In this episode of HeartBrief, Dr. Joel Kahn highlights three important, peer reviewed cardiovascular studies published in the past week while sharing a brief personal recovery update following robotic mitral valve repair. First, a large Lancet eClinicalMedicine cohort from Sweden links Long COVID to a significantly higher risk of incident cardiovascular disease, including arrhythmias, heart failure, coronary events, and peripheral arterial disease, underscoring the need to factor Long COVID into routine CV risk assessment. Second, data from Italy’s MOLI SANI study suggest that moderate wine consumption within a Mediterranean diet pattern is associated with slower biological aging in men, with benefits disappearing at higher intake levels. Finally, Dr. Kahn reviews the American Heart Association’s updated 2026 dietary guidance, emphasizing plant forward proteins, whole grains, unsaturated fats, minimal processing, and limited alcohol—guidance that notably contrasts with recent alternative food pyramids and reinforces long standing principles of heart healthy nutrition.
