This Heart Issue Could Be Fueling Alzheimer’s: Dr. Joel Kahn Explains

In this Episode

02:50 – Dr. Kahn’s approach to heart and brain health

05:23 – Heart rate variability (HRV) as a measure of heart health

08:18 – Atrial fibrillation’s impact on brain health

15:42 – Tests to determine heart and brain health

24:37 – Understanding calcium score and its significance

27:25 – Oils and their effects on heart health

31:05 – Genetic testing to assess heart health

34:52 – New techniques to optimize health 

36:49 – What you need to know about vitamin C 

37:55 – The benefits of niacin in lowering cholesterol

39:52 – Top takeaways from today’s episode

Resources:

– Top Supplements for Alzheimer’s Guide 

– Vegan Sex: Vegans Do It Better by Dr. Joel Kahn 

Connect with Dr. Joel Kahn, MD, FACC:

– Website 

– Instagram 

Connect with Dr. Josh Helman, MD:

– Instagram 

– Facebook 

– LinkedIn 

– TikTok 

– YouTube 

– Others 

Disclaimer: Please remember that this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult your doctor or healthcare professional before making any changes to your treatment plan.

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This Heart Issue Could Be Fueling Alzheimer’s: Dr. Joel Kahn Explains

Think heart health only affects your chest? Think again.
What if your memory loss, confusion, or early cognitive decline wasn’t just about your brain but also about your heart? According to world-renowned cardiologist Dr. Joel Kahn, there’s a deep and often overlooked connection between heart health and Alzheimer’s.

In this fascinating episode of Alzheimer’s Breakthrough with Dr. Josh Helman, Dr. Kahn dives into the top tests, nutrients, and lifestyle shifts that can help you protect your heart—and, in turn, your brain.

If you’re looking for the root cause behind memory decline, this post will walk you through how heart issues like atrial fibrillation, poor blood flow, and high calcium scores may silently damage your brain—and what you can do about it.

Key Takeaways from Today’s Discussion:

• Heart health and brain health are inseparable—you can’t optimize one without the other (04:28).

• Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a serious cognitive threat, and fixing it may protect against memory loss (08:18).

• A simple $100 heart scan could save your life by detecting plaque before symptoms show up (19:00).
• Vitamin C, niacin, and HeartMath may support both cardiovascular and cognitive function (36:41).

Why Your Heart Health Shapes Your Brain Health

1. The Heart-Brain Highway: Why Blood Flow Matters

Your brain is one of the most vascular organs in your body. It relies on rich, continuous blood flow to function properly. According to Dr. Kahn, when we protect the heart, we’re also protecting the brain. “Anything that keeps the heart young—sleep, nutrition, fitness—will benefit the brain,” he explains.

And here’s the twist: there’s virtually nothing that’s good for the heart and bad for the brain, or vice versa.

That’s why calcium scores, heart rate variability,  and even the heart’s electrical rhythms should be part of your brain-health toolkit.

2. AFib and Alzheimer’s: A Silent Link You Can’t Ignore

Atrial fibrillation is more than an “inconvenient arrhythmia.” Dr. Kahn warns it can cause tiny clots that break loose and damage brain tissue over time, raising your Alzheimer’s risk.

“It’s like having little strokes that no one sees—but your memory feels,” says Dr. Kahn.

He urges early detection and treatment. This includes:

• Getting a sleep study (sleep apnea is a common root cause).
• Exploring non-drug options like the Watchman device.
• Considering lifestyle and metabolic causes, like alcohol use, post-COVID effects, and even overuse of omega-3s.
  

3. Calcium Scores: The $100 Test That Could Prevent a Heart Attack—or Alzheimer’s

If you’re over 45 and haven’t had a coronary artery calcium scan, you might be flying blind.

This quick, non-invasive CT scan checks for plaque buildup in your heart’s arteries. The score reveals how clogged your arteries are—even if you feel totally fine.

“Zero is the goal,” says Dr. Kahn. “But if you’re 40 and score 100, that’s a red flag. Your brain and heart are both at risk.”

And the best part? It costs around $100, takes 15 minutes, and uses less radiation than a mammogram.

Don’t wait for symptoms. Prevention is smarter—and cheaper.

4. The Electrical System: What EKGs, Antibiotics, and Stress Can Reveal

The electrical wiring of the heart is both powerful and elusive. Dr. Kahn shares how even simple antibiotics can alter your EKG—especially when combined with other medications.

Here’s what he recommends:

• Check your QT interval if starting antibiotics or antifungals.
• Use wearables like Apple Watch, WHOOP, or Lief Patch to track heart rate variability (HRV).
• Improve HRV using HeartMath, a breathing-based app with science-backed benefits for PTSD, ADHD, and hypertension.

The key? Don’t just monitor. Intervene.

5. Genetic Clues, Vitamin Hacks, and Why Niacin Might Be Underrated

Dr. Kahn also uses genetic testing (ApoE, Lp(a), MTHFR) in high-risk patients. But when genetics don’t give answers, he turns to powerful nutrients that are making a comeback:

• Vitamin C: Unlike most animals, humans can’t produce it. Dr. Kahn suggests megadoses for brain and cardiovascular benefits
• Niacin (Vitamin B3): A forgotten cholesterol-lowering agent that also lowers Lp(a) and may improve brain health, ADHD symptoms, and even arthritis

Bonus: Niacin is cheap, widely available, and has a legacy of success in heart disease studies from the 1970s.

6. What To Do If Your Score Isn’t Zero

Let’s say your calcium score isn’t perfect—it’s 50, maybe 100. Should you panic?

Not quite. Dr. Kahn says:

• Consider your age. A score of 50 at 82 is different than at 42.
• Use a percentile database to see how your score compares.
• Start a comprehensive lifestyle reset, including:
  1. Plant-based nutrition.
  2. Fitness and strength training.
  3. Good sleep hygiene.
  4. Dental health (yes, inflamed gums can hurt your heart).
  5. Home blood pressure monitoring.

Conclusion: Your Heart Could Be the Missing Piece in the Alzheimer’s Puzzle

Heart disease and Alzheimer’s aren’t separate battles. They’re connected wars fought on the same battlefield: your arteries.

Whether it’s atrial fibrillation, a high calcium score, or poor heart rate variability, these red flags signal potential damage to both your heart and brain.

💡 Take action today:

• Book a calcium scan.
• Address AFib.
• Boost heart-brain nutrients like vitamin C and niacin.
• Focus on long-term prevention.

If you found this helpful, check out this episode on glutathione and brain detox with Dr. Nayan Patel or subscribe for more Alzheimer’s prevention insights.

What’s your experience with heart and brain health? Have you had your calcium score checked? Let us know in the comments.