A prominent cardiologist has alerted fitness enthusiasts that a sculpted exterior does not necessarily equal a healthy heart. Dr Dmitry Yaranov, head of the Advanced Heart Failure Program at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, recently shared a stark warning on Instagram, cautioning that extreme high-protein diets may quietly damage cardiovascular health and lead to heart attacks even in the mid-30s. The quotes in this story are sourced from his post on Instagram.
The silent risks behind the shredded look
In his post, Dr Yaranov described patients who appear physically perfect from the outside but have serious internal damage that remains undetected. “He looks like a statue. Shredded. Vascular. Peak performance,” he wrote, before pointing out what he sees inside during treatment. His concern revolves around fitness regimes centred on restrictive diets such as the carnivore trend that push the cardiovascular system into a dangerous zone.
According to Dr Yaranov, prolonged intake of extremely high levels of protein and saturated fat can result in sky-high LDL cholesterol, endothelial dysfunction, chronic inflammation, and premature atherosclerosis, the dangerous buildup of plaques in arteries.
Athletic does not always mean healthy
Dr Yaranov shared that he has treated several “fit” 35-year-olds for heart attacks who had no symptoms or visible red flags. “Athletic ≠ healthy. Low body fat ≠ low risk,” he stated. He added that having abs or muscle definition does not protect individuals from sudden plaque rupture within arteries, which can result in life-threatening cardiac events.
The cardiologist emphasised that relying solely on an aesthetic measure of fitness ignores critical markers of internal health. “If your diet destroys your endothelium, it doesn’t matter how strong your biceps are,” he cautioned.
A call for moderation and real health metrics
Dr Yaranov reminded followers that genuine health is rooted in balance rather than dietary extremism. He encouraged dietary diversity that includes plants, and advised regular medical assessments of blood markers to avoid hidden metabolic risks.
“Want real health? It’s not about extremes. Balance. Plants. Blood work that actually makes sense,” he said, underlining his core advice for sustaining heart health over time.
Dr Dmitry Yaranov is an experienced cardiologist and heart transplant surgeon with a significant online presence under the username @heart_transplant_doc. His recent message serves as a reminder that while intense fitness trends may succeed visually, internal health deserves equal attention to prevent avoidable tragedy at a young age.
The silent risks behind the shredded look
In his post, Dr Yaranov described patients who appear physically perfect from the outside but have serious internal damage that remains undetected. “He looks like a statue. Shredded. Vascular. Peak performance,” he wrote, before pointing out what he sees inside during treatment. His concern revolves around fitness regimes centred on restrictive diets such as the carnivore trend that push the cardiovascular system into a dangerous zone.
According to Dr Yaranov, prolonged intake of extremely high levels of protein and saturated fat can result in sky-high LDL cholesterol, endothelial dysfunction, chronic inflammation, and premature atherosclerosis, the dangerous buildup of plaques in arteries.
Athletic does not always mean healthy
Dr Yaranov shared that he has treated several “fit” 35-year-olds for heart attacks who had no symptoms or visible red flags. “Athletic ≠ healthy. Low body fat ≠ low risk,” he stated. He added that having abs or muscle definition does not protect individuals from sudden plaque rupture within arteries, which can result in life-threatening cardiac events.
The cardiologist emphasised that relying solely on an aesthetic measure of fitness ignores critical markers of internal health. “If your diet destroys your endothelium, it doesn’t matter how strong your biceps are,” he cautioned.
A call for moderation and real health metrics
Dr Yaranov reminded followers that genuine health is rooted in balance rather than dietary extremism. He encouraged dietary diversity that includes plants, and advised regular medical assessments of blood markers to avoid hidden metabolic risks.
“Want real health? It’s not about extremes. Balance. Plants. Blood work that actually makes sense,” he said, underlining his core advice for sustaining heart health over time.
Dr Dmitry Yaranov is an experienced cardiologist and heart transplant surgeon with a significant online presence under the username @heart_transplant_doc. His recent message serves as a reminder that while intense fitness trends may succeed visually, internal health deserves equal attention to prevent avoidable tragedy at a young age.
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