I had a CAC scan at the insistence of my Cardiologist. Results were .74 He insisted I start statins immediately. When I refused and told him I was overjoyed my score was so low, the 5 minute debate ensued. My lipid panel was great. Overall cholesterol a little high, as well as LDL. He said nothing at all about my HDL being so high (good) and my triglycerides being so low! (great). I need to find a keto friendly Cardiologist.
Indeed. There are very, very few Keto/Carnivore physicians/surgeons. I also flat-out refused statins. There’s little evidence statins benefit more than harm.
HDL cholesterol does not tell you anything. LDL cholesterol is not the whole story. Measure APOB which measures all the atherogenic particles. Measure Lp(a), the most atherogenic particle
What an honest doctor. Very good info. 59yrs old just had my CAC scan on 8-4-22. Came back zero. My dad had lots b4 he passed so family Dr recommended it. Only 71 dollars to perform. Worth it! Kaiser insurance wanted me to consider statins first before they would give me the test. Screw that....I did it on my own. San Jose Ca
@@robkoering2702 SimonMed imaging in Santa Clara. They actually have several all over the bay area. I got a referral from a doctor . He didn't charge me anything. The imaging was 71 bucks.
Insurance and doctors only do tests after an incident or symptoms. I prefer to be proactive and have paid for several tests myself. You don't need a doctor's order for blood tests or CT scans.
Hello Dr. Davis, I love your channel, I just did calcium score and my cardiologist told me I have no significant coronary disease because my score was 37, however he told me that that won’t protect my brain, as he put it that those arteries can attack my brain and I can suffer stroke” that’s exactly his words.. he is very well known MSH doc but he is immigrant as I am, so our English is not the best . So, he insists that I take statins because my LDL was 165.. few month ago. I’ve been taking statins since 2007 and I stop taking them like a year ago, because my legs were cramped and ever since I stop taking STATINS I feel great I exercise and I think I’m in great shape.. I’m 64 by the way.. what’s your take on this. How I can lower my LDL cholesterol without statins Thank you Dr.Davis
@@rajkoljutica3115educating yourself watch fat: a dcoumentary and the magic pill. Your brain needs cholesterol to have neurological functions. Don’t take statins ever. Read the cholesterol myth book
hmmm, god must been watching me bc he brought this video to me to watch. I just had my first heart scan and cholesterol test and my doctor visit to read the result will be this week interesting to find out what he had to say from the result. I want to thank you Dr. Davis for your video keep up with the videos.
I'm so glad I found this video. I've been having discomfort in my chest for a few weeks, which could be due to anxiety issues, and I have my first cardiology consult coming up in a couple weeks. Your words have definitely given me something to keep in mind while talking with him. It's so sad that our health isn't of the utmost concern for many doctors and facilities. Instead of trying to get to the root cause of an issue, they're only concerned about how much money we'll bring in.
I've had anxiety for years and being put diagnosed with high blood pressure about 1yr&1/2 ago its been so puzzling to know exactly when I'm having heart racing palpitations early in the morning after I've already taken my hb medication, arthritis, and my auto-immune med.. I'll go back to sleep and then wake up, and if I'm still feeling those same heart palpitations I'll take my Xanax thinking it might be my anxiety and sometimes it has been, but others I've had to take my emergency hb little pill and lay down again for a bit and when I get back up, I do feel better.. so I'm now scheduled for a CT to check for possible blockage in arteries.. now I'm really confused
@@bert1450 For me, it turned out to be anxiety. We did one of those tests where they score the calcium buildup in the arteries. Got a score of 0, which is what you want. I'm glad you're doing better!
Thank You Dr. Davis! You are a true giant among men. Your honesty is so refreshing. It is what I have expected all along with every Doctor I have ever known. You belong to just a tiny handful that have lived up to my expectations of professionalism and humanity.
The "Loss Leader" comment really got me. I will forever look at my Doctor as a Salesperson 1st and a doctor 2nd. I think we often forget that healthcare is for profit industry.
Very interesting. About 10 years ago my wife and I had a CAC done. Hers was 3 mine was 1187. They suggested a Nuclear Stress Test. It came back inconclusive, so they did an angiogram and it came back 20% blockage in the LAD (the widow maker.) Fast forward, I had an irregular EKG so they suggested I have a nuclear CT done. Well, the cardiologist said my heart was functioning normally. I've been taking K2 with mk7, D3 and IP6 ever since 2012. This same cardiologist told my wife's friend that she needed a stint. She went to Las Vegas to get it done because they live in Henderson NV. Doctor told her she didn't and asked who said she did. So I don't know what to believe. I certainly don't believe Dr. Bhambi in Bakersfield California.
