fitcardiologist

fitcardiologist Dr Bart Olechowski MD MRCP DM, Consultant Interventional Cardiologist at Basingstoke and Wi******er www.drbart.co.uk

Recently, I’ve become a big fan of saunas, especially after a workout at the end of the day. I find it an amazing way to...
12/08/2026

Recently, I’ve become a big fan of saunas, especially after a workout at the end of the day. I find it an amazing way to unwind, relax, and switch off.

New blog post on www.drbart.co.uk is all about, benefits, research and myths.

'Sauna And Heart Health: Cardiovascular Benefits Explained.'

https://drbart.co.uk/sauna-and-heart-health-cardiovascular-benefits-explained/

For many people, a sauna is simply a place to unwind. Yet the rise in heart rate, widening of blood vessels and increase in skin blood flow that occur in a hot room have led researchers to ask a more interesting question: could regular sauna bathing support cardiovascular health?

The short answer is that sauna bathing is promising, but it is not a treatment or a substitute for exercise, medication or medical review. Large Finnish studies have linked frequent traditional sauna use with lower rates of high blood pressure, stroke, fatal cardiovascular disease and sudden cardiac death. Smaller trials suggest that repeated heat exposure may improve blood pressure, cardiorespiratory fitness and some measures of vascular function. However, much of the most striking evidence is observational. People who use saunas regularly may differ from those who do not in ways that researchers cannot completely measure. [1-7]

Our article explains what happens to your cardiovascular system in a sauna, what the research actually shows, where the uncertainties lie and how to use a sauna more safely. The emphasis is on traditional Finnish-style sauna bathing because that is where the strongest long-term evidence exists. Infrared saunas, steam rooms, hot tubs and hot-water immersion create different combinations of heat and humidity, so their effects should not automatically be assumed to be identical.

Greece 🇬🇷 was an absolute blast, fuelled by running, tennis and snorkelling.
31/07/2026

Greece 🇬🇷 was an absolute blast, fuelled by running, tennis and snorkelling.

What is Microvascular Angina? Understanding the “hidden” cause of chest pain.Full article via a link below and on www.dr...
30/07/2026

What is Microvascular Angina? Understanding the “hidden” cause of chest pain.

Full article via a link below and on www.drbart.co.uk.

https://drbart.co.uk/what-is-microvascular-angina-understanding-the-hidden-cause-of-chest-pain/

Chest pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical advice. Traditionally, doctors have associated angina with narrowing or blockage of the large coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle. However, many patients experience typical angina symptoms despite having coronary angiograms (either traditional invasive procedure or CT Coronary Angiograms) that show little or no significant blockage.

For years, these patients were sometimes reassured that their coronary arteries were “normal.” We now know that many of them have a genuine cardiovascular condition called microvascular angina (MVA), also known as coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD).
Microvascular angina occurs when the tiny blood vessels within the heart—the coronary microcirculation—do not function properly. These vessels are too small to be seen on a standard coronary angiogram, yet they play a crucial role in regulating blood flow to the heart muscle. When they fail to dilate appropriately or become excessively constricted, the heart may not receive enough oxygen-rich blood, resulting in chest pain, breathlessness, fatigue, and reduced exercise tolerance.

Research over the last two decades has transformed our understanding of this condition. Modern evidence shows that microvascular angina is common, particularly in women, and is associated with reduced quality of life and an increased risk of future cardiovascular events.

An article on www.drbart.co.uk explains what microvascular angina is, why it happens, how it is diagnosed, and what current evidence tells us about treatment and prognosis.

Running and gym sessions, April–June 2026.No audiobooks. Just music, gratitude, reflection and being fully present.Pic t...
17/07/2026

Running and gym sessions, April–June 2026.

No audiobooks.

Just music, gratitude, reflection and being fully present.

Pic taken in Galway, Ireland.

What Is POTS? Understanding Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia SyndromeFull article below on www.drbart.co.ukhttps://drbar...
11/07/2026

What Is POTS? Understanding Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome

Full article below on www.drbart.co.uk

https://drbart.co.uk/what-is-pots-understanding-postural-orthostatic-tachycardia-syndrome/

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) is a complex and often misunderstood condition that affects the autonomic nervous system, causing an excessive increase in heart rate when moving from a lying or sitting position to standing. Although awareness of POTS has increased significantly in recent years, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic, many patients still experience troublesome symptoms while waiting for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

For some individuals, symptoms may be relatively mild and intermittent. For others, POTS can have a profound impact on quality of life, making everyday activities such as shopping, exercising, working, or even standing for prolonged periods extremely challenging. Many patients report years of unexplained symptoms before the underlying diagnosis is recognised.

POTS is not a heart disease in the traditional sense. The heart itself is usually structurally normal. Instead, the condition reflects a dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system—the body’s automatic control system responsible for regulating heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, digestion, temperature control, and many other vital functions.

