Heart disease kills more people than all cancers combined — yet most of us have never been told to scan our arteries. In this episode, Nadia sits down with Simon Campbell, a fellow biohacker and heart health researcher, to break down the three types of arterial scans, why the most important one costs only $250, and how Simon reversed 10% of his artery plaque in just three months without statins. Simon walks through how to read a CIMT scan report (it's not what you think), explains why cholesterol numbers alone can be misleading, and shares his exact protocol — including three non-statin medications, insulin-resistance interventions, and the blood markers your doctor probably isn't ordering. Nadia also shares her own CIMT results and discusses how her elevated Lp(a) is shaping her prevention strategy. Whether you're a caregiver managing your own health under stress or someone with autism navigating complex medical decisions, this episode gives you a complete playbook for taking charge of your cardiovascular health.

Resources and product links mentioned in this episode are listed below. As a reminder, this podcast is for informational purposes only — always consult a qualified medical professional before making changes to your health regimen.

Key Takeaways

1. Get scanned. A CIMT (Carotid Intima Media Thickness) scan is $200–$250, takes 10 minutes, has zero radiation, and can be repeated every 3–12 months. It's the most accessible way to directly assess your stroke and heart attack risk. CardioRisk operates nationwide.
2. Track the six numbers, not the artery age. The most important part of the CIMT report is buried in the comments — six spot-check measurements (three on each side of your neck). Track these over time, even if they're below the 1.3mm plaque threshold. Direction matters more than a single snapshot.
3. Plaque type matters. Soft plaque (S) is the most dangerous — it can rupture and cause a heart attack or stroke. Mixed/heterogeneous plaque (H) is semi-stable. Calcified plaque (E) is the most stable. Statins calcify soft plaque, which is one of their most underappreciated benefits.
4. ApoB is the superior cholesterol marker. LDL measures "cargo" — ApoB measures the "cars on the road" that crash into artery walls. About 20% of people have discordant LDL and ApoB, meaning one looks fine while the other is alarming. Ask your doctor for an ApoB test.
5. Test Lp(a) once. Lipoprotein(a) is predominantly genetic, can't be lowered by diet or current medications, and dramatically increases heart disease risk. If it's elevated, the strategy is to aggressively lower ApoB to reduce the total number of vehicles on the road.
6. Non-statin options exist. Bempedoic acid (brand: Nexletol), ezetimibe, and cholestyramine are three cholesterol-lowering medications with different mechanisms of action and fewer side effects than statins. Bempedoic acid works only in the liver, doesn't cross the blood-brain barrier, and has no muscle side effects.
7. Diet and lifestyle always come first. A Mediterranean, plant-centric diet rich in fiber and omega-3 fatty acids (salmon, sardines, oysters) is foundational. Medications stack on top — they never replace clean living.
8. Insulin resistance drives plaque too. Even with clean labs, genetic predisposition can push A1C upward. SGLT2 inhibitors (like Jardiance) and pioglitazone offer protection beyond blood sugar management, including kidney and heart benefits.
9. Heart disease is preventable. 800,000 Americans will have a heart attack this year and 800,000 will have a stroke. The #1 symptom is sudden death. But if you scan, track, and intervene early, you can take this risk factor off the table.

Resources Mentioned

Scans & Providers

1. CardioRisk — nationwide CIMT scanning (cardiorisk.com - 801-855-6775 - contact@cardiorisk.com)
2. VasoLabs — alternative CIMT provider (vasolabs.com - less widely available)

Medications Discussed (talk to your doctor)

1. Bempedoic acid (brand name Nexletol) — cholesterol-lowering, liver-only mechanism
2. Ezetimibe (brand name Zetia) — blocks cholesterol absorption in the gut
3. Cholestyramine — bile acid sequestrant (powder, approved since 1973)
4. PCSK9 inhibitors (brand name Repatha) — injectable, the "big gun" for crushing ApoB/LDL
5. Empagliflozin (brand name Jardiance) — SGLT2 inhibitor for insulin resistance (alternative options here: https://agelessrx.com/search/sglt2)
6. Pioglitazone (brand name Actos)— insulin sensitizer

Blood Tests to Request

1. Standard lipid panel (includes LDL)
2. Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) — not standard, must be requested
3. Lipoprotein(a) / Lp(a) — one-time test, genetically determined
4. HbA1c — average blood sugar/insulin resistance marker
5. hsCRP — inflammatory marker

Simon's Channels

1. YouTube: @SimonTheBiohacker
2. Substack: simonthebiohacker.substack.com

Guest Bio

Simon Campbell is a biohacker and heart health researcher dedicated to the prevention of heart attacks and strokes. After discovering concerning plaque in his own arteries, Simon developed and documented a rigorous personal protocol combining arterial scanning, cholesterol management, and metabolic optimization. He shares his journey, scan results, and research on his YouTube channel and Substack, making complex cardiovascular science accessible and actionable. His mantra: Track your plaque.

Nadia Elkhatib is a health researcher, biohacker, and the host of Biohacking Autism. With a master's degree in Computer Science and years of experience in Silicon Valley, Nadia brings a systems-thinking approach to complex health challenges. Her journey into functional medicine and biohacking began over two decades ago while navigating autism alongside her son, Jimmy — an experience that transformed her understanding of what's possible when you move beyond conventional approaches and start asking "why is the body struggling?" Today, Nadia is dedicated to sharing cutting-edge protocols, expert insights, and practical strategies with families who refuse to settle for "there's nothing more we can do.”

Medical Disclaimer

The material covered in this podcast is for informational purposes only. The information is not intended to provide medical advice and should not be used as a replacement for professional medical consultation. We are not medical doctors and do not give medical advice. The information shared here is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always talk to a qualified medical professional before making any changes to your health regimen. This podcast does not encourage the personal use of any medication without medical supervision.