My husband’s CAC score was 1580. He had a massive heart attack 1 week later ended up with a 5 vessel bypass and 3 valves repaired. Now he had heart failure and kidney failure from the heart attack. He was 67 at the time.
I am 68 going on 69. A couple years ago I had a calcium score done because I had some swelling in my ankles. I take prednisone because I have secondary adrenal insufficiency. I was told I had a score of 1743. I then had a nuclear stress test which showed it was lining my arteries and didn’t look like I was being plugged. They put me on Crestor right away which caused me lots of muscle pain. I did some research that said if you have any endocrine issues, DO NOT TAKE. So I quit. Got better right away. I also have low thyroid and take medication for that. Earlier this week I went to the heart Dr. to get cleared to have shoulder surgery ( which I’ve decided not to have) it doesn’t hurt. She tried talking me into to taking some kind of statin but I said no. I do take a good Omega 3 everyday. She also suggested I take a baby aspirin everyday. I’m allergic to ALL NSAID’s. Prednisone thins my blood enough already. I bruise very easily. Don’t they read a patient’s chart anymore? They should also know the risks of someone on steroids having endocrine issues should not take that stuff. I have changed eating habits to help with inflammation. Some of the swelling was from twisting my ankle and tearing my Achilles tendon. It calcified and I didn’t know that’s what I had done until the swelling went down. That was 3 years ago this New Years Eve. And No I hadn’t been drinking. I just thank God that I’m still here. Bless you for the information.
In Canada you cannot get a CT scan unless your doctor requests it. But you can get it in Detroit for $180.00 . I have only had ultrasound sound test done. 3 years no progression. 3 years grain free ! 🔥🏋️♂️🙏✌🇨🇦🇨🇦🥦🥑🍖🍗💗
I am in Canada and asked for the scan. My Dr. referred me to a cardiologist first. I then asked my cardiologist for the scan and he granted me it. Had it a week later with a score of 0. Both Dr. and cardiologist want me on a Statin as my LDL is slightly elevated due to eating high protein and high fat diet. 🤦♂️
Thanks for the information. After my CT scan, the doctor that ordered it (my endocrinologist) said I needed to see a cardiologist immediately. He added that ai might have to get stents. My cardiologist laughed and said he had the same numbers. Having no symptoms and after an extra test or two, he said I would have to just be checked every two years or so.
I've had heart symptoms for few years my doctors wouldn't listen finally one doctor as listened to me .some doctors are useless and don't give a monkeys. Thanks for this video ❤ive subscribed
Hey cherry what kind of hear condition symptoms do you get And for how long? Ive been going through terrible heart condition issues since 2019 after catching one of the worst strains of COVID-19 But up to now Doctor still can't figure out what's wrong and how to help me so they just keep loading me up with prescriptions for this that n everything under the sun but what the root cause of the problem is and of course I don't take any of it but I'd take maybe baby aspirin at most.
Ugggh, I've got my first one tonight, I cancelled the CT angiogram... let's find out if there's some plaque first before we inject the nuclear dye... Not looking forward to any bad news, wish me luck. Good vid, thx
You have magnificent control over your score, Di, but it won't come through statin drugs or cutting dietary fat. Take a look at my Undoctored Inner Circle where we discuss these issues in-depth, including via two-way live video.
I,m happily allergic to statins and other cholesterol lowering drugs, so do not take them, my triglycerides are very good and HDL is high. Will take a look at your inner circle, thanks.
Dr, please don’t take this personally - I love you. I’ve been on a keto diet for the last 20 years (the only way I’ve found to manage my weight and general well being) thus having high LDL, my doctors keep trying to make me take a statin. Just had a coronary calcium ct and have a score of zero. Yet my doctor still insists that I must be on a statin to reduce long term risk. I wish you were my doctor…
Find another doctor. With a zero score the guidelines don't call for a statin. My wife's doctor stopped bugging her when she showed him her zero score.
The LMHR keto study clearly shows there isn't a risk of metaboliclly healthy people with high LDL lipoproteins in a ketogenic setting. You don't need a statin you need a new doctor.
