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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 and our new Healthy Life 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 short but full week after a quick trip back from Sydney on Monday for my brother’s 50th. Family time continues to feature strongly — we hosted a beautiful Easter Friday lunch at our new home, with Chelle pulling together a wonderful spread. We were joined by my dad, Ella, Chelle’s nephew Mike, his wife Maz, and their daughter Elsie-May. Sadly, Sean, Chelle's son, wasn’t able to make it as he was unwell — we missed him around the table.
In the Clinic & Beyond
📘 We’re now down to the final touches on the Cholesterol Explained book. Dr. Karam is working on a very exciting addition — a foreword potentially penned by one of the Nobel Prize winners who discovered the LDL receptor. That would be a brilliant endorsement.
📄 I reviewed an interesting paper this week highlighting a growing concern with GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic — while effective for weight loss, they can also contribute to muscle loss. It’s an important reminder that weight loss and health gain are not always the same thing.
🩺 I also did a wonderful personal consultation for a woman in South Australia, walking her through her cholesterol numbers and cardiac imaging. There’s something very rewarding about connecting one-on-one like that — truly personal, evidence-based care.... she had contacted me directly through the healthy heart network.
🌮 Chelle and I squeezed in a dinner at Amigos, a favourite Mexican spot — she absolutely loves it!
👁️🗨️ I had my glaucoma follow-up eye check — always good to stay on top of it.
🤝 I’d been scheduled to meet with the CEO of Rheumatoid Arthritis Tasmania at the OsteoStrong centre, but that’s been pushed back. Hopefully we can reconnect soon.
🎧 In Case You Missed It: Part 2 of the Interview
Here’s the [link to Part 2] Professor Alan Rozanski pod part 1of a fantastic interview you won’t want to miss — insightful, practical, and relevant to how we’re thinking about health right now. Suggest you start with part 1 here : Professor Rozanski pod part 1
🧠 Health Insight of the Week
GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic may reduce cardiovascular risk and assist in weight loss, but recent research shows they may also lead to lean muscle loss. If you're on one, consider a tailored resistance or osteogenic loading program — maintaining muscle is key to aging well.
❓Quiz Corner
Which of the following is TRUE about glaucoma?
A. It always presents with obvious vision loss
B. It’s caused by high blood pressure
C. It can cause irreversible damage before symptoms appear
D. It only affects older adults
Answer:
✅ C. It can cause irreversible damage before symptoms appear
Glaucoma is often called the “silent thief of sight” — regular screening is vital, especially if you have a family history or elevated eye pressure.
💓 Take Action: Free Heart Health Mini Course
If you haven’t yet checked it out, we’ve put together a free mini course designed to help you understand your heart health risks — and what you can do about them.
👉 Click here to access the course
Whether you’re managing cholesterol, navigating medication decisions, or just want a clearer picture of your heart health, this is a great place to start.
