The 4 Common Traits of My Heart Surgery Patients

Disclaimer: Not Medical Advice. Opinions are my own.

In partnership with Momentous

In today's newsletter, we will review the four most common risk factors I have seen in my patients over the past 25 years of performing heart surgery.
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If you fall into one of these buckets, I hope this newsletter urges you to make conscious decisions to modulate your risk. If you don't, let this be a friendly reminder to stay on track.

All four of these traits increase your risk for heart disease, which then increases the chances of requiring heart surgery.

The harsh truth is that surgery resolves the acute problem but does not address the underlying chronic problem. Behavior modifications are the most effective treatment of the why or the root cause.

We will discuss how these traits negatively impact heart health and, most importantly, tactics to minimize cardiovascular risk.

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Smoking

Smoking is one of the worst things you can do to your body.

You may not be a smoker, but I guarantee you know someone who is. You could be the support system they need.

Smoking damages the lining of your blood vessels, which has been directly shown to lead to atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in your arteries). This hardens and narrows your blood vessels, restricting blood flow to your heart and other organs.

In addition, the carbon monoxide from cigarette smoke binds to hemoglobin in the blood more readily than oxygen, reducing the amount of oxygen that reaches the heart and the rest of your body.

The good news is the solution is simple: stop smoking.

The bad news is following through is hard.

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Use these four tactics to help quit:

1. Accountability: Find someone who will quit with you. You can lean on each other to stay strong.

2. Change your environment: Make the habit of smoking hard, uncomfortable, or out of reach.

3. Nicotine alternatives: Utilize other forms of nicotine to help you quit that aren't as harmful to your lungs.

4. Acupuncture: Surprisingly, acupuncture has been shown to reduce your cravings. Give it a try!

The day you quit smoking is the day you save your life.

The amazing thing is that you will see the benefits of quitting almost immediately.

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Obesity

As a surgeon, I have seen the rise of obesity firsthand. With fast food and processed foods increasing in popularity, obesity has become the silent killer. What does obesity do to your body?

• Increases blood pressure: Extra body weight can cause the body to retain more sodium, leading to higher blood pressure. High blood pressure forces the heart to work harder to pump blood, damaging the arteries and increasing the risk of heart disease.

• Physical Inactivity: Obesity often correlates with a sedentary lifestyle. Lack of physical activity can weaken the heart and cardiovascular system, reduce HDL cholesterol levels, and contribute to other heart disease risk factors.

• Inflammation: Obesity often leads to chronic inflammation, damaging blood vessels and the heart. This inflammation can contribute to the development of atherosclerosis and increase the risk of heart disease.

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Diabetes

Type 2 Diabetes is a lifestyle-induced disease.

That means it will take lifestyle changes to reverse it.

How Type 2 diabetes affects your heart:

• Insulin Resistance: In type 2 diabetes, the body’s cells become resistant to insulin, which can lead to higher insulin levels in the blood. High insulin levels are linked to increased production of fatty acids and cholesterol, promoting the development of atherosclerosis and increasing the risk of heart disease.

• Dyslipidemia: Diabetes can cause an imbalance in cholesterol levels, often characterized by high levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol, low levels of HDL (good) cholesterol, and high levels of triglycerides. These lipid abnormalities contribute to the buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries, leading to atherosclerosis.

• High Blood Sugar Levels: Persistently high blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels and the nerves that control the heart and blood vessels. This damage can lead to atherosclerosis, which increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

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Tactics to reverse Type 2 diabetes:

1. Weight Loss: Significant weight loss can improve insulin sensitivity and reduce blood sugar levels. For many people, losing about 5-10% of their body weight can have a substantial impact on diabetes management.

Follow this Caloric Deficit equation:

​BMR + Calories Burned > Calories Consumed

You will lose weight if you eat fewer calories than your Basal Metabolic Rate (click the link above), plus the calories you burn from activity and exercise.

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2. Healthy Diet:

• Low-Carb Diet: Reducing carbohydrate intake can help control blood sugar levels. Focus on whole grains, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats.

• Mediterranean Diet: This diet emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and olive oil and has been shown to improve blood sugar control.

• Portion Control: Eating smaller portions can help manage calorie intake and prevent overeating.

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3. Walk:

Use walking as a tool to burn calories, get outside, and clear your mind. Strong evidence shows the power of walking for 10 minutes after a meal to reduce blood sugar spikes and aid with weight management.

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Genetics

You can't run from your genes.

However, You do have power over how they are expressed.

Control the big three: diet, exercise, and stress management.

The key is not to eat healthy once, go to the gym once, or get a good night's rest once. Those are small victories.

The key is to build a routine where if you miss those things - you crave them.

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Moving Forward

I want your biggest takeaway from today's newsletter to be simple: Start. Make conscious decisions that improve your overall health and quality of life.

Take the tools we discussed today and start small. Find ways to incorporate them into your daily routine.

Treat movement and food as medicine, and it will pay dividends.

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All the best,

Jeremy London, MD