Thank you for this information! I was frustrated my husband’s doctor and cardiologist had him get an angiogram catheterization after getting what turned out to be a false positive echo stress test. I’d wanted him to get CAC first, but they ignored my suggestion. Lots of money and unnecessary risk for nothing. His CAC we finally did after the invasive procedure was barely above zero. Mine was zero. We both just wanted to know our risk after my brother died unexpectedly at 59 of heart failure.
This sort of behavior is inexcusable, Suzy. I would make your feelings known to those doctors and never allow them to exploit you or your husband again.
Actually, you never said why they ordered the angiogram. Remember, he said the coronary calcium score is for asymptomatic individuals. Not everyone's head needs to be on the chopping block. That's just plain irresponsible.
For years doctors have tried to get me on statins, high fat plus running would bring the numbers they wanted, eventually I just told them to show me an 80 year old with low cholesterol and I would go on statins. Still no takers!
My calcium score is10 at 65 years old. Never overweight never anything I am now intermittent fasting 20 hours / 5 and eating no sugar no carbs. My nurse practitioner who should not be practicing anything was trying to scare me into the very things you mentioned. Very frustrating
Thank you very much for the information you share with us. Hope you can give a lecture to our Cardiologist here in the Philippines. God bless you always.
I’m 53 and told I have high cholesterol. I had an echocardiogram and everything was great. But my cardiologist is insisting that I stay on REPATHA I have to inject every 2 weeks even though I feel sick for 5-7 days each injection. She told me if I don’t take Repatha (or equivalent) that I’m setting myself up for an early grave/heart attack/stroke ! Yesterday she told me I needed a Chemical Stress Test in CT w/Dye . I’ve had SOOO many CT scans, MRI, X-rays over the years (those were from many injuries, chronic illness, autoimmune, chronic migraines etc.) I’m concerned about the nuclear exposure . I feel like many New/Younger Drs tend to order a barrage of tests and prescriptions after 1 visit! (My family GP retired 4 yrs ago ) I’m having trouble finding a Dr who Listens & Doesn’t Jump The Gun On Diagnosis, medications , tests & surgery. Any advice you could give would be a true gift and very appreciated!! Thank You either way, because your videos are extremely helpful!💜💜💜💜
I've also noticed the young ones (even though their generation has been majorly messed up on drugs) will write a prescription and order MANY tests if you have good insurance. If you're on public insurance they're conservative.
Your high blood pressure is not gonna kill you this medication they put you on well, I have something in mind might help both of us. Are you interested? Please let me know. Thank you and God bless you.
@@maryabraham9182 I’m so sorry, I edited my post. I meant to say I have high Cholesterol. My blood pressure actually runs very low. Do your opinions stay the same with my correction? Again I apologize. Any advice I welcome openly. I want to get healthy. Last time I saw my GP , I expressed my desire to get off some prescriptions (Zoloft being one) and he recommended instead that I ADD On another to the Zoloft . Seriously?! I was like…Hello….did u even listen to what I said? Then the nurse came back in after he left and tried to pressure me into a tetanus shot & shingles. I said NO repeatedly!! Why the push for these?
Carnivore. Fire your doctors and live your best life! At 60, doctors will only be involved in my life for emergent care. Annual sales calls (checkups) be damned. I'm flying solo from now on. Order my own blood tests from labcorp. I would rather die at 80 then live like a prisoner in a 'nursing' home until I'm 85!
I’ve had a cough for eight years. Just got worse. I have been taking the vitamin k2 and has helped dissolved a ganglion cyst on my wrist. My chiropractor took ex rays. High calcium. Cholesterols high. Only eat organic food. Glad I came across your video.
you can't see calcium in your heart on an X-ray. you have to have a contrast die angiogram CT. at least it's not lung cancer - any cough should be seen by a DOCTOR - any cough that doesn't resolve is either cancer, an esophogus issue or something else, you must get it checked.
It's refreshing to hear someone point out the very limited benefit from testing in asymptomatic therapy. I'm dubious about your comments on medical therapies, though.
Thank you for this video, Dr Davis. I've already had tons of blood tests, and I have wanted to get this heart CT test for a long time, but unfortunately I do not have a doctor, and where I live you can not get a heart CT scan without a doctor's prescription.
@@WilliamDavisMDDr just took this test today CT cardiac scoring test. They did no needle or fluid, is this normal? I literally just went into the machine with stickers hooked on my chest. Told to hold my breath for a few seconds, a few times and was out in 5 minutes. Just wanted to know if this was ok?