As a consultant cardiologist, I frequently assess patients who present with symptoms such as palpitations, dizziness, light-headedness, fatigue, exercise intolerance, chest discomfort, and episodes of near-fainting. While these symptoms can arise from many different cardiac and non-cardiac conditions, POTS is increasingly recognised as an important cause, particularly among younger adults.

In this this article we explain what POTS is, why it develops, how it is diagnosed, and what treatment options are available. The aim is to provide an evidence-based overview that is accessible to patients while reflecting current scientific understanding.

I would love to hear from you, if you recommend the same to your Patients?https://bmjmedicine.bmj.com/content/5/1/e00151...
04/07/2026

I would love to hear from you, if you recommend the same to your Patients?

https://bmjmedicine.bmj.com/content/5/1/e001513

After reading this study ⬆️ (summary below) earlier this year, I decided to add more variabilty to my weekly exercise routine.

At the moment, I try to:
- run 3 times a week (early am, usually at 6, 10km, slow to moderate pace with no timer on)
- lift weights 3 times a week (day one-shoulders/chest/biceps, day two - back/triceps/abs, day three - legs)
- play tennis - at least twice a week, I am still quite bad at it, but I love it, especially the social component of it..

So at present I recommend to my Patients to mix their exercise habits if they can.. do you do the same?

The summary of the study, which was published in January 2026 in the BMJ Journal is below.

https://bmjmedicine.bmj.com/content/5/1/e001513

A 30-year study of 111,467 adults found that exercise variety—not just exercise volume—may be key to living longer. Researchers recorded 38,847 deaths over 2.4 million person-years of follow-up and found that people who regularly engaged in the widest range of physical activities had a 19% lower risk of premature death compared with those doing the least variety. They also had a 13–41% lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease, cancer, respiratory disease, and other causes. Walking was linked to a 17% lower mortality risk, racquet sports 15%, rowing/calisthenics 14%, and running and resistance training 13%. So the message is simple: move often, but mix it up.

PS. videos taken while running at the the Jurassic Coast in Dorset, near Swanage 🇬🇧.

The Keto Diet And Heart Health: Dangerous Or Effective?Full article below.https://drbart.co.uk/the-keto-diet-and-heart-h...
11/06/2026

The Keto Diet And Heart Health: Dangerous Or Effective?

Full article below.

https://drbart.co.uk/the-keto-diet-and-heart-health-dangerous-or-effective/

The Keto Diet And Heart Health: Dangerous Or Effective?

The ketogenic (“keto”) diet is famous for fast weight loss and better blood sugar control, and infamous for being a high-fat way of eating that can send LDL cholesterol soaring in some people. So is it dangerous or effective for your heart?

The most honest evidence-based answer is: keto can be metabolically effective for some people in the short term, but it can also raise cardiovascular risk in others—especially when it becomes a saturated-fat-heavy pattern or triggers big rises in LDL/ApoB. And we still lack large, long-term randomized trials with hard outcomes (heart attacks, strokes) that would settle the question cleanly.

This article walks through what research shows, why results vary so much from person to person, and how to think about the phrases people argue about online—keto heart disease, high fat diet cardiovascular, and low carb heart risk—without falling into hype or fear.

.. this is exactly why we do what we do ..When 4 years ago, after 20 years of training (starting medical school in 2002 ...
24/04/2026

.. this is exactly why we do what we do ..

When 4 years ago, after 20 years of training (starting medical school in 2002 to becoming a consultant in 2022) — I heard 'Thank you for saving my life' for the very first time from a patient, I knew that every long day, every sacrifice, and every challenge had been worth it.

Yes, healthcare can be exhausting. We can be overworked, under pressure, and often underpaid. But moments like this remind us why we chose this path.

When you work in healthcare, purpose finds you. The privilege of helping others brings a kind of fulfilment that is hard to describe.

Being a healthcare professional is truly amazing — and my patient absolutely made my day yesterday 🍅.

** Posted with the patient’s kind permission. **

London Landmarks Half Marathon 2026.What an amazing day! Huge shoutout to all the organisers and marshals for delivering...
12/04/2026

London Landmarks Half Marathon 2026.

What an amazing day! Huge shoutout to all the organisers and marshals for delivering such an incredible event.

Hands down the best atmosphere I’ve ever experienced in a race — the crowds were unreal from start to finish

And even better, we raised over £300 for MacMillan Cancer Charity, thank you so much for your donations.

London Landmarks Half Marathon 2026 What an unforgettable day! Huge shoutout to all the organisers and marshals for deli...
12/04/2026

London Landmarks Half Marathon 2026

What an unforgettable day! Huge shoutout to all the organisers and marshals for delivering such an incredible event

Hands down the best atmosphere I’ve ever experienced in a race — the crowds were unreal from start to finish

And even better, we raised over £300 for , thank you so much for your donations.

💚

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