Did you know every 40 seconds someone in the U.S. has a heart attack—and 1 in 5 never even see it coming? This week, I am joined by preventive cardiologist Dr. Michael Twyman as we discuss cutting-edge diagnostics, the endothelial glycocalyx, nitric oxide biology, and why muscle mass is your heart’s best friend. Learn the practical steps and questions to ask to protect your heart before symptoms appear.
Together, we explore:
This episode is a masterclass in heart disease prevention—don’t miss it.
Who is Dr. Michael Twyman
Dr. Twyman is a board-certified cardiologist specializing in early detection and prevention of cardiovascular disease. Founder of Apollo Cardiology in St. Louis, he’s recognized for integrating advanced arterial imaging, mitochondrial health strategies, and personalized medicine to optimize long-term heart health. Dr. Twyman’s mission is to educate his patients on how to live better and longer by optimizing their mitochondrial function to become heart attack proof.
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Links to At-Home Tools/Testing Mentioned in the Episode:
Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro: The silent crisis of cardiovascular disease
03:00 – What is heart disease really, and who is at risk?
09:30 – How to screen for early cardiovascular disease
13:45 – What is a calcium score and why it matters
17:00 – The endothelial glycocalyx: Your artery’s armor
21:10 – Nitric oxide: The overlooked key to vascular health
26:00 – Red light therapy, UVA light, and nitric oxide production
32:45 – Biomarkers that matter more than LDL
40:10 – The truth about stress tests and cardiac imaging
45:00 – Erectile dysfunction as an early heart warning sign
51:00 – Testosterone, estrogen, and cardiovascular risk
56:20 – GLP-1s and new therapies for heart health
1:00:00 – Can diet and exercise reverse heart disease?
1:05:00 – Supplements Dr. Twyman recommends
1:10:00 – At-home tools for tracking heart health
1:15:00 – Muscle and VO₂ Max as heart disease predictors
1:20:00 – Final thoughts: Don’t guess—test.
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