Q: You’ve spent over 15 years in healthcare, much of it focused on cardiovascular medicine. What drew you to that path?
A: You can dramatically alter the trajectory of a patient’s life by controlling risk factors like hypertension, dislipidemia, and diabetes. I love educating and treating patients; cardiovascular medicine is rewarding!
Q: What first inspired your shift toward preventative care?
A: A colleague of mine went to work in Dr. Amy Doneen’s practice. I knew that the standard of care wasn’t good enough, so I read the Healthy Heart, Healthy Brain book and was hooked.
Q: How did you learn about the BaleDoneen Method, and what made you want to practice it?
A: I learned about the BaleDoneen Method from a colleague. I love how involved and proactive the patients are in their health journey and I want to be a part of that.
Q: What do you think makes this approach different from other cardiovascular care models?
A: Number one is the extensive time we spend educating the patients. Knowledge is power. The BaleDoneen Method focuses on whether you already have atherosclerosis and treats it as an active disease process. Trending inflammation markers is key.
Q: What keeps you motivated to continue doing this work?
A: The patient’s positive feedback, and understanding that the work I’m doing is making a difference.
Clinical Insight and Education
Q: How do you explain inflammation or arterial plaque to someone who is hearing those terms for the first time?
A: Plaque occurs when cholesterol is trapped within the lining of the artery wall; it’s like a scab. When the scab gets inflamed, it can crack open and cause a clot.
Q: What do you say to patients who feel fine – but are quietly at risk?
A: My goal is to make sure you “feel fine” the rest of your life. I want your health span to match your lifespan.
Q: Are there any specific lab results or assessments that patients are often surprised by?
A: Usually the LP-PLA2, the vascular specific inflammatory marker. Once treatment is started and this number goes down, patients are quite happy.
Q: How do you help someone go from overwhelmed to empowered when it comes to their health?
A: Knowledge equals power. Little fine-tuning things can make a big difference. Focus on one issue at a time.
Q: What’s one thing patients often misunderstand when it comes to early cardiovascular risk?
A: Cholesterol numbers! If your cholesterol “numbers” look okay, but you are full of inflammation, you are still at risk.
Universal Questions
Q: Can you share a story about a patient transformation that still sticks with you today?
A: A young 30’s male whose father died in his early 60’s from a fatal MI. Because he read the BDM book, sought treatment, and has made some life changes I am optimistic that he will never have a CV event.
Q: What do you wish more people understood about preventing heart attacks and strokes?
A: Atherosclerosis is a disease and it’s mediated by inflammation, not just the traditional risk factors that people think about.
Q: What’s one simple change patients can make today to improve their heart health?
A: Exercise regularly.
