Beyond Traditional Cardiology: Inside Bionic Health's Advanced Vascular Module

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death globally, yet traditional healthcare often takes a reactive rather than preventive approach. At Bionic Health, we're changing this paradigm with our comprehensive Vascular Module, designed to identify cardiovascular risk factors years—even decades—before they manifest as clinical problems.

In a recent podcast conversation between Bionic Advisor Kelly Joniak and physician Dr. Catherine Isaac, we explored the science and strategy behind our vascular assessments. Here's what makes our approach different.

Beyond Basic Cholesterol Testing

Most primary care visits include a standard lipid panel measuring total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and triglycerides. While these metrics provide baseline information, they tell only part of the story. Our Vascular Module includes advanced biomarkers that offer deeper insights:

• Apolipoprotein B (ApoB): This carrier protein reflects the actual number of LDL particles circulating in your bloodstream. Dr. Isaac explains, "APO-B is a reflection of how many LDL cholesterol particles are migrating through your bloodstream... the more congested it is, the greater likelihood that particles will embed in the arterial wall."
• Lipoprotein(a): This genetically determined particle increases plaque buildup risk approximately sixfold. "Those particles are six times more likely to promote plaque buildup," notes Dr. Isaac.
• Inflammatory Markers: We measure high-sensitivity CRP, IL-6, and homocysteine levels, which can indicate cardiovascular inflammation.

Seeing What's Actually Happening in Your Arteries

Rather than relying solely on blood tests, we use advanced imaging to visualize arterial health directly:

• Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) Scoring: This non-invasive CT scan quantifies calcified plaque in the coronary arteries, providing a concrete measure of existing disease.
• Coronary CT Angiogram: For some members, this more detailed scan using contrast dye visualizes both calcified and soft plaque, offering comprehensive assessment of arterial narrowing.

"Atherosclerosis is a lifelong process that takes decades to develop," Dr. Isaac points out. "When plaque is initially laid down, it's soft. But over time, as your body remodels it, it calcifies and hardens."

Personalized Treatment Through Deeper Testing

One of the most valuable components of our Vascular Module is the Cholesterol Balance Test, which determines whether a member predominantly produces cholesterol internally or absorbs it from the intestine. This distinction directly informs treatment approaches:

• High Absorbers: May respond better to medications like ezetimibe that block intestinal cholesterol absorption.
• High Producers: Typically see significant benefits from statins, which inhibit internal cholesterol production.

Additionally, our Fatty Acid Balance Test measures the ratio of omega-3 to other fats in red blood cell membranes. "An ideal omega-3 index would be greater than eight," explains Dr. Isaac. "Most people eating an American diet have a very low omega-3 index because they're not getting significant sources of fish."

Moving Beyond Fear-Based Medicine

Dr. Isaac addresses common misconceptions about cardiovascular interventions, particularly statins. "One of the big components of my job is dispelling myths around statins. A lot of people reflexively balk at the idea of having to take a medication on a daily basis."

By using personalized data rather than one-size-fits-all approaches, we can make informed recommendations that balance risk and benefit for each individual.

The Hierarchy of Cardiovascular Interventions

While we employ advanced testing and personalized medicine, we emphasize that the foundation of cardiovascular health remains lifestyle-focused:

1. Food First Approach: We recommend the "800-gram diet"—consuming approximately six cups of fruits and vegetables daily. "Eating more fruits and vegetables is associated with lower blood pressure, lower cardiovascular risk, lower risk of diabetes, lower risk of cancers, lower risk of all-cause mortality," says Dr. Isaac.
2. Regular Physical Activity: Consistent cardiovascular exercise significantly improves vascular health markers.
3. Targeted Medications When Appropriate: For those with elevated risk profiles, evidence-based medications can dramatically reduce risk. "A person with an extremely strict diet can reduce their LDL cholesterol by approximately 20 to 25 percent," notes Dr. Isaac. "But with statins, we can dramatically drop people's LDL cholesterol and ApoB by 30 to 40 percent."
4. Targeted Supplementation: Supplements like omega-3s can fine-tune a cardiovascular approach, but they're the "cherry on top" rather than the foundation.

The Bionic Difference: Proactive, Not Reactive

Perhaps most importantly, our Vascular Module embodies our core philosophy: identify and address health issues before they become problems.

"Coming from traditional medicine, we were really playing catch-up more of the time than being proactive," reflects Dr. Isaac. "I get a lot of gratification out of taking care of our members, identifying disease earlier than we would have normally identified it using the traditional approach."

By combining advanced diagnostics, personalized interventions, and evidence-based lifestyle modifications, we're redefining what vascular health assessment can be—and helping our members live longer, healthier lives in the process.

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Key Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction and welcome with Kelly Joniak and Dr. Catherine Isaac

00:46 - Overview of the vascular module and baseline evaluation

03:05 - Explanation of lipid panel testing (cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL)

04:25 - Deep dive on Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) and its significance

05:32 - Lipoprotein(a) explained and how it affects plaque buildup

07:30 - Discussion on lab work timing and what blood tests actually show

09:59 - Coronary artery calcium scoring and how it works

12:32 - Explanation of plaque formation and calcification process

15:16 - Lifestyle recommendations based on risk factors

17:37 - When medications are appropriate for higher-risk patients

19:59 - Cholesterol balance testing and personalized treatment approaches

21:29 - Addressing myths about statin medications

23:04 - Inflammatory markers and their role in cardiovascular assessment

25:21 - Omega-3 index testing and supplement recommendations

27:36 - The importance of lifestyle fundamentals over supplements alone

30:06 - Closing thoughts on proactive vs. reactive healthcare approaches

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Interested in learning more about Bionic Health's approach to cardiovascular wellness? Listen to the full podcast episode with Dr. Catherine Isaac or contact us to schedule a consultation.

