In this podcast episode, an in-depth discussion is provided on the drug Telmisartan, commonly used for lowering blood pressure. The host elaborates on how it belongs to a class of medications known as angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) and stands out due to its 24-hour half-life and partial PPAR-gamma agonist activity.
The episode explores Telmisartan's potential benefits for longevity, including its properties that reduce cardiovascular mortality, renal decline, and metabolic issues. It also compares Telmisartan with other ARBs and addresses its unique ability to improve myocardial efficiency, reduce arterial stiffness, and support neuroprotection. Detailed explanations are given on technical concepts such as pulse pressure and its relevance to arterial compliance, and the necessity to consult a doctor before taking the medication is emphasized.
Telmisartan / ARBs (main topic)
Telmisartan — MedlinePlus drug info: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a601249.html
Blood pressure meds overview (includes ARBs): https://medlineplus.gov/bloodpressuremedicines.html
Key mechanisms mentioned
PPARγ (PPARG) — NCBI Gene: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/5468
Endothelium + nitric oxide (NO) — NCBI Bookshelf: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534266/
Angiotensin / aldosterone / "fight-or-flight"
Aldosterone test — MedlinePlus lab test: https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/aldosterone-test/
Sympathetic nervous system ("fight-or-flight") — Cleveland Clinic explainer: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/23262-sympathetic-nervous-system-sns-fight-or-flight
Lab tests mentioned in the episode
Fasting insulin ("Insulin in Blood") — MedlinePlus lab test: https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/insulin-in-blood/
Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) — MedlinePlus lab test: https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/hemoglobin-a1c-hba1c-test/
C-reactive protein (CRP) — MedlinePlus lab test: https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/c-reactive-protein-crp-test/
Arterial stiffness / pulse pressure (longevity framing)
Pulse pressure & arterial stiffness as risk predictors — PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11224702/
Visceral fat resource mentioned
Dr. Sean O'Mara website: https://drseanomara.com/
Show Notes
00:00 Welcome to the Hart2Heart Podcast.
01:22 Understanding Angiotensin and Its Effects
02:14 How ARBs Work and Their Benefits
03:00 Unique Properties of Telmisartan
03:36 Comparing Telmisartan with Other ARBs
04:44 Telmisartan's Impact on Endurance and Fat Loss
05:59 Telmisartan and Cardiovascular Health
09:57 Blood Pressure Basics and Pulse Pressure
18:54 Telmisartan's Role in Longevity and Dosing
27:28 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
The Hart2Heart podcast is hosted by family physician Dr. Michael Hart, who is dedicated to cutting through the noise and uncovering the most effective strategies for optimizing health, longevity, and peak performance.
This podcast dives deep into evidence-based approaches to hormone balance, peptides, sleep optimization, nutrition, psychedelics, supplements, exercise protocols, leveraging sunlight, and de-prescribing pharmaceuticals — using medications only when absolutely necessary.
Beyond health science, we explore the intersection of public health and politics, exposing how policy decisions shape our health landscape and what actionable steps people can take to reclaim control over their well-being.
Guests range from out-of-the-box thinking physicians such as Dr. Casey Means (author of "Good Energy") and Dr. Roger Sehult (Medcram lectures) to public health experts such as Dr. Jay Bhattacharya (Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Dr. Marty Mckary
(Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and high-profile names such as
Zuby and Mark Sisson (Primal Blueprint and Primal Kitchen).
If you're ready to take control of your health and performance, this podcast is for you.We cut through the jargon and deliver practical, no-BS advice that you can implement in your daily life, empowering you to make positive changes for your well-being.
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