The Better Health While Aging Podcast

Get practical health tips from a geriatrician and other experts! We discuss common health problems that affect people over age 60, the best ways to prevent and manage those problems, and we also often address common concerns and dilemmas that come up with aging parents and other older loved ones.

160 – Is Your Blood Pressure Too Low? Understanding Hypotension

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH Leave a Comment

Better Health While Aging

160 – Is Your Blood Pressure Too Low? Understanding Hypotension

00:00 / 00:32:54

In This Episode:

Dr. K explains what counts as low blood pressure, why it becomes common with aging, and what to do about it. She also explains orthostatic hypotension, a common problem that affects many older adults and can lead to symptoms, such as dizziness or even falls.

She covers:

Defining Hypotension and Low Blood Pressure
Causes of Very Low Blood Pressure
Vasovagal Hypotension
Common Low Blood Pressure Causes in Aging
Understanding Orthostatic Hypotension
Signs and Symptoms of Low Blood Pressure
Managing Low Blood Pressure in Geriatrics
If You’re Concerned About Low Blood Pressure

[Read more…]

159 – Best Ways to Treat High Blood Pressure

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH Leave a Comment

Better Health While Aging

159 – Best Ways to Treat High Blood Pressure

00:00 / 00:42:33

In This Episode:

Dr. K explains the best ways to lower blood pressure in older adults, using both lifestyle changes and medications that are safe and effective for aging bodies. She goes into detail on the DASH diet, sodium and potassium intake, types of blood pressure medications (like calcium channel blockers and ACE inhibitors), and how to decide on the right blood pressure goals for your age and health status.

She covers:

Defining hypertension
Causes of high blood pressure
How high is too high?
How to lower BP
Lifestyle changes to lower BP
DASH diet for hypertension
Reducing dietary sodium
Potassium and blood pressure
Medications for hypertension treatment
Special hypertension considerations for older adults

[Read more…]

158 – Bradycardia and Pacemakers in Aging: What to Know

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH Leave a Comment

Better Health While Aging

158 – Bradycardia and Pacemakers in Aging: What to Know

00:00 / 01:00:59

In This Episode:

Dr. K speaks with cardiologist and electrophysiology expert Cara Pellegrini, MD, to explain bradycardia (slow heart rate), how it’s diagnosed and treated, and when a pacemaker might be recommended. Dr. Pellegrini also explains the different types of pacemakers, including traditional and leadless options, what to expect during implantation and recovery, and how modern pacemakers are monitored.

She covers:

Introduction to Bradycardia and Pacemakers
What is a pacemaker?
What is bradycardia & when is it a problem?
Signs, symptoms & diagnosis of bradycardia
Causes of bradycardia in aging
How to treat bradycardia
How different pacemakers work
Implantable Cardiac Devices: Pacemakers vs. ICDs
Understanding pacemaker insertion & recovery
Monitoring and adjusting pacemakers
Pacemakers in frailty or Alzheimer’s
End-of-life considerations for pacemakers
Recap of bradycardia and pacemakers
Battery changes for pacemakers
Questions to ask your doctor

[Read more…]

157 – High Blood Pressure in Aging: When to Treat & Why It Matters

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH Leave a Comment

Better Health While Aging

157 – High Blood Pressure in Aging: When to Treat & Why It Matters

00:00 / 00:38:43

In This Episode:

Dr. K explains what blood pressure numbers really mean, what’s normal BP in older adults and what’s considered too high, and why managing hypertension is so important for long-term health. She also talks about what causes high blood pressure and what to do if you’re concerned.

She covers:

What is blood pressure?
Defining hypertension
How to accurately measure BP
What causes high blood pressure?
Signs and symptoms of high BP
How high is too high for BP?
The concept of a “BP” goal

[Read more…]

156 – Methylcobalamin vs Cyanocobalamin: Which Vitamin B12 is Best?

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH Leave a Comment

Better Health While Aging

156 – Methylcobalamin vs Cyanocobalamin: Which Vitamin B12 is Best?

00:00 / 00:19:00

In This Episode:

Dr. K addresses a common question: which type of Vitamin B12 supplement to take? She takes a closer look at the two most common forms — methylcobalamin and cyanocobalamin — to help older adults make an informed choice about which type of Vitamin B12 to take.

She covers:

Vitamin B12 Deficiency Overview
The Main Types of Vitamin B12 Supplements
Features of Cyanocobalamin vs Methylcobalamin
How Different Types of Vitamin B12 Work in the Body
Clinical Evidence on Different Types of Vitamin B12
Dr. Kernisan’s Interpretation of Vitamin B12 Science
Recommendations on Methylcobalamin vs Cyanocobalamin

[Read more…]

155 – Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Aging: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH 2 Comments

Better Health While Aging

155 – Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Aging: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

00:00 / 00:30:29

Introduction to Vitamin B12 Deficiency
What is Vitamin B12?
Common Causes of Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Older Adults
Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Pernicious Anemia and Its Relation to B12 Deficiency
Why Vitamin B12 Deficiency is Often Missed
Who Should Be Checked for Vitamin B12 Deficiency?
Testing for Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Treatment Options for Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Preventing Vitamin B12 Deficiency

[Read more…]

In This Episode:

Dr. K explains how older adults can detect, treat, and prevent vitamin B12 deficiency, a common problem that can affect nerve function, red blood cells and brain function.

