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#488 Dr. Gary McGowan - Cholesterol, High Blood Pressure, and Cardiovascular Disease

#488 Dr. Gary McGowan - Cholesterol, High Blood Pressure, and Cardiovascular Disease

Author: Andrew Coates July 21, 2026 Duration: 57:50
Lift Free And Diet Hard with Andrew Coates
HealthHealth & FitnessFitness

Dr. Gary McGowan drops in to share a masterclass on cardiovascular disease and its major risk factors, including:

  • The relationship between cholesterol and cardiovascular disease
  • Why LDL cholesterol is important
  • What causes LDL cholesterol to rise
  • The dietary factors that can increase LDL cholesterol
  • Navigating misleading claims about LDL from the carnivore diet community
  • Why elimination diets can appear to improve someone’s health
  • The relationship between obesity and cardiovascular disease
  • Why not all fat storage in the body is associated with the same level of disease risk
  • Visceral fat, BMI, and the personal fat threshold
  • Why cardiovascular risk accumulates over time
  • The role of genetics in cholesterol and blood pressure
  • What causes high blood pressure
  • The role of dietary sodium in hypertension
  • The most important lifestyle behaviours for lowering cardiovascular disease risk
  • How to screen for atherosclerotic plaque buildup in your arteries
  • Coronary artery calcium scans and CCTA imaging
  • Whether caffeine and energy drinks increase the risk of heart problems
  • And much more

Follow Gary on Instagram:

@drgarymcgowan

CHAPTERS

01:31 Cholesterol and Heart Risk
04:50 Why LDL Rises
06:23 Diet Drivers of LDL
09:31 Coffee and Cholesterol
10:32 Exercise and Lipids
12:19 Carnivore LDL Debate
18:32 Elimination Diet Reality
21:48 Obesity and Heart Disease
26:26 Visceral Fat and BMI
31:15 BMI Reality Check
32:24 Personal Fat Threshold
32:46 Obesity Over Time
33:58 Cumulative Risk Model
34:58 Blood Pressure Drivers
36:04 Salt and the Modern Diet
38:21 Lifestyle Risk Pillars
38:53 Heart Plaque Screening
41:32 Calcium Scans Explained
44:33 CCTA for Soft Plaque
48:17 Caffeine and Heart Risk
53:14 Energy Drink Extremes
55:21 Where to Find Gary
57:34 Final Wrap-Up

SUPPORT THE SHOW

If this episode helped you better understand cholesterol, blood pressure, or cardiovascular disease risk, you can support the show by:

  • Subscribing and checking out more episodes
  • Sharing it on social media — tag me and I’ll respond
  • Sending it to someone who is confused about cholesterol, blood pressure, or heart health


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https://www.andrewcoatesfitness.com

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Andrew Coates hosts Lift Free And Diet Hard, a conversation grounded in the belief that strength and wellness are built on more than just routines. This podcast moves beyond quick fixes to examine the principles and personal stories that shape a sustainable, intentional life. You’ll hear from a variety of inspiring guests who share not only their expertise but also the real-world challenges and triumphs they’ve faced. The discussions naturally weave together the science of fitness with the practicalities of daily choices, offering a nuanced look at what it means to truly care for your physical and mental health. Each episode is designed to provide actionable insights you can use to navigate your own path, fostering resilience and confidence whether you're in the gym or the kitchen. By focusing on informed decision-making over dogma, the Lift Free And Diet Hard podcast becomes a resource for anyone looking to cut through the noise of wellness culture. Andrew facilitates these explorations with a focus on empowerment, ensuring every conversation adds a layer of understanding to the complex journey of building a strong, healthy life.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

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