I did have a calcium score done. It scored at a high 400s. Family history of heart attacks. I did have a standard stress test that I failed, then had a Nuclear stress test. That test did indeed show I had two ischemic areas of unknown age. Off to cath. I had three blockages, 90,80 and 75%. Clearly I had had two asymptomatic heart attacks and a bypass was preformed. Thinking symptoms are always going to happen isn't always guaranteed. I say get the score. You at least have a baseline.
Very interesting. My calcium scores for the last few years were: 400+, 542 & 609. Have been on statins for about 40 yrs (age 70). Currently on high dose Crestor and low dose Zetia which doctor believes will reduce the calcium blockage. Found 30% blockage in LDA 5 yrs ago. Not overweight & exercise regularly (gym + walk several miles daily). History of heart disease in family.
Manuel, it seems your regimen is not working for you, if you're doing all that and not seeing improvement in your labs or scans. I think you should address the food addiction first and get on Dr. Williams plan to save your life.
I’m about have a CT scan for calcium score. I have high cholesterol of 7.7mmol. The doctor referred me to the scan. Was interesting to hear what was talked about in this video. I’m only 45 and very fit. I hardly drink I don’t smoke and my diet isn’t bad at all. Quite frustrating to have such high cholesterol
It's more than likely a family history of high cholesterol...I was diagnosed with it along with two of my family members...I'm 54 strong fit and don't drink or smoke...go on statins for your own good..don't listen to people on here against statins...its a family history so medication is your only choice 😉👍
High LDL is not necessarily a problem. LDL is made up of Large Buoyant LDL (harmless), and small dense LDL.. dangerous. Check your Triglyceride to HDL ratio as a quick check of yhe “small dense LDL”. A ratio below 2 is decent.. 1.5 or below is good.. 1.0 or less even better. Dont let high LDL scare you.. that ratio is much more important. If it is high.. reduce carbs and sugar and trig will go down
I'm an 83 year old female. I got the CAC coronary heart test for calcium recently. Total score was 117. Three arteries were 0 - one was 37 and the "widow maker" artery was 80. I am in the process of lowering my cholesterol. My sugar and blood pressure are good. I know a stress test well result in the radioactive/nuclear test will be next. I don't wish to do this. I also know my cardiologist will almost demand a statin drug. I wish there was a way to talk to you!! What kind of doctor would you recommend? I would like one that were feel like you do.
I recently had a Cardiac Calcium Score. My Doctor office called me and I was told I had a widow maker! I'm a former Paramedic so I wasn't about to worry about it yet. I asked what my score was? I was told 60 and to double up on my cholesterol medicine. I didn't know what that number meant. I did some research and it's a very low number and all the recommendations are to increase your medication and avoid alcohol and to be active, ie exercise.
Fmb12 it’s under 100 so your score of 60 is safe.I don’t know why your doctor is overdramatising everything mine came back as 27 my doctor said keep doing what you’re doing see you in 5 years.
@@acts-me8xr I’m 58 your score of 60 is in the mild category is your cholesterol high that’s the only reason i can think he’s told you to increase your medication.
They don’t last. They cause clots and can lead to strokes. The problem is not narrowing of your arteries. The problem is inflammation of the artery walls leading to plaquing and then a soft plaque ruptures and you get a myocardial infarction. Stents are outdated medicine and not the panacea that people think that they are.
First thing first…if my Husband had a CT scan, he’d never had to be rushed into emerg and surgery to repair a blockage! He received a stent and it saved his life…it didn’t have to be an emergency. He’s since had two more stents inserted, and last month, he was rushed into surgery, bypassing the registry office and again, blocked stent, his life was saved. I’ll be having a CT scan shortly because of some issues, and by heavens if they say I have a blockage, I’ll darn well get a stent! Everything here is paid for, so no bills, but we’d still get done what needs to be done regardless of any costs. Be informed consumers, like everything else, ask questions, do your research, and always make decisions you’re comfortable with, not what someone else “suggests” YOU do for your own body.
You need to do more investigation into stents. They really are NOT the wonder surgical interventions that they were once touted as being. In fact, there is increasing evidence that they can cause as much harm as good. Risk of blood clots goes up, etc.