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Breaking the Diet Cycle: A Conversation with Amber Brueseke

From nurse to renowned fitness coach, Amber Brueseke has helped over 10,000 women transform their relationship with health and fitness. In our latest Optimal Health podcast episode, Dr. Jared Pelo sits down with the founder of Biceps After Babies to unpack the science and psychology behind lasting health transformations.

Why This Conversation Matters

The journey to optimal health isn't just about counting calories or following the latest fitness trends. It's about understanding the deeper patterns that shape our behaviors and creating sustainable changes that last. Amber brings a unique perspective, combining her medical background with years of practical experience helping women achieve their fitness goals.

Key Insights You'll Discover

In this enlightening discussion, Amber shares her personal journey from discovering weightlifting at age 14 to building a community that's transformed thousands of lives. You'll learn about:

The science behind self-sabotaging behaviors and how to overcome them How reverse dieting can support long-term metabolic health Using macro counting as a stepping stone to intuitive, sustainable eating The crucial role of beliefs and identity in creating lasting change Breaking negative generational patterns around fitness and health

Beyond the Numbers

"Macro counting isn't the end goal," Amber explains. "It's a tool that helps build awareness and confidence around nutrition." This perspective aligns perfectly with our mission at Bionic Health - enabling optimal health through understanding and sustainable practices.

Ready to Transform Your Approach to Health?

Listen to the full episode to discover:

• Practical strategies for sustainable fitness habits
• The psychology behind successful health transformations
• How to be a positive fitness role model at any age
• Scientific insights into metabolic adaptation and nutrition

Episode Highlights:

00:00 - Introduction to Amber Brueseke

00:40 - Amber's fitness journey starting at age 14

01:55 - Transitioning from nursing to fitness instruction

04:20 - Discovery of macro counting and getting a six pack

05:45 - Building Biceps After Babies and serving 10,000+ women

07:28 - Breaking negative generational patterns around fitness

09:14 - Being a fitness role model at any age

10:35 - Evolution as a coach and understanding behavior change

14:19 - Understanding self-sabotaging behaviors

16:24 - The "tree framework": beliefs, values, and identity

21:27 - Explaining reverse dieting and metabolic adaptation

27:57 - Why cycling between deficit and maintenance is crucial

30:12 - Using macro counting as a bridge to moderation

32:14 - Building sustainable nutritional awareness

34:30 - Where to find Amber and Biceps After Babies

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Connect with Amber:

Instagram/TikTok/Facebook: @biceps.after.babies

Website: bicepsafterbabies.com

Podcast: Biceps After Babies Radio

Take the Next Step

Ready to start your own health transformation? Book a consultation with one of our health optimization experts at Bionic Health. We'll help you create a personalized plan that aligns with your goals and lifestyle.

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Member Spotlight: How Andrew Fisher Achieved His Best Health at 48

In our latest podcast episode, we sit down with Andrew Fisher, a successful attorney and entrepreneur who transformed his health through a combination of modern medicine and dedicated fitness routines. His journey from struggling with weight management to achieving optimal health in his late 40s offers valuable insights for anyone looking to take control of their health journey.

Journey to Health Optimization

Andrew's story begins as an active youth athlete who played multiple sports including lacrosse, ice hockey, and football (00:00 - 02:42). However, like many professionals, he found himself becoming increasingly sedentary during college and law school years, reaching 275 pounds while pursuing his legal career (04:50).

The turning point came when Andrew started incorporating regular exercise back into his life, first through running and then discovering yoga through P90X workouts (06:48). But it was finding CrossFit at age 40 that truly transformed his approach to fitness. "I liked showing up someplace and being told what to do and then having a competitive and supportive competitive environment around," Andrew explains, highlighting how the community aspect kept him motivated (08:42).

Beyond Exercise: A Comprehensive Approach

While exercise played a crucial role, Andrew's most significant health improvements came from embracing a comprehensive approach to health optimization. After joining Bionic Health, he experienced remarkable changes through:

• Hormone optimization, which helped increase energy levels and muscle mass

• Targeted supplementation based on detailed blood work analysis

• GLP-1 medication that fundamentally changed his relationship with food

• Regular monitoring and adjustments to his health protocol

The results speak for themselves: Andrew gained 8 pounds of muscle while losing 40 pounds overall (24:14). Perhaps more importantly, he describes a newfound mental freedom from food obsession (28:55), saying, "I feel like I have a window into the world of a whole other kind of person that I never knew about before."

The Role of Modern Medicine

One of the most compelling aspects of Andrew's story is his embrace of evidence-based medical interventions. Despite trying numerous diets throughout his life (17:25), it wasn't until he combined proper medical supervision with his fitness routine that he achieved lasting results. Under careful medical supervision (31:00), he found the right combination of treatments to optimize his health while monitoring for any potential side effects.

A Personal Mission

Andrew's motivation for health optimization goes beyond personal appearance. Watching his parents' health challenges and wanting to maintain an active lifestyle into his later years drove him to take proactive steps toward better health. His story demonstrates that with the right support, information, and tools, it's possible to achieve optimal health at any age.

Watch the Full Episode

For the complete conversation, including detailed discussions about:

• Early athletic background (00:00 - 02:42)

• College and law school health challenges (04:50)

• Finding fitness through running and P90X (06:48)

• CrossFit journey and community (08:42 - 12:10)

• Family health history influence (13:36)

• Weight loss attempts and dieting history (17:25)

• Discovering comprehensive health optimization (21:57)

• Results and transformation (24:14)

• Mental health benefits (28:55)

• Importance of medical supervision (31:00)

Check out the full episode on our YouTube channel or your favorite podcast platform.

Ready to start your own health optimization journey? Schedule a consultation with our team to learn how we can help you achieve your health goals.

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