Hi {contactfield=firstname},
From My Desk...
Each week, I’ll be sharing a little about what’s happening in my world—whether it’s in my role as a cardiologist, the work I’m doing with the Healthy Heart Network, or even personal updates from my family and life. My goal is to give you a closer look at what’s been keeping me busy, while also sharing tips and insights to help you on your own heart health journey. I hope you enjoy these updates and find them helpful as you strive to live well and stay healthy.
I hope you’re all doing well.
First of all, thank you for the feedback on this weekly email, which appears well received, and those who have reached out to connect or ask questions.
Please feel free to keep in touch and replying to this email with any questions I can answer in one of my emails.
It’s been a busy week, so here’s a quick update on what’s been happening.
A significant part of the week was spent attending the Queensland Lipid Group's Annual Scientific Meeting at the Stamford Plaza in Brisbane and at the nearby Center for Translational Research. Thank you to the organisers, including Dr Kostner for inviting me to attend. It was a fantastic weekend, full of learning opportunities and inspiring presentations.
Dr. Steve Fenton, a cardiologist from Sydney with a keen interest in calcium scoring, delivered some outstanding sessions on the role of cardiac CT imaging for precision beyond traditional risk stratification. He also covered topics on diet and exercise.
Amusingly, he even showed pictures of the "Heart Attack Grill" in America, where they sell burgers named after medical procedures – like the "Single Bypass," "Double Bypass," and "Triple Bypass" – with each name referring to the number of layers of cheese and meat.
Chelle and I managed to find a little free time around the conference, and we had our first experience riding a hire electric scooter. It was a fun and efficient way to explore Southbank, though it was a bit more expensive than I anticipated for a short trip.
On the home front, Max is in the middle of exams, so communication has been a little less. However, both he and his partner Amelia have been shortlisted for further interviews for a prestigious DFAT scholarship – exciting news!
Ella is back from her trip to Europe, sporting a Greek-Italian tan. It’s wonderful to have her back safe and sound. While she’s still deciding on her plans for next year, she’s picked up a job at a local café, which is a good start.
Chelle has been well, and we’re busy preparing for our wedding in December. It will be a small gathering, followed by a celebration party in the new year for my 60th birthday and our union.
I’ve had the pleasure of hosting some fascinating guests on my podcast recently, and I’m looking forward to the release of the upcoming interviews with Candice Grove on post-electromagnetic field therapy and its health benefits, as well as Dr. Fiona Foo, who will discuss women’s cardiovascular health. Keep an eye out for these episodes – they’re bound to be informative and relevant.
I’ve been analyzing data from the St. Luke’s Health Coronary Calcium Pilot Program, and the preliminary results look very promising. There’s still more work to do, but I’m optimistic that St. Luke’s Health will recognize the value for their members, which could help bring this service to a wider cohort.
In regard to the SLH pilot, for those who are not SLH members, I encourage you to check out the Virtual Heart Check – an option for individuals to obtain a coronary calcium score without needing to see a GP or specialist. It’s available across major centers in Australia.
I’ve also received some positive feedback on my latest book, "10 Commandments of Heart Health Explained'. If you’re interested, you can find it on my website or Amazon. The stories have been really well received.
Currently, I’m working on my next book with Dr. Karam Kostner, likely titled "Cholesterol Explained: Understanding the Science, the Significance, the Management, and the Myths."
Before signing off, how bout a quick quiz?
Which heart condition is a result of blocked arteries and can lead to a heart attack?
A) Arrhythmia
B) Coronary artery disease
C) Hypertension
D) Atrial fibrillation
and
Which medication types below do not lower cholesterol
A) Statins
B) Ezetimibe
C) Angiotensin Receptor Blocker
D) Beta Blockers
Until next time, wishing you all the very best.
P.S. Don't forget to check out my latest books HERE
