# Dr. Jim O'Brien - Heart Health Special

An episode of [Are We There Yet ? with Kathryn Thomas](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1850932396), 30 Jun 2026, 52 min.

Audio: https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/68deaccf965488b63a71d782/e/6a4270d03fa89e3338993a46/media.mp3

Kathryn is joined by Consultant Cardiologist Dr. Jim O'Brien from the Mater Private Network to discuss how to look after your heart as we grow older. Kathryn and Jim talk about how heart disease is the biggest killer of women in Ireland, accounting for one in four female deaths. Jim explains how the menopause affects our hearts and he reveals that too much exercise - sometimes - might actually be bad for your heart! He reveals the striking impact of hormonal shifts on cholesterol, why irregular period cycles can raise health risks and why heart palpitations are too often dismissed as anxiety. And if you’re watching on YouTube, you’ll be able to see Kathryn do ten-push-ups on the studio floor… she was definitely not expecting that! 'Are We There Yet? with Kathryn Thomas' is an Onic Original podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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