Keeping Your Heart Healthy

Heart disease remains the number one killer in the USA.

I have people on my operating table every day, and many of them could have avoided it.

Let’s look at the steps you can take to keep your heart healthy - and a convenient way to measure
certain risks in real-time. pic.twitter.com/hAdNZvxpH2

— Heart Surgeon Dr. Philip Ovadia (@ifixhearts) March 20, 2023

Sugar impacts the heart more than a lot of people know.

It triggers an insulin response, which over time can cause insulin resistance.

This can lead to metabolic syndrome.

But cookies aren’t the only things to watch for. . .https://t.co/JNaLRGhOjH

— Heart Surgeon Dr. Philip Ovadia (@ifixhearts) March 20, 2023

High blood sugar can cause inflammation.

This can damage artery linings.

This results in plaque in the arteries.

Artery walls thicken, and blood pressure increases. pic.twitter.com/6MJge4WCNM

— Heart Surgeon Dr. Philip Ovadia (@ifixhearts) March 20, 2023

A cascading sequence of events is triggered in the body.

There can be weight gain, and inflammation that causes cell damage.

A strained heart can’t pump blood as well as it should, and fluid can build up in the legs. pic.twitter.com/Ec3N65Sv3h

— Heart Surgeon Dr. Philip Ovadia (@ifixhearts) March 20, 2023

With clogged arteries, there’s a real risk of heart attack or stroke.

Untreated insulin resistance brings the risk of not only heart attacks and strokes, but also:

- kidney disease
- cancer
- and even eyesight problems pic.twitter.com/cpUOPmZ0ea

— Heart Surgeon Dr. Philip Ovadia (@ifixhearts) March 20, 2023

The formula is simple:

High insulin = higher risk for heart disease.

But it can be hard to know what your insulin looks like regularly if you’re opting for once-yearly tests.

And some people respond differently to certain foods than others.

Enter the CGM. 🥳 pic.twitter.com/oHh0dXIQ6t

— Heart Surgeon Dr. Philip Ovadia (@ifixhearts) March 20, 2023

CGM stands for “continuous glucose monitor.”

It’s attached to your arm and syncs to an app on your phone, giving you 24/7 readings.

This gives you data that could literally save your life.

This is why CGMs are so critical. pic.twitter.com/zRzqx3NB3f

— Heart Surgeon Dr. Philip Ovadia (@ifixhearts) March 20, 2023

Traditional finger sticks, where you’d prick your finger to measure blood sugars at intervals throughout the day, can only show you certain things.

But a CGM can show you exactly what each food does to your blood glucose levels. pic.twitter.com/84naL1RhOQ

— Heart Surgeon Dr. Philip Ovadia (@ifixhearts) March 20, 2023

And there’s more.

A CGM can show you what reduces your insulin levels.

A lot of people struggle with motivation to exercise.

But if you saw that a post-dinner walk reduced your insulin levels, you’d find more inspiration. pic.twitter.com/h9f0bBfAqt

— Heart Surgeon Dr. Philip Ovadia (@ifixhearts) March 20, 2023

CGMs show you how both food and activity affect your body.

It’s the missing piece of the puzzle. We all know exercise is important, but not everyone knows *when* you exercise is also important.

Think of it as a fitness wearable, but with life-saving data to protect your heart. pic.twitter.com/H7TKBFL9ny

— Heart Surgeon Dr. Philip Ovadia (@ifixhearts) March 20, 2023

There are plenty of CGMs available, but if you’re stuck for choice I recommend @Ultrahumanhq.

Their glucose biomarkers work with existing apps and give simple recommendations.

You can check out their clinical trials here:https://t.co/J0gMkAId1Q pic.twitter.com/SwNTvWB0WI

— Heart Surgeon Dr. Philip Ovadia (@ifixhearts) March 20, 2023