Hello! I'm "Gerry" who decided to share his medical history in hopes of encouraging others to dig deeper and not take "standards of care" for granted. I believe there are literally millions that are affected by atherosclerosis and don't know it. I'm going through all your comments and respond whenever appropriate. Mind you the comments are not those from a medical professional, but from an engineer. Also consider further discussion on the PrevMed forum. My screen name there is "Quanticus." A heartfelt thanks to Dr. Brewer for his ear and guidance.
Thank you very much for sharing your valuable data. Have you ever taken vitamin k2 or consider taking it? There is a theory that vitamin would help with calcium metabolism
Hi Gerry, Dr Brewer directed me to your video after I dropped in his live chat that I just received a CAC of 1800 this week. Completely without symptoms I know what you mean by "failed". I've been asking my my PCP for a CAC for at least 7 years at every annual, inc that I'd had a score of 70 in 2005 when I was 50. This year I told him it wasn't his choice anymore, so he relented, telling me it would cost me $600-800. Medicare covered it- Copay $160. I want to thank you and Dr. Brewer for your presentation. The "hardened" plaque story gives me hope. I joined the Lo-carb community in 2018 and taken many of the steps you have, so I'm hoping the CIMT I'm going to Utah for next month will reflect at least stable plaque.
None of the comments mention how impressive it is that Gerry kept all of his lab results over the years, and the extensive amount of personal research he has done on his own. I started my own journey on understanding biomarkers, reference ranges vs. ideal ranges, etc. almost 5 years ago. I've yet to meet someone like Gerry who is also doing the same.
never yet seen any of my files and ended up getting them after kidney failure due to high calcium mine should be around 2 went up to nearly 4 Lucky had a blood test on the same day it happened to go up took my parathyroid gland out it seems
The problem is Gerry didn’t understand his data, the triglycerides were way too high for way to long. He should haven been tracking insulin. I picture Gerry like most people being very proud of his data tracking and patting himself on the back and going and eating an apple turnover!
All the men in my family die of heart disease, and due to my childhood conditions, my risk was extremely high. In 2003, after my older brother's second heart attack, my doctor asked me if I wanted to try nicotinic acid (e.g. niacin). At that time, my HDL was 33 and my fasting triglycerides 213. After a year, I was still asymptomatic but very concerned about my risks. I had a coronary artery calcium scan, which showed very mild calcification in my LCA. I was eating a "healthy" low-fat diet, until five years later, when I transitioned to low-carb. I was still taking IR niacin (4 g qd) when I had my second scan. My CAC score dropped. My new cardiologist said he had never seen a CAC score drop. I then told him about my low-carb diet, and his response was priceless, "that's not what we were taught in school." We both had a good laugh. It's now 15 years after that, still on the niacin, and live in the mountains of North Carolina. One day, I may get another CAC scan, but I'm too busy in my retirement!
I've also tracked all of my blood tests for the last 25 years, as well as my dietary intake for the last 20. I used the USDA nutrient database to include the foods and their quantities in my spreadsheet. My latest cholesterol test was a surprise. HDL, LDL and Triglycerides were all 60.
I follow the carnivore WOE, can’t get much lower in carbs then that! Information about niacin is a very intriguing…I will look into this. Might be the missing component!
I have found it best not to watch my carbs. As a carnivour I don't eat any carbs so watching is not required. That is one component, the most important one, 100% dealt with. My A1c is 4.6.
watching/counting not required - love it! When I have tried ANY method that involves counting, first, I become obsessive about the numbers and lose quality of life, second, my tricky brain finds ways to game the system and "allow" more of anything addictive/bad. Abstinence is the key to my freedom.
Thanks so much.. What was the Statin dosage? Did the dosage change? How do we measure adherence to low carb ? Did Gerry get real rigorous about it after second large CAC score (I sure would have!). There are different levels of low carb. It's very difficult to achieve IMO. Perhaps strict low carb compliance relates to drop of cac from 2nd score to 3rd?
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I saw in one lecture last year statistics that elderly people with high cholesterol are living 30% longer than those with low controlled cholesterol. Since cholesterol is the bodies building blocks, repair material, it isn't surprising. 30% is a sizable increase. So excess cholesterol maybe an issue for the younger generation, but for aging bodies it maybe supplying the repair material to keep plugging holes in the body.
Not too many people with uncontrolled familial hypercholesterolemia live longer than those with low controlled cholesterol. By this very simplistic look at longevity data, those people with familial hypercholesterolemia should be living among the longest. It just doesn't happen. Why? It may well be that the genetics of those who live longer are different enough to account for the result. Some supercentenarians smoked for decades. That doesn't mean that smoking would make the general population live longer.
Mom always had higher cholesterol than dad even though she was careful about her diet and he was not. He died in his sleep at age 87 and Mom turns 96 next month. Hmmm
I think Gerry's story literally proves the standard of care markers are incorrect and simply worthless. To continue tracking them is to do harm. I think it's pretty clear that he was running a certain level of insulin resistance his whole life. Perhaps vegetable oils exacerbated the problem? A1c and blood pressure tracked too high = insulin resistance. Too much insulin in the system on a regular basis = high blood pressure and atherosclerosis.
Try to convince a family doctor to approve the advanced labs that might show negative trends better at a much earlier stage, and the answer will that the insurance company won't pay for those. Each of us has to learn and take charge of our health early on. We have the real responsibility, not the doctors nor the insurance companies. Even a basic weight scale provides a good bit of insight into metabolism that just about everybody ignores.
Ford in past message response To me you said calcium is not the problem, it's inflammation? So if calcification in arteries coronary calcium score 50-100 or higher which Thomas levy cardiologist says should always be zero. So if there's lots calcium in arteries, slightly high blood, high fibrin Since clotting factor #1 fibrin Clotting factor #7 calcium(Caldwell esselstyn says oils stimulate clotting factor #7 So taking k2mk7 supplement daily great to remove calcification of arteries Life extension turning to stone article says without k2mk7 supplement daily matrix gla protein binds calcium to coronary arteries! And all arteries! So calcification of arteries and high fibrin are not real problem?? It's damaging endothelial lining of all arteries everyday and body's response to daily damaging endothelial lining is calcification and fibrin in arteries??? Thomas levy cardiologist says magnesium, Omega 3 , also dissolves calcification of arteries like k2mk7 supplement? Is Thomas levy cardiologist correct that no matter how many healthy things you do, one abscess, decay tooth, root canal will kill you due to direct pathogens into coronary arteries in heart and all thru body?? I got a deep decay tooth but I'm not sure if levy is correct that this tooth will kill me? UA-cam the truth about vitamin c Dr Thomas E. Levy by altrient (Thomas levy wearing blue tuxedo) 44:46 Thomas levy they are the ultimate modulators of oxidative stress in your body If your below normal for men in testosterone, slightly below normal with thyroid 45:03 Thomas levy in nutshell your focal infections start to metastasize 45:05 Thomas levy that's when the infected tooth starts setting up shop in the heart 45:14 Thomas levy 100% of heart attacks are due to the colonization inside your coronary arteries of oral pathogens, okay . I'm a cardiologist that's my training 45:27 Thomas levy not that any other cardiologist knows this Or wants to use it in his or her practice, but I'm going to tell you right now 45:37 Thomas levy with the evidence we have in the literature, IT IS ABSOLUTE MALPRACTICE for a patient to have chest pain and not have their mouth evaluated 45:44 Thomas levy ABSOLUTE 100% MALPRACTICE 45:52 Thomas levy they studied 36 patients with known coronary artery disease, they had blockages in their heart, did coronary angiogram, did process called athorectomy where they rotorooter out the plaque, then they examined the plaque 46:08 Thomas levy inside those plaques were OVER 50 different forms of ORAL PATHOGENS viruses, fungi, bacteria you name it All the garbage you find in your mouth was way out there in your heart in the coronary arteries 46:24 Thomas levy and it was present in 36 out of 36 patients , people who had no coronary artery disease had no pathogens 46:41 Thomas levy let's put it this way well over 97% to 98% of heart attacks are directly caused by pathogens in your mouth, well over Don't forget this 46:55 Thomas levy if your dad even if he already got his bypass he needs to get his mouth evaluated He needs to get rid of the root canals 47:04 Thomas levy he needs to get rid of the chronically infected teeth that you ONLY discover on 3 dimension cone beam examination of mouth because it's asymptomatic, abscess teeth believe it or
I had a stent put in last year. My Dr, ordered a coronary calcium score test and I was told I could not have it because I had an :event". Is this normal to be denied the test? looks like this is not the case with your guest as he has a stent and gets the test?
I had a Coronary Calcium Score of 110, which is at the lower end of moderate risk. The Insurance company did not pay for the Calcium Score Test since I am not in the risk category according to the Framingham risk score for Coronary Heart Disease. Had a heart attack six weeks after the Calcium Score Test. Had to undergo quadruple bypass surgery (blockages of 100%, 90%,90%, and 80%). All of my previous ECGs and Stress Tests did not show any concerns, but I had a history of high Triglycerides. I wish my doctor's ordered a CT Angiogram even though I did not fit into the "standard" risk evaluations.
Gosh Raja. How are you doing now my friend ? I have a score of 1000 a MC 4 moderate blockages but no intervention at this stage. I have one onto the esselsyn diet and feeling better already. It’s a shame they didn’t pick up on my high TG and LDL 20 years ago .
Thankyou I been watching you about 3 years now. I have a 185 score at 62 and I needed to hear this again. I have changed my life style but not enough and this video is helping me get back on track.
Commenting on the calcium score increase. Using a compound interest calculator, starting at the original 218 number, and increasing at a 20% rate +/- 3% annually, would give you totals of 2297 (17%), 3358 (20%), and 4864 (23%). So his 1288 number would be lower than expected? Unless I'm missing something? Starting at 218 and increasing at a 20% annual rate compounded, the numbers go up quick.
