 25% of heart disease presents as sudden death 08:05 – Why can HealthspanMD prevent heart disease when the numbers are so bleak 09:33 – What the Heart Longevity Program at HealthspanMD includes 10:55 – The team, tools, and assessments that make this different 13:10 – The timeline for Heart Longevity Program at HealtspanMD 14:25 – Why now? What happens when people wait too long This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Don't make any decisions about your medical treatment without first talking to your doctor. Connect with HealthspanMD: https://www.linkedin.com/company/healthspanmd/ https://www.facebook.com/healthspanmd https://www.instagram.com/healthspanmd/ https://quiz.healthspanmd.com/ 🏆 Become a Member / 🤝 Partner With Dr. Hurst and His Expert Team To Add a Decade or More Of Healthy Life At HealthspanMD, we combine cutting-edge medicine, advanced technology, and concierge care to help high-achievers avoid heart attacks, strokes, dementia. 🔍 Learn how patients add years to their lives by going to 👉 https://www.healthspanmd.com. 📅 Or Schedule a Call Directly with a HealthspanMD Dedicated Patient Advisor by clicking 👉 https://join.healthspanmd.com/call This show is produced by Mathew Blades and Integrity Media Solutions LLC

In this emotional and deeply inspiring episode of the Healthspan Podcast, Dr. Robert Todd Hurst, MD, FACC, FASE shares the story of a remarkable woman who defied every limitation placed on her. After a spinal cord injury left her in a wheelchair, she was told she wouldn’t live past 50. But instead of giving in to despair, she turned to HealthspanMD in search of better answers, better care, and most of all, hope. This episode captures her powerful journey of reclaiming her health, mobility, and sense of self through personalized, proactive care. Key Time Stamps: 00:42 – From hopelessness to action: what led this patient to HealthspanMD 03:30 – Breaking through barriers with personalized care 05:05– A coach’s perspective on her physical and inner transformation 07:45 – Why “eat less, move more” doesn’t work and what does 09:15 – Refusing to be defined by limitations or the wheelchair 11:45 – What resilience means and why quality of life matters more 14:43 – Crossing the street in 3 minutes instead of 7: mobility wins 18:00 – Mindset wins from a coach's perspective 19:55 – Down nearly 60 pounds for the first time in 13 years 22:25 – Blood markers and body composition that defied the odds 24:45 – Gratitude, pride, and what real healthcare makes possible This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Don't make any decisions about your medical treatment without first talking to your doctor. Connect with HealthspanMD: https://www.linkedin.com/company/healthspanmd/ https://www.facebook.com/healthspanmd https://www.instagram.com/healthspanmd/ https://quiz.healthspanmd.com/ 🏆 Become a Member / 🤝 Partner With Dr. Hurst and His Expert Team To Add a Decade or More Of Healthy Life At HealthspanMD, we combine cutting-edge medicine, advanced technology, and concierge care to help high-achievers avoid heart attacks, strokes, dementia. 🔍 Learn how patients add years to their lives by going to 👉 https://www.healthspanmd.com. 📅 Or Schedule a Call Directly with a HealthspanMD Dedicated Patient Advisor by clicking 👉 https://join.healthspanmd.com/call This show is produced by Mathew Blades and Integrity Media Solutions LLC

If you've recently learned that you or someone you love has high lipoprotein(a), also known as LP(a), you're not alone, and you're not powerless. In this episode, you'll learn the 10 most important things to know about LP(a), including what it means, how it affects your heart, the role of genetics, and what you can do right now to protect your health. From current treatments to cutting-edge research and actionable lifestyle changes, this is your ultimate guide to understanding and managing high LP(a). Key Time Stamps: 00:20 – What is LP(a) and why should you care? 01:12 – How LP(a) is inherited and how common it is 02:25 – Risks associated with high LP(a) 03:16 – Why heart disease is so common and often undiagnosed 04:16 – Imaging tests that actually determines your heart disease risk 06:45 – What treatments exist for high LP(a) and what’s coming in 2026 08:22 – Preventing heart disease even without specifically targeting LP(a) 11:10 – Understanding aortic valve stenosis and your risk 11:55 – LP(a) and blood clot risk: Should you take baby aspirin? 12:55 – Why 90% of heart disease is preventable 14:25 – What the Heart Longevity Program at HealthspanMD does 16:45 – Advanced testing, imaging, and personalized care with a comprehensive team at HealthspanMD 19:08 – Turning your health strategy into a system for lasting results 20:45 – Final call to action: How to take the first step toward better heart health This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Don't make any decisions about your medical treatment without first talking to your doctor. Connect with HealthspanMD: https://www.linkedin.com/company/healthspanmd/ https://www.facebook.com/healthspanmd https://www.instagram.com/healthspanmd/ https://quiz.healthspanmd.com/ 🏆 Become a Member / 🤝 Partner With Dr. Hurst and His Expert Team To Add a Decade or More Of Healthy Life At HealthspanMD, we combine cutting-edge medicine, advanced technology, and concierge care to help high-achievers avoid heart attacks, strokes, dementia. 🔍 Learn how patients add years to their lives by going to 👉 https://www.healthspanmd.com. 📅 Or Schedule a Call Directly with a HealthspanMD Dedicated Patient Advisor by clicking 👉 https://join.healthspanmd.com/call This show is produced by Mathew Blades and Integrity Media Solutions LLC

In this powerful and personal episode of the Healthspan Podcast, Dr. Robert Todd Hurst, MD, FACC, FASE sits down with a HealthspanMD patient to share her inspiring transformation story. After retiring from a prestigious career at the Mayo Clinic, she realized it was time to prioritize her own health. Motivated by a family history of stroke, dementia, and chronic disease, and disillusioned by a traditional, reactive healthcare model, she turned to HealthspanMD for a proactive, personalized approach to longevity and optimal wellness. What follows is a journey from fear and frustration to strength, confidence, and vitality. She shares how she has overcome a lifetime of dieting, reversed her health markers, got off blood pressure medication, and gained muscle while losing fat, all without extreme diets or hours in the gym. Key Time Stamps: 00:42 – Why she sought care from HealthspanMD after retiring from Mayo Clinic 02:10 – Discovering proactive medicine and the influence of Peter Attia's “Outlive” 03:15 – First appointment at HealthspanMD 03:40 – Medicine 2.0 to Medicine 3.0 05:35 – Early challenges and aligning on a prevention-focused vision 07:10 – A lifelong struggle with dieting and power of knowledge 09:25 – A turning point with DEXA scans: gaining muscle & losing fat in her mid-60s 12:20 – The power of coaching, mindset, and long-term sustainability 14:05 – Getting off blood pressure medication after just 3 months 16:20 – Newfound optimism about aging and the future 18:30 – Final reflections on the care she received at HealthspanMD This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Don't make any decisions about your medical treatment without first talking to your doctor. Connect with HealthspanMD: https://www.linkedin.com/company/healthspanmd/ https://www.facebook.com/healthspanmd https://www.instagram.com/healthspanmd/ https://quiz.healthspanmd.com/ 🏆 Become a Member / 🤝 Partner With Dr. Hurst and His Expert Team To Add a Decade or More Of Healthy Life At HealthspanMD, we combine cutting-edge medicine, advanced technology, and concierge care to help high-achievers avoid heart attacks, strokes, dementia. 🔍 Learn how patients add years to their lives by going to 👉 https://www.healthspanmd.com. 📅 Or Schedule a Call Directly with a HealthspanMD Dedicated Patient Advisor by clicking 👉 https://join.healthspanmd.com/call This show is produced by Mathew Blades and Integrity Media Solutions LLC