Can Heart Disease Be Reversed? After His Own Heart Attack, This Surgeon Changed Everything | Dr. Jeremy London
August 5, 2026
AI Summary
5 min readCan Heart Disease Be Reversed? After His Own Heart Attack, This Surgeon Changed Everything
Dr. Jeremy London spent decades as a cardiovascular surgeon, performing bypasses and fixing arteries. He knew the science of heart disease from the inside. He had shifted his practice toward prevention, made lifestyle changes, and thought he was doing everything right. Then, at 57, he had a heart attack.
"I was already very dialed into really working on solid lifestyle choices, and I thought that I was doing a really good job," London says. "What I have come to learn is that none of us are immune to cognitive dissonance. We know better, but so often we just don't do better."
The Day He Ignored His Own Symptoms
London woke up with what he assumed was reflux. He paced around the room. His wife asked if he was okay. He dismissed her. Later, walking the dogs in the cold, he was sweating and peeling off clothes. His wife said, "Reflux?" He said yes. Back home, he sat down on the toilet and within 30 seconds the symptoms vanished. "Exertional symptoms relieved with rest," he realized. "No, not me. It's not possible."
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What you'll learn
- 1 (02:23) **A Surgeon’s Own Heart Attack** - Dr. Jeremy London, a cardiovascular surgeon, describes the moment he realized he was a patient, not just a doctor.
- 2 (09:54) **The Hidden Numbers That Predicted His Heart Attack** - London reveals the biomarkers he was never tracking that signaled his real risk.
- 3 (18:35) **Why “Normal” Cholesterol Isn’t Enough** - The conversation shifts to why standard lab work fails to predict most heart attacks.
- 4 (22:49) **Medication Is Not a Failure** - The doctors discuss the false dichotomy between lifestyle and medication.
- 5 (26:56) **The Soil, Not the Crop: Foundational Lifestyle** - London uses a farming metaphor to explain the root cause of heart disease.
- 6 (31:06) **Inflammation: The Fire That Sets the Stage** - The doctors clarify the role of inflammation in heart disease, a common point of confusion.
- 7 (36:43) **The New Standard for Measuring Insulin Resistance** - Dr. Hyman introduces a more accurate, standardized test for insulin resistance.
+ Full timestamped outline available in the app
Show Notes
Heart disease is still the leading cause of death worldwide. Yet many people assume it only happens to those who are older, out of shape, or obviously unhealthy.
In this episode, I sit down with cardiovascular surgeon Dr. Jeremy London, whose own heart attack challenged many of the assumptions we make about heart health. We discuss why prevention isn't always as straightforward as it seems—and how understanding your personal risk can help you take a more proactive approach to your health.
We cover:
Why some healthy people still develop heart disease
The difference between standard cholesterol tests and a more complete assessment
How to better understand your personal cardiovascular risk
The lifestyle changes that can help lower your long-term cardiovascular risk
Interested in more comprehensive lab testing? Learn more at Function and use code MARK2026 to save $50 on your membership.
Heart disease is often preventable—but only if you know what to look for. Listen to my conversation with Dr. Jeremy London to learn how a better understanding of your personal risk can help you protect your long-term heart health.
View Show Notes From This Episode
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