Wow ! Thank you so much Gerry for your diligence and for sharing … a really really helpful episode for those of us following Ford’s protocols … thanks Doc ! Really love this type of show
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CAC and CIMT scores - Comments to those who wondered about score improvement Other than the caution about comparing scores with CAC (scoring with stents) and CIMT (variabilty across companies and even technicians), it is crucial to consider these scores in context: 1. Lifestyle and diet leads the list 2. Advanced lipid profile 3. Inflammation markers 4. Glucose and insulin dynamics via OGTT test (not static FG or aggragated A1c) 5. Medications 5. Supplements
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let's see - I'm 62, no family history of cardiac disease, all my life i've had very low ldl levels - most recent 71 with HDL 60, triglyceride was low but i'd have to look it up and was told that no one with my numbers ever had an MI in the framingham studies Bp about 105/60, morning glucose around 80, A1c 4.7, Glucose tolerance went fine - biphasic and i've been a vegan for 35 years - i do have a Really bad case of psoriatic arthritis - all my joints are gone - but my sed rate runs between 0 and 2 and the , and the C-reactive protein about 2.7 . I avoid all oils in my diet and coconut oil/milk but i eat a LOT of nuts and low carb but not keto - no rice ( brown or white) no potatoes, no bread, no sugar ( not in decades - stevia or in the past splenda) not much fruit other than berries. My CAC score was 780 - my GP was stunned
He figured that i would have either a very low score or zero - he didn't want to prescribe the test - although he did - and my insurance company wouldn't pay for it so i paid myself - he then sent me to a cardiologist who did no blood work at all, put me on 10 mgs of lipitor and said that he figured that my diet had "protected me " from having heart damage ( based on zero evidence as far as i can tell - i have a Ph D in developmental neurobiology ). I've never had an insulin test so that's on my list and i've never had a lipid panel beyond LDL, HDL and triglycerides and i'll try to switch to livalo AND based on your videos, i've added K2, Q10 ( no one mentioned this to me ) vit D ( which i always took ) magnesium - the 2 supplements recommended by the aging guy - sinclair is it ? ( i read his book) nicotinamide and something else Ptero? - and Niacin ( and i really flush from it )
Wow, that's a really interesting counterpoint. As another counterpoint, I know a guy who has really high triglycerides and familial hypercholestemia. Had it for a long time, and just tried to manage it with diet and exercise and niacin. He had a carotid IMT test not too long ago at 55, and arteries were totally clean there. He eventually started statin therapy. Really bizarre. There must be more to this than just lipids and fats. I'm starting to wonder if other inflammation is the cause. I have a CAC score like yours, and my #'s were mostly great too. But, I have exceptionally high D-Dimer tests for awhile that baffles my hematologist. I wonder if I have inflammation elsewhere.
Am 68, a male, 154 lbs, BP 112/79, had a CAC test a week ago, and the score was 1513. I am alergic to Niacin B2 ,(1000Mg) , bad reaction ., felt like I had ants under my skin, and scalp was on fire... Would Niacinamide be a good alternative, and what dosage? Was on atorvastatin 10Mg for 15 years, for hypercholesterol...It works, but my last LDL test was at 93. Cardiologist says it should be under 70, because I have significant Calcification of my coronary arteries....Was told to boost Atorvastatin dosage to 40 Mg for 1 week , then go to 80 Mg ..with baby aspirin. How low is too low for the LDL score....? Can I overdose on Atorvastatin??????? I want to start a Natokinase regiment ...told it is a blood thinner, so will it interfere with the baby aspirin? but unclear on the dosage for the natokinase.. 2000 FU or 4,000 FU units per day..? He said it is a gimick..........I had a recent stress test also, not a nuke one... , and passed it with no chest pain.....
The procedure of setting a stent is very invasive and damaging to the vessel walls while going in. It is no surprise that there is a major increase in calcium following a stent. I am surprised that this is not measured snd reported more often.
@@GPK111 How much niacin are you taking each day. I am working to improve peripheral artery diesease. Me: * Zero calcium score 2007 and 2018. * High cholesterol over lifetime * No diabetes * Low exercise, no pain in legs with walking, but have numbness in lower legs, good pedal pulses * No medications
@@jeanpeters2748 As an aside, I just had the ankle brachial index done, and no peripheral artery disease for me -- which was kind of surprising. High CAC score, no PAD. Next up, carotid IMT.
This is a wonderful presentation, puts together so much of the information I have watched from this channel over the last few years. This might be the only video link that I have ever shared with a broad list of my contacts, it needs to be shared.
Regarding CIMT and CAC testing and cost.... a doctor's order IS NOT required for the CIMT and CAC testing. A major hospital in my area (Houston, TX) offers both for $205. That is the out-of-pocket cost. Also, biomarker testing can be ordered directly through several direct-to-consumer labs. Some of the tests are very reasonable. The only downside to self-ordering tests, other than paying for them, is having to interpret your own results.
Had a triple bypass in 2015... Concerned about inflammation since reading the latest Framingham study info. Now CAC score matters too! Your channel I will surely try to watch & share! Thanks!!!!!!👍 (Big Pharmocracy must not have seen this vid...no thumbs down... 😗) 👍👍👍👍👍
I have a question. After having CAC done in March, 725 score, negative nuclear stress test, zero symptoms with lots of tennis....determination of metabolic syndrome causing my issues. Slightly elevated bp, 20lbs overweight, normal cholesterol, I was put on Toprol xl50mg, Crestor 10mg and baby aspirin. Have changed my sugar laden diet to Mediterranean diet. Lost 24lbs. Had to reduce Toprol xl to 25mg. Then to 12.5 due to bp normalization and low heart rate. Now, I have been off of Toprol XL for a week and I check my bp numerous a day......average 115/75, 62 heart rate. So Is there any reason from a high plaque obviously CAD to take a beta blocker? I was taking it for elevated bp, but the weight loss and diet has seemed to normalize that issue. Did not like the cold hands and fatigue side effects. However, I do play intense USTA singles tennis and worry that the increase in heart rate during a match and obvious higher bp in a match would put me at risk vs. going back on a low dose??????
Beta blockers are not good solutions to tho problem. I try to keep my patients off them. We focus on root cause (usual prediabetes or other inflammatory problems) and ACE Inhibitors/CCBs for bp.
Ford Brewer MD MPH you sir are awesome. Thank you for responding. I will keep a close watch on my bp over the next few weeks. I am continually amazed how my dietary and lifestyle change in mid March has turned things around. If my bp starts to creep up I’ll ask to be put on an ACE low dose. I am now taking my 10mg. Crestor every other day. Now, just praying that there is no soft plaque to break away and end me! Nothing else I can really do, stay on my proper diet, exercise daily, take Crestor and baby aspirin, and supplements, get natural vitamin D from sunshine on the tennis courts, fresh air, family, and some Cabernet.
That depends upon factors such as cardiovascular inflammation. The whole process is tied closely to lifestyle issues. Statin usage does speed up the process for many people. See the many videos that Dr. Brewer made on plaque.
It depends! :) I did everything I could to make it happen (lifestyle, diet, statins, Niacin, supplements) and speculated that calcification happened, but I do not have a data point for soft plaque. Only a CIMT or a prior catherization would have provided that.
Thank you Dr. Brewer for reviewing and hosting this and to Gerry for sharing such well kept records. Can you advise if the stent was coated with everolimus?
Statins - Comments to those who discussed statins - My personal view - Statins work! They do lower cholesterol. The brand does not matter - They are often prescribed to do just that. That's often wrong. - On the negative side, statins exacerbate marginal diabetes - On teh less known positive side, statins can act as an anti-inflammatory and can also encapsulate existing plaque - Docs generally prescribe Lipitor as the go to drug and don't focus on optimizing all factors - With Dr Brewer's help, who does care about that optimization, I've picked Livalo as my agent of choice. The downside is price. In my case, Lipitor and Crestor were fully covered by my drug policy. Livalo from a Canadian pharmacy costs about $60 for a 90 day supply (with a 4 week lead time).
Very interesting discussion! However, as noted in one of the comments below, I am not so sure that I would place to much credence on the CAC score. Also, CT scans are mainly used to view dense tissue like bone. Given the significant amounts of radiation, having a CT Angiogram on a yearly basis is not a good idea IMO. Perhaps a contrast MRI, which is mainly used to visualize soft tissues, is a better idea since no radiation is involved. Anyway, thanks for your excellent videos Dr. Brewer & thanks to Gerry as well............. 👍👍
Sapele Steve - You have to consider all the tools and determine which ones really look at the arterial walls. All the popular tests like EKGs, Carotid ultrasounds, stress tests, and MRI's do not. CIMT's, CT Angiograms, CAC scores and catherizations do look at the walls. Then you consider the availability, radiation and mortality risks and you place your bet. In my case, I decided that the value of CAC/CT Angiogram tracking and feedback by far outweighs the radiation risk. I am also adding an annual CIMT test to address soft plaque progression without radiation. Catherization is high risk, in my view, but certainly has its place on the intervention line up.
By the time you're well into your 70s and have a significant family history of heart disease, high arterial plaque and a stent, even if well managed, I doubt the lifespan will be long enough to make the relatively modest radiation exposure a meaningful cancer risk.
Well, I don't have access to the tests, but I will do the test, diet and supplements. I am 69, and have a long history of immune system diseases so I suspect a low level calcification of arterial wall.
This was done three years ago but I am proof this video continues to reach out to help people which is wonderful. Great information from this channel. I am learning so much and actually used it so my doc and I could come up with a plan for me and one of those steps is taking a very low dose statin (Crestor) along with specific supplements. My tests are going in a better direction. Btw… I had to chuckle when I saw that the patient sharing his health in this video is an engineer. They are so detailed oriented and I believe it’s that great trait that got him healthy! Bravo Gerry!
That’s great news Jo. I have a score of 1000 and 4 moderate blockages. This will go up with the statins unfortunately but we need to stabilise the plaque. So you got your score down ?
What a fantastic story, visual health story that so many of us are living. This story is me! I had been eating carbs, sweets...gained 20 lbs slowly over 10-12 years. In March after seeing 4 buddies die of a MI, I got a CAC scoring done. 725! Aged 65. Went on Mediterranean diet, 10mg Crestor, 50mg Toprol XL, and baby aspirin. I had eaten my way to metabolic syndrome! Went from 184lbs to 157 lbs this morning. Now Toprol XL dropped to 25mg and I expect I will be off of it in a few months. I feel my insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome causing arterial inflammation has been stopped. I read where Crestor 10mg taken everything other day is equally effective as daily with lower side effects. So now taking it every other day. I’m wondering how long it will take the statin to solidify all my soft plaque????????? I’m guessing a year. Then I think I will stop the statin. Any thoughts? Also taking, fish oil, aged garlic, coq10, magnesium, and K2MK7. Thank you Dr Brewer.
