# 05: Midlife Heart Health: Dr. Daniel Chong on When to Start Testing and Why

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/essential-ingredients-podcast-1367183/05-midlife-heart-health-dr-daniel-chong-on-when-to-start-testing-and-why
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/essential-ingredients-podcast-1367183/05-midlife-heart-health-dr-daniel-chong-on-when-to-start-testing-and-why.md
Podcast: [Essential Ingredients Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/essential-ingredients-podcast-1367183)
Published: 2026-08-18T13:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://essentialingredients.libsyn.com/05-midlife-heart-health-dr-daniel-chong-on-when-to-start-testing-and-why
Audio file: https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/pscrb.fm/rss/p/pdcn.co/e/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/essentialingredients/Daniel_Chong.mp3?dest-id=2362418
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/essential-ingredients-podcast-1367183/episodes/05-midlife-heart-health-dr-daniel-chong-on-when-to-start-testing-and-why
Duration seconds: 2379

## Resource

"It [cardiovascular disease] becomes an issue in middle age because that's when they start looking, not because that's when it starts." —Dr. Daniel Chong Heart disease and midlife are more connected than most people — or their doctors — realize, and this episode of Essential Ingredients pulls that connection into the open. Justine Reichman sits down with naturopathic physician Dr. Daniel Chong and returning co-host Dr. Lisa Brent to unpack why cardiovascular risk quietly rises for both men and women in midlife, and why so few people are told to watch for it until it's already underway. This conversation is for anyone in perimenopause, menopause, or andropause who's been handed a cholesterol number without context, or who's simply never been told when to start paying attention. Dr. Chong breaks down lipid testing, arterial plaque, nitric oxide, and even the surprising role your dentist plays in your heart health — all in plain, usable language. By the end, you'll understand that cardiovascular disease isn't a midlife event — it's a decades-long process that just happens to get noticed in midlife, and that the actions you take starting this week can change its trajectory. Key Takeaways: Plaque development in the arteries can begin in childhood or even before birth, so family history matters far more than age when deciding when to start testing. A single elevated LDL reading isn't enough to justify a statin prescription — triglyceride-to-HDL ratios and more detailed testing give a fuller picture. Gum disease and harsh antibacterial mouthwash can disrupt oral bacteria needed to produce nitric oxide, which directly affects artery health. Dark leafy greens, berries, garlic, and onions support nitric oxide production and should be eaten daily, regardless of what else is on th…

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