This interview is with Sirisha Vadali, Cardiologist/ Physician at Sirisha Vadali MD.

Sirisha Vadali, Cardiologist/ Physician, Sirisha Vadali MD

1. As an expert in health and wellness, could you introduce yourself and share your background in this field?

My name is Sirisha Vadali, MD, and I am a cardiologist by training but also in the wellness prevention space. I am double-board certified and empower patients through lifestyle and dietary changes to control their cardiovascular health.

2. What inspired you to pursue a career in health and wellness, and how has your journey shaped your approach to helping others?

I pursued a career in cardiology after seeing the disparities in cardiovascular care across the nation. I pursued health and wellness with prevention, knowing that by taking charge of our nutrition and exercise, we can help prevent heart disease.

3. In your experience, what are the most common misconceptions people have about achieving overall wellness, and how do you address these in your practice?

People think it is a one-size-fits-all solution. What works for one male should not and does not work for one female. Similarly, taking considerations regarding medications, previous medical history, and multiple other lifestyle features plays a role in successful achievement of wellness.

4. Can you share a specific case where you helped a client overcome a significant health challenge? What strategies did you employ that our readers might find useful?

We had a patient who was a French chef who came to our cardiometabolic clinic. She was wheelchair-bound, and with the use of lifestyle modifications including how she continued to cook/bake her French cuisine, we were able to design a program for her to build muscle, lose weight, lower her cholesterol, and currently she is wheelchair-free!

5. We've heard about the importance of personalized health plans. How do you tailor wellness strategies for individuals with different lifestyles, health conditions, and goals?

A personalized precision health plan is of utmost importance. We take into consideration their past medical history, current use of medications, and knowledge and insight into their strength-training and exercise capabilities. We also have provided instructions for all levels of socioeconomic status to overcome the burden, whether it's household objects to help with weight lifting or coupon codes for fresh fruits and vegetables. We attempt to target the patient precisely.

6. In your practice, have you noticed any emerging health trends that you believe will have a significant impact on wellness in the coming years? How can our readers prepare for these changes?

Yes, the use of GLP-1 is a game-changer with how we are approaching cardiovascular risk reduction.

7. Many people struggle with maintaining healthy habits long-term. Based on your experience with clients, what's one actionable tip you can share for sustainable lifestyle changes?

We do one systematic change at a time. Many times, too many suggestions overwhelm patients, and they tend to "fall off." Also, having some "grace" around periods of celebrations and vacations allows long-term success. No one should be expected to be perfect but rather have an 80-20 balanced lifestyle.

8. How do you approach the integration of mental health into overall wellness plans? Can you provide an example of how addressing mental health has improved a client's physical well-being?

Mental health is so crucial because you can have all the tools in the toolbox, but if you don't have a box to put them in, you will not get anywhere. Addressing stress as the root cause of a lot of cardiovascular conditions has been of utmost importance in our practice. We are screening and appropriately treating depression, anxiety, and stress in order to have long-term success.

9. Looking back on your career, what's the most surprising or counterintuitive insight about health and wellness that you've discovered? How has this changed your approach to patient care?

Doing a few things well in the wellness space has way more powerful long-term effects than trying to incorporate a 10-step morning routine and a 30-step post-gym routine. These create anxiety around the process. Simplifying what wellness/health is has helped me approach my patients with achievable goals.

Thanks for sharing your knowledge and expertise. Is there anything else you'd like to add?

Cardiometabolic health is the new age of cardiovascular prevention. If we can target inflammation and make aware that a lot of cardiovascular disease can be prevented, we have done our job.