Gibson guitar player... please tell me where you read about taking Crestor 10 mg every other day. I I would also like to do the same thing and I'm taking the exact same supplements you mentioned also. Can't get my doctor on board with 10 every other day. Thank you.
Bart Robinson . It’s my life not my physician, so I didn’t ask his permission, I just did it. I play tennis most everyday and I’m not going to let a statin give me muscle pain and slow down my game.
In my scientific reading these last three years I have read dozens of times of people taking one of the Staten type drugs once or twice a week as opposed to every day, depending on individual circumstances.
I reduced my score from 605 to 516 in 2 years. Still have a way to go but its going in the right direction. I use Niacin, chelation, and other supplements and increased exercise. HDL from 29 to 53 which i think the niacin has really helped. Thanks Dr. Brewer i got that idea from you!
GPK111 CAC TESTING - general comments and response to Jim Dandy, TJ and Nutranuva. Mind you, this is coming from an engineer, not a medical professional! 1. Docs in general don't know and don't care much about CAC. 2. If used, it's treated as a screener for CV disease, not as a tracking tool. 3. Once CV disease is confirmed (bad lipids, stress test, stent, other events, etc), CAC measurements are REALLY discouraged, since you've been screened and declared a CV risk. That test to docs is now moot. 4. I take a different view and believe tracking of arterial wall composition is paramount to my motivation and life style drivers. In my case, traditional blood markers (lipids, static glucose markers and inflammatory markers) are all great, so i have to rely on other tools. Periodic stress tests are on the standard of care menu, but CAC, CIMT, and CT Angiograms are not. I have historical CAC data points, so I plan to continue those tests. I have also added CIMT and CT Angiograms to my follow up regimen. I correlate my CAC scores with a CT angiogram. CIMT testing is is indeed more difficult to find and also more expensive, but they are more meaningful, since they address soft and hard plaque. Caveat: CIMT scores don't always correlate closely to CAC scores and CIMT historical score comparisons can vary significantly due to variations in scanning techniques. 5. Since I have a single stent and use CAC testing as a tool, I do three things to assure historical perspective: a. Compare to CT angiograms. In my case, a CAC count is usually part of a CT Angiogram procedure. b. Look at the 5 or 6 Agatston's score components. I am able to isolate the LAD component (where the stent is) and compare that trend to the rest of the arteries. So far, the historical LAD counts have been in line with the other branches. c. I check out the actual slices of the scan to make sure the counts are rational. Note: While the calcium dots are machine scored, there is some judgment involved in the interpretation, since there can be artifacts or marginal dots.
Hi Dr. Brewer, Taking thrombocil for PAD. I just had a full body ct scan and my arteries around the body are calcified. May I take K2MK7, D3 and what else to reduce calcification
Doc I have a quick question. I have a CAC score of 1000 and 4 moderate blockages including 2 in the LAD. They were close to stenting me but I’m asymptomatic. I’m now on high dose statins which will increase my score but my understanding is it’s stable calcium, better than soft plaque. If I try to reduce calcification with K2 M7, niacin etc won’t this just prevent the calcification of plaques in the arteries which need to be stabalised to keep things more stable/safer ?
Hello Doctor, can we take K2 while on Ecosprin 150/20 and amlodipine 5mg ? Just concerned about interaction with these medications. Any advice would be helpful. Thanks
@@tomd790Thanks for replying. I read on several websites and saw in videos that doctors mentioned not to have vitamin K2 when on blood thinners Anticoagulant like warfarin. But I am not sure about Aspirin or Ecosprin because it is also a blood thinner. That's my doubt.
@@sandeesingh5375 Aspirin and Ecosprin are primarily antiplatelets rather than blood thinners. Here is some info from a website - www.medlife.com/blog/ecosprin-uses-benefits-side-effects-and-dosage/ Ecosprin provides the antiplatelet action by irreversibly inhibiting the formation of thromboxane A2, via acetylation of platelet cyclooxygenase. Thromboxane plays a role in the aggregation of platelets. Aspirin also has antipyretic, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties and works by inhibiting the formation of cyclooxygenase-1 and 2 (COX-1 and 2) enzymes.
@@tomd790 Thanks Tom, I appreciate your time. I went through that website and I understand that Ecosprin or Aspirin is a Anti-platelet drug, I am just unsure if it is safe to have K2 MK7 when on this medication. Though, K2 MK7 does have interaction with Anticoagulant drugs.
@@sandeesingh5375 For what it is worth, for well over 2 years I have been taking a fairly high dose of K2, aspirin and amlodipine daily along with other medications/supplements. I don't have any concern about a problem.
There's an old saying about "whistling past the graveyard" and that applies, in spades, with Gerry here, who is looking at CAC's over a grand and feeling sanguine about that. Over a grand CAC is basically a walking dead man.
I might have missed the resulting conversation about his insulin resistance being "discovered" after starting STATINS??? I've read that Statins cause diabetes!!! Was tgat discussed at all in this video???
Hello Gerry. I just got a CAC score and it rocked me world. So you do recommend a statin. I have a bottle I’m looking at and scared to take. I’ve started a low carb diet. But the statins I’m balking on. Any thoughts. I’m 71. Healthy. Good HDL good triglycerides just high LDL. No diabetes. I saw a cardiologist and he just gave me a big amount of statins and just scared me to be honest. It’s like he felt I was not able to reverse anything. No history of heart disease in my family. 35:51
This was helpful to me, since I am a 69 1/2 age male, good weight and BMI, and I have glucose intolerance diagnosed about a year ago. I have been wearing a glucose monitor and have seen my average glucose come down from about 130 to 100 in a year's time. However, my insulin level only slightly increased from 4 to about 8. The 8 is at the bottom of normal range, but slight improvement, so I have hope I am on the right trajectory. I eat low carbs but have seen my calcium score increase from 180 to about 270. That's not good and it concerns my doctor and me. BUT, that said, I exercise regularly and feel OK. Now, based on my own research, I am going to start doing three supplements. First, there is evidence that D3 and K2 (MK7) might actually redirect calcium to the proper places in my body instead of the arteries. Secondly, instead of Metformin, I prefer a natural vitamin called Berberine. I will also be increasing my CoQ10 and will take Niacin. Ford, you said that there is evidence that an increase in Calcium score might be because it indicates healing of the arterial wall. I would like to know where you got that info if you know. Finally, there is a strange scoring matrix in the Agatson scoring, because in my right coronary artery, even though my total score increased, that artery actually DECREASED to a zero. Can you explain how that is possible? The left anterior descending is where the increase really happened. Thanks in advance.
His score according to the slide went from 1288 at age 75 to 1178 a year later? I expected them to say it instead of just talking about how it went down. I also wish they would have highlighted where the stent was placed and where the calcium had increased and decreased.
My United Healthcare Medicare will not pay for the CAC score test which out of pocket is $75. I then took a nuclear stress test was $2,000 in which my copay was $125. Go figure!
Yep. I understand the need for insurance companies. But they can be really dumb sometimes. We don’t take insurance for our care. But a lot of our labs, studies & meds are covered.
Ford Brewer MD MPH on keto for nearly two years now and off all 17 meds, all my numbers down except fluctuating LDL but don’t know if it’s dense or fluffy. I’m serious keto but can’t always afford grass finish meat/pasture raised eggs. But I’m doing well. I just have a hard time understanding insurance administrators who’d rather pay for ridiculously expensive tests and not allow/pay for extremely inexpensive tests. Isn’t that fraud?
Doctor I have calcium score 104. I am taking 2 times carbohydrate food like rice. I am changing to millets with in short period after reaching India. What you sugest to reduce or dissolve calcium score range. Please sugest doctor.at present I am talking rosavtsan and ecosprin. But Cholesterol reduced. Calcium score nit reduced. So fir above can I take any other ( I seen your texts reg,, vitk2(m7). Pl sugest how to take how much mg. Is it advisable. No side affects. Pl reply with all details doctor PLEASE reply doctor. How to reduce calcium score. Please sugest about usage of vitk2
I've heard Dr. Brewer state in other videos that he uses the Endur Acin version of niacin. It is an extended-release low flush version. That is what I choose to use based on my research. From my research on the use of niacin to lower cholesterol, how much to take depends on your starting point, i.e. how high is your total cholesterol (TC) level. I've read that some people were able to reduce their TC levels to acceptable values by taking 500 mg/day (this is where I started). In other cases, and in some published studies I've read it took 1500-2000 mg/day. An important point I've read about taking niacin is that it can raise glucose levels. So if you are diabetic it is best to do this under the supervision of a doctor. Well, that is the case with almost all of this supplementation and testing.
This has been extremely helpful. I’ve seen my CAC double in the last 18 months and it makes no sense! I’ve lost 65 lbs and I’ve become very active. I went from totally sedentary to training Jiu Jitsu 5 times a week. I also work out regularly. I still have high triglycerides even when fasted for 7 days. Even that didn’t explain how I went from sky high blood pressure and being overweight with a low CAC to training as much as I do and having 11% body fat with a CAC of 137 at 51.
@@PrevMedHealth I feel better. I was on that ledge for a little while. My doctor wants me to eliminate all fat from my diet and I know that’s not the answer
@@Chris-kr7gg I’m almost totally carnivore now. I started taking niacin and berberine in March. My last blood test was the best one I’ve ever had. My normal triglycerides were about 200. My normal HDL were 28. This most recent test my triglycerides were 67 and my hdl was 62. I’ve been very strict with my diet. I only cheated once and that was a piece of carrot cake with my wife for our anniversary. I’ve also started cooking with grass fed beef tallow. It tastes great and is much healthier.
@@Chris-kr7gg I normally fast until noon or later. I eat a grass fed hamburgers with eggs I get from my own chickens. I use provolone cheese on my burgers. Dinner is normally some kind of meat, steak, sausage, pork chops, chicken or something else. I do make a lot of taco meat and will add black olives and onions to that. The majority of vegetables I do eat are mostly mushrooms and onions sautéed in beef tallow to eat with my steak or peppers and pinions sautéed in wild bore lard with my Italian sausage. Ever so often I may stop at subway to get a double meat steak salad. That’s rare though. My wife will steak asparagus or Brussels sprouts. I’ll eat those with tons of butter. We will make a salad when we have people over. I make my own salad dressing. All commercial dressing uses soybean oil. That’s poison so I make a dressing using sour cream and avocado oil mayonnaise. Then add spices to make ranch dressing. I also make a blue cheese. Dressing. There’s a local place that make what they call pizza bowls. Those are all the topping of a pizza put in a bowl instead of on pizza. I get those every Tuesday after Jiu Jitsu class. Those have peppers mushrooms and onions on them. Along with tomato sauce. I think that covers all my vegetable intake over the last 6 months. I don’t miss them. Meat tastes better and is more satiating. Almost forgot. I do put coconut oil in my coffee every morning.
