The Healthy Skeptic

Abhishek Bhagat, MD
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The Healthy Skeptic is an evidence-based podcast designed to help you live longer, feel stronger, and make smarter decisions about your health. Hosted by Dr. Abhishek Bhagat — a triple board-certified physician in Internal Medicine, Cardiology, and Cardiac Electrophysiology — this show aims to bridge the gap between medical science and everyday life. The episodes break down the truth behind healthcare, longevity, nutrition, exercise, weight loss, stress, sleep, supplements, chronic inflammation, and the latest medical research. Dr. Bhagat debunks misinformation, analyzes viral health trends, and gives you practical habits you can use immediately. Whether you're interested in preventing heart disease, improving your metabolic health, or simply navigating the overwhelming world of wellness information, The Healthy Skeptic gives you reliable guidance backed by clinical experience and scientific evidence. Your health deserves more than opinions — it deserves the truth.

Episodes

  1. Oct 4

    Ozempic Side Effects - What a Cardiologist Wants You to Know

    Which Ozempic side effects are real—and which are overhyped? As a practicing cardiologist, many of my patients are on Ozempic or another GLP-1 medication, and I hear the same concerns all the time.  In this episode, I break down the evidence behind the most common side effects and the scariest headlines, the benefits that go well beyond weight loss, and what to realistically expect if you stop these medications. We cover:  How Ozempic and Wegovy work — and how Mounjaro and Zepbound differCommon side effects and practical ways to manage themThe evidence behind thyroid cancer, pancreatitis, and mental health concernsGallstones, stomach paralysis (gastroparesis), and rare vision complicationsBenefits beyond weight loss, including heart and kidney healthWhat happens when you stop treatmentMuscle loss, long-term expectations, and why people discontinue these medications Prefer video? Watch the full version here: https://youtu.be/gaIuVywrbLM If you found this helpful, please:  Leave a review - it helps more people find the show Share this episode with someone who would benefit About Dr. Abhishek Bhagat, MD: Triple board-certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiology, and Cardiac Electrophysiology. My work has been published in numerous peer-reviewed medical journals. I create content focused on science-based, practical strategies to improve your health and longevity. Disclaimer: The information in this episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, exercise routine, or medical treatment.

  2. Sep 20

    6 Heart Healthy Foods - Ranked by a Cardiologist

    Heart disease is the number one killer worldwide, and diet is one of the largest drivers behind it.  Which foods deserve a place on your plate for better heart health? As a practicing cardiologist, I see the impact of lifestyle and diet on heart disease almost every day. “Heart healthy foods" lists you find online can mix real evidence with wellness noise. In this episode, I rank six heart-healthy food groups and explain their effects on cholesterol, blood pressure, and heart disease risk. I go through the latest U.S., European, and Australian cardiology guideline recommendations and rank the food groups with the strongest cardiovascular evidence behind them.  Discover which foods earn the top spots—and practical food swaps you can make today.  We cover: Whole Grains Nuts, beans, seeds & legumesVegetables Fruits Healthy proteins Plant oils Prefer video? Watch the full version here: https://youtu.be/mKUuvogP7jo If you found this helpful, please:  Leave a review - it helps more people find the show Share this episode with someone who would benefit About Dr. Abhishek Bhagat, MD: Triple board-certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiology, and Cardiac Electrophysiology. My work has been published in numerous peer-reviewed medical journals. I create content focused on science-based, practical strategies to improve your health and longevity. Disclaimer: The information in this episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, exercise routine, or medical treatment.

  3. Aug 30

    6 Ways to Lower Blood Pressure — Ranked by a Cardiologist

    Nearly half of US adults have high blood pressure — and many of them don't even know it. It's the number one modifiable risk factor for heart disease and the number one risk factor for stroke. In this episode, I rank the 6 evidence-backed ways to lower blood pressure — starting with the ones with the strongest data.  We cover: The role of weight loss, exercise, sodium restriction, DASH diet, etc. Which "natural" remedies — apple cider vinegar, celery juice, cayenne, detox teas, garlic, hibiscus, beetroot — actually have evidence supporting their useWhen medications become necessaryTwo commonly overlooked causes of difficult-to-control high blood pressure your doctor may not have checked for Prefer video? Watch the full version here: https://youtu.be/pt0D0k8z7l8 If you found this helpful, please:  Leave a review - it helps more people find the show Share this episode with someone who would benefit About Dr. Abhishek Bhagat, MD: Triple board-certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiology, and Cardiac Electrophysiology. My work has been published in numerous peer-reviewed medical journals. I create content focused on science-based, practical strategies to improve your health and longevity. Disclaimer: The information in this episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, exercise routine, or medical treatment.

