**Greetings!** {contactfield=firstname}, and I hope you’ve had a great week!
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.
It’s been a busy one for me, starting with Cholesterol Awareness Week, celebrated for the first time in Australia.
I had the opportunity to appear on TV and radio, giving a couple of interviews to support the fantastic work of Hearts4Heart, a patient support and advocacy group.
If you’re interested, here’s the link to the TV interview: TV Cholesterol Interview
I also had the privilege of presenting to cardiologists and GPs—on Wednesday night and on Saturday morning to a GP group.
My topic was Icosapent Ethyl, a highly purified triglyceride marketed as Vazkepa. Both presentations went exceptionally well, and it was a pleasure to share insights on this important treatment.
On Friday, I finalised my white paper about the St Luke’s Health pilot, where we calcium scored 100 members.
The results have been remarkable.
Essentially:
- Three scans are needed to identify one individual who would benefit from intervention, such as cholesterol-lowering therapy and aspirin at a minimum.
- To save one life:
- Over the next 5 years, 25 scans are needed.
- Over the next 10 years, 12.5 scans are needed.
- Over the next 20 years, 6.25 scans are needed.
This underscores the importance of identifying at-risk individuals early in life to maximize impact. I’ve sent the findings to St Luke’s Health and look forward to catching up with them to discuss the details further.
This is very exciting for me and been the culmination of years of work.
Later in the week, I presented at the Glenorchy City Bowls Club to a wonderful group of people. I spoke about heart health and bone health, and already several attendees are showing interest in joining our OsteoStrong franchise here in Hobart.
On Saturday night, I caught up with my good friend Dave for a beer while Chelle was out of town with her girlfriends. It’s always great to connect with a mate.
Sunday started early with the Point to Pub and Point to Pinnacle fun run event. I opted to walk the Point to Pub, a 10 km uphill route.
I must admit, my memory of running up Mount Wellington 30 years ago didn’t quite factor in the effects of not running much since then! It was challenging, with a few minor aches and pains, but ultimately very rewarding.
My daughter Ella, ran all the way and completed the Point to Pub and was super proud of herself—rightly so, as she hasn’t done much running before. A fantastic effort on her part!
In other family news, my son Max and his partner Amelia are preparing for interviews with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade regarding the scholarships they’re pursuing to support their plans to go to the Cook Islands next year. I’m wishing them all the very best—they’ve already done exceptionally well to be shortlisted for interviews!
Lastly, Chelle and I have put in another offer on a house—fingers crossed we’ll hear back soon!
I've got to get back to writing the cholesterol book and all being well we will go out for dinner with Penny, my friend and co-writer on Friday to celebrate our last book, "10 Commandments of Heart Health Explained".
We'll go to the Casino Revolving restuarant, which will be very nice. If you are interested in the book, it is available here
Quick Questions:
1. When we measure blood pressure with one number over another, what is the top number called?
- A) The diastolic pressure
- B) The systolic pressure
- C) The main refractory pressure
- D) The heart rate coefficient
2. When performing a standard ECG on the heart, how many leads do we look at?
- A) 6
- B) 9
- C) 12
- D) 16
Week Before Last's Answers:
1. Which heart condition results from blocked arteries and can lead to a heart attack?
- B) Coronary artery disease
2. Which medication types below do not lower cholesterol?
- C) Angiotensin Receptor Blockers
- D) Beta Blockers
Until next time, wishing you all the very best,
Hoping you live as well as possible for as long as possible
P.S. Don't forget to check out my latest books HERE