Great program. Question: My understanding is risk metrics are not generally available after age 80. Is it worthwhile to test genetics after 80 or will you generally be off the risk charts?
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I believe it is well known that statins enhance prediabetes and increase calcium scores. That is why Gerry’s calcium score jumped up. A related question I have is “Do people with 0 calcium scores ever get AFIB.” Someone help me out, please. And thanks for a terrific video.
I went through several iteration and ended up with Livalo. According to Dr Brewer, it provides the best balance of anti-inflammatory properties, plaque encapsulation, and avoids glucose exacerbation. It's expensive, so mine is sourced from a Canadian pharmacy. Most statins do a good job of controlling cholesterol levels.
My pcp didn’t recommend me taking niacin because of the side effects but wanted to put me on a statin. My CAC score was 142. I read on line that your CAC score can go up but nothing will bring it down.
I have a score of 1000. I also have 4 blockages. I’m on statins to stabalise the plaque and yes, it will calcify it and increase the score. But from my understanding calcium itself is not the danger. Many athletes have a lot of calcium on the outside of their arteries from training and they’re healthy. I don’t think you should worry too much but I have heard vitamin D and K2 MK7 can reverse it a little. I’m not sure if this is true
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You must not have seen many of my videos. It's well known by those of us that do CIMT that plaque stability comes with calcification. Thanks for asking.
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Not many are talking about strategies for reducing CAC score. Maybe reducing is not as important as stabilizing the plaque in which case CAC score may go up a bit. In any case a) reducing carbs b) eliminating grains c) consuming Omega 3 and d) adding Vitamin D3 are also key to improving arterial health according to Dr. William Davis on the subject of reversing CAC score.
Few people are able to reverse a considerable amount of calcified plaque. I haven't heard of a well documented case where a person went from a CAC score of 500 or more to something close to 0. I suspect that a few people can make modest decreases in partially calcified plaque.
Tom Deck I don’t know of many who are talking publicly of reversing their CAC score yet. I tested 143 about a year ago and have gone ketogenic diet since. I have added some of the things I mentioned earlier to my regimen. I’ve been feeling awesome and my cholesterol, blood sugar and Blood pressure numbers have gotten so much better. I’d like to re test my CAC in about a year or so to see if anything there has changed. Knowing I am doing all the right things I would not worry too much if my CAC has gone up a little bit because of the stability phenomenon that was discussed in this video.
I hear a lot about a low carb diet. My understanding is anything under 100g of cabs is considered low card ( maybe not by the KETO faction) But everyone is at a diffrent weight and fitness. And your intake of macros are going to be diffrent for each person and goal. So my goal is to maintain my muscle mass and even grow it, but i do have concerns with a 500+ Calcium score and want to control inflammation. So I guess the question is what percentage of carbs to calorie intake or total macro intake? Thanks Pete BTW im a 55 year old non smoking male weighing right now 254lbs
Dr ford brewer thanks for this extremely useful information I have calcium score of 1384 on 23/11/2019 cardio prescribed me atrovastatin / ecosprin 10/75 mg daily I am taking NICORDIL 5mg twice daily Will that reduce my calcium score I am 78 year running. Your advice will be appreciated. What should I do further otherwise I am ok no other heart risk factor except blood pressure for that I am on telma good wishes 27/06/2020
I don't think that Dr. Brewer can directly answer because you are not a patient. I wouldn't count on your calcium score going down. Stabilizing any existing soft plaque and stopping more from forming is the most important goal.
Shashi Moghe - I suggest you take a more comprehensive view. Glucose/Insulin dynamics, inflammatory markers, and detailed lipids. Only then can you get a handle on CAC screening data. Dr. Brewer offers some very affordable programs.
Terrific real life example of vascular disease. So in theory, at the extreme margins, a calcium score could be potentially worthless. Can a person with a zero CAC score be full of gooey deposits and be much more at risk than a person with a significant CAC score? That also CAC score can also have a lot of gooey deposits that the ultra-fast CT machine cannot "see". Isn't it better to discard the CAC and go directly to the gold standard test: catheterization? Also, what is the final word on MK-7 supplements?
Yes, a CAC score of 0 doesn't mean that you don't have some soft plaque in your arteries. Some people do unfortunately fixate on their CAC score rather than how it got there. No on invasive treatments for preventative screening for the the general public.
Katie, My thyroid functions are normal and RT3 has not been a focus. Please let me know if you feel there is a close relationship to my main focus, which is to avoid future cardiovascular events.
I am taking 1,000 mg 2X/day, like many of Dr Brewer's patients. I sourced mine from my regular supplement supplier and experienced no flushing. Enduracin would have been my next choice.
Hmmmm. Gerry’s CAC score jumped from the lower 200’s to over 1,200. Certainty noteworthy and apparently explained well as perhaps being soft plaque. However, consider this (... and I could flat be wrong ...), the CAC/Agatston score is determined by the machine. There is little, if any wiggle room for interpretation. It is a quantitative reflection of the calcium that the scanner sees. So if one’s first CAC is reflective of a hard, localized calcium presence that scores 220 (my initial was 209), and the next score was over 1,200 a couple/few years later, could the latter be a reflection of an overall increase of soft calcium plaque through the ENTIRETY of the heart? The question then becomes: What mortality rates are associated with the varying levels of soft plaque? Until I can learn more about this possible plaque “density” issue, I’m keeping my CAC scoring on the side as a contributing data point, and not (right now) as a potential heart attack indicator. (I’ll do my next/2nd CAC Scoring next September, for a 2-year gap comparison.)
Well done guys, I’m on this track of knowledge with my numbers and tests.
Thank you
Hello! I'm "Gerry" who decided to share his medical history in hopes of encouraging others to dig deeper and not take "standards of care" for granted. I believe there are literally millions that are affected by atherosclerosis and don't know it. I'm going through all your comments and respond whenever appropriate. Mind you the comments are not those from a medical professional, but from an engineer.
Also consider further discussion on the PrevMed forum. My screen name there is "Quanticus."
A heartfelt thanks to Dr. Brewer for his ear and guidance.
Thank you very much, Gerry!
Thanks Gerry, it's stories like yours that keep me motivated to keep the low carb lifestyle going. - Thanks!
Thanks Gerry for sharing your leanings about your heart!!
Thank you very much for sharing your valuable data. Have you ever taken vitamin k2 or consider taking it? There is a theory that vitamin would help with calcium metabolism
Hi Gerry, Dr Brewer directed me to your video after I dropped in his live chat that I just received a CAC of 1800 this week. Completely without symptoms I know what you mean by "failed". I've been asking my my PCP for a CAC for at least 7 years at every annual, inc that I'd had a score of 70 in 2005 when I was 50. This year I told him it wasn't his choice anymore, so he relented, telling me it would cost me $600-800. Medicare covered it- Copay $160.
I want to thank you and Dr. Brewer for your presentation. The "hardened" plaque story gives me hope. I joined the Lo-carb community in 2018 and taken many of the steps you have, so I'm hoping the CIMT I'm going to Utah for next month will reflect at least stable plaque.
None of the comments mention how impressive it is that Gerry kept all of his lab results over the years, and the extensive amount of personal research he has done on his own. I started my own journey on understanding biomarkers, reference ranges vs. ideal ranges, etc. almost 5 years ago. I've yet to meet someone like Gerry who is also doing the same.
Good points.
never yet seen any of my files and ended up getting them after kidney failure due to high calcium mine should be around 2 went up to nearly 4 Lucky had a blood test on the same day it happened to go up took my parathyroid gland out it seems
The problem is Gerry didn’t understand his data, the triglycerides were way too high for way to long. He should haven been tracking insulin. I picture Gerry like most people being very proud of his data tracking and patting himself on the back and going and eating an apple turnover!
All the men in my family die of heart disease, and due to my childhood conditions, my risk was extremely high. In 2003, after my older brother's second heart attack, my doctor asked me if I wanted to try nicotinic acid (e.g. niacin). At that time, my HDL was 33 and my fasting triglycerides 213. After a year, I was still asymptomatic but very concerned about my risks. I had a coronary artery calcium scan, which showed very mild calcification in my LCA. I was eating a "healthy" low-fat diet, until five years later, when I transitioned to low-carb. I was still taking IR niacin (4 g qd) when I had my second scan. My CAC score dropped. My new cardiologist said he had never seen a CAC score drop. I then told him about my low-carb diet, and his response was priceless, "that's not what we were taught in school." We both had a good laugh.
It's now 15 years after that, still on the niacin, and live in the mountains of North Carolina. One day, I may get another CAC scan, but I'm too busy in my retirement!
I've also tracked all of my blood tests for the last 25 years, as well as my dietary intake for the last 20. I used the USDA nutrient database to include the foods and their quantities in my spreadsheet.
My latest cholesterol test was a surprise. HDL, LDL and Triglycerides were all 60.
I follow the carnivore WOE, can’t get much lower in carbs then that! Information about niacin is a very intriguing…I will look into this. Might be the missing component!
Sir plz reply what i can do my cac score 254 at the age of 35.. Family history of heart attack.. Plz reply
He reversed NOTHING, what a load of nonsense!
35 and with a score of 10 am I a lost cause?
VERY INTERESTING VIDEO - JERRY MENTIONED HE IS ON BLOOD THINNERS? WHY? DID HE HAVE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE NIACIN INTERACTING WITH THE BLOOD THINNERS?
Maybe statin did more harm did good.
I have found it best not to watch my carbs. As a carnivour I don't eat any carbs so watching is not required. That is one component, the most important one, 100% dealt with. My A1c is 4.6.
watching/counting not required - love it! When I have tried ANY method that involves counting, first, I become obsessive about the numbers and lose quality of life, second, my tricky brain finds ways to game the system and "allow" more of anything addictive/bad. Abstinence is the key to my freedom.
