Press Release
Last Updated on January 13, 2024
We’re excited to share some great insights from a recent episode of The Virtual CISO Podcast, which features holistic cardiologist, author and health innovator Dr. Joel Kahn.
Dr. Kahn talks with host John Verry, Pivot Point Security’s CISO and Managing Partner, about the physiological impacts of job stress—one of our industry’s biggest issues—and how we can protect our health, pandemic or not.
One topic that John brought up was new technologies and discoveries for health and longevity:
“Are we any closer to finding that “magic button” that will extend our lives…?” Or that might just let us indulge a bit more without paying the price?
Dr. Kahn brings the question back to earth: “Do you go to the gym? Do you sleep? Do you smoke? What’s your weight? What are your numbers? That’s still the king of health and longevity, and will never be replaced. But we can add things on to good lifestyle.”
The podcast covers several leading-edge tests for cardiovascular health, including a heart CT scan, an ultrasound of your carotid arteries and some advanced blood work. Dr. Kahn calls these “a simple shopping list you can take to your doctor.”
But Dr. Kahn further acknowledges that “I am very engaged in looking at the future.” Some buzzwords he mentions include “gene therapy, stem cells and something called CRISPR-9. We can cut your Lipoprotein(a) gene [out] and put in a non-Lipoprotein(a) gene. Is it the supplements of the day: resveratrol; something called nicotinomide mononucleotide (NMN).”
Dr. Kahn also mentions the life extension research of David Sinclair, and notes a new study on whether metformin can prevent cancer and other diseases.
He goes on to say, “So I’m very optimistic. I think the next decade is going to be transformative in terms of artificial intelligence—[our] ability to measure. … What does it mean to have a rash, and a runny nose, an allergy to aspirin, and a sore stomach? Let me have Watson help me with that. Because nobody can ever keep up with the pace about the diagnostic and the therapeutic.”
As an example of AI breakthroughs, he cites a technology that photoplethysmography, which enables a smartphone or laptop camera to measure blood pressure, heart rate, heart rate variability, blood sugar, stress levels and soon even blood alcohol levels via skin changes.
“Almost like a photo lie detector test,” Dr. Kahn clarifies. “…your laptop may warn you, ‘Your stress level’s rising. Here’s your 5-minute breathing program.’” Stuff like that I think is right on the verge of being available to all of us. Very cool.”
Speaking of innovation…
At his Kahn Center for Cardiac Longevity, Dr. Kahn uses shock waves to improve blood flow for peripheral arterial disease, including improved sexual health in men. “I chose to do it because there’s more than 50 peer-reviewed scientific studies. … Very safe procedure. It’s basically almost an ultrasound type procedure.”
Dr. Kahn further notes that shockwaves to the chest are approved in Europe for people who’ve had a previous heart attack and damage, as a regenerative stimulus to the heart muscle: “It’s unheard of in the United States, but perhaps 25 research studies from Europe that preceded the use for sexual medicine are very provocative to me. If I can get the right resources, I’d love to have it available for patients. It should be in major medical centers. It’s not reimbursable. There’s no FDA approval. But if you’ve had a heart attack and your doctor says you’re damaged, a lot of people would be interested. … A non-invasive, reasonably proven way. So that’s exciting.”
The shock wave technique works by causing microtrauma in tissues. The body’s healing phase then “…generates new blood vessels, nerve growth, stem cells, nitric oxide—kind of the Big Four win we’d hope for. But we can do it mechanically. That’s just insanely interesting.”
If you want to keep pace with the latest advances in cardiac health and longevity, sign up for #KAHNCHRONICLE on Dr. Kahn’s website.
To get all the cutting-edge health insight Dr. Kahn had to offer, click here to watch the whole podcast episode.
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