Manage episode 513887161 series 3600033
Your DNA carries powerful clues about how to protect your heart and extend your life, and modern genetics now makes it possible to turn that knowledge into action.
Dr. Regina Druz sits down with Dr. Sharon Hausman-Cohen, the co-founder of IntellxxDNA, to discuss how breakthroughs in genetics, genomics, and epigenetics are redefining personalized medicine and reshaping the way we think about heart health and longevity. Dr. Hausman-Cohen breaks down the difference between genetics - our inherited traits - and genomics, the complex network of gene interactions that work with lifestyle and environment to influence chronic disease risk. Using examples like hypertension and cardiac inflammation, she points out how understanding these genomic patterns helps clinicians create precise, individualized strategies for prevention and care.
Dr. Druz and Dr. Hausman-Cohen also uncover how epigenetics empowers people to change how their genes behave through nutrition, stress management, and daily habits. They discuss how IntellxxDNA translates this information into evidence-based guidance on diet, supplements, and medications, helping patients and practitioners address the root causes of illness instead of managing symptoms. The episode also goes into the science of longevity, revealing key genes such as CDKN2A, Lp(a), and Klotho that influence aging, inflammation, and cardiovascular strength - and how this knowledge can guide smarter, more personalized health decisions.
Rather than seeing genetic testing as fate, Dr. Druz and Dr. Hausman-Cohen present it as a roadmap for precision health, showing how a deeper understanding of your DNA can help you live longer, stronger, and healthier.
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 Unlocking the Genetic Blueprint for Heart Health
05:47 Genetics vs Genomics vs Epigenetics Explained
12:33 DNA Testing: Direct-to-Consumer vs Medical Genomics
19:10 Making Genomics Actionable with IntellxxDNA
27:43 Hypertension Genomics and the RAAS Pathway
43:24 Lp(a) Variant and Aspirin Risk Reduction
54:31 Top Five Heart Health Genes to Know
01:01:05 Longevity Genes and Personalized Prevention
01:06:20 Precision Health Takeaways for Heart Health and Longevity
Links
Connect with Dr. Regina Druz:
Visit the Holistic Heart Centers website
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Subscribe to Dr. Regina on YouTube
Follow Dr. Regina on Instagram
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm
29 episodes