Thanks so much.. What was the Statin dosage? Did the dosage change? How do we measure adherence to low carb ? Did Gerry get real rigorous about it after second large CAC score (I sure would have!). There are different levels of low carb. It's very difficult to achieve IMO. Perhaps strict low carb compliance relates to drop of cac from 2nd score to 3rd?
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I saw in one lecture last year statistics that elderly people with high cholesterol are living 30% longer than those with low controlled cholesterol. Since cholesterol is the bodies building blocks, repair material, it isn't surprising. 30% is a sizable increase. So excess cholesterol maybe an issue for the younger generation, but for aging bodies it maybe supplying the repair material to keep plugging holes in the body.
Yes ,it;s catch 22 ,to take or not to take,that is the question.
Yes.
Not too many people with uncontrolled familial hypercholesterolemia live longer than those with low controlled cholesterol. By this very simplistic look at longevity data, those people with familial hypercholesterolemia should be living among the longest. It just doesn't happen. Why? It may well be that the genetics of those who live longer are different enough to account for the result. Some supercentenarians smoked for decades. That doesn't mean that smoking would make the general population live longer.
Mom always had higher cholesterol than dad even though she was careful about her diet and he was not. He died in his sleep at age 87 and Mom turns 96 next month. Hmmm
I think Gerry's story literally proves the standard of care markers are incorrect and simply worthless. To continue tracking them is to do harm. I think it's pretty clear that he was running a certain level of insulin resistance his whole life. Perhaps vegetable oils exacerbated the problem? A1c and blood pressure tracked too high = insulin resistance. Too much insulin in the system on a regular basis = high blood pressure and atherosclerosis.
Try to convince a family doctor to approve the advanced labs that might show negative trends better at a much earlier stage, and the answer will that the insurance company won't pay for those. Each of us has to learn and take charge of our health early on. We have the real responsibility, not the doctors nor the insurance companies. Even a basic weight scale provides a good bit of insight into metabolism that just about everybody ignores.
@@tomd790 sure
Not about Genome test. What would you do after you know your genes? Life style changes is necessary and now.
Ford in past message response
To me you said calcium is not the problem, it's inflammation?
So if calcification in arteries coronary calcium score 50-100 or higher which Thomas levy cardiologist says should always be zero. So if there's lots calcium in arteries, slightly high blood, high fibrin
Since clotting factor #1 fibrin
Clotting factor #7 calcium(Caldwell esselstyn says oils stimulate clotting factor #7
So taking k2mk7 supplement daily great to remove calcification of arteries
Life extension turning to stone article says without k2mk7 supplement daily matrix gla protein binds calcium to coronary arteries! And all arteries!
So calcification of arteries and high fibrin are not real problem??
It's damaging endothelial lining of all arteries everyday and body's response to daily damaging endothelial lining is calcification and fibrin in arteries???
Thomas levy cardiologist says magnesium, Omega 3 , also dissolves calcification of arteries like k2mk7 supplement?
Is Thomas levy cardiologist correct that no matter how many healthy things you do, one abscess, decay tooth, root canal will kill you due to direct pathogens into coronary arteries in heart and all thru body??
I got a deep decay tooth but I'm not sure if levy is correct that this tooth will kill me?
UA-cam the truth about vitamin c Dr Thomas E. Levy by altrient
(Thomas levy wearing blue tuxedo)
44:46 Thomas levy they are the ultimate modulators of oxidative stress in your body
If your below normal for men in testosterone, slightly below normal with thyroid
45:03 Thomas levy in nutshell your focal infections start to metastasize
45:05 Thomas levy that's when the infected tooth starts setting up shop in the heart
45:14 Thomas levy 100% of heart attacks are due to the colonization inside your coronary arteries of oral pathogens, okay . I'm a cardiologist that's my training
45:27 Thomas levy not that any other cardiologist knows this
Or wants to use it in his or her practice, but I'm going to tell you right now
45:37 Thomas levy with the evidence we have in the literature, IT IS ABSOLUTE MALPRACTICE for a patient to have chest pain and not have their mouth evaluated
45:44 Thomas levy ABSOLUTE 100% MALPRACTICE
45:52 Thomas levy they studied 36 patients with known coronary artery disease, they had blockages in their heart, did coronary angiogram, did process called athorectomy where they rotorooter out the plaque, then they examined the plaque
46:08 Thomas levy inside those plaques were OVER 50 different forms of ORAL PATHOGENS viruses, fungi, bacteria you name it
All the garbage you find in your mouth was way out there in your heart in the coronary arteries
46:24 Thomas levy and it was present in 36 out of 36 patients , people who had no coronary artery disease had no pathogens
46:41 Thomas levy let's put it this way well over 97% to 98% of heart attacks are directly caused by pathogens in your mouth, well over
Don't forget this
46:55 Thomas levy if your dad even if he already got his bypass he needs to get his mouth evaluated
He needs to get rid of the root canals
47:04 Thomas levy he needs to get rid of the chronically infected teeth that you ONLY discover on 3 dimension cone beam examination of mouth because it's asymptomatic, abscess teeth believe it or
I had a stent put in last year. My Dr, ordered a coronary calcium score test and I was told I could not have it because I had an :event". Is this normal to be denied the test? looks like this is not the case with your guest as he has a stent and gets the test?
I was told the same thing
Morning Dr Brewer Mike in San Diego thanks to you bringing this great patient success story! Would be great to hear from a patient every month or so.
I agree Dr. Brewer!!
Thanks. I will try to do that!
I had a Coronary Calcium Score of 110, which is at the lower end of moderate risk. The Insurance company did not pay for the Calcium Score Test since I am not in the risk category according to the Framingham risk score for Coronary Heart Disease. Had a heart attack six weeks after the Calcium Score Test. Had to undergo quadruple bypass surgery (blockages of 100%, 90%,90%, and 80%). All of my previous ECGs and Stress Tests did not show any concerns, but I had a history of high Triglycerides. I wish my doctor's ordered a CT Angiogram even though I did not fit into the "standard" risk evaluations.
Gosh Raja. How are you doing now my friend ? I have a score of 1000 a MC 4 moderate blockages but no intervention at this stage. I have one onto the esselsyn diet and feeling better already. It’s a shame they didn’t pick up on my high TG and LDL 20 years ago .
Thankyou I been watching you about 3 years now. I have a 185 score at 62 and I needed to hear this again. I have changed my life style but not enough and this video is helping me get back on track.
Commenting on the calcium score increase. Using a compound interest calculator, starting at the original 218 number, and increasing at a 20% rate +/- 3% annually, would give you totals of 2297 (17%), 3358 (20%), and 4864 (23%). So his 1288 number would be lower than expected? Unless I'm missing something? Starting at 218 and increasing at a 20% annual rate compounded, the numbers go up quick.
Wow ! Thank you so much Gerry for your diligence and for sharing … a really really helpful episode for those of us following Ford’s protocols … thanks Doc ! Really love this type of show
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I found this video EXTREMELY informative!! Many thanks, gentlemen!
Thanks you for the comment. I was happy to make a small contribution in Dr Brewer's informative and science based UA-cam collection.
CAC and CIMT scores - Comments to those who wondered about score improvement
Other than the caution about comparing scores with CAC (scoring with stents) and CIMT (variabilty across companies and even technicians), it is crucial to consider these scores in context:
1. Lifestyle and diet leads the list
2. Advanced lipid profile
3. Inflammation markers
4. Glucose and insulin dynamics via OGTT test (not static FG or aggragated A1c)
5. Medications
5. Supplements
THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST AND COMMENTS. GERRY WILL BE REVIEWING ALL COMMENTS ON THIS VIDEO AND COMMENTING WHENEVER APPROPRIATE. PLEASE LOOK FOR HIS COMMENTS UNDER HIS UA-cam ID "GPK111"
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN CONTINUING THE DISCUSSION ON THE PREVMED FORUM, GO TO THE PREVMED WEBSITE prevmedheartrisk.com/ AND CLICK ON THE FORUM TAB. GERRY'S ID IS "QUANTICUS"
Can we use vitk2( m7) to reduce calcium score. Pl reply
let's see - I'm 62, no family history of cardiac disease, all my life i've had very low ldl levels - most recent 71 with HDL 60, triglyceride was low but i'd have to look it up and was told that no one with my numbers ever had an MI in the framingham studies Bp about 105/60, morning glucose around 80, A1c 4.7, Glucose tolerance went fine - biphasic and i've been a vegan for 35 years - i do have a Really bad case of psoriatic arthritis - all my joints are gone - but my sed rate runs between 0 and 2 and the , and the C-reactive protein about 2.7 . I avoid all oils in my diet and coconut oil/milk but i eat a LOT of nuts and low carb but not keto - no rice ( brown or white) no potatoes, no bread, no sugar ( not in decades - stevia or in the past splenda) not much fruit other than berries. My CAC score was 780 - my GP was stunned
Very interesting. Thanks for sharing. Why was your doc stunned?
He figured that i would have either a very low score or zero - he didn't want to prescribe the test - although he did - and my insurance company wouldn't pay for it so i paid myself - he then sent me to a cardiologist who did no blood work at all, put me on 10 mgs of lipitor and said that he figured that my diet had "protected me " from having heart damage ( based on zero evidence as far as i can tell - i have a Ph D in developmental neurobiology ). I've never had an insulin test so that's on my list and i've never had a lipid panel beyond LDL, HDL and triglycerides and i'll try to switch to livalo AND based on your videos, i've added K2, Q10 ( no one mentioned this to me ) vit D ( which i always took ) magnesium - the 2 supplements recommended by the aging guy - sinclair is it ? ( i read his book) nicotinamide and something else Ptero? - and Niacin ( and i really flush from it )
Wow, that's a really interesting counterpoint. As another counterpoint, I know a guy who has really high triglycerides and familial hypercholestemia. Had it for a long time, and just tried to manage it with diet and exercise and niacin. He had a carotid IMT test not too long ago at 55, and arteries were totally clean there. He eventually started statin therapy. Really bizarre. There must be more to this than just lipids and fats. I'm starting to wonder if other inflammation is the cause. I have a CAC score like yours, and my #'s were mostly great too. But, I have exceptionally high D-Dimer tests for awhile that baffles my hematologist. I wonder if I have inflammation elsewhere.
Calcium probably formed around the foreign stent - increasing the calcium score.
Yep. Calcium scores with stents can create their own questions.