Thank you so much . So glad I stumbled upon your site. I am 65, play tennis 3-4 times week. Good cholesterol. Got a CT scan out of curiosity. Score of 725! Primary care doc put me on a low dose statin and baby aspirin. Sent me for a Nuclear stress test which I passed easily. I know my diet has caused this. Have put on weight in past 4 years, pizza, chocolate. So now I am on your diet in past 6 weeks. Here is my question. If I start on vitamin K will it reverse the stabilization of the statin on my calcified plaque and cause a break off?
I had a recent Heart CT scan and was shocked at my score of 1600. I’ve had high cholesterol for over 40 years. My primary care doctor is very concerned and I have been a wreck since first learning of this score. I ride a bicycle 3 times a week and never experienced and chest discomfort. Had a stress test a year ago and results were good. I’m 6 feet tall and 188 pounds. Not sure what to do at this point.
Hi Tom Stay positive eat salads with grilled chicken maybe and be active and for sure stay away from stress. By eating only two meals a day I went from 219 to 183 or so and have a ton of flavored drops in me water. Movement is medicine as you probably already know. I hope you doing well now.I see ya wrote this 10 months ago. Skip
Great video Dr. Davis. My score came back in the 700 range. I don't smoke or drink. I have a healthy diet. I had mitral valve repair surgery fourteen years ago, and the leaflets were attached to a Gore-tex loop. The highest score on my test is for the artery closest to the mitral valve. Is it possible the Gore-tex was mistaken for the artery and they concluded it had a lot of calcium?
Just had my first scan this morning, $50 with heart Month special. It was 767 with left main at 95, left ant 556, LCX 35.5, RCA 80.2. What would you recommend I do next? I have not talked to my primary Dr yet. Thanks for sharing this info!
The CT calcium scan should be a routine test. I'm with the military health system and I was told that they wouldn't do a CT scan unless I was on statins.
I have to disagree with you on whether or not the stress test is a benefit or not. My CAC score was 2534 a year ago and I did both an echo cardiogram AND nuclear stress test. I was VERY relieved to find out both tests came back normal. It gave me some peace of mind. I am still asymptomatic. I'm not a doctor, but knowing what I know now, I'd highly recommend having a CAC score starting at age 55 (to have at least a baseline), then every 5 years after that to keep an eye on things. My cholesterol was always a little high (total cholesterol around 220) and I kept putting off going on statins for years (even though my doc kept bringing it up). I wish I had at least been told about this test when he was trying to convince me to go on a statin. I probably would have caught this even sooner and would have immediately gone on a statin. I don't believe most hospitals are trying to scare you. You say cholesterol doesn't cause atherosclerosis????? what????? You failed to mention that statins convert soft plaque to hard plaque (calcification), and that's a good thing. Soft plaque is much more likely to break off and cause a heart attack than hard plaque. So yes, when you're on a statin, your CAC score WILL rise, but that's a good thing. I think you're providing a LOT of misinformation. Since I got my shockingly high CAC score of 2534, I've done extensive reading on reputable sites such as Harvard Health, Cleveland Clinic and PubMed. I think you're giving some bad advice here. And I can't help being cynical that you're saying these things to get people to buy a membership on your website. There are MANY benefits to being on a statin. Statins can: • Lower overall cholesterol levels, LDL and triglycerides. By lowering LDL cholesterol levels, statins can help prevent heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular events. • Provide anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce inflammation in the body, which is a key contributor to heart disease. • Improve the function of the endothelium, the inner lining of blood vessels, which can help reduce the risk of developing atherosclerosis. • Slow the progression of calcification of the coronary arteries. • Decrease the chance of blood clots forming by reducing the buildup of plaque on the walls of the arteries, stabilizing plaque so that it doesn’t break off and block blood flow to the heart or brain, and decrease swelling in the walls of your arteries. • Improve symptoms of angina, such as chest pain or discomfort, by improving blood flow to the heart. • Possibly improve bone health by reducing bone loss and fracture risk, particularly in postmenopausal women. • Per a JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) study, researchers found that patients with CAC (coronary artery calcium) who took statins had a lower risk of cardiovascular events than patients with CAC who did not take statins.