  4. Aug 23

    Cardiologist Reacts to the Worst Health Advice on the Internet

    Health misinformation spreads fast online — but how much of it actually holds up when you look at the evidence? In this episode, I cover several viral health claims and compare them with the scientific data. We cover: Whether high LDL cholesterol actually causes heart attacks and strokesWhat the evidence actually shows about statins Beef tallow vs. seed oils Whether mouth taping actually improves sleepGLP-1 medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy, including their potential safety concernsWhat major studies show about the cardiovascular benefits of GLP-1 medications Prefer video? Watch the full conversation here: https://youtu.be/nUSxrkMKhb8 If you found this helpful, please:  Leave a review - it helps more people find the show Share this episode with someone who would benefit About Dr. Abhishek Bhagat, MD: Triple board-certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiology, and Cardiac Electrophysiology. My work has been published in numerous peer-reviewed medical journals. I create content focused on science-based, practical strategies to improve your health and longevity. Disclaimer: The information in this episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, exercise routine, or medical treatment.

  5. Aug 2

    What They Don't Tell You About Being a Doctor (3 Physicians Explain) – Part 2

    In Part 2 of our Hospital Medicine conversation, Dr. Iannetti, Dr. Sohi, and I unpack how internal medicine and hospital medicine are actually practiced today. We discuss the financial pressures physicians face, how reimbursement and RVU models work, and how medical school debt influences career choices. We get into the rise of hyper-specialization and what it means for general internal medicine and primary care, and where AI and wearable technology may be headed over the next five to ten years. We also reflect on the patient experiences that have stayed with us throughout our careers, what each of us would improve about healthcare, and the advice Dr. Iannetti and Dr. Sohi wish they had received as trainees. Prefer video? Watch the full conversation here: https://youtu.be/Hwtt0adC16A If you found this helpful, please:  Leave a review - it helps more people find the show Share this episode with someone who would benefit About Dr. Abhishek Bhagat, MD: Triple board-certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiology, and Cardiac Electrophysiology. My work has been published in numerous peer-reviewed medical journals. I create content focused on science-based, practical strategies to improve your health and longevity. Disclaimer: The information in this episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, exercise routine, or medical treatment.

  6. Jul 26

    Are Doctors Being Replaced? (3 Physicians Explain) – Part 1

    Are doctors being replaced by nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and artificial intelligence? In Part 1 of this conversation, I’m joined by Dr. Michael Iannetti and Dr. Sajeet Sohi to discuss how medicine is changing inside hospitals and clinics. We talk about the growing role of advanced practice providers, physician shortages, private equity, financial pressures affecting staffing decisions, insurance barriers, prior authorization, and the expanding use of AI in healthcare. We also compare academic and private-practice medicine, discuss how these changes are affecting physicians and patients, and consider whether technology and new care models will replace doctors—or simply redefine the physician’s role. Guests: Dr. Michael Iannetti — Internal Medicine Physician, Associate Program DirectorDr. Sajeet Sohi — Internal Medicine Physician Prefer video? Watch the full conversation here: https://youtu.be/_HKK3QLaBSU If you found this helpful, please:  Leave a review - it helps more people find the show Share this episode with someone who would benefit About Dr. Abhishek Bhagat, MD: Triple board-certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiology, and Cardiac Electrophysiology. My work has been published in numerous peer-reviewed medical journals. I create content focused on science-based, practical strategies to improve your health and longevity. Disclaimer: The information in this episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, exercise routine, or medical treatment.

