An Update on Why I’m on Substack

and what this space is not

Over the past couple of weeks, many new readers have joined, and I’m grateful you’re here. I’m a preventive cardiologist who writes to make health and medical science clearer and more understandable. As I move into a new phase of my career, this Substack experience has prompted me to think more clearly about why I’m here and what I want this experience to accomplish.

My goals are straightforward: (i) to make health, medicine, and medical science more accessible, (ii) to clarify rather than dramatize, and (iii) to help readers feel less overwhelmed by health and medical information.

My guiding principle always has been that nothing matters more than people. Relationships matter more than technology. Good clinical care comes from attention to detail, a strong knowledge base, and respect for people’s ability to make decisions for themselves. It also requires a healthy dose of humility about what we think we know. We are most effective when we build self-efficacy, not when we preach. That philosophy anchors everything here and ultimately is what shapes behavior change.

This Substack will focus on what I understand and where I can contribute thoughtfully, including careful interpretation of data, honest appraisal of evidence, and a realistic understanding of human behavior from a clinician’s vantage point. Like many physicians, I have the added perspective of being a patient who has lived with two cancers and an autoimmune disease. All of that shapes how I think and write.

I also want to be clear about what this space is not. I have no interest in slipping into the Peter Attia-like cycle of monetization, performance, or “content inflation” that rewards bold claims or commentary outside one’s expertise. Expertise has limits and the Dunning–Kruger effect is a real hazard for anyone who forgets that.

All the content here is mine. It is drawn from the research I’ve conducted, the lectures I’ve given, and the clinical experiences I’ve had. It is not AI-generated, not outsourced, and not written to chase clicks or attention.

There’s no newsletter and no monetization – just honest reflections and practical insights.

This is a personal page and does not reflect the opinions of my employers. Nothing here constitutes medical advice or creates a doctor–patient relationship.