The School of Greatness: America's #1 Heart Risk & How You Can Prevent It

Hosted by Lewis Howes | Featuring Dr. Jeremy London | Released July 28, 2025

In this enlightening episode of The School of Greatness, host Lewis Howes sits down with Dr. Jeremy London, a board-certified cardiovascular surgeon with over 25 years of experience. Together, they delve deep into the leading causes of heart disease in America, exploring both well-known and emerging risks, and provide actionable insights on how listeners can safeguard their heart health.

1. Introduction to Heart Disease

Lewis Howes opens the conversation with a provocative question: "Do you think someone can die from a broken heart?"

Dr. Jeremy London responds emphatically:
“The short answer is yes. And there is an actual syndrome. Broken heart syndrome.” (00:02)
He further emphasizes the prevalence of heart-related issues by stating that “50% of Americans have high blood pressure,” and highlights that many are unaware of their condition (00:08).

2. Understanding the Main Causes of Heart Disease

Dr. London provides a comprehensive overview of heart disease, noting that it doesn't occur in isolation.
“Nothing happens in a vacuum in our bodies. Everything is connected,” he explains (00:36).
He identifies the primary cause of heart attacks as “blockages in the heart arteries,” primarily due to cholesterol buildup, which restricts the heart muscle's access to nutrients and oxygen (03:06).

3. The Impact of Vaping on Heart Health

A significant portion of the discussion centers on the rise of vaping, especially among Gen Z.
Lewis Howes asks: “How much does vaping affect the heart health for Gen Z?” (00:46).
Dr. London warns, “The nicotine content in those vaping formulations is essentially unregulated,” leading to potential long-term cardiovascular risks (06:17). He shares alarming cases of young adults developing severe lung injuries from vaping, some requiring advanced life support like ECMO (15:04).

4. Stress, Mental Health, and Heart Health

The conversation shifts to the role of stress in heart disease.
Dr. London asserts, “Everything is connected. Our mind, our nervous system, all connected to our blood vessels, our heart,” highlighting that while stress might not be a major risk factor on its own, it “definitely plays a role in heart disease” by influencing overall bodily health (04:58).

5. Lifestyle Factors Influencing Heart Disease

Dr. London outlines the three biggest factors contributing to heart disease:

1. Obesity and Poor Diet
   “Obesity along with poor diet and insulin resistance… high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, sedentary lifestyle, and we cannot leave out smoking,” he lists (05:30).

2. Smoking
   He describes smoking as “the single worst thing you can do for your body,” impacting not just the lungs but all arteries, significantly increasing heart disease risk (06:00).

3. Alcohol Consumption
   Dr. London discusses the toxic effects of alcohol on heart health, comparing it to the eventual regulation of cigarettes (32:37).

6. Personal Stories and Experiences

Dr. London shares poignant anecdotes from his surgical career, including operating on young patients with vaping-induced heart conditions.
“The youngest patient I've operated on for bypass surgery was 23 years old,” he recounts, highlighting the severe impact of lifestyle choices combined with genetic predispositions (16:11).

He also opens up about his personal journey with alcohol, explaining how removing alcohol from his life was the most transformative decision he made, significantly improving his health and relationships (36:38).

7. Prevention and Recommendations

Dr. London offers practical advice for listeners to enhance their heart health:

Add to Your Life:

• Move Every Day: Incorporate both aerobic and resistance training to improve cardiovascular efficiency (63:43).
• Prioritize Sleep: Establish a solid sleep hygiene routine to aid recovery and overall health (76:35).
• Foster Quality Relationships: Maintain close connections to support emotional well-being (63:43).

Remove from Your Life:

• Processed Foods and Added Sugars: Focus on a whole foods diet to manage glucose levels and reduce inflammation (67:56).
• Smoking and Vaping: Eliminate these habits to drastically reduce heart disease risk (68:48).
• Excessive Alcohol Consumption: Limit alcohol intake to prevent its detrimental effects on the heart (69:02).

Dr. London emphasizes the importance of progression over perfection, encouraging listeners to make gradual but consistent changes to their lifestyles (71:40).

8. Understanding Heart Attacks vs. Panic Attacks

A common confusion addressed in the episode is distinguishing between heart attacks and panic attacks.
Dr. London clarifies:
“Panic attacks typically are brought on by emotional scenarios and last 10 to 30 minutes, whereas heart attacks involve crushing chest pain that does not go away,” advising listeners to always seek emergency medical attention if in doubt (72:53).

9. The Value of Saunas and Cold Therapy

Towards the end, Dr. London shares his personal practices for maintaining heart health:

• Sauna Therapy:
  He rates saunas a “10” for heart health, citing studies that show a significant reduction in cardiovascular events with regular use (76:42).

• Cold Therapy:
  While not as impactful as saunas, he finds cold plunges valuable for mental clarity and stress reduction, rating them an “8” (78:35).

10. Final Thoughts and Definition of Greatness

Concluding the episode, Dr. London reflects on his career and offers words of wisdom:
"Greatness is always being willing to change and never feeling like you've arrived." (86:25)
He encourages listeners to stay open to growth and embrace opportunities for continuous improvement.

Key Takeaways

• Heart disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide, surpassing cancer in many regions.
• Lifestyle choices, including diet, exercise, smoking, vaping, and alcohol consumption, play a critical role in heart health.
• Stress and mental well-being are interconnected with physical heart health.
• Preventative measures such as regular movement, quality sleep, and maintaining strong relationships can significantly reduce heart disease risk.
• Emerging risks, like vaping, require further attention due to their potential long-term effects on cardiovascular health.
• Personal responsibility and gradual lifestyle changes are essential for sustaining heart health and overall well-being.

Notable Quotes

• Dr. Jeremy London (00:02):
  “The short answer is yes. And there is an actual syndrome. Broken heart syndrome.”

• Dr. Jeremy London (05:35):
  “Obesity along with poor diet and insulin resistance… high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, sedentary lifestyle, and we cannot leave out smoking.”

• Dr. Jeremy London (36:38):
  “Removing alcohol from my life was the single most transformative decision I've made as an adult.”

• Dr. Jeremy London (71:40):
  “Progression over perfection.”

• Dr. Jeremy London (86:25):
  “Greatness is always being willing to change and never feeling like you've arrived.”

Resources and Further Information

• Follow Dr. Jeremy London:
  DrJeremyLondon.com | Instagram: @drjeremielondon
  Podcast available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

Taking charge of your heart health is a journey. By understanding the risks and implementing positive lifestyle changes, you can pave the way to a healthier, longer life.