  7. May 3

    How Cardiologists Protect Their Own Hearts (3 Cardiologists Explain) – Part 2

    What do cardiologists actually do to protect their own hearts? In Part 2 of this 2-part conversation, Dr. Kashef, Dr. Lee, and I discuss the everyday habits, lifestyle choices, and prevention strategies we personally follow to lower our own risk of heart disease. In this episode, we cover: How cardiologists actually use coronary artery calcium (CAC) scansThe role of Ozempic and other GLP-1 medications in heart healthWhy heart disease is still the #1 killer despite massive medical advancesThe top heart-healthy habits cardiologists recommendWhat each of us personally does to stay healthyThe most common misconceptions patients have about heart healthThe biggest heart-related mistakes people make in their 30s, 40s, and 50s Guests: Dr. Amin Kashef — Interventional & Structural CardiologistDr. David Lee — General & Preventive Cardiologist Prefer video? Watch the full conversation here: https://youtu.be/2PKYBgpPgBE If you found this helpful, please:  Leave a review - it helps more people find the show Share this episode with someone who would benefit About Dr. Abhishek Bhagat, MD: Triple board-certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiology, and Cardiac Electrophysiology. My work has been published in numerous peer-reviewed medical journals. I create content focused on science-based, practical strategies to improve your health and longevity. Disclaimer: The information in this episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, exercise routine, or medical treatment.

  8. Apr 12

    How Heart Care Has Changed in the Last 20 Years (3 Cardiologists Explain) – Part 1

    Heart care today looks completely different than it did just 10–20 years ago. In Part 1 of this 2-part conversation, I'm joined by two fellow cardiologists to break down what's actually new in heart medicine, what's changed forever, and what it means for your long-term health. From pacemakers the size of a bullet, to minimally invasive procedures replacing open-heart surgery, to AI now shaping how we diagnose and treat patients — modern cardiology is evolving faster than most people realize. In this episode, we cover: How heart care has transformed over the past 20 yearsNew cholesterol insights beyond LDLAdvances in cardiac procedures and devicesHow AI is changing diagnosis and treatmentCardiac MRI and what it reveals about the heart Guests: Dr. Amin Kashef — Interventional & Structural CardiologistDr. David Lee — General & Preventive Cardiologist Prefer video? Watch the full conversation here: https://youtu.be/IplTaYZ2D54 If you found this helpful, please:  Leave a review - it helps more people find the show Share this episode with someone who would benefit About Dr. Abhishek Bhagat, MD: Triple board-certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiology, and Cardiac Electrophysiology. My work has been published in numerous peer-reviewed medical journals. I create content focused on science-based, practical strategies to improve your health and longevity. Disclaimer: The information in this episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, exercise routine, or medical treatment.

  9. Apr 5

    5 Heart-Healthy Habits That Add 10 Years to Your Life | Cardiologist Explains

    Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide — but the truth is, most heart attacks are preventable. In this episode, I break down 5 evidence-based habits that can significantly improve your heart health, reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke, and potentially add years to your life. These are not trends or opinions — these are science-backed strategies supported by decades of research and recommended by major organizations like the American Heart Association. What we cover: Habit #1: Move With Purpose Habit #2: Prioritize Sleep (the longevity sweet spot)Habit #3: Minimize Stress Habit #4: Eat to Lower Inflammation (Mediterranean vs. Keto — what the data actually says)Habit #5: Know & Track Your NumbersThe 2 things you must stop doing immediately Prefer video? Watch the full conversation here: https://youtu.be/-ya9q63boe0 If you found this helpful, please:  Leave a review - it helps more people find the show Share this episode with someone who would benefit About Dr. Abhishek Bhagat, MD: Triple board-certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiology, and Cardiac Electrophysiology. My work has been published in numerous peer-reviewed medical journals. I create content focused on science-based, practical strategies to improve your health and longevity. Disclaimer: The information in this episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, exercise routine, or medical treatment.

    5 Heart-Healthy Habits That Add 10 Years to Your Life | Cardiologist Explains
  • 9 Episodes

About

The Healthy Skeptic is an evidence-based podcast designed to help you live longer, feel stronger, and make smarter decisions about your health. Hosted by Dr. Abhishek Bhagat — a triple board-certified physician in Internal Medicine, Cardiology, and Cardiac Electrophysiology — this show aims to bridge the gap between medical science and everyday life. The episodes break down the truth behind healthcare, longevity, nutrition, exercise, weight loss, stress, sleep, supplements, chronic inflammation, and the latest medical research. Dr. Bhagat debunks misinformation, analyzes viral health trends, and gives you practical habits you can use immediately. Whether you're interested in preventing heart disease, improving your metabolic health, or simply navigating the overwhelming world of wellness information, The Healthy Skeptic gives you reliable guidance backed by clinical experience and scientific evidence. Your health deserves more than opinions — it deserves the truth.

Information

  • Creator
    Abhishek Bhagat, MD
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Healthy Skeptic
  • Show Website
    The Healthy Skeptic