There's no misinformation. Calcified arteries is not a good thing either. YES, in some cases, calcification is better than soft plaque, but it depends on many risk factors. If your overall risk of heart complications is low - statins could cause more damage than help. For example, if you are young, non-smoker, leading healthy lifestyle, don't have diabetes, don't drink and don't eat a lot of sugars and processed foods, chances are, your high cholesterol is actually a good thing. Remember, only a fraction of consumed cholesterol ends up in your blood stream, your body is making exactly as much cholesterol as it needs, and it needs it for many processes. But sometimes, it is high because you got a serious inflammation process going on, and THIS alone could cause damage to your arteries. Cholesterol would then be send to all those damaged areas to "patch them up" thus participating in the formation of soft plaques. But the culprit was never the high cholesterol itself, it was INFLAMMATION. Which comes from overeating, consuming processed foods, sugars/carbs. By suppressing your cholesterol with statins, you are actually not solving the problem, you are delaying the inevitable, while damaging your liver. This video actually aims to fix the underlying problems or rather point to other vids that focus on that, instead of fixing a symptom.
All wrong. Statins extend lifespan by 4 days. That’s it. Way too many bad side effects. LDL is not “bad”. It is good and the guideline to keep it under 100 is based on corrupt and outdated medical advice from the 1950’s. LDL does not cause heart disease. You are blaming the firemen (LDL) who show up in your arteries to put out the fire (inflammation) caused by high carb / high starch / high sugar processed foods and seed oils that comprise the standard American diet (SAD). The solution is the Carnivore diet. You need to boost your HDL, lower your triglycerides, reverse your fatty liver, and erase inflammation. You also need to walk daily and get a solid uninterrupted 8 hours of sleep nightly and eliminate stress. It goes without saying that you should not be smoking, drinking, or doing dope either. 90% of beating heart disease comes down to all of the above. Rarely ever are pharmaceuticals and surgeries the answer. Prevention is the best path here. If you eat like a hog and abuse yourself then you will check out early from this life. I mean, seriously, WTF did you expect?
How come I saw two different people around 65 one said he was a department head who was the first in his office to have the scan he said 8 months earlier he had a good stress test he felt good . Any way after the scan he said he needed a triple bypass . Same with another gentleman he needed a quadruple bypass they both said it was the scan that saved there life’s . I don’t understand please help.
At 58 years old I had a CAC score of zero, but I have familial hypercholesterolaemia so LDL is very high, they want to put me on statins despite a zero CAC score.
My score yesterday was 1597! I’m scared. Cardiologist put me on statin and baby aspirin, but told me I don’t have a heart problem because my echocardiogram and treadmill stress test were normal. I’ve been having shortness of breath, but no chest pain. Only shortness of breath. I’m so confused now. He totally poo-pood my high result of 1597 and I wonder why he even did this test if the results don’t mean anything. I don’t know what to think now.
I'm 48 5'8 168lbs. I have family history of heart disease, and genetically high cholesterol. My Dr. has me on 20mg lipitor. my LDL is 104 so he wants to bump my Lipitor to 40mg. He wants my LDL around 60. Going in for my first heart CT heart scan in a couple weeks. I had some issues with heart palpations and fluttering. Thought it might be A-fib since my dad has it. I really have no idea if Statins really work, but my Dr. really believes in them.
The TYPE of LDL is what really needs to be known as big fluffy ones aren't the dangerous ones compared to the smaller dense ones. I'd be more concerned if your Trig/HDL ratio was high. Cholesterol in and of itself isn't the culprit UNLESS you're trying to sell me statins(i.e., big pharma)
Make sure your getting enough potassium... I've had similar issues for decades...additionally night time leg cramping, Took a 1000mgs of potassium a day for a couple of weeks, AFIB and cramps disappeared.. Took the NOW brand 1/4 tea spoon 2x a day I would go to the Dr and all my blood work would come back with in normal range's Good luck FYI...statins will kill you... Lipitor will raise you blood sugar levels significantly and send you into pre diabetes
Thank you i had one yesterday and they didtell me what the number were they were more intested in gett me admitted in greeenville nc i knew that i had a stroke and it was by me stressig with family so i told then no and i was leaving for i need a second opinion for thydidntme the ct scan im dealing with more stress and I change my diet stwrting today and recessing sstress
i had a ct coronary scan and i had zero calcification. I thought that was great till i found out that i could still have plenty of plaque build up that just isn't calcified. So why was the doctor so eager for me to do the test? so they could make money of course!
Do any of those procedures when you have a blockage help reduce a heart attack? what "medical procedures" reduces a heart attack risk if your artery's are clogged up. Not talking about diet and exercise. actual surgery's.
