Heart Disease Isn’t an Adults-Only Condition

Usually, heart health is only addressed in adults. But recent research shows that cardiovascular damage is detectable as early as age 15. The good news is teaching even very young children about good nutrition, exercise and ways to deal with stress, may help combat heart disease, the leading cause of death around the world. Two cardiologists discuss recent discoveries and research in improving cardiovascular outcomes throughout all phases of life — including strategies to improve heart health, at any age. Dr. Valentin Fuster is physician-in-chief of the Mount Sinai Hospital in New York and the general director of the National Center for Cardiovascular Investigation in Madrid, Spain. His acclaimed cardiovascular health research spans the globe and has touched tens of thousands of lives. Dr. Danielle Belardo is the director of cardiology, and co-director of research and education, at the Institute of Plant-Based Medicine in Newport Beach, Calif. She also advocates for accurate scientific communication on social media, including evidence-based medicine and nutrition science. (Transcript available: aspenideas.org/podcasts)