Am 68, a male, 154 lbs, BP 112/79, had a CAC test a week ago, and the score was 1513. I am alergic to Niacin B2 ,(1000Mg) , bad reaction ., felt like I had ants under my skin, and scalp was on fire... Would Niacinamide be a good alternative, and what dosage? Was on atorvastatin 10Mg for 15 years, for hypercholesterol...It works, but my last LDL test was at 93. Cardiologist says it should be under 70, because I have significant Calcification of my coronary arteries....Was told to boost Atorvastatin dosage to 40 Mg for 1 week , then go to 80 Mg ..with baby aspirin. How low is too low for the LDL score....? Can I overdose on Atorvastatin??????? I want to start a Natokinase regiment ...told it is a blood thinner, so will it interfere with the baby aspirin? but unclear on the dosage for the natokinase.. 2000 FU or 4,000 FU units per day..? He said it is a gimick..........I had a recent stress test also, not a nuke one... , and passed it with no chest pain.....
The procedure of setting a stent is very invasive and damaging to the vessel walls while going in. It is no surprise that there is a major increase in calcium following a stent. I am surprised that this is not measured snd reported more often.
How does fasting insulin fit into the equation?
Basal insulin is often gig, another indicator of a problem.
Could be body be attempting to encapsulate the stent hence the high cac score?
Gerry, are you taking K2 and D3?
I see K2 is not on your supplement list. I take Koncentrated K.
D3 yes. Still studying K2. I feel Niacin is making a difference.
@@GPK111
How much niacin are you taking each day. I am working to improve peripheral artery diesease.
Me:
* Zero calcium score 2007 and 2018.
* High cholesterol over lifetime
* No diabetes
* Low exercise, no pain in legs with walking, but have numbness in lower legs, good pedal pulses
* No medications
@@jeanpeters2748 That's interesting. You have a 0 CAC score but yet have PAD? I've always thought they would be correlated
@@jeanpeters2748 As an aside, I just had the ankle brachial index done, and no peripheral artery disease for me -- which was kind of surprising. High CAC score, no PAD. Next up, carotid IMT.
This is a wonderful presentation, puts together so much of the information I have watched from this channel over the last few years. This might be the only video link that I have ever shared with a broad list of my contacts, it needs to be shared.
Thank you very much, for the sharing and the comment.
Thanks for the comment. I shared my story for just that reason.
I find it disappointing when people generalize about benefits of "cutting carbs" when there is an ENORMOUS difference between whole and refined carbs.
Can someone please advise a no flush niacin, for a kidney transplant patient w/ recently discovered plaque in LAD artery?? Thanks so much!
Regarding CIMT and CAC testing and cost.... a doctor's order IS NOT required for the CIMT and CAC testing. A major hospital in my area (Houston, TX) offers both for $205. That is the out-of-pocket cost. Also, biomarker testing can be ordered directly through several direct-to-consumer labs. Some of the tests are very reasonable. The only downside to self-ordering tests, other than paying for them, is having to interpret your own results.
yes we just got them for a self-pay of $120 each
The information of the rise in CAC was fascinating. Thanks.
type 5?
I was told by a doctor don't worry about complex carbs
It takes minutes, even seconds, to turn complex carbs into simple carbs in your bloodstream.
Meant?
A few weeks before I’ve got AFIB, I’m taking Eluques, metoprolol and Flecanide!
Going for s stress test snd a sonogram next week,
I would like to know his vitamins D and K2 status ...
Vit D levels are "normal." Studying Vit K. I feel Niacin (1,000 mg 2X/day) has helped.
@@GPK111 what form of Niacin. I see different ones.
Thanks Dr Brewer, Excellent video. This makes it simple to understand what markers are important.
Thanks.
Outstanding video! I appreciate all the excellent information.
Once again an outstanding video,thank you and thank you Gerry for sharing your history.
Thanks.
Happy to have made a small contribution to Dr Brewer's unprecedented video collection and mission.
I’m 50, what Niacin dosage do you recommend daily??
1,000 MG twice a day. A lot!
Had a triple bypass in 2015...
Concerned about inflammation since reading the latest Framingham study info.
Now CAC score matters too!
Your channel I will surely try to watch & share! Thanks!!!!!!👍
(Big Pharmocracy must not have seen this vid...no thumbs down... 😗) 👍👍👍👍👍
Thank you very much!
I have a question. After having CAC done in March, 725 score, negative nuclear stress test, zero symptoms with lots of tennis....determination of metabolic syndrome causing my issues.
Slightly elevated bp, 20lbs overweight, normal cholesterol, I was put on Toprol xl50mg, Crestor 10mg and baby aspirin. Have changed my sugar laden diet to Mediterranean diet. Lost 24lbs. Had to reduce Toprol xl to 25mg. Then to 12.5 due to bp normalization and low heart rate. Now, I have been off of Toprol XL for a week and I check my bp numerous a day......average 115/75, 62 heart rate.
So Is there any reason from a high plaque obviously CAD to take a beta blocker? I was taking it for elevated bp, but the weight loss and diet has seemed to normalize that issue. Did not like the cold hands and fatigue side effects. However, I do play intense USTA singles tennis and worry that the increase in heart rate during a match and obvious higher bp in a match would put me at risk vs. going back on a low dose??????
Beta blockers are not good solutions to tho problem. I try to keep my patients off them. We focus on root cause (usual prediabetes or other inflammatory problems) and ACE Inhibitors/CCBs for bp.
Ford Brewer MD MPH you sir are awesome. Thank you for responding. I will keep a close watch on my bp over the next few weeks. I am continually amazed how my dietary and lifestyle change in mid March has turned things around. If my bp starts to creep up I’ll ask to be put on an ACE low dose. I am now taking my 10mg. Crestor every other day.
Now, just praying that there is no soft plaque to break away and end me! Nothing else I can really do, stay on my proper diet, exercise daily, take Crestor and baby aspirin, and supplements, get natural vitamin D from sunshine on the tennis courts, fresh air, family, and some Cabernet.
@@PrevMedHealth Just wondering, what other inflammatory issues can one control outside prediabetes?
What carbs are they talking about?
This makes me wonder.........how long does it take a statin to calcify vulnerable soft plaque? Any theories on that?
That depends upon factors such as cardiovascular inflammation. The whole process is tied closely to lifestyle issues. Statin usage does speed up the process for many people. See the many videos that Dr. Brewer made on plaque.
It depends! :) I did everything I could to make it happen (lifestyle, diet, statins, Niacin, supplements) and speculated that calcification happened, but I do not have a data point for soft plaque. Only a CIMT or a prior catherization would have provided that.
Thank you Dr. Brewer for reviewing and hosting this and to Gerry for sharing such well kept records.
Can you advise if the stent was coated with everolimus?
HDL / LDL numbers were better but now heading in the wrong direction. Wondering if switching from Crestor to to Livalo
Good point. Because I ‘m far more concerned about prediabetes, I’m far more concerned about TG/HDL.
Statins - Comments to those who discussed statins - My personal view
- Statins work! They do lower cholesterol. The brand does not matter
- They are often prescribed to do just that. That's often wrong.
- On the negative side, statins exacerbate marginal diabetes
- On teh less known positive side, statins can act as an anti-inflammatory and can also encapsulate existing plaque
- Docs generally prescribe Lipitor as the go to drug and don't focus on optimizing all factors
- With Dr Brewer's help, who does care about that optimization, I've picked Livalo as my agent of choice. The downside is price. In my case, Lipitor and Crestor were fully covered by my drug policy. Livalo from a Canadian pharmacy costs about $60 for a 90 day supply (with a 4 week lead time).
Thanks for sharing.
Very interesting discussion! However, as noted in one of the comments below, I am not so sure that I would place to much credence on the CAC score. Also, CT scans are mainly used to view dense tissue like bone. Given the significant amounts of radiation, having a CT Angiogram on a yearly basis is not a good idea IMO. Perhaps a contrast MRI, which is mainly used to visualize soft tissues, is a better idea since no radiation is involved. Anyway, thanks for your excellent videos Dr. Brewer & thanks to Gerry as well............. 👍👍
Thanks.
Sapele Steve - You have to consider all the tools and determine which ones really look at the arterial walls. All the popular tests like EKGs, Carotid ultrasounds, stress tests, and MRI's do not. CIMT's, CT Angiograms, CAC scores and catherizations do look at the walls. Then you consider the availability, radiation and mortality risks and you place your bet. In my case, I decided that the value of CAC/CT Angiogram tracking and feedback by far outweighs the radiation risk. I am also adding an annual CIMT test to address soft plaque progression without radiation. Catherization is high risk, in my view, but certainly has its place on the intervention line up.
By the time you're well into your 70s and have a significant family history of heart disease, high arterial plaque and a stent, even if well managed, I doubt the lifespan will be long enough to make the relatively modest radiation exposure a meaningful cancer risk.
Thank you do much for your presentation!
I’ve had a 54% and I don’t know what these numbers meant? of calcium score five. Tears sho
Well, I don't have access to the tests, but I will do the test, diet and supplements. I am 69, and have a long history of immune system diseases so I suspect a low level calcification of arterial wall.
If you are in the US, you have access to the tests.
This was done three years ago but I am proof this video continues to reach out to help people which is wonderful. Great information from this channel. I am learning so much and actually used it so my doc and I could come up with a plan for me and one of those steps is taking a very low dose statin (Crestor) along with specific supplements. My tests are going in a better direction.
Btw… I had to chuckle when I saw that the patient sharing his health in this video is an engineer. They are so detailed oriented and I believe it’s that great trait that got him healthy! Bravo Gerry!
That’s great news Jo. I have a score of 1000 and 4 moderate blockages. This will go up with the statins unfortunately but we need to stabilise the plaque. So you got your score down ?
What a fantastic story, visual health story that so many of us are living. This story is me! I had been eating carbs, sweets...gained 20 lbs slowly over 10-12 years. In March after seeing 4 buddies die of a MI, I got a CAC scoring done. 725! Aged 65. Went on Mediterranean diet, 10mg Crestor, 50mg Toprol XL, and baby aspirin. I had eaten my way to metabolic syndrome! Went
from 184lbs to 157 lbs this morning. Now Toprol XL dropped to 25mg and I expect I will be off of it in a few months.
I feel my insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome causing arterial inflammation has been stopped. I read where Crestor 10mg taken everything other day is equally effective as daily with lower side effects. So now taking it every other day. I’m wondering how long it will take the statin to solidify all my soft plaque????????? I’m guessing a year. Then I think I will stop the statin. Any thoughts? Also taking, fish oil, aged garlic, coq10, magnesium, and K2MK7.