Slightly off topic. Dr. Davis some factors that have some value in cholesterol testing is the triglyceride/HDL ratio, total c/hdl ratio and ldl/hdl ratio. Can you comment on these ratios and their impact on cvd? Thanks
The only ratio I pay attention to is the Trig/HDL ration; I aim for 1.0 or less. Even better, go beyond these ratios and have a NMR lipoprotein analysis--far more information.
It is not a matter of high statin Rx. The Apob needs to be down to 40-50. A major cause of calcification is elevated LP(a) . 24- 30% of the population have elevated Lp(a).
Ok, but heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the US. Understanding that you see value in the calcium score, what else are you recommending as preventative and early warning tests?
I told my doc I didn’t want to have this test done, so he snuck in another blood test (Apo, or something like that) to try to scare me about my “high cholesterol” and get me on a statin. 🤦🏻♀️
Yes, my husband had a CT last summer, and his score was 914 but the real one which nobody explained that the volume score is 666 and went to the cardiologist and he even touched him and prescribed statins and something for in case he has a heart attack, of course I know better didn’t take the medication start Keto fasting and supplements, D3 K2 niacin, omega 3 vitamin C magnesium selenium, stress management exercise and sleep and ah preying a lot haha
@@WilliamDavisMD I've been taking "Koncentrated K" + 10,000 IU's D3 daily for the last ten months, after a chest X-RAY showed calcification in my aorta. Had the CAC scan last week. The widowmaker is 6%, the other three are 0. I also had blood work last week. The P.A. said my D-25 is near the top of the range at 94.3, and said I should cut back to 2000 IU's D3, and take them every other day. Am I over doing the D3?
@@jselectronics8215 I've read that D3 near 100 range can make it extremely difficult to get cancer. I wouldn't go below 5k/day, but that's just MHO. I also take Koncentrated K.
@@jselectronics8215 Naturopath said 75-85 is optimal range if we're using evidence based Medicine. These ranges change if you have autoimmune. Then the range goes upward.
@mimiwave777 Not quite right. A beta blocker blocks adrenaline, reducing the force of your heart pumping the blood thus u get a decrease HR and decrease BP. It works more for decrease Hr. Dioxin would make your heart pump stronger.
Anybody watching this video who has any sickness or heart disease I hope you will be healed
🙏🙏
🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
Amen
in Jesus Name Amen
❤
I had a CAC scan at the insistence of my Cardiologist. Results were .74 He insisted I start statins immediately. When I refused and told him I was overjoyed my score was so low, the 5 minute debate ensued. My lipid panel was great. Overall cholesterol a little high, as well as LDL. He said nothing at all about my HDL being so high (good) and my triglycerides being so low! (great). I need to find a keto friendly Cardiologist.
Indeed. There are very, very few Keto/Carnivore physicians/surgeons.
I also flat-out refused statins. There’s little evidence statins benefit more than harm.
HDL cholesterol does not tell you anything. LDL cholesterol is not the whole story.
Measure APOB which measures all the atherogenic particles. Measure Lp(a), the most atherogenic particle
What an honest doctor. Very good info. 59yrs old just had my CAC scan on 8-4-22. Came back zero. My dad had lots b4 he passed so family Dr recommended it. Only 71 dollars to perform. Worth it! Kaiser insurance wanted me to consider statins first before they would give me the test. Screw that....I did it on my own. San Jose Ca
Where did you get it done?
@@robkoering2702 Do you live in San Jose?
@@robkoering2702 SimonMed imaging in Santa Clara. They actually have several all over the bay area. I got a referral from a doctor . He didn't charge me anything. The imaging was 71 bucks.
Insurance and doctors only do tests after an incident or symptoms. I prefer to be proactive and have paid for several tests myself. You don't need a doctor's order for blood tests or CT scans.
Wow! Take statins because we're too cheap to pay part of the cost of a quick scan! Kaiser Permanente used to be considered a good provider.
I work at medical cardiology for almost 30 years, I totally agree !! Lots of $$$ in this industry!
I HAD 2 HEART ATTACK'S IN 34 DAY'S
I RECEIVED MY BILL FROM THE 2ND ONE YESTERDAY OF A 3 DAY HOSPITAL STAY AND 2 STENT SURGERY / 300 GRAND
You are 'The Man' Dr Davis!!
No one else out there is telling us this stuff. It makes so much sense!
Nice to hear, Ian!
