I am thrilled to reconnect with Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj today. Dr. Bhojraj is a board-certified interventional cardiologist who became a pioneer in functional medicine.
In our conversation, we dive into palpitations, which are a common complaint among perimenopausal and menopausal women. We explore red flag symptoms, the physiological effects of progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone as they relate to heart arrhythmias, EKG changes during the perimenopause-to-menopause transition, and wearable technologies. We unpack the differences between benign and more concerning arrhythmias, risk factors for atrial fibrillation, and the process of taking a thorough history, ordering the correct tests, and using imaging or sleep studies when appropriate. We cover treatment pathways, from lifestyle modifications to medications, channelopathies, and the genetic propensities for conditions such as Long QT, Brugada Syndrome, WPW (Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome), and sudden cardiac death. We also highlight the importance of genetic testing for individuals with a family history of those conditions.
Today’s conversation with Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj is full of practical wisdom and clinical pearls, so you will most likely want to listen to it more than once.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:
Why thyroid function should always be taken into account when assessing heart rhythm issues
How stress and life circumstances can trigger palpitations
The benefits of magnesium supplementation for supporting heart health
What ventricular arrhythmias (from the bottom chambers) and atrial arrhythmias (from the top chambers) are commonly related to
The value of monitoring for identifying the nature and severity of arrhythmias
How sleep apnea can increase the risk of arrhythmia
The importance of exercise, stress management, and healthy lifestyle habits for supporting heart rhythm
Why certain arrhythmias may require procedural interventions
Why various types of athletic activity matter when evaluating arrhythmias
How genetic factors can impact specialized heart assessments
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On social media: @DoctorSanjayMD
The Curious Cardiologist Podcast