Preventative Cardiology and the New Guidelines with Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj | Rational Wellness Podcast 467

New AHA/ACC Lipid Guidelines, Cholesterol Myths & Root-Cause Cardiology | Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj   Dr. Ben Weitz introduces the Rational Wellness Podcast and interviews integrative/interventional cardiologist Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj about the new AHA/ACC lipid guidelines and the evolving science of cholesterol, inflammation, and cardiovascular risk. Bhojraj explains why conventional cardiology's LDL-centric, statin-heavy approach can miss key drivers of atherosclerosis, drawing from years treating repeat heart attacks. He reviews how plaques form through endothelial/glycocalyx injury, oxidized and small dense LDL, and immune activation leading to rupture and clotting. They discuss comprehensive lipid and cardiometabolic testing (ApoB, Lp(a), oxidized LDL, insulin, A1c, CRP, MPO, Lp-PLA2, homocysteine, uric acid, TMAO), insurance barriers, and a HEART framework (Hormones, Energy, Autonomic nervous system, Rest/Repair, Triggers). They cover statin benefits/risks, alternative drugs, diet approaches, supplements, and women's heart disease risks. 00:00 Show Intro And Mission 01:01 Why Lipid Guidelines Matter 02:09 Meet Dr Sanjay Bhojraj 02:49 From Stents To Root Causes 07:01 Rethinking LDL And Statins 10:19 How Plaques And Heart Attacks Happen 19:01 Why Advanced Lipids Aren't Standard 21:37 Cash Pay Vs Insurance Labs 23:42 Key Cardiometabolic Markers 26:34 ApoB And Lp Little A 29:16 TMAO Dysbiosis Debate 31:51 Uric Acid Homocysteine And CRP 33:23 Inflammation And CRP 35:06 Beyond Basic Lipids 35:45 HDL Function Matters 38:04 HDL Treatment Limits 38:54 Sponsor Apollo Wearable 40:27 Iron Ferritin Hormones 43:04 HEART Risk Framework 43:46 MPO And Vascular Markers 46:12 Stati