Hello Dr. Davis, I love your channel, I just did calcium score and my cardiologist told me I have no significant coronary disease because my score was 37, however he told me that that won’t protect my brain, as he put it that those arteries can attack my brain and I can suffer stroke” that’s exactly his words.. he is very well known MSH doc but he is immigrant as I am, so our English is not the best . So, he insists that I take statins because my LDL was 165.. few month ago. I’ve been taking statins since 2007 and I stop taking them like a year ago, because my legs were cramped and ever since I stop taking STATINS I feel great I exercise and I think I’m in great shape.. I’m 64 by the way.. what’s your take on this. How I can lower my LDL cholesterol without statins
Thank you Dr.Davis
@@rajkoljutica3115educating yourself watch fat: a dcoumentary and the magic pill. Your brain needs cholesterol to have neurological functions. Don’t take statins ever. Read the cholesterol myth book
We need more doctors like you. Thanks 🙏
hmmm, god must been watching me bc he brought this video to me to watch. I just had my first heart scan and cholesterol test and my doctor visit to read the result will be this week interesting to find out what he had to say from the result. I want to thank you Dr. Davis for your video keep up with the videos.
Hi , hope all was well with you and this video helped you to make an informed decision.
"God"
I'm so glad I found this video. I've been having discomfort in my chest for a few weeks, which could be due to anxiety issues, and I have my first cardiology consult coming up in a couple weeks. Your words have definitely given me something to keep in mind while talking with him.
It's so sad that our health isn't of the utmost concern for many doctors and facilities. Instead of trying to get to the root cause of an issue, they're only concerned about how much money we'll bring in.
I've had anxiety for years and being put diagnosed with high blood pressure about 1yr&1/2 ago its been so puzzling to know exactly when I'm having heart racing palpitations early in the morning after I've already taken my hb medication, arthritis, and my auto-immune med.. I'll go back to sleep and then wake up, and if I'm still feeling those same heart palpitations I'll take my Xanax thinking it might be my anxiety and sometimes it has been, but others I've had to take my emergency hb little pill and lay down again for a bit and when I get back up, I do feel better.. so I'm now scheduled for a CT to check for possible blockage in arteries.. now I'm really confused
@@jackyalfarogalindo72 I hope you're able to get to the bottom of it!
it could also be fascia tissue, or thoracic/cervical spine...,.
or spike protein
@@bert1450 For me, it turned out to be anxiety. We did one of those tests where they score the calcium buildup in the arteries. Got a score of 0, which is what you want.
I'm glad you're doing better!
Thank You Dr. Davis! You are a true giant among men. Your honesty is so refreshing. It is what I have expected all along with every Doctor I have ever known. You belong to just a tiny handful that have lived up to my expectations of professionalism and humanity.
That was very nice to hear, Reevin!
The "Loss Leader" comment really got me. I will forever look at my Doctor as a Salesperson 1st and a doctor 2nd. I think we often forget that healthcare is for profit industry.
Very interesting. About 10 years ago my wife and I had a CAC done. Hers was 3 mine was 1187. They suggested a Nuclear Stress Test. It came back inconclusive, so they did an angiogram and it came back 20% blockage in the LAD (the widow maker.) Fast forward, I had an irregular EKG so they suggested I have a nuclear CT done. Well, the cardiologist said my heart was functioning normally. I've been taking K2 with mk7, D3 and IP6 ever since 2012.
This same cardiologist told my wife's friend that she needed a stint. She went to Las Vegas to get it done because they live in Henderson NV. Doctor told her she didn't and asked who said she did. So I don't know what to believe. I certainly don't believe Dr. Bhambi in Bakersfield California.
if you have a scan of 1187 and a blockage you have heart disease.
Thanks so much Doctor Davis for ALL your helpful information! You really care about helping people and not just making money off of them.
Thanks for noticing, jb!
How about a heart scan? What tells the heart scan?
088h
Thank you for your efforts to educate about the problems within our medical systems … if only more doctors were so conscientious. God bless you.
My husband’s CAC score was 1580. He had a massive heart attack 1 week later ended up with a 5 vessel bypass and 3 valves repaired. Now he had heart failure and kidney failure from the heart attack. He was 67 at the time.
Any thoughts on what could have been done to help him?
One of the few doctors of conscience! I’m going for a checkup soon and will definitely take note of your advice! Thank you, doctor!
I am 68 going on 69. A couple years ago I had a calcium score done because I had some swelