CT scan saved my life. 3 years ago I Had normal cholesterol levels, doc said a waste of my money…738 score!!!!!!! I immediately changed my lifestyle and diet. Lost 40lbs, improved all blood markers. Had I not gotten the scan, I would probably be dean now.
Unfortunately it took you getting radiated to get motivated. We motivate people with abnormal lab results instead. We look for markers of inflammation, oxidative stress, homocysteine, Lp(a), intracellular vitamins/minerals, glutathione, fatty acids, BPA, pesticides, gut permeability, mold mycotoxins etc. That tells us risk AND what to do about it. I would look at your test results and tell you that you likely have CAD. Didn't need to get radiated to tell you that you are at risk of CAD and....cancer, brain disease etc. But congrats on your weight loss.
thanks for posting. I think the Calcium score, CMIT, & CT Angiogram the all great non-invasive (or minimally invasive w/ dye only) procedures to figure out what's going on. I DON'T believe in stress tests. I've seen an uncountable number of patients who had negative stress tests and then needed emergent Cabg procedures within weeks/months or even days of the negative stress tests. Perhaps they're useful and I'm only seeing the exceptions at the hospital but there are so, so many of these cases that I'm not interested. It's like getting false reassurance that there is not a bomb ready to off inside your chest so you walk around like a smiling idiot until it explodes. And if you make it to the hospital in time and have only minimal heart muscle damage, you're exceedingly lucky.
There is so much wrong with this video. The test actually helped to save my life. People should follow the advice of a trusted doctor who has their medical records and have a history treating them. Not someone on the internet who has doesn't know their medical, or family history.
Whoop dee doo. You’re a physician. American physicians have very little training in nutrition as it’s not stressed in American med schools. My nephew is a doctor and he confirms this to be true. American physicians write 20,000,000 prescriptions per year for antibiotics for people with viral infections when antibiotics don’t work for viral infections! Americans rank #55 in average lifespans even though we spend more on ‘healthcare’ than any other nation on Earth! American doctors aren’t doing such a good job of keeping U.S. healthy!
I have followed a carnivore heavy ketogenic diet for 6 years. My TC is 330, LDL 252, TG 85. My PCP wanted to start a statin. I have looked at the research which shows minuscule risk reduction for all cause cardiovascular mortality. My cardiologist ordered a CAC scan. My CAC score is zero. I don’t have a lot of faith in lipid panels and only start statins when the patient has significant risks, eg, alcoholism, and T2DM. The biggest risk factors for cardiovascular disease are lifestyle. The ADA and current food pyramid guidelines set patients up for obesity and metabolic dysfunction. It’s really sad to see so many people struggling with their health due to poor research, observational studies coupled with opinions that have persisted since the 1950s. The fat hypothesis has never been proven to date. It’s disgusting how profit reigns supreme over common sense and actually caring about the health and wellbeing of our patients.
My bloodwork was good, I was exercising and cycling. I had no symptoms. My doctor advised a CT scan because of heredity issues. My score was 5700! It saved my life! What are you talking about?
My calcium score was 1750, so my cardiologist ordered the NC stress test, which showed no blockage. It makes me wonder if there is anyone who knows anything.
my calcium score was 800. I asked for an angiogram. I had a complete blockage of the left ventricle which is the most important artery. If I followed this guy’s advice I might b dead. At that calcium score level you probably have a blockage without symptoms. Get a new cardiologist and get an angiogram.
You are lucky but a stress test is not absolute. Get an angiogram immediately. At 1750; you have a severe blockage and it could be in the lft ventricle. There is no no symptoms in many people.
I'm a CT radiographer and perform these scans and they're personally incredible. They are relatively cheap ($150-200 in 🇦🇺) and non invasive (no cannulation and injection of iodine contrast), and pose minimal radiation as most sites perform sequential scans or fast scans (where you take a "slice" or xray through the heart every 3-5mm) meaning it's one of the lowest dose scans you can get, roughly about 2 weeks background radiation you obtain from the sun (the exact same type of radiation too!). The scoring system can be incredibly useful but not only that, it can locate where Ca build up has occurred. For example, a scoring of 100-200 in the LM (Left main) artery can be a massive issue compared to a Ca score in the thousands where calcium build up is scattered throughout the heart, like your kitchen sink having one big blocked pipe rather than all the small pipes being partially or minimally full of debris. Finally, CALCIUM build up is mostly due to family history of heart disease. Smoking, drinking and malnutrition impose minimal effects on Coronary heart disease when compared to family history or other underlying conditions. Hope this may be informative to someone reading :), however the Cardiologist in this video does raise some points and is more qualified than me, I just thought this perspective would be interesting
@@NaturalHeartDoctor People will have rare CT scans for back problems, etc. You should watch the Widowmaker movie and you'll see that the CAC is so much safer than the alternative. Why would you ever suggest an angiogram where they could accidentally hurt you when you could just do a scan. Do you tell women to not do mammograms and dental patients not to do X-rays?
My brother had a Cardiac Calcium Scan. Scored 400. Was prescribed a Stress Test and in the middle of the test they stopped and sent him to the ER. He had immediate stents put in, he had a 90% bloackage. Literally saved his life!!
I would say that what saved your brother's life is HIM paying attention to whatever indications led him to the CAC - and following through to begin with. Glad he's ok.
@FunBunny-v2d we have a family history of heart disease and he was a little overweight so he got the scan, paid for it himself $99. He saw a cardiologist as a result of his score and they gave him a stress test and quickly stopped the test and sent him the the ER. He had an emergency catheterization procedure and a stent put in. He had a 90% blockage.
I'm 74. 3 1/2 yrs ago had CAC - 420. 380 in the LAD. Had nuclear stress test done a year ago - no ischemia. Walk 4-7 miles daily. Don' take statins - eat low carb. Still feeling fine. I suspect that calcified plaque has been there a very long time and is not causing an issue (till it does). We all gotta go at some point
To all the people saying that CT scan saved your life. Maybe it did, because otherwise you would have been unaware. But we know now that it is the soft plaque rather than the stable Ca deposits, that are the danger. Like this doctor has advised, I am going to assume that I have blockage - a little or a lot. What am I going to do? Back pedal right now and get off sugar, carbs, processed food, seed oils.
Some people suffer from medical anxiety and feel the need to have information so they are in control. "Assuming" you have blocked arteries is a good practice if you know the steps to stop them from getting worse and/or the procedures available for unblocking them. Lifestyle changes are easier when you feel like you are in control and know what is driving those changes.
Assume you have a 90% blockage. You're going to diet and exercise your way around that? Good luck, hope you don't drop dead because you wanted to save 100 bucks. Dumb move.
I’m a 74 yo male. 11 years ago, went in for an annual cardiology checkup. No symptoms, everything looked normal. I asked the doc, “is there any other non-invasive test that would give me information about my heart?”. He told me about the calcium test. I had it done, and it came back 750. He was shocked. He then ordered a stress test, which I failed. Again, no symptoms during the test. They did an angiogram and found my LAD was 95% blocked, so a stent was inserted. He said that due to my fitness routine (mostly biking), my heart had developed alternate vessels around the blockage, which is probably why I had no symptoms. Had it not been for the test, I most likely would have had a heart attack at some point.
Your heart developed alternate vessels around the blockage; a natural bypass. Which I think means that the cells around that area was getting adequate blood. So why was a stent necessary? (I'm confused)
Does failed stress means -'Failing a stress test means you cannot reach or sustain the target heart rate during the exercise portion of the test.' In may 2024 I had the echo stress test: Target HR was 127, my max was 137, so mine was 'normal/pass' ?. I had the CCTA last May 2023 and Agatston score was 402. My HR peaks in the past two weeks were 145 and 147 while cycling up hills (no issues).
the Maasai have massive heart disease but they grow wider vessels to compensate so have lower hart attack incidents. what was a 'annual cardiology check' - stress test, bloods, and carotid scanning? I'm glad you got sorted.
As a preventive measure and as someone with strong familial cardiac arterial disease, I do a preventive test every 5 years. Agree there is poor correlation between stress tests and predicted CHD, but I find that a CT angiograph is useful.
I had today. My score was 59. My blood pressure has dropped way low, I have lost over 50lbs and for five years running my lipid panel for the last five years have been perfect…should I be bothered? I also had to pay 50 bucks…
I had this test last week and score was 700, I have been researching this constantly and mostly what it has done is stressed me the hell out! I have found that you can have a heart attack with a zero calcium score or you could be fine with a 2000 score????? Very confusing!
Totally disagree. Everyone should get one starting at age 40 especially if you have a family history or a poor bloodwork. Stupid to wait for symptoms or a cardiac event which usually ends up killing people.
Me too. Zero but genetic high cholesterol. Statin made me sick. Taking Berberine/Bitter Melon, garlic n cod liver oil, Mediterranean diet, low carb n sugar. Dancing yoga, walking for exercise.
There is a coronary calcium CT scan which gives you an Agatston score and a coronary CT with contrast. You seem to be placing these two in the same bucket despite the title of the video. Insurance does not typically cover a CT calcium score as it is a screening for patients who are not having symptoms but want to know if they have any coronary calcification. The coronary CT with contrast is used for symptomatic patients to find blockages.
😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮 I think you are the ONLY doctor who I've ever come across who doesn't recommend it. I definitely plan on getting a calcium scoring test. It's so cheap it and feel it's well worth it. I've seen plenty of people in the comments sections on other videos claim it saved their lives. I would NEVER take a statin. My mom took one for 40 years and I'm convinced it caused or at least contributed to her Alzheimers!!😢😢😢😢😢
It’s a tool. I chose to get it done. I did all the bloodwork, everything on my own. I know the facts about it but there’s major heart disease in my family and I need to know. I research everything, am 65 and *chose to be on rosuvastatin for years after my cholesterol climbed to 350. My dad and both grandparents died of heart attacks at age 49-50. I’m going to do all I can no matter what anyone else thinks or says. Don’t belittle and scare people into sitting back and doing nothing. We need to advocate for ourselves. ‘Nuff said.
I had a CAC after high small dense particles resulted from an ion mobility/fractionation blood test. I felt like my score of 2 (I am 59) gave me peace of mind in terms of arterial blockage concerns. I have followed a low carb, moderate to high protein diet that includes plenty of healthy fats. Exercise includes moderate to intense hiking, resistance and strength training. I’m glad I had my CAC.
So when do we, as humans, draw the line with medical procedures, realizing we're mortal beings and that something could be brewing inside of us that could suddenly throw us into the afterlife without any notice?
Are these also called CAC? I had on done at age 63 because I have been eating good beef like a carnivore and adding 48 pastured eggs to that each week. Cost like $100--took 3-mnutes. Score was a perfect zero.
So a statin could cause calcium to build up in my circulatory system by removing K2? That would be bad because I am on calcium citrate twice a day for Hypocalcemia related to parathyroid surgery 20 years ago.
If someone gets a CAC Score of ZERO, it just means the heart and surround arteries are clear of plaque. BUT what about the rest of the body, head, arms, legs, etc? What's the test for this?
The heart surgeon I listened to says plaque in on region of the arteries means also plaque in other regions, its not local but generalized. If the cac test turns out be bad, you should also have a soft plaque test. You cannot see this on a CAC-test, on a CAC test you can only see old calcified plaque. Bur whats happening now, the formation of soft plaque and at which rate is important.
You can get a special ultra sound test called a CIMT and it will give you a good idea on the rest of the story. Not a doppler ultrasound of the flow but one that looks at the layers of the carotid artery.
A widowmaker, or proximal LAD lesion is a sign, not a symptom. And scans do not prevent rupture. I think the radiation causes rupture. But the key to preventing plaque rupture is preventing ox stress/inflammation. And that is our method.
No calcium present, that is good. But you may still have undetected soft plaques which are the dangerous ones. If you are young, it should be zero. But if you are a senior like me, the zero score would be fabulous! Consult with a cardiologist, or two.
(Asking for a friend) Is there a pathological level for high LDL when HDL/triglyceride ratio is good and diet/lifestyle is also very good? Just very low-estrogen. 64yrs.F
@user-ks7gs8rp6z Hi I'm talking off the chart high.( so they said) I've been keto/carnivore for 20 yrs. This was a post-menopausal friend who told me. Dr. lying probably.
I rather have the hospital charge me stress tests and so on...than a triple bypass maybe that's what you're shooting for. I paid $95 a few years ago and was very pleased to get a score of: 0 .....If you are over 40, just get it done for peace of mind. Just read the comments of how many people were shocked/surprised and made drastic changes!
My cardiac surgeon told me a stress test is useless if you have several similarly occluded vessels. Apparently the stress test will come back normal even if you have 60-70% blockages because there's similar ischemic returns across the entire heart.
Rtroyer8679; maybe like alcohol or something similar, one isn't so bad but heavy consumption (5 days a week, several exposures Per day 50 weeks per yr ?) or exposure will probably have negative effect. I too wondered the same. " if save why are they hiding?"
Some how we must get this extra X-Rays stopped.I had 2 of the big cardio tests done,2 years in a row.Then request for stent which I turned down.Next Dr reviewed tests and said stent was not necessary and not to get one. These Dr.s don't know how much raydation you have had.I suspect some of this income related.
Way off base here. The test can be extremely valuable, but it requires post test knowledge and evaluation. Your problem should be with the rip-offs happening, not the test. Mine was clean in spite of concerning symptoms, sending me down the proper road to cure.
Dr Phillip Ovadia a metabolic cardiac surgeon has found CAC scores useful as a cheap screening tool to monitor progression of heart disease. If it's increasing over time it indicates progression of heart disease. Then a CT angiogram will need to be done even if asymptomatic. He has had patients with high CAC scores, like 1000, who exercise alot and have no symptoms . Their CAC remains stable over time then their heart disease has not gotten worse. I think he doesn't do a CT angiogram for them if patient isn't worried, no symptoms and there aren't other reasons to do one. But a patient could have a CAC score of 100, that over time increases to 500. That patient has a higher risk of a heart attack in his experience. So a CT angiogram would be next step.
Had this test and found dialated arteries that need to be monitored (due to high blood pressure, that is being and has been treated). This is a cheap, quick test that can pick up on conditions that can go undetected until you have a material health event. My condition would have possibly killed me if left unchecked. The $125 was worth every penny.
@dr.jackwolfson6906 I went to see a cardiologist and completed additional testing. I also learned about (finally absorbed) the seriousness of keeping my blood pressure routinely monitored and under control, and the cardiologist changed my meds a little too. Last, the cardiologist also made sure I understood that I need to seek care for follow-up scans every 3 years going forward (at least that's the plan for now).
It seems as though a calcium CT scan is a direct measurement of arterial wall thickness. Given radiation, etc. it probably shouldn’t be routinely prescribed, but I think it is more beneficial than a lot of things out there.
Why would you wait for symptoms? My Dad died from his one and only heart attack. My coworker's husband got one done and found out he had a very serious birth defect that usually kills people without warning. The scan is pretty cheap and if it's something you can use to get ahead of a heart attack, why not do it?
Is it really that big a deal to get a scan done to give somebody a piece of mind to have a visual of your arteries in the doctors not paying for it? What difference does it make to him? If the patient wants to do it let them do it
if the number comes back high, it can also cause great stress in someone. I know at age 70, mine came back at 420 with 380 in the LAD. A year ago, I had nuclear stress test and echo done. No ischemia. Probably should repeat the CAC now that 3 years have passed. I eat low carb, walk 3-4 miles a day. I'm a diabetic (LADA) so of course all the docs want me on a statin, something I've never taken or intend to
@@SimulatedGoat I'm not saying they have ct scan , I'm asking how close is the scan at airport to a ct scan. There is some radiation from airport scanners.
@@Detailingcrazy What I have heard us that the radiation from airport scanners increases with time, meaning they should be constantly replaced. Whether they are or not I have no idea.
All my blood and stress tests were good, no symptoms. I had to ask for one and it cost $100 and I have 390, got it last week. A game changer, I thought my heart was in great shape.
The increase in calcium that occurs with statin therapy may actually be associated with improved outcomes...Statins shrink plaques and change their composition, increasing the amount of calcium and fibrotic cells and decreasing the amount of lipid deposits. This process turns "soft" plaques that are prone to rupture into more stable "hard" plaques...this is what my brother's concierge doctor told him when he Rx'd a statin. I've been generally opposed to statins ...BUT: IF statins do stabilize plaque preventing rupture, wouldn't that be a good thing?
@@MarkHolmes I know the risks and side effects...against my better judgement I took Lipitor for 5 years and that was 20 years ago...the lowest dose did bring my total cholesterol, 280, down to 160 but the side effects were not worth it...when I went off I started eating more fat which is satiating vs following a low fat direct which had been encouraged. Profit is behind promoting statins imo..however when I heard this new info about them hardening plaque and preventing it breaking off and causing a stroke, I was curious b/c it came from my bother's doctor who is a concierge doctor whom I thought might be more reliable (less profit driven b/c he's getting extra money every year from his patients). Is there any truth to the claim that statins reduce the risk of stroke?
I'm booked to get PHOTON COUNTING CT SCAN. im so stressed about the exposure. I'm 48, have high cholesterol levels, I've started taking lifestyle changes, over 3 months my level have marginally dropped, but my good cholesterol HDL is also low.. my father had to have a Stent at 48, so family history. I'm thinking should i avoid the scan and see I'm 3 months off my levels improve again?
@@Corkfish1stations will mess you up AVOID at all costs! I've have read way too many comments on people that got their life back after dropping stations.
With as much respect as I can produce I must say what you are putting out is dangerous for some people. My resulting score on the Calcium Scan was 6,518 (composite). One major artery was 100% occluded, one was 90%, and a third was 80%. I was facing a near-term, highly probable, fatal event. Let's say I bought into your approach; how long might it take to reverse my disease? Maybe 1 year? two? ten? I didn't have that kind of time; I would be dead. So sorry; in my case, conventional cardiology saved my life. Please feel free to publish your data on the lives where you reverse disease to the extent I have it and the patients lived vs those that did not.
Exactly. For an otherwise reasonably healthy individual what is the point of getting a scan when the most likely (good) advice is going to be that you should be doing what your should have been doing all the while in any case, i.e., exercise, HIIT, intermittent fasting, stopping added sugars, lowering carbs etc. (In short, improving metabolic health). To my mind, the advice for 'everyone' to get a scan is rather akin to the advice to get genetic tests done to assess the risk of heart disease or dementia....when, apart from the metabolic health advice just outlined, there's absolutely nothing practical you can actually do with this knowledge.
I had a Cardio CT scan, and the results were about as bad as possible -- OVER 75% blockage. Still, dr didn't want to put in stints or do anything, so what was the point? I'm glad I don't have stints, but now the test does seem like a waste.
An ordinary Cardiac CT scan (aka CAC scan) doesn't report percentage blockage. You must have had a Coronary CT Angiogram, which usually includes a CAC scan prior to the injecting the contrast agent. Just curious, did they give you a total score for your CAC? FWIW: If I were in that position I'd see 2 possible benefits. One is that if I were to feel any kind of chest pain the future I'd probably be less likely to blow it off. Another is that I'd be more motivated to maintain healthy lifestyle.
Where I come from the Stress Test has typically been the 1st test of choice recommended by GPs at +A$600 Vs the Ct Scan at A$150. It has been well documented in social media that after a couple of decades of medical industry resistance to CT heart scans has increasingly relented with the upsell benefits now recognised and popularity increasing on this basis. My observations are that the science shows benefit in both but the CT Scan from an economic basis is a no brainer as a good starting point. I think you don’t understand the science or the benefits of both, especially the cost benefits 🤷♂️.
I was really relieved when I had my CAC score of 167 at 66. I had just found out that my LPa was 468 nmolar and had quit my statin of 4 years for side effects. I had also been taking a calcium supplement for 50 years so I was expecting a really high number. If there is some xrays I want to skip its at the dentist where they are making them mandatory. I rather know this score than know my LDL which is not correlated to plaque. Insurance won''t pay for the CAC but it was just $150. My dr never recommended a CT angiogram just recommended Leqvio which I turned down. I would rather have another CAC in a couple of years and see where I stand. Dr will only order the CT angiogram once I have chest pains . I eat low carb since the beginning of this year so we will see if there is any improvements to come. I need motivation to keep doing this and now my high LDL off statins is making my dr pressure me to go on drugs that do me harm. Our medical system is failing people.
I think this test is best for young people. If you are seeing a significant CAC score, you have had a serious level of blood glucose spike and inflammation, therefore soft plaque buildup for decades.
This Gentleman is totally right indeed. I am a 70 year old triathlete who regularly works out; outside in Southwest Florida sun & heat. I average 20-25 miles running each week, do strength training and cycling plus swimming. I went to the Dr. for a yearly check up and my blood pressure was elevated, the Dr. Recommended a Coronary CT Scan & statins. I took the CT scan and it came up 400 level. They wanted a stress test and NCH Naples didn't administer it correctly. I changed my diet and continued working out. Did not take the statins. My blood pressure is great and I have no symptoms @ all. I'm 143 lbs. & 5'9" tall, My BRI is 2.2,8.9% body fat, Body Mass Index 20.5, Waist to height ratio 43, 130.2 of my current 143lbs. is lean body mass. The host of this Podcast is right! Do it naturally! Robert A. Young, Naples, Florida.
What a load of BS. Absolutely untrue that doctors and hospitals are prescribing CAC scans like they do statins. I had to beg my Dr to get a CAC scan and I’m glad I did. The fact that your webpage has all your supplements front and center behind your staff is all I need to see to make me highly suspicious. Stumbled upon this video and very happily will forget I ever did.
I was suggested getting a CT scan because I have very high cholesterol, LDL especially. Would it make sense to get one to know if getting on a statin might be a the right decision.
Get the CAC but whatever you do don’t take a Statin. If you have some plaque, look up the Linus Pauling heart therapy. I take 15 grams of Vitamin C and 5 grams of LLysine, and my CAC score is going down
It's a matter of preference. As medical technology has advanced significantly over the past 30 years, the rate of increase in human longevity has slowed due to most recent advancements focusing on treating diseases rather than addressing the fundamental biological processes of aging. I have a history of cardiovascular disease on both sides of my family -- my mother's side and my father's side. Most family members under the age of 54 have had triple bypasses, stents, or MIs. Lifestyle is overshadowed by genetics. Do what makes you comfortable and knowing that you were well educated and did everything you could to live a longer healthier life, if that's what you want. Knowing your life is in danger because you ignored doctors' recommendations isn't a risk I would be willing to take.
I wanted one. They tried found blockage in the LAD prescribed Plavix and I have an appointment with the cardiologist on Friday. This was elective for me, I started keto a year ago. But my Apob was high. My LDL’s gone up. A bit freaked. Even though they put me in the CT scanner with an iodine injection they say they couldn’t do a CAC.
Never Again!!! I had two. The second one the tech said I had to see a doctor immediately and if I didn't I probably wouldn't hear the sirens on the ambulance coming for me. I walked out the door and will never go back. That was about 12 years ago...
An echocardiogram uses ultrasound to produce images of the heart. These images can be used to calculate the size of the heart’s chambers, the structure of the heart valves, how strongly the heart is beating (e.g. left ventricular ejection fraction), abnormal,communication between heart chambers (e.g. PFO) and estimate pressures in blood vessels such as the pulmonary artery. It is painless and uses sound waves to create the images. There is no radiation exposure. The test takes about 30 minutes to perform.
Have done 2 scans in the last 10 years - now 70 years old. The scores of zero have allowed the doctor to take me off of statins for slightly elevated cholesterol. We think something else will eventually take me out.
Not only the score matters, but also the changes are even more significant. It doesn't detect soft plaque, but the test matters. Get a baseline score a followup years later.
@@louisevad6091 carotid plaque doesn't have strong correlation with coronary plaque ie you can have one but not the other... Both together is a rare finding
I don't know the answer to your question, but I'm curious how you found out you had severe calcification of your abdominal aorta (AA). I had an abdominal CT scan a few years ago. The report did not mention AA calcification, but I requested and got the data set images on CD. When I looked at them on my own, it was obvious that I had a huge ring of calcium in my AA. I'm puzzled why the radiologist made no mention of it. Maybe it has to be really bad before it gets mentioned? IDK.
I watched another video that said a stress test only will show if you have a blockage 50 to 70%, everybody tells you something different you don’t know what to believe
CT score is more of a CV health history, as it only tell you amount of calcium not soft plaque, which is the most dangerous, when they break off, blood clot is formed leading to stroke or heart attack. However, it is a very powerful clarion call to make life changing diet/exercise/drugs intervention.
I had one yesterday and i regret it because of the radiation. Is there anything I can do now. I’m actually in a lot of anxiety about what I have done to my dna
The radiation you obtained is the exact same exposure you obtain from the sun, even if you stay inside. Radiation exposure from Ca scoring is minimal, being approximately 2-3 weeks of natural background radiation. Like anything it poses a risk, but as long as you are not pregnant you don't have to worry. To put this into perspective, if you fly from London to LA 3 round trips a year, it's the same radiation (both dose and type of radiation) but yet most people are worried about a plane crash :) unfortunately you can't do anything about radiation dose post exposure, so just don't stress
@hairbyjennifer2820 What could you do, really? Phone the laboratory/ hospital and ask them for the 'DLP' value performed during your CACS. Then convert it into millisievert (mSV) and you will discover that you absorbed less radiation then one year living in this earth. Probably you absorbed a little more than the radiation of a mammography, i.e. 6 weeks of of Equivalent Natural Background Radiation Exposure. Scaring people about radiation without sufficient knowledge is not informative.
This is nonsense. Do yourself a favor and see a "regular" cardiologist who is ethically bound to prescribe imaging, drugs, and other interventions shown to decrease mortality rates. This guy is "worried about the radiation"? Heart disease is the number one cause of death!
Only if you want dementia and your CAC score to increase. Most recent study on statins released five months ago concluded more than 40% of those taking statins did not need them.
Where did you get your medical degree at Trump University? I had a CT calcium scan done four months ago and I scored 500. I had a heart cath done and it showed I had two blockages at 70% and one at 50% blockage. They couldn’t put a stain in because the 70% was at the left atrium. I just got done with triple bypass surgery. I think you’re giving a lot of bad information out for people. I had no symptoms, but I did preventative care and found this out. That’s why so many people die of heart attacks in this country. I hope a lot of people don’t follow your advice. But if they believe in all that natural stuff, then I guess it just called thinning of the herd.
LDCT are used to scan for various things…lung ca… calcified coronary arteries don’t mean anything. Your symptoms are the best predictor of a problem. I haven’t seen one positive nuclear stress test in any asymptomatic severely calcified coronary arteries.
This is commonsense advice. I am due to my cardiologist tomorrow but I had already decided not to go for the scan. Thank you for confirming me in my decision. I am just going to assume that I have everything and I am going to make lifestyle and diet changes. I am afraid that even the 'small' amount of radiation is going to only push my heart a little further down the disease route. So, why not take it into my own hands and start to try and REVERSE it? 'Let food be thy medicine'.
Interesting. I just got score. I see your point. At 62 years old being overweight I know I have a positive score. I should be changing my lifestyle since I already know I am sick. BTW my score was 75. Not great but it gave me a good kick in the pants to change my diet and work out almost everyday.
There was a famous Journalist on TV every week. He has a standard stress test. His Doctor cleared him based on the results of his stress test. He died of a massive heart attack the next day week. Don’t let some guy on UA-cam discourage you from getting this test.
Yes there is risk no doubt on that ..but the universal truth of life is Risk to Benefit ... Every benefit has somw risk and vice versa.. It does have radiation exposure but to check the arteries and calcium scoring .. i think the benefits oitweights the risk
Sounds like going with you will lead to other expensive “holistic” treatments…kinda what you’re accusing traditional medicine of doing. I’ve had a ct scan done and it didn’t lead to other treatments, but it was good to know if I was at risk of heart disease.
@@NaturalHeartDoctor thank you very much i stay away from red meat ,i eat tuna fish ,anchovies ,salmon ,virgin olive oil ,flack seed ,and berries ,i will splurge with aged white cheese grass fed
This calcium scan is all over the place. My doctor is pressuring me to get a calcium scan. It’s in the news. UA-cam channels regarding health are talking about it. I had gone into my health provider’s portal to download some old blood work. Wouldn’t you know, each and every single document had a title page reminding me get a Calcium Scan with date that is basically saying I’m overdue. Does this not sound like a campaign to anyone? We pay 100% of this scan. Right? If this is so important, why isn’t the insurance paying? What about slices and angles? Do they know which way to scan to get a likely higher or lower number? What if you get a higher score the next time (100% paid by you again of course because by now you are scared and/or hooked) and the number went up only because the scan angle was slightly different? What is the dose of radiation and what is the recommended dose for YOU? Does anyone ask if you had dental scans first? -do they care? Radiation in small doses does add up. If you have something like Hashimoto’s, you need to avoid radiation. In my current situation, I just had dental x-rays done. I am so sure that if I did bring it up, it will be fluffed off and the tech would proceed. So here we are rushing to get our scans and then we compare scores. We pay for this out of our own pocket and once done, will no doubt want another as soon as we can to compare scores. Let’s see if it goes up or down. What is it showing, the past or the present dangers? Isn’t calcium secure enough compared to the real danger of the sticky soft plaque? Why can’t we scan for that stuff? The worst of all of this is that diet and nutrition are always last on the list. What if there IS a way to repair or remove plaque and THAT is what should be discussed instead of calcium scores, of old damage that our bodies have fairly secured especially compared to the more dangerous soft plaque. I don’t know. I’m not a doctor but am old enough to know to question when you see, feel, hear a campaign.
I just had that done at my new Functional Doc's office! I'm still waiting for results. So... if we do this, is there any need for the calcium scan of the heart? @@jerseytony1
CT scan saved my life. 3 years ago I Had normal cholesterol levels, doc said a waste of my money…738 score!!!!!!! I immediately changed my lifestyle and diet. Lost 40lbs, improved all blood markers. Had I not gotten the scan, I would probably be dean now.
Unfortunately it took you getting radiated to get motivated. We motivate people with abnormal lab results instead. We look for markers of inflammation, oxidative stress, homocysteine, Lp(a), intracellular vitamins/minerals, glutathione, fatty acids, BPA, pesticides, gut permeability, mold mycotoxins etc. That tells us risk AND what to do about it. I would look at your test results and tell you that you likely have CAD. Didn't need to get radiated to tell you that you are at risk of CAD and....cancer, brain disease etc. But congrats on your weight loss.
@@TheDrsWolfson, you talk trash
I agree with you 100%
Mine was 738 as well. Increased my station dosage. I have a new cardiologist, he is the bomb. Back in the gym as well.
Dean of what?
I am a physician. The cardiac CT scan to detect coronary artery calcification is a very useful test. It provides actionable information.
thanks for posting. I think the Calcium score, CMIT, & CT Angiogram the all great non-invasive (or minimally invasive w/ dye only) procedures to figure out what's going on. I DON'T believe in stress tests. I've seen an uncountable number of patients who had negative stress tests and then needed emergent Cabg procedures within weeks/months or even days of the negative stress tests. Perhaps they're useful and I'm only seeing the exceptions at the hospital but there are so, so many of these cases that I'm not interested. It's like getting false reassurance that there is not a bomb ready to off inside your chest so you walk around like a smiling idiot until it explodes. And if you make it to the hospital in time and have only minimal heart muscle damage, you're exceedingly lucky.
There is so much wrong with this video. The test actually helped to save my life. People should follow the advice of a trusted doctor who has their medical records and have a history treating them. Not someone on the internet who has doesn't know their medical, or family history.
Whoop dee doo. You’re a physician. American physicians have very little training in nutrition as it’s not stressed in American med schools. My nephew is a doctor and he confirms this to be true. American physicians write 20,000,000 prescriptions per year for antibiotics for people with viral infections when antibiotics don’t work for viral infections! Americans rank #55 in average lifespans even though we spend more on ‘healthcare’ than any other nation on Earth! American doctors aren’t doing such a good job of keeping U.S. healthy!
I have followed a carnivore heavy ketogenic diet for 6 years. My TC is 330, LDL 252, TG 85. My PCP wanted to start a statin. I have looked at the research which shows minuscule risk reduction for all cause cardiovascular mortality. My cardiologist ordered a CAC scan. My CAC score is zero. I don’t have a lot of faith in lipid panels and only start statins when the patient has significant risks, eg, alcoholism, and T2DM. The biggest risk factors for cardiovascular disease are lifestyle. The ADA and current food pyramid guidelines set patients up for obesity and metabolic dysfunction. It’s really sad to see so many people struggling with their health due to poor research, observational studies coupled with opinions that have persisted since the 1950s. The fat hypothesis has never been proven to date. It’s disgusting how profit reigns supreme over common sense and actually caring about the health and wellbeing of our patients.
@ Three recent studies show that low carb diets keto and carnivore lead to premature death: ua-cam.com/video/gzeP1obBe30/v-deo.htmlsi=rrzR2HzuTXQuEU5n
My bloodwork was good, I was exercising and cycling. I had no symptoms. My doctor advised a CT scan because of heredity issues. My score was 5700! It saved my life! What are you talking about?
Glad it helped you!
lol bruh “glad it helped you” 🤡🤡🤡🤡
I agree with you 💯 CAC is essential to know earlier than later on.
@@ElsaAndAnnie NO it does NOT measure the deadly soft plaque Statins increase cac
5700??? I did not know that know it could be so high. I thought the general measure was no higher than 500.
My calcium score was 1750, so my cardiologist ordered the NC stress test, which showed no blockage. It makes me wonder if there is anyone who knows anything.
Dr William Davis(Cardiologist) does.
my calcium score was 800. I asked for an angiogram. I had a complete blockage of the left ventricle which is the most important artery. If I followed this guy’s advice I might b dead. At that calcium score level you probably have a blockage without symptoms. Get a new cardiologist and get an angiogram.
A stress test doesn’t show blockages.
You are lucky but a stress test is not absolute. Get an angiogram immediately. At 1750; you have a severe blockage and it could be in the lft ventricle. There is no no symptoms in many people.
@@chicagomikeGreat advice Mike.
I'm a CT radiographer and perform these scans and they're personally incredible. They are relatively cheap ($150-200 in 🇦🇺) and non invasive (no cannulation and injection of iodine contrast), and pose minimal radiation as most sites perform sequential scans or fast scans (where you take a "slice" or xray through the heart every 3-5mm) meaning it's one of the lowest dose scans you can get, roughly about 2 weeks background radiation you obtain from the sun (the exact same type of radiation too!). The scoring system can be incredibly useful but not only that, it can locate where Ca build up has occurred. For example, a scoring of 100-200 in the LM (Left main) artery can be a massive issue compared to a Ca score in the thousands where calcium build up is scattered throughout the heart, like your kitchen sink having one big blocked pipe rather than all the small pipes being partially or minimally full of debris. Finally, CALCIUM build up is mostly due to family history of heart disease. Smoking, drinking and malnutrition impose minimal effects on Coronary heart disease when compared to family history or other underlying conditions. Hope this may be informative to someone reading :), however the Cardiologist in this video does raise some points and is more qualified than me, I just thought this perspective would be interesting
Also, if you get a Coronary angiogram (CTCA), all radiology sites should be performing a supplementary Coronary calcium score too.
Sorry, but you are killing people.
Good to hear the other side.
@@NaturalHeartDoctorActually you are.
@@NaturalHeartDoctor People will have rare CT scans for back problems, etc. You should watch the Widowmaker movie and you'll see that the CAC is so much safer than the alternative. Why would you ever suggest an angiogram where they could accidentally hurt you when you could just do a scan. Do you tell women to not do mammograms and dental patients not to do X-rays?
My brother had a Cardiac Calcium Scan. Scored 400. Was prescribed a Stress Test and in the middle of the test they stopped and sent him to the ER. He had immediate stents put in, he had a 90% bloackage. Literally saved his life!!
I would say that what saved your brother's life is HIM paying attention to whatever indications led him to the CAC - and following through to begin with. Glad he's ok.
@FunBunny-v2d we have a family history of heart disease and he was a little overweight so he got the scan, paid for it himself $99. He saw a cardiologist as a result of his score and they gave him a stress test and quickly stopped the test and sent him the the ER. He had an emergency catheterization procedure and a stent put in. He had a 90% blockage.
I'm 74. 3 1/2 yrs ago had CAC - 420. 380 in the LAD. Had nuclear stress test done a year ago - no ischemia. Walk 4-7 miles daily. Don' take statins - eat low carb. Still feeling fine. I suspect that calcified plaque has been there a very long time and is not causing an issue (till it does). We all gotta go at some point
@@FunBunny-v2d My point exactly.
@@MarkHolmesyou can reverse it
To all the people saying that CT scan saved your life. Maybe it did, because otherwise you would have been unaware.
But we know now that it is the soft plaque rather than the stable Ca deposits, that are the danger. Like this doctor has advised, I am going to assume that I have blockage - a little or a lot. What am I going to do? Back pedal right now and get off sugar, carbs, processed food, seed oils.
You sound like my cardiologist 😁.
100% agree
Some people suffer from medical anxiety and feel the need to have information so they are in control. "Assuming" you have blocked arteries is a good practice if you know the steps to stop them from getting worse and/or the procedures available for unblocking them. Lifestyle changes are easier when you feel like you are in control and know what is driving those changes.
This!
Assume you have a 90% blockage. You're going to diet and exercise your way around that? Good luck, hope you don't drop dead because you wanted to save 100 bucks. Dumb move.
Does blood pressure predict blockage?
Careful, folks. Not having symptoms is zero predictor of whether you have serious coronary artery problems.
I’m a 74 yo male. 11 years ago, went in for an annual cardiology checkup. No symptoms, everything looked normal. I asked the doc, “is there any other non-invasive test that would give me information about my heart?”. He told me about the calcium test. I had it done, and it came back 750. He was shocked. He then ordered a stress test, which I failed. Again, no symptoms during the test. They did an angiogram and found my LAD was 95% blocked, so a stent was inserted. He said that due to my fitness routine (mostly biking), my heart had developed alternate vessels around the blockage, which is probably why I had no symptoms. Had it not been for the test, I most likely would have had a heart attack at some point.
Your heart developed alternate vessels around the blockage; a natural bypass. Which I think means that the cells around that area was getting adequate blood. So why was a stent necessary? (I'm confused)
Does failed stress means -'Failing a stress test means you cannot reach or sustain the target heart rate during the exercise portion of the test.' In may 2024 I had the echo stress test: Target HR was 127, my max was 137, so mine was 'normal/pass' ?. I had the CCTA last May 2023 and Agatston score was 402. My HR peaks in the past two weeks were 145 and 147 while cycling up hills (no issues).
@@Maishad007Research Nattokinase, Lumbrokinase, Serrapeptase.
the Maasai have massive heart disease but they grow wider vessels to compensate so have lower hart attack incidents. what was a 'annual cardiology check' - stress test, bloods, and carotid scanning? I'm glad you got sorted.
@@Maishad007 exactly. your body was taking care of itself. prolly no need for that stent.
As a preventive measure and as someone with strong familial cardiac arterial disease, I do a preventive test every 5 years. Agree there is poor correlation between stress tests and predicted CHD, but I find that a CT angiograph is useful.
I had today. My score was 59. My blood pressure has dropped way low, I have lost over 50lbs and for five years running my lipid panel for the last five years have been perfect…should I be bothered? I also had to pay 50 bucks…
Give us a call: 480-535-6844
@@NaturalHeartDoctor Yes, give him a call so that HE can get your money (and the his REAL motivation emerges....).
How did the results change your plan.
I had this test last week and score was 700, I have been researching this constantly and mostly what it has done is stressed me the hell out! I have found that you can have a heart attack with a zero calcium score or you could be fine with a 2000 score????? Very confusing!
Totally disagree. Everyone should get one starting at age 40 especially if you have a family history or a poor bloodwork. Stupid to wait for symptoms or a cardiac event which usually ends up killing people.
Your life
Had one done for 71 dollars. Zero score. Best money spent. SAN Jose California
Well since that went so well maybe you should go take a nice luxurious hike around Chernobyl.
Me too. Zero but genetic high cholesterol. Statin made me sick. Taking Berberine/Bitter Melon, garlic n cod liver oil, Mediterranean diet, low carb n sugar. Dancing yoga, walking for exercise.
@@boblatkey7160
Am from Chornobyl and I don’t want him there adding to our radiation!
@@boblatkey7160 Bingo!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There is a coronary calcium CT scan which gives you an Agatston score and a coronary CT with contrast. You seem to be placing these two in the same bucket despite the title of the video. Insurance does not typically cover a CT calcium score as it is a screening for patients who are not having symptoms but want to know if they have any coronary calcification. The coronary CT with contrast is used for symptomatic patients to find blockages.
😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮 I think you are the ONLY doctor who I've ever come across who doesn't recommend it. I definitely plan on getting a calcium scoring test. It's so cheap it and feel it's well worth it. I've seen plenty of people in the comments sections on other videos claim it saved their lives. I would NEVER take a statin. My mom took one for 40 years and I'm convinced it caused or at least contributed to her Alzheimers!!😢😢😢😢😢
Statin drugs destroyed my elderly mothers quality life due to the dementia like side effects.
If you get a test, how will it change your plan? You are not going to take statins. And I agree. So if you score is 40 or 400, what will change?
How can I find a doctor like you in the Boston area?
We are virtual Mark!
It’s a tool. I chose to get it done. I did all the bloodwork, everything on my own. I know the facts about it but there’s major heart disease in my family and I need to know. I research everything, am 65 and *chose to be on rosuvastatin for years after my cholesterol climbed to 350. My dad and both grandparents died of heart attacks at age 49-50. I’m going to do all I can no matter what anyone else thinks or says. Don’t belittle and scare people into sitting back and doing nothing. We need to advocate for ourselves. ‘Nuff said.
I had a CAC after high small dense particles resulted from an ion mobility/fractionation blood test. I felt like my score of 2 (I am 59) gave me peace of mind in terms of arterial blockage concerns. I have followed a low carb, moderate to high protein diet that includes plenty of healthy fats. Exercise includes moderate to intense hiking, resistance and strength training. I’m glad I had my CAC.
So when do we, as humans, draw the line with medical procedures, realizing we're mortal beings and that something could be brewing inside of us that could suddenly throw us into the afterlife without any notice?
Thanks for a very interesting video. What about ultrasound is that usefull for checking the blood vessels for plaque?
Are these also called CAC? I had on done at age 63 because I have been eating good beef like a carnivore and adding 48 pastured eggs to that each week. Cost like $100--took 3-mnutes. Score was a perfect zero.
How is the best way to word it in refusal so that a doctor will take your refusal seriously and not keep pushing for it?
What about a cimt? Better?😮
So a statin could cause calcium to build up in my circulatory system by removing K2? That would be bad because I am on calcium citrate twice a day for Hypocalcemia related to parathyroid surgery 20 years ago.
If someone gets a CAC Score of ZERO, it just means the heart and surround arteries are clear of plaque. BUT what about the rest of the body, head, arms, legs, etc? What's the test for this?
Give us a call: 480-535-6844
ZERO CAC does NOT show the deadly soft plaque.. It is beyond useless and dangerous like this Great honest DR says
Echocardiogram looks at the heart and if you got insurance it’s usually covered if the doc requests.
The heart surgeon I listened to says plaque in on region of the arteries means also plaque in other regions, its not local but generalized. If the cac test turns out be bad, you should also have a soft plaque test. You cannot see this on a CAC-test, on a CAC test you can only see old calcified plaque. Bur whats happening now, the formation of soft plaque and at which rate is important.
You can get a special ultra sound test called a CIMT and it will give you a good idea on the rest of the story. Not a doppler ultrasound of the flow but one that looks at the layers of the carotid artery.
What if your symptom is a widow maker and you die? How does that fit into your program?
A widowmaker, or proximal LAD lesion is a sign, not a symptom. And scans do not prevent rupture. I think the radiation causes rupture. But the key to preventing plaque rupture is preventing ox stress/inflammation. And that is our method.
And what if the calcium score is zero?
It means no calcium. You are lucky.
No calcium present, that is good. But you may still have undetected soft plaques which are the dangerous ones.
If you are young, it should be zero. But if you are a senior like me, the zero score would be fabulous! Consult with a cardiologist, or two.
Dr Wolfson , thank you very much for these great informative videos!
So wait for symptoms? What if it's the big one and too late?
Give us a call: 480-535-6844 we can help find a treatment plan for you NATURALLY
First symptom in many, is death. 33% find out this way.
@@NaturalHeartDoctoryou are nuts.
🤣🤣🤣. I have an excellent cardiologist and he thinks this guy is nuts
(Asking for a friend) Is there a pathological level for high LDL when HDL/triglyceride ratio is good and diet/lifestyle is also very good? Just very low-estrogen. 64yrs.F
Don’t even be concerned about cholesterol levels. In fact I prefer to have high LDL, it is a sign of good health and a strong immune system
How high is ok for ldl@@SteakmanTexas
@user-ks7gs8rp6z Hi I'm talking off the chart high.( so they said) I've been keto/carnivore for 20 yrs. This was a post-menopausal friend who told me. Dr. lying probably.
@ 365
I rather have the hospital charge me stress tests and so on...than a triple bypass maybe that's what you're shooting for. I paid $95 a few years ago and was very pleased to get a score of: 0 .....If you are over 40, just get it done for peace of mind. Just read the comments of how many people were shocked/surprised and made drastic changes!
My cardiac surgeon told me a stress test is useless if you have several similarly occluded vessels. Apparently the stress test will come back normal even if you have 60-70% blockages because there's similar ischemic returns across the entire heart.
who ever is giving you any type of x-ray will tell you it's perfectly safe, then they scamper off to hide behind a lead shield or another room. Safe?
Rtroyer8679; maybe like alcohol or something similar, one isn't so bad but heavy consumption (5 days a week, several exposures Per day 50 weeks per yr ?) or exposure will probably have negative effect.
I too wondered the same. " if save why are they hiding?"
Some how we must get this extra X-Rays stopped.I had 2 of the big cardio tests done,2 years in a row.Then request for stent which I turned down.Next Dr reviewed tests and said stent was not necessary and not to get one.
These Dr.s don't know how much raydation you have had.I suspect some of this income related.
My cardiologist has told me not to have any more CT scans done.
Patients getting radiation treatments are at a very high risk of developing CAD, because radiation damages the arteries.
They hide because of the accumulated dosage.
Way off base here. The test can be extremely valuable, but it requires post test knowledge and evaluation. Your problem should be with the rip-offs happening, not the test. Mine was clean in spite of concerning symptoms, sending me down the proper road to cure.
Dr Phillip Ovadia a metabolic cardiac surgeon has found CAC scores useful as a cheap screening tool to monitor progression of heart disease.
If it's increasing over time it indicates progression of heart disease. Then a CT angiogram will need to be done even if asymptomatic.
He has had patients with high CAC scores, like 1000, who exercise alot and have no symptoms . Their CAC remains stable over time then their heart disease has not gotten worse. I think he doesn't do a CT angiogram for them if patient isn't worried, no symptoms and there aren't other reasons to do one. But a patient could have a CAC score of 100, that over time increases to 500. That patient has a higher risk of a heart attack in his experience. So a CT angiogram would be next step.
Okay, you get a CAC, then what?
Had this test and found dialated arteries that need to be monitored (due to high blood pressure, that is being and has been treated). This is a cheap, quick test that can pick up on conditions that can go undetected until you have a material health event. My condition would have possibly killed me if left unchecked. The $125 was worth every penny.
What did you do based on the results?
@dr.jackwolfson6906 I went to see a cardiologist and completed additional testing. I also learned about (finally absorbed) the seriousness of keeping my blood pressure routinely monitored and under control, and the cardiologist changed my meds a little too. Last, the cardiologist also made sure I understood that I need to seek care for follow-up scans every 3 years going forward (at least that's the plan for now).
It seems as though a calcium CT scan is a direct measurement of arterial wall thickness. Given radiation, etc. it probably shouldn’t be routinely prescribed, but I think it is more beneficial than a lot of things out there.
its the only true indicator so far for heart failure
What do you think of the Cleerly test?
Why would you wait for symptoms? My Dad died from his one and only heart attack. My coworker's husband got one done and found out he had a very serious birth defect that usually kills people without warning. The scan is pretty cheap and if it's something you can use to get ahead of a heart attack, why not do it?
Is it really that big a deal to get a scan done to give somebody a piece of mind to have a visual of your arteries in the doctors not paying for it? What difference does it make to him? If the patient wants to do it let them do it
Your life your choice
if the number comes back high, it can also cause great stress in someone. I know at age 70, mine came back at 420 with 380 in the LAD. A year ago, I had nuclear stress test and echo done. No ischemia. Probably should repeat the CAC now that 3 years have passed. I eat low carb, walk 3-4 miles a day. I'm a diabetic (LADA) so of course all the docs want me on a statin, something I've never taken or intend to
In our area CAC test was not covered by insurance - I think it was $100.
How comparable is the ct scan to scan at airport?
Airports have CT scanners?
@@SimulatedGoat I'm not saying they have ct scan , I'm asking how close is the scan at airport to a ct scan. There is some radiation from airport scanners.
@@Detailingcrazy What I have heard us that the radiation from airport scanners increases with time, meaning they should be constantly replaced. Whether they are or not I have no idea.
@NaturalHeartDoctor Hi Dr. Jack, is CT Coronary Angiography important for chest pains or can I do a Functional cardiac exercise Stress test instead?
Zero or low calcium score in a young person doesn't mean much as plaque hasn't had time to calcify..
Its still there
All my blood and stress tests were good, no symptoms. I had to ask for one and it cost $100 and I have 390, got it last week.
A game changer, I thought my heart was in great shape.
What did you do differently after the scan?
The increase in calcium that occurs with statin therapy may actually be associated with improved outcomes...Statins shrink plaques and change their composition, increasing the amount of calcium and fibrotic cells and decreasing the amount of lipid deposits. This process turns "soft" plaques that are prone to rupture into more stable "hard" plaques...this is what my brother's concierge doctor told him when he Rx'd a statin. I've been generally opposed to statins ...BUT: IF statins do stabilize plaque preventing rupture, wouldn't that be a good thing?
Look up NNT (numbers needed to treat) for statins. Not very impressive, considering the risk of side effects (NNH - number needed to harm)
@@MarkHolmes I know the risks and side effects...against my better judgement I took Lipitor for 5 years and that was 20 years ago...the lowest dose did bring my total cholesterol, 280, down to 160 but the side effects were not worth it...when I went off I started eating more fat which is satiating vs following a low fat direct which had been encouraged. Profit is behind promoting statins imo..however when I heard this new info about them hardening plaque and preventing it breaking off and causing a stroke, I was curious b/c it came from my bother's doctor who is a concierge doctor whom I thought might be more reliable (less profit driven b/c he's getting extra money every year from his patients). Is there any truth to the claim that statins reduce the risk of stroke?
What about cardiac MRI ?
I'm booked to get PHOTON COUNTING CT SCAN. im so stressed about the exposure. I'm 48, have high cholesterol levels, I've started taking lifestyle changes, over 3 months my level have marginally dropped, but my good cholesterol HDL is also low.. my father had to have a Stent at 48, so family history. I'm thinking should i avoid the scan and see I'm 3 months off my levels improve again?
Got it done for $115. My score was 200. Ill check with my primary care physician and go from there.
Get on a Statin. Don't let anyone talk you out of it
@@Corkfish1 GET REAL. THAT IS NOT WHAT YOU WANT.
@@davie2983 Ok Doctor. 😂
@@Corkfish1stations will mess you up AVOID at all costs! I've have read way too many comments on people that got their life back after dropping stations.
With as much respect as I can produce I must say what you are putting out is dangerous for some people. My resulting score on the Calcium Scan was 6,518 (composite). One major artery was 100% occluded, one was 90%, and a third was 80%. I was facing a near-term, highly probable, fatal event. Let's say I bought into your approach; how long might it take to reverse my disease? Maybe 1 year? two? ten? I didn't have that kind of time; I would be dead. So sorry; in my case, conventional cardiology saved my life. Please feel free to publish your data on the lives where you reverse disease to the extent I have it and the patients lived vs those that did not.
Thank you for sharing! Wishing you continued good health.
@@stephanieilluzzi7355 Thank you, and Merry Christmas!
Exactly. For an otherwise reasonably healthy individual what is the point of getting a scan when the most likely (good) advice is going to be that you should be doing what your should have been doing all the while in any case, i.e., exercise, HIIT, intermittent fasting, stopping added sugars, lowering carbs etc. (In short, improving metabolic health). To my mind, the advice for 'everyone' to get a scan is rather akin to the advice to get genetic tests done to assess the risk of heart disease or dementia....when, apart from the metabolic health advice just outlined, there's absolutely nothing practical you can actually do with this knowledge.
I had a Cardio CT scan, and the results were about as bad as possible -- OVER 75% blockage. Still, dr didn't want to put in stints or do anything, so what was the point? I'm glad I don't have stints, but now the test does seem like a waste.
Maybe he took out a life insurance policy on you?
Help yourself by starting to eat better and exercise
An ordinary Cardiac CT scan (aka CAC scan) doesn't report percentage blockage. You must have had a Coronary CT Angiogram, which usually includes a CAC scan prior to the injecting the contrast agent. Just curious, did they give you a total score for your CAC?
FWIW: If I were in that position I'd see 2 possible benefits. One is that if I were to feel any kind of chest pain the future I'd probably be less likely to blow it off. Another is that I'd be more motivated to maintain healthy lifestyle.
Where I come from the Stress Test has typically been the 1st test of choice recommended by GPs at +A$600 Vs the Ct Scan at A$150. It has been well documented in social media that after a couple of decades of medical industry resistance to CT heart scans has increasingly relented with the upsell benefits now recognised and popularity increasing on this basis. My observations are that the science shows benefit in both but the CT Scan from an economic basis is a no brainer as a good starting point. I think you don’t understand the science or the benefits of both, especially the cost benefits 🤷♂️.
peterb8180 Nasty human. Attacking without even checking his results. Happy this is as connected as we will ever be.
I was really relieved when I had my CAC score of 167 at 66. I had just found out that my LPa was 468 nmolar and had quit my statin of 4 years for side effects. I had also been taking a calcium supplement for 50 years so I was expecting a really high number. If there is some xrays I want to skip its at the dentist where they are making them mandatory. I rather know this score than know my LDL which is not correlated to plaque. Insurance won''t pay for the CAC but it was just $150. My dr never recommended a CT angiogram just recommended Leqvio which I turned down. I would rather have another CAC in a couple of years and see where I stand. Dr will only order the CT angiogram once I have chest pains . I eat low carb since the beginning of this year so we will see if there is any improvements to come. I need motivation to keep doing this and now my high LDL off statins is making my dr pressure me to go on drugs that do me harm. Our medical system is failing people.
I think this test is best for young people. If you are seeing a significant CAC score, you have had a serious level of blood glucose spike and inflammation, therefore soft plaque buildup for decades.
Good for all ages
@@NaturalHeartDoctor Sorry but I thought you said these ct scans can lead to problems.
This Gentleman is totally right indeed. I am a 70 year old triathlete who regularly works out; outside in Southwest Florida sun & heat. I average 20-25 miles running each week, do strength training and cycling plus swimming. I went to the Dr. for a yearly check up and my blood pressure was elevated, the Dr. Recommended a Coronary CT Scan & statins. I took the CT scan and it came up 400 level. They wanted a stress test and NCH Naples didn't administer it correctly. I changed my diet and continued working out. Did not take the statins. My blood pressure is great and I have no symptoms @ all. I'm 143 lbs. & 5'9" tall, My BRI is 2.2,8.9% body fat, Body Mass Index 20.5, Waist to height ratio 43, 130.2 of my current 143lbs. is lean body mass. The host of this Podcast is right! Do it naturally! Robert A. Young, Naples, Florida.
What a load of BS. Absolutely untrue that doctors and hospitals are prescribing CAC scans like they do statins. I had to beg my Dr to get a CAC scan and I’m glad I did. The fact that your webpage has all your supplements front and center behind your staff is all I need to see to make me highly suspicious. Stumbled upon this video and very happily will forget I ever did.
I was suggested getting a CT scan because I have very high cholesterol, LDL especially. Would it make sense to get one to know if getting on a statin might be a the right decision.
Get the CAC but whatever you do don’t take a Statin. If you have some plaque, look up the Linus Pauling heart therapy. I take 15 grams of Vitamin C and 5 grams of LLysine, and my CAC score is going down
It's a matter of preference. As medical technology has advanced significantly over the past 30 years, the rate of increase in human longevity has slowed due to most recent advancements focusing on treating diseases rather than addressing the fundamental biological processes of aging. I have a history of cardiovascular disease on both sides of my family -- my mother's side and my father's side. Most family members under the age of 54 have had triple bypasses, stents, or MIs. Lifestyle is overshadowed by genetics. Do what makes you comfortable and knowing that you were well educated and did everything you could to live a longer healthier life, if that's what you want. Knowing your life is in danger because you ignored doctors' recommendations isn't a risk I would be willing to take.
I wanted one. They tried found blockage in the LAD prescribed Plavix and I have an appointment with the cardiologist on Friday. This was elective for me, I started keto a year ago. But my Apob was high. My LDL’s gone up. A bit freaked. Even though they put me in the CT scanner with an iodine injection they say they couldn’t do a CAC.
why couldn't they do a CAC?
Go full carnivore and get on the Linus Pauling heart therapy. I take 15g vitamin C and 5g L-Lysine daily and my score is going down
The CAC score is radiation which is bad and so far as I understand it cannot distinguish between soft and hard plaque which is surely crucial?
Never Again!!! I had two. The second one the tech said I had to see a doctor immediately and if I didn't I probably wouldn't hear the sirens on the ambulance coming for me. I walked out the door and will never go back. That was about 12 years ago...
What about a Echocardiogram? What do you think?
EKG is about the electronics of the heart as I have had one.
An echocardiogram uses ultrasound to produce images of the heart. These images can be used to calculate the size of the heart’s chambers, the structure of the heart valves, how strongly the heart is beating (e.g. left ventricular ejection fraction), abnormal,communication between heart chambers (e.g. PFO) and estimate pressures in blood vessels such as the pulmonary artery. It is painless and uses sound waves to create the images. There is no radiation exposure. The test takes about 30 minutes to perform.
@@mariehart4294I had an echocardiogram and there was no sign of blockages. But my CAC score was high at 360.
Have done 2 scans in the last 10 years - now 70 years old. The scores of zero have allowed the doctor to take me off of statins for slightly elevated cholesterol. We think something else will eventually take me out.
Not only the score matters, but also the changes are even more significant. It doesn't detect soft plaque, but the test matters. Get a baseline score a followup years later.
What about a CIMT
@@louisevad6091 carotid plaque doesn't have strong correlation with coronary plaque ie you can have one but not the other... Both together is a rare finding
Is severe calcification of the abdominal aorta at age 63 bad and can it be reversed?
I don't know the answer to your question, but I'm curious how you found out you had severe calcification of your abdominal aorta (AA).