She covers:

Introduction to Vitamin B12 Deficiency
What is Vitamin B12?
Common Causes of Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Older Adults
Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Pernicious Anemia and Its Relation to B12 Deficiency
Why Vitamin B12 Deficiency is Often Missed
Who Should Be Checked for Vitamin B12 Deficiency?
Testing for Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Treatment Options for Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Preventing Vitamin B12 Deficiency

[Read more…]

154 – Protein, Metabolism & Aging: Nutrition Tips for Longevity

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH Leave a Comment

Better Health While Aging

154 – Protein, Metabolism & Aging: Nutrition Tips for Longevity

00:00 / 00:45:32

In This Episode:

Dr. K clears up common misconceptions about aging nutrition and breaks down the key components of a diet that supports healthy aging and metabolic health, including what vitamins and supplements she recommends. She also covers what to know about malnutrition, frailty, and treating sarcopenia.

She covers:

Introduction to Nutrition and Aging
What to know about nutrition science
My view of a nutritious diet
How to eat healthy in aging
What is metabolic health
How to check your own metabolic health
How to improve metabolic health
Malnutrition in aging
How nutrition helps with frailty and sarcopenia
Protein intake in aging
Vitamins and supplements in aging
Dr. K’s approach to diet and aging
Conclusion and key takeaways

[Read more…]

153 – Heart Failure in Aging: Symptoms, Types, and Treatments

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH Leave a Comment

Better Health While Aging

153 – Heart Failure in Aging: Symptoms, Types, and Treatments

00:00 / 01:09:14

In This Episode:

Dr. K talks with cardiologist Cara Pellegrini, MD, to discuss the key aspects of heart failure, including its types (congestive, systolic, diastolic, HFrEF, and HFpEF), causes, symptoms, and treatment options. They also cover special considerations for frail older adults, heart failure and end-of-life issues, and much more.

They discuss:

Introduction to Heart Failure in Aging
Understanding Heart Failure: Definitions and Types
What are HFrEF, HFpEF & Ejection Fraction?
Left vs Right-sided Heart Failure
Causes of Heart Failure
Heart Valves in Heart Failure
Signs and Symptoms of Heart Failure
Diagnosing Heart Failure: The Evaluation Process
Stages and Severity of Heart Failure
Heart Failure Prognosis
Treatment and Management of Heart Failure
Medications to Treat Heart Failure
Self-Management Strategies for Heart Failure
Considerations for Older Adults with Heart Failure
Procedures and Devices for Advanced Heart Failure
Understanding Prognosis and End-of-Life Care
Questions to Ask About Heart Failure

[Read more…]

152 – Inside Alzheimer’s Research: New Medications and Innovative Care

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH Leave a Comment

Better Health While Aging

152 – Inside Alzheimer’s Research: New Medications and Innovative Care

00:00 / 00:59:54

In This Episode:

Dr. K speaks with Alzheimer’s expert Jason Karlawish, MD, Co-Director of the Penn Memory Center, about the new anti-amyloid Alzheimer’s medications lecanemab (Leqembi) and donanemab (Kisunla). Learn how biomarkers and other new developments have revolutionized the diagnosing of Alzheimer’s disease, and how these newer medications are being used to treat Alzheimer’s.

They cover: [Read more…]

151 – How Memory Medications Like Donepezil and Memantine Work

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH Leave a Comment

Better Health While Aging

151 – How Memory Medications Like Donepezil and Memantine Work

00:00 / 00:30:54

In This Episode:

Dr. K explains the oral medications most commonly used to treat Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, such as donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine, and memantine (brand names Aricept, Exelon, Razadyne, and Namenda. She explains the mechanisms, efficacy, and side effects of these drugs, along with practical considerations for their use in older adults. She also discusses other important aspects of Alzheimer’s treatment.

She covers:

Oral Medications FDA-Approved to Treat Alzheimer’s
Understanding Aricept & Other Cholinesterase Inhibitors
Mild vs Severe Alzheimer’s
Efficacy and Side Effects of Cholinesterase Inhibitors
Exploring Memantine (Namenda) and Its Role
Do These Work for Mild Cognitive Impairment?
Medications & Other Types of Dementia
When to Stop Alzheimer’s Medications
Practical Considerations for Dementia Medication Use
Anti-amyloid Treatments for Alzheimer’s
Best Treatments for Alzheimer’s & Dementia

[Read more…]

The Better Health While Aging Podcast

In This Episode:

In This Episode:

In This Episode:

In This Episode:

In This Episode:

In This Episode:

In This Episode:

In This Episode:

In This Episode:

In This Episode:

Disclaimer