Heart health: It’s not just a man’s issue — with Golden Bachelorette Joan Vassos and VHC Health cardiologist

02/19/25 • 40 min

The first-ever Golden Bachelorette may have shared her heart on national television, but Joan Vassos has had a personal connection to heart health since she entered motherhood.

In this episode of Living Well with Alison Starling, a podcast brought to you by VHC Health and WBJ, Vassos opens up about her daughter's congenital heart defect. Dr. Preya Simlote, a general cardiologist with VHC Health, also shares expert advice on caring for your heart at every stage. Plus, you’ll get an inside scoop on Vassos’s life with fiancé Chock Chapple and what it was like being the star of ABC’s hit show.

Heart disease is often considered a man’s problem, but it poses a big threat to women, too. “It’s (women’s) leading cause of death,” Vassos said. “So let’s start focusing on that early on, especially in the years we go through menopause.”

Tune into this episode to learn about:

How Vassos navigated her daughter’s progressive heart disease, which ignited her passion for serving the American Heart Association (5:09)
How Vassos stays healthy (12:36)
How heart attack symptoms present differently for men and women (26:44)
The four key numbers to know — and act on — for heart health (29:41)
Strategies to prevent heart disease (31:29)
The most exciting advancements in heart disease prevention and care (33:37)

Protect and improve your heart health with expert care from VHC Health cardiologists. VHC Health provides personalized evaluations, diagnostic tests, and treatments, including lifestyle changes, medications, and minimally invasive procedures. Advanced diagnostic tools help detect issues early, while VHC Health’s CVICU offers 24/7 specialized care for complex conditions. Look to VHC Health for comprehensive cardiovascular care from experts who make you feel like family. From prevention to diagnosis and treatment, count on our team to help you live a heart-healthy life.

VHC Health is becoming the region’s preferred community health system. With a teaching hospital and multiple primary and specialty care locations, we offer exceptional patient-centered care close to where our patients live and work. Consistently recognized for excellence, VHC Health is dedicated to meeting the needs of our diverse community.
Disclaimer
This podcast and any information, advice, opinions or statements within it are provided for general informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, and does not create a patient-provider relationship. Seek the advice of your personal healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding the information presented and before undertaking a new health care regimen.
Unless specifically stated in the podcast, the views expressed in this podcast are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views of VHC Health. Participation in this podcast should not be implied as an endorsement of VHC Health or any particular organization, product or service.

The first-ever Golden Bachelorette may have shared her heart on national television, but Joan Vassos has had a personal connection to heart health since she entered motherhood.

Tune into this episode to learn about:

How Vassos navigated her daughter’s progressive heart disease, which ignited her passion for serving the American Heart Association (5:09)
How Vassos stays healthy (12:36)
How heart attack symptoms present differently for men and women (26:44)
The four key numbers to know — and act on — for heart health (29:41)
Strategies to prevent heart disease (31:29)
The most exciting advancements in heart disease prevention and care (33:37)

Previous Episode

Measure health beyond the scale: WebMD’s chief medical officer and VHC Health doctor simplify GLP-1 drugs

Popular weight loss medications are playing a role in the fight against obesity, but are they a help or hinderance in the long term? “The number on your scale is not your only measure of health,” says WebMD’s chief medical officer, Dr. John Whyte.
In this episode of Living Well with Alison Starling, a podcast brought to you by VHC Health and WBJ, Whyte and Dr. Arshad Ali from VHC Health Bariatric & Metabolic Health Center delve into medical weight management, discuss whether obesity is worsening or decreasing, and simplify the information surrounding GLP-1 prescription drugs.
“This (obesity) is a disease, not a moral failing or lack of self-control,” explains Ali. “This is a medical problem that needs to be treated correctly.”
Listen to this episode to learn about:

How GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy work in relation to obesity management
The most common potential side effects
The average percentage of weight patients usually gain back when they stop taking their medication
Micro-dosing for people who just want to lose 10 to 20 pounds
How long you really have to exercise each day to make a difference (it’s less than you might think)
Which single lifestyle change impacts 90% to 95% of the weight loss formula

Learn more about VHC Health’s Medical Weight Management program. Our bariatrician works with patients to create personalized treatment plans that incorporate nutrition, physical activity and behavioral changes, with medication options when appropriate. With support from a clinical psychologist and dietitian, and seamless integration with our bariatric surgery team, VHC Health offers a comprehensive approach to achieving your weight and health goals, whether through in-person or telehealth visits.

Next Episode

Internet personality Jeannette Reyes on PCOS, infertility, IVF and advocating for your reproductive health

When she was just a teenager, Jeannette Reyes, former FOX 5 news anchor and now a prominent internet personality, sensed that her irregular periods might be hinting at a larger issue.
“I felt like something was off, and I couldn't quite pinpoint it — to the point where I pushed my mom to take me to the doctor and figure out what might be going on,” Reyes said in the latest episode of Living Well with Alison Starling, a podcast brought to you by VHC Health and WBJ.
It took years of doctors’ appointments and struggling with infertility for Reyes to receive her PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) diagnosis. After successfully undergoing IVF treatment, Reyes and her husband Robert Burton are now happily raising 2-year-old Bella and enjoying more time with family as TV and internet sensations.
“Advocate for yourself,” Reyes encourages people in similar situations. “You're going to have some doctors — who might be well-meaning — who will say, ‘No, you don't really fit the profile,’ or will brush off some of your concerns. Push for answers.”
Tune in to this episode to learn more about:

Reyes’ journey toward her PCOS diagnosis (3:40)
The importance of checking fertility benefits when changing jobs, even as a young professional (7:48)
What it was like working in a very public sphere while going through IVF treatment (13:53)
Why Reyes and Burton left their jobs as news anchors (15:49)
Reyes’ favorite memory from her time creating “Baby News Network” videos (19:18)
Why Reyes started a fundraiser for a children’s home in the Dominican Republic (23:03)

If you or someone you know is dealing with menstrual irregularities, PCOS, endometriosis, or fertility challenges, VHC Health and its Center for Women’s Health is here to help. Whether you're seeking fertility support, menopause management, or adolescent-friendly services, VHC Health's gynecologists, obstetricians, and care teams are here to partner with you for a full spectrum of services designed to support and empower women’s health.