Thank you Dr Brewer.
Gibson guitar player... please tell me where you read about taking Crestor 10 mg every other day. I I would also like to do the same thing and I'm taking the exact same supplements you mentioned also. Can't get my doctor on board with 10 every other day.
Thank you.
Bart Robinson www.ijbcp.com/index.php/ijbcp/article/view/635
Bart Robinson . It’s my life not my physician, so I didn’t ask his permission, I just did it. I play tennis most everyday and I’m not going to let a statin give me muscle pain and slow down my game.
In my scientific reading these last three years I have read dozens of times of people taking one of the Staten type drugs once or twice a week as opposed to every day, depending on individual circumstances.
Dr. Brewer has done quite a few videos on just these aspects.
What about Carnosine to reverse glycation?
I reduced my score from 605 to 516 in 2 years. Still have a way to go but its going in the right direction. I use Niacin, chelation, and other supplements and increased exercise. HDL from 29 to 53 which i think the niacin has really helped. Thanks Dr. Brewer i got that idea from you!
Hi, do you have a link to the Niacin you take? That will be very helpful to me. Thanks
Is niacin a supplement
Are we sure that the stent does not confound the calcium score? The stent was put in after the first CAC.
Great point, Peter. We didn't cover that. And it sometimes does.
GPK111
CAC TESTING - general comments and response to Jim Dandy, TJ and Nutranuva. Mind you, this is coming from an engineer, not a medical professional!
1. Docs in general don't know and don't care much about CAC.
2. If used, it's treated as a screener for CV disease, not as a tracking tool.
3. Once CV disease is confirmed (bad lipids, stress test, stent, other events, etc), CAC measurements are REALLY discouraged, since you've been screened and declared a CV risk. That test to docs is now moot.
4. I take a different view and believe tracking of arterial wall composition is paramount to my motivation and life style drivers. In my case, traditional blood markers (lipids, static glucose markers and inflammatory markers) are all great, so i have to rely on other tools. Periodic stress tests are on the standard of care menu, but CAC, CIMT, and CT Angiograms are not. I have historical CAC data points, so I plan to continue those tests. I have also added CIMT and CT Angiograms to my follow up regimen. I correlate my CAC scores with a CT angiogram. CIMT testing is is indeed more difficult to find and also more expensive, but they are more meaningful, since they address soft and hard plaque.
Caveat: CIMT scores don't always correlate closely to CAC scores and CIMT historical score comparisons can vary significantly due to variations in scanning techniques.
5. Since I have a single stent and use CAC testing as a tool, I do three things to assure historical perspective:
a. Compare to CT angiograms. In my case, a CAC count is usually part of a CT Angiogram procedure.
b. Look at the 5 or 6 Agatston's score components. I am able to isolate the LAD component (where the stent is) and compare that trend to the rest of the arteries. So far, the historical LAD counts have been in line with the other branches.
c. I check out the actual slices of the scan to make sure the counts are rational.
Note: While the calcium dots are machine scored, there is some judgment involved in the interpretation, since there can be artifacts or marginal dots.
what are unintended glucose consequence?
I thought a high calcium score was bad, not good. 218 to 1288 seems deadly!
Thanks. Bit it’s a little more complicated than that
Hi Dr. Brewer, Taking thrombocil for PAD. I just had a full body ct scan and my arteries around the body are calcified. May I take K2MK7, D3 and what else to reduce calcification
I aim for higher doses; at least 400 mcg.
Doc I have a quick question. I have a CAC score of 1000 and 4 moderate blockages including 2 in the LAD. They were close to stenting me but I’m asymptomatic. I’m now on high dose statins which will increase my score but my understanding is it’s stable calcium, better than soft plaque. If I try to reduce calcification with K2 M7, niacin etc won’t this just prevent the calcification of plaques in the arteries which need to be stabalised to keep things more stable/safer ?
Hello Doctor, can we take K2 while on Ecosprin 150/20 and amlodipine 5mg ? Just concerned about interaction with these medications.
Any advice would be helpful. Thanks
Sure. Why would you think that there would be a problem?
@@tomd790Thanks for replying.
I read on several websites and saw in videos that doctors mentioned not to have vitamin K2 when on blood thinners Anticoagulant like warfarin. But I am not sure about Aspirin or Ecosprin because it is also a blood thinner. That's my doubt.
@@sandeesingh5375 Aspirin and Ecosprin are primarily antiplatelets rather than blood thinners. Here is some info from a website - www.medlife.com/blog/ecosprin-uses-benefits-side-effects-and-dosage/
Ecosprin provides the antiplatelet action by irreversibly inhibiting the formation of thromboxane A2, via acetylation of platelet cyclooxygenase. Thromboxane plays a role in the aggregation of platelets. Aspirin also has antipyretic, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties and works by inhibiting the formation of cyclooxygenase-1 and 2 (COX-1 and 2) enzymes.
@@tomd790 Thanks Tom, I appreciate your time.
I went through that website and I understand that Ecosprin or Aspirin is a Anti-platelet drug, I am just unsure if it is safe to have K2 MK7 when on this medication. Though, K2 MK7 does have interaction with Anticoagulant drugs.
@@sandeesingh5375 For what it is worth, for well over 2 years I have been taking a fairly high dose of K2, aspirin and amlodipine daily along with other medications/supplements. I don't have any concern about a problem.
Has anyone heard of Life Line Screening? Are they reputable? It's my chance to get my arteries checked close to home..
Great question. Most of them rush the artery scan too much to be a reliable review.
@@PrevMedHealth that was a concern I had, along with a proper angle technique.
There's an old saying about "whistling past the graveyard" and that applies, in spades, with Gerry here, who is looking at CAC's over a grand and feeling sanguine about that. Over a grand CAC is basically a walking dead man.
Good info there doc. Keep it coming 👌
Thanks.
I might have missed the resulting conversation about his insulin resistance being "discovered" after starting STATINS??? I've read that Statins cause diabetes!!! Was tgat discussed at all in this video???
Hello Gerry. I just got a CAC score and it rocked me world. So you do recommend a statin. I have a bottle I’m looking at and scared to take. I’ve started a low carb diet. But the statins I’m balking on. Any thoughts. I’m 71. Healthy. Good HDL good triglycerides just high LDL. No diabetes. I saw a cardiologist and he just gave me a big amount of statins and just scared me to be honest. It’s like he felt I was not able to reverse anything. No history of heart disease in my family. 35:51
how to you eat a plant based diet and reduce carbs since beans and rice are a staple in the vegetarian diet??
“Plants are trying to kill you.” - Dr.Anthony Chaffee
This was helpful to me, since I am a 69 1/2 age male, good weight and BMI, and I have glucose intolerance diagnosed about a year ago. I have been wearing a glucose monitor and have seen my average glucose come down from about 130 to 100 in a year's time. However, my insulin level only slightly increased from 4 to about 8. The 8 is at the bottom of normal range, but slight improvement, so I have hope I am on the right trajectory.
I eat low carbs but have seen my calcium score increase from 180 to about 270. That's not good and it concerns my doctor and me. BUT, that said, I exercise regularly and feel OK.
Now, based on my own research, I am going to start doing three supplements. First, there is evidence that D3 and K2 (MK7) might actually redirect calcium to the proper places in my body instead of the arteries. Secondly, instead of Metformin, I prefer a natural vitamin called Berberine. I will also be increasing my CoQ10 and will take Niacin.
Ford, you said that there is evidence that an increase in Calcium score might be because it indicates healing of the arterial wall. I would like to know where you got that info if you know.
Finally, there is a strange scoring matrix in the Agatson scoring, because in my right coronary artery, even though my total score increased, that artery actually DECREASED to a zero. Can you explain how that is possible? The left anterior descending is where the increase really happened.
Thanks in advance.
Would a CIMT under the exact same circumstances give a similar high score or would it reflect an improvement?
Soft plaque would likely be decreased before significant calcium is removed from plaque that is undergoing calcification.
His score according to the slide went from 1288 at age 75 to 1178 a year later? I expected them to say it instead of just talking about how it went down.
I also wish they would have highlighted where the stent was placed and where the calcium had increased and decreased.
K2 MK7
Lowered mine from 5550 to 27 in 4 years
Is this a joke? Not funny.
HUH! lowered WHAT? 5550 to 27: YOU NEED TO TYPE IN MORE SPECIFICALLY WORDED SENTENCES PLEASE!
Have you had your thyroid tested? TSH in the lower third of the range, T3 & T4 in the upper third. What about your vitamin D3 status?
Stating increases cac
My United Healthcare Medicare will not pay for the CAC score test which out of pocket is $75. I then took a nuclear stress test was $2,000 in which my copay was $125. Go figure!
Yep. I understand the need for insurance companies. But they can be really dumb sometimes. We don’t take insurance for our care. But a lot of our labs, studies & meds are covered.
Ford Brewer MD MPH on keto for nearly two years now and off all 17 meds, all my numbers down except fluctuating LDL but don’t know if it’s dense or fluffy. I’m serious keto but can’t always afford grass finish meat/pasture raised eggs. But I’m doing well. I just have a hard time understanding insurance administrators who’d rather pay for ridiculously expensive tests and not allow/pay for extremely inexpensive tests. Isn’t that fraud?
@@vas4739 Your body can handle regular meat and eggs as long as you´re eating your greens. A little bit of stress is positive :)
In my case, I paid $50 for CAC tests. They were supplemented by CT Angiograms which were totally covered.
What KIND of carbs were you eating when you got these problems?
Doctor I have calcium score 104. I am taking 2 times carbohydrate food like rice. I am changing to millets with in short period after reaching India. What you sugest to reduce or dissolve calcium score range. Please sugest doctor.at present I am talking rosavtsan and ecosprin. But Cholesterol reduced. Calcium score nit reduced. So fir above can I take any other ( I seen your texts reg,, vitk2(m7). Pl sugest how to take how much mg. Is it advisable. No side affects. Pl reply with all details doctor PLEASE reply doctor. How to reduce calcium score. Please sugest about usage of vitk2
Gerry, what type and quantity of Niacin do you take?