I had an abdominal CT scan a few years ago. The report did not mention AA calcification, but I requested and got the data set images on CD. When I looked at them on my own, it was obvious that I had a huge ring of calcium in my AA. I'm puzzled why the radiologist made no mention of it. Maybe it has to be really bad before it gets mentioned? IDK.
I watched another video that said a stress test only will show if you have a blockage 50 to 70%, everybody tells you something different you don’t know what to believe
I've just heard of a
Cleerly scan
Would that be better
Then a Cac scan
I've got extremely high ldl.
The Cleerly Scan is a CT Scan that they use AI to analyze. Supposed to be more accurate but still doses you with radiation.
CT score is more of a CV health history, as it only tell you amount of calcium not soft plaque, which is the most dangerous, when they break off, blood clot is formed leading to stroke or heart attack. However, it is a very powerful clarion call to make life changing diet/exercise/drugs intervention.
oreos did 2x better than statins, but if calcium score is to high you are living dangerously regardless of ldl
I had one yesterday and i regret it because of the radiation. Is there anything I can do now. I’m actually in a lot of anxiety about what I have done to my dna
Give us a call: 480-535-6844
The radiation you obtained is the exact same exposure you obtain from the sun, even if you stay inside. Radiation exposure from Ca scoring is minimal, being approximately 2-3 weeks of natural background radiation. Like anything it poses a risk, but as long as you are not pregnant you don't have to worry. To put this into perspective, if you fly from London to LA 3 round trips a year, it's the same radiation (both dose and type of radiation) but yet most people are worried about a plane crash :) unfortunately you can't do anything about radiation dose post exposure, so just don't stress
@@curtiswhite5171 thank you! 🙂
You're young and cute. You will be fine.
@hairbyjennifer2820 What could you do, really? Phone the laboratory/ hospital and ask them for the 'DLP' value performed during your CACS. Then convert it into millisievert (mSV) and you will discover that you absorbed less radiation then one year living in this earth. Probably you absorbed a little more than the radiation of a mammography, i.e. 6 weeks of of Equivalent Natural Background Radiation Exposure. Scaring people about radiation without sufficient knowledge is not informative.
Great advice Doc. I had the coronary artery test done 3 years ago my score 791 I’m not a fan of the radiation either no more C.A.S. For me.
Notice how he does not give you the name of the advanced tests.
This is nonsense. Do yourself a favor and see a "regular" cardiologist who is ethically bound to prescribe imaging, drugs, and other interventions shown to decrease mortality rates. This guy is "worried about the radiation"? Heart disease is the number one cause of death!
How can i get ahold of you?
Give us a call: 480-535-6844
Or
You can schedule your call here: naturalheartdoctor.com/health-coaching-strategy-call/
Bruh… Tim Russert had a stress test and it said he was fine right before he died of a heart attack
I have had stent installed in my heart. The doctor prescribed a statin drug for me to take for the rest of my life. Should i obey him ?
No don’t take the statin. You will get Alzheimer’s or dementia
NO!
@@andriritonga9684 And aspirin too?
Only if you want dementia and your CAC score to increase. Most recent study on statins released five months ago concluded more than 40% of those taking statins did not need them.
Where did you get your medical degree at Trump University? I had a CT calcium scan done four months ago and I scored 500. I had a heart cath done and it showed I had two blockages at 70% and one at 50% blockage. They couldn’t put a stain in because the 70% was at the left atrium. I just got done with triple bypass surgery. I think you’re giving a lot of bad information out for people. I had no symptoms, but I did preventative care and found this out. That’s why so many people die of heart attacks in this country. I hope a lot of people don’t follow your advice. But if they believe in all that natural stuff, then I guess it just called thinning of the herd.
Thanks for sharing your insight! Wishing you good health.
I have had 2 both were 0. My dad is 8700+ due to poor diabetic management.
Your practice generates revenue too or is it free?
All of that is good and that protocol you describe should be done anyway
Great Dr who tells the truth!
Thank you!
he's talking shit. he doesn't even know that that not all CT scans are equal in terms of radiation dosage.
Calcium scores can save lives and early intervention, what literature supports your belief?
I’ve had 2 back to back 0CAC scores at 52 and 57 now 58 years young.
Wow
LDCT are used to scan for various things…lung ca… calcified coronary arteries don’t mean anything. Your symptoms are the best predictor of a problem. I haven’t seen one positive nuclear stress test in any asymptomatic severely calcified coronary arteries.
This is commonsense advice. I am due to my cardiologist tomorrow but I had already decided not to go for the scan. Thank you for confirming me in my decision. I am just going to assume that I have everything and I am going to make lifestyle and diet changes. I am afraid that even the 'small' amount of radiation is going to only push my heart a little further down the disease route. So, why not take it into my own hands and start to try and REVERSE it? 'Let food be thy medicine'.
@@coach2208 Good! Best of health to you!
Thanks 👍
Exactly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You can get a free one through University Hospitals.
Interesting. I just got score. I see your point. At 62 years old being overweight I know I have a positive score. I should be changing my lifestyle since I already know I am sick. BTW my score was 75. Not great but it gave me a good kick in the pants to change my diet and work out almost everyday.
Doctor Nissan the foremost cardiologist says do not do routine testing.
he just wants to dole out statins
There was a famous Journalist on TV every week. He has a standard stress test. His Doctor cleared him based on the results of his stress test. He died of a massive heart attack the next day week. Don’t let some guy on UA-cam discourage you from getting this test.
I'm 73 yo female, I got one. I have quite high HDL, my score is "0".
Yes there is risk no doubt on that ..but the universal truth of life is Risk to Benefit ... Every benefit has somw risk and vice versa.. It does have radiation exposure but to check the arteries and calcium scoring .. i think the benefits oitweights the risk
You might try a cardio vision screening but i am not sure if it is as complete as a cac scan, DO Your RESEARCH
What about pet scan?
Sounds like going with you will lead to other expensive “holistic” treatments…kinda what you’re accusing traditional medicine of doing. I’ve had a ct scan done and it didn’t lead to other treatments, but it was good to know if I was at risk of heart disease.
I'm planning to have a CIMT next month.
Awesome
Y contact us.. u can tell us in video
There’s only so much information we can give here. Medical advice should be given on a 1 on 1 basis
i have a echogram every 5 years ,and it comes out good ,i take magnesium taurate,coq10, beet juice, and omega 3 and k2 vitamins
Nice
@@NaturalHeartDoctor thank you very much i stay away from red meat ,i eat tuna fish ,anchovies ,salmon ,virgin olive oil ,flack seed ,and berries ,i will splurge with aged white cheese grass fed
@@frankcarone6 nothing wrong with red meat on occasion. The most nutrient dense food you can eat. Just make it grass fed/grass finished
Take 5g of vitamin C daily
This calcium scan is all over the place. My doctor is pressuring me to get a calcium scan. It’s in the news. UA-cam channels regarding health are talking about it. I had gone into my health provider’s portal to download some old blood work. Wouldn’t you know, each and every single document had a title page reminding me get a Calcium Scan with date that is basically saying I’m overdue. Does this not sound like a campaign to anyone?
We pay 100% of this scan. Right? If this is so important, why isn’t the insurance paying?
What about slices and angles? Do they know which way to scan to get a likely higher or lower number? What if you get a higher score the next time (100% paid by you again of course because by now you are scared and/or hooked) and the number went up only because the scan angle was slightly different?
What is the dose of radiation and what is the recommended dose for YOU? Does anyone ask if you had dental scans first? -do they care? Radiation in small doses does add up. If you have something like Hashimoto’s, you need to avoid radiation. In my current situation, I just had dental x-rays done. I am so sure that if I did bring it up, it will be fluffed off and the tech would proceed.
So here we are rushing to get our scans and then we compare scores. We pay for this out of our own pocket and once done, will no doubt want another as soon as we can to compare scores. Let’s see if it goes up or down.
What is it showing, the past or the present dangers? Isn’t calcium secure enough compared to the real danger of the sticky soft plaque? Why can’t we scan for that stuff?
The worst of all of this is that diet and nutrition are always last on the list. What if there IS a way to repair or remove plaque and THAT is what should be discussed instead of calcium scores, of old damage that our bodies have fairly secured especially compared to the more dangerous soft plaque.
I don’t know. I’m not a doctor but am old enough to know to question when you see, feel, hear a campaign.
Totally understand your questions. Give us a call: 480-535-6844
CIMT shows the soft plaque
I just had that done at my new Functional Doc's office! I'm still waiting for results. So... if we do this, is there any need for the calcium scan of the heart? @@jerseytony1