#319: Heart Disease Prevention with Dr. Andrew Freeman
“ I always tell people, and the mantra that I tell people is that if you can eat like a peasant, you can live like a king or a queen. And it's a difficult concept for people to understand. You know, peasants are not eating the rich foods that the royalty are eating. Yes. But the goal, hopefully for a lot of people, is to live a long, healthy life, feeling as good as possible.” –Dr. Andrew Freeman
Join my enlightening conversation with Dr. Andrew Freeman, a leading cardiologist and staunch advocate for plant-based nutrition, as he reveals the critical factors behind heart disease and unravels the myths surrounding diet and health. Dr. Freeman shares his personal transformation from unhealthy eating to becoming a plant-based champion, shedding light on the misinformation spread by the food industry and how to cut through the noise for a healthier lifestyle. Learn about the key health statistics you must know to evaluate your cardiovascular risk and the potential impact of endurance activities on heart health.
We also tackle the underutilization of plant-based methods in cardiology, despite robust professional guidelines supporting these approaches. Dr. Freeman and I discuss the cognitive dissonance many face when it comes to diet and health, particularly in a society bombarded with processed foods. From hypertension to rare cardiovascular conditions, we emphasize the power of lifestyle medicine and share practical strategies for communicating these life-changing approaches to patients. Finally, we delve into essential health metrics for adults to monitor, and tips for extreme athletes to safeguard their heart health while engaging in endurance activities.
Dr. Freeman is a distinguished cardiologist and educator with a rich background in medicine and academia. He completed his internal medicine training at Brown University and earned his medical degree with research honors from SUNY Buffalo, following a summa cum laude graduation from Cornell University. Currently based at National Jewish Health, he serves as Director of Clinical Cardiology and Director of Cardiovascular Prevention and Wellness, alongside his role as Associate Professor of Medicine. Dr. Freeman is renowned for his advocacy of lifestyle medicine, notably through initiatives like the Walk with a Doc program in Denver, emphasizing exercise as medicine. A leader in his field, he contributes extensively to cardiovascular research, particularly on plant-based nutrition, and actively mentors medical students and professionals while promoting health education across Colorado.
Discussion points:
(0:00:00) Intro of Dr. Freeman, background
(0:06:04) Dr. Freeman’s journey to plant-based
(0:11:26) The China Study book
(0:13:00) Incorporating plant-based lifestyle into medical practice
(0:18:00) Most common cardiovascular diseases and their causes
(0:22:16) Countering misinformation and disinformation
(0:26:00) Most humans will die of heart disease- not war, not cancer…
(0:27:00) Health numbers you should know- blood pressure, etc.
(0:29:00) AFib and diet
(0:34:30) Closing questions, what we wish people knew
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Dr. Andrew Freeman
Director of clinical cardiology and the director of cardiovascular prevention and wellness, and is an Associate Professor of Medicine at National Jewish
Training in Philadelphia at Temple University. Prior to that, he completed his internal medicine training at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. He completed medical school at SUNY Buffalo with research honors after graduating summe cum laude from Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. At National Jewish, he serves as the director of clinical cardiology and the director of cardiovascular prevention and wellness, and is an Associate Professor of Medicine.
Dr. Freeman also hosts a monthly Walk with a Doc program in the Denver area where he volunteers his time to walk with patients on Saturday mornings to teach key health concepts, but also to explore using exercise as medicine for the greater good of the public. Finally, Dr. Freeman holds some leadership positions in the Colorado American College of Cardiology as well as at the national level, including founding chair of the Lifestyle and Nutrition Workgroup and has sat on the steering committee for the Cardiovascular Disease Prevention council and numerous other committees. He recently finished terms on the Science and Quality Committee and Digital Steering Committee. At National Jewish Health he started and oversees the Ornish Intensive Cardiac Rehab. He regularly publishes scholarly manuscripts on plant-based nutrition. An avid teacher and educator, Dr. Freeman teaches medical, physician assistant and pharmacy students regularly, and has hosted many community lectures and CME programs. He is a regular feature at VegFest Colorado and continues to expand his teaching and messages of prevention and wellness all over Colorado.
As a lifelong technology enthusiast and innovator, he is active in the medical technology space, regularly serving both the American College of Cardiology as a consultant and also helps medical startups with product and business strategy.
The information on this blog, website and podcast is for informational purposes only. It is not meant to replace careful evaluation and treatment. If you have concerns about your or your child’s eating, nutrition or growth, consult a doctor.