I've heard Dr. Brewer state in other videos that he uses the Endur Acin version of niacin. It is an extended-release low flush version. That is what I choose to use based on my research. From my research on the use of niacin to lower cholesterol, how much to take depends on your starting point, i.e. how high is your total cholesterol (TC) level. I've read that some people were able to reduce their TC levels to acceptable values by taking 500 mg/day (this is where I started). In other cases, and in some published studies I've read it took 1500-2000 mg/day. An important point I've read about taking niacin is that it can raise glucose levels. So if you are diabetic it is best to do this under the supervision of a doctor. Well, that is the case with almost all of this supplementation and testing.
This has been extremely helpful. I’ve seen my CAC double in the last 18 months and it makes no sense! I’ve lost 65 lbs and I’ve become very active. I went from totally sedentary to training Jiu Jitsu 5 times a week. I also work out regularly. I still have high triglycerides even when fasted for 7 days. Even that didn’t explain how I went from sky high blood pressure and being overweight with a low CAC to training as much as I do and having 11% body fat with a CAC of 137 at 51.
I bet I could explain some of it. For example, calcium is laid when plaque goes from soft (unstable) to hard (stable).
I think your calcium score increased as a result of stabilizing inflamed plaque.
@@PrevMedHealth I feel better. I was on that ledge for a little while. My doctor wants me to eliminate all fat from my diet and I know that’s not the answer
@@Chris-kr7gg I’m almost totally carnivore now. I started taking niacin and berberine in March. My last blood test was the best one I’ve ever had. My normal triglycerides were about 200. My normal HDL were 28. This most recent test my triglycerides were 67 and my hdl was 62. I’ve been very strict with my diet. I only cheated once and that was a piece of carrot cake with my wife for our anniversary. I’ve also started cooking with grass fed beef tallow. It tastes great and is much healthier.
@@Chris-kr7gg I normally fast until noon or later. I eat a grass fed hamburgers with eggs I get from my own chickens. I use provolone cheese on my burgers. Dinner is normally some kind of meat, steak, sausage, pork chops, chicken or something else. I do make a lot of taco meat and will add black olives and onions to that. The majority of vegetables I do eat are mostly mushrooms and onions sautéed in beef tallow to eat with my steak or peppers and pinions sautéed in wild bore lard with my Italian sausage. Ever so often I may stop at subway to get a double meat steak salad. That’s rare though. My wife will steak asparagus or Brussels sprouts. I’ll eat those with tons of butter. We will make a salad when we have people over. I make my own salad dressing. All commercial dressing uses soybean oil. That’s poison so I make a dressing using sour cream and avocado oil mayonnaise. Then add spices to make ranch dressing. I also make a blue cheese. Dressing. There’s a local place that make what they call pizza bowls. Those are all the topping of a pizza put in a bowl instead of on pizza. I get those every Tuesday after Jiu Jitsu class. Those have peppers mushrooms and onions on them. Along with tomato sauce. I think that covers all my vegetable intake over the last 6 months. I don’t miss them. Meat tastes better and is more satiating. Almost forgot. I do put coconut oil in my coffee every morning.
Great video Doc, so many dont actually show real numbers, just say 'was high' .
Does it matter how the CAC count of plaques changes between tests?
Great discussion one of my favorite topics ever since I had a calcium score 5 years ago.
Great program. Question: My understanding is risk metrics are not generally available after age 80. Is it worthwhile to test genetics after 80 or will you generally be off the risk charts?
That testing would be beneficial to your family members
@@gklein4054 Thanks. My only kid is adopted. So no benefit to him. Looks like 80, there is no benefit for the individual patient.
Excellent. Thank you Dr. Brewer and Gerry.
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I believe it is well known that statins enhance prediabetes and increase calcium scores. That is why Gerry’s calcium score jumped up. A related question I have is “Do people with 0 calcium scores ever get AFIB.” Someone help me out, please. And thanks for a terrific video.
My Dr insists Statins lower calcium scores but most of what I've read disputes that.
What's the name of a good statin? Thanks
I went through several iteration and ended up with Livalo. According to Dr Brewer, it provides the best balance of anti-inflammatory properties, plaque encapsulation, and avoids glucose exacerbation. It's expensive, so mine is sourced from a Canadian pharmacy. Most statins do a good job of controlling cholesterol levels.
My pcp didn’t recommend me taking niacin because of the side effects but wanted to put me on a statin. My CAC score was 142. I read on line that your CAC score can go up but nothing will bring it down.
I have a score of 1000. I also have 4 blockages. I’m on statins to stabalise the plaque and yes, it will calcify it and increase the score. But from my understanding calcium itself is not the danger. Many athletes have a lot of calcium on the outside of their arteries from training and they’re healthy. I don’t think you should worry too much but I have heard vitamin D and K2 MK7 can reverse it a little. I’m not sure if this is true
Thanks Doc Brewer, great talk!
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I love these kind of videos
Janarae18 Thanks! Me, too.
Thanks for the comment. Happy to have made a small contribution to Dr Brewer's unprecedented video collection.
It’s known that Statins increase calcium scores what about that Doc?
You must not have seen many of my videos. It's well known by those of us that do CIMT that plaque stability comes with calcification. Thanks for asking.
I need a doctor in the Riverside California area that knows all these types of test.
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Not many are talking about strategies for reducing CAC score. Maybe reducing is not as important as stabilizing the plaque in which case CAC score may go up a bit. In any case a) reducing carbs b) eliminating grains c) consuming Omega 3 and d) adding Vitamin D3 are also key to improving arterial health according to Dr. William Davis on the subject of reversing CAC score.
Don't forget to have your K2 alongside w your vitamin D-3.
Few people are able to reverse a considerable amount of calcified plaque. I haven't heard of a well documented case where a person went from a CAC score of 500 or more to something close to 0. I suspect that a few people can make modest decreases in partially calcified plaque.
Tom Deck I don’t know of many who are talking publicly of reversing their CAC score yet. I tested 143 about a year ago and have gone ketogenic diet since. I have added some of the things I mentioned earlier to my regimen. I’ve been feeling awesome and my cholesterol, blood sugar and Blood pressure numbers have gotten so much better. I’d like to re test my CAC in about a year or so to see if anything there has changed. Knowing I am doing all the right things I would not worry too much if my CAC has gone up a little bit because of the stability phenomenon that was discussed in this video.
Seek Truth Yes of course. Sauerkraut and Gouda cheese are good natural sources for K2 by the way
Good summary
How please
I hear a lot about a low carb diet. My understanding is anything under 100g of cabs is considered low card ( maybe not by the KETO faction) But everyone is at a diffrent weight and fitness. And your intake of macros are going to be diffrent for each person and goal. So my goal is to maintain my muscle mass and even grow it, but i do have concerns with a 500+ Calcium score and want to control inflammation. So I guess the question is what percentage of carbs to calorie intake or total macro intake?
Thanks
Pete
BTW im a 55 year old non smoking male weighing right now 254lbs
I have plenty of guys doing well with higher calcium scores - much higher - and 100 gm/day.
Dr ford brewer thanks for this extremely useful information
I have calcium score of 1384 on 23/11/2019 cardio prescribed me atrovastatin / ecosprin 10/75 mg daily I am taking NICORDIL 5mg twice daily
Will that reduce my calcium score I am 78 year running. Your advice will be appreciated. What should I do further otherwise I am ok no other heart risk factor except blood pressure for that I am on telma good wishes 27/06/2020
I don't think that Dr. Brewer can directly answer because you are not a patient. I wouldn't count on your calcium score going down. Stabilizing any existing soft plaque and stopping more from forming is the most important goal.
Thanks shri TOM DECK for your views good wishes 28/06/2020
Shashi Moghe - I suggest you take a more comprehensive view. Glucose/Insulin dynamics, inflammatory markers, and detailed lipids. Only then can you get a handle on CAC screening data. Dr. Brewer offers some very affordable programs.
Terrific real life example of vascular disease. So in theory, at the extreme margins, a calcium score could be potentially worthless.
Can a person with a zero CAC score be full of gooey deposits and be much more at risk than a person with a significant CAC score? That also CAC score can also have a lot of gooey deposits that the ultra-fast CT machine cannot "see".
Isn't it better to discard the CAC and go directly to the gold standard test: catheterization?
Also, what is the final word on MK-7 supplements?
Camera intervention is potentially harmful.
Yes, a CAC score of 0 doesn't mean that you don't have some soft plaque in your arteries. Some people do unfortunately fixate on their CAC score rather than how it got there. No on invasive treatments for preventative screening for the the general public.
Cath has serious chance for complications.
@@drott150 - the many variables cardiologists have to deal with coronary desease! There is no one perfect test that will give you all the answers.
ApoB
This person’s RT3 would be interesting to know
Katie,
My thyroid functions are normal and RT3 has not been a focus. Please let me know if you feel there is a close relationship to my main focus, which is to avoid future cardiovascular events.
Thank you for this presentation.
Thanks
Dr. Brewer, do you think that taking vitamin k2 would help with reducing calcium deposit in arteries?
It might. I have a series on this.
Any tips/guidance on purchasing a niacin supplement?
Try Enduracin first. If that doesn’t work, try Rugby.
Ford Brewer MD MPH thanks!
@@PrevMedHealth hi,what would be the dose to take ,would a muti vit be enough as a maintenance dose ?
I am taking 1,000 mg 2X/day, like many of Dr Brewer's patients. I sourced mine from my regular supplement supplier and experienced no flushing. Enduracin would have been my next choice.
@@GPK111 But, I thought the nuacin flushing was benefial...
Hmmmm. Gerry’s CAC score jumped from the lower 200’s to over 1,200. Certainty noteworthy and apparently explained well as perhaps being soft plaque. However, consider this (... and I could flat be wrong ...), the CAC/Agatston score is determined by the machine. There is little, if any wiggle room for interpretation. It is a quantitative reflection of the calcium that the scanner sees. So if one’s first CAC is reflective of a hard, localized calcium presence that scores 220 (my initial was 209), and the next score was over 1,200 a couple/few years later, could the latter be a reflection of an overall increase of soft calcium plaque through the ENTIRETY of the heart? The question then becomes: What mortality rates are associated with the varying levels of soft plaque? Until I can learn more about this possible plaque “density” issue, I’m keeping my CAC scoring on the side as a contributing data point, and not (right now) as a potential heart attack indicator. (I’ll do my next/2nd CAC Scoring next September, for a 2-year gap comparison.)
I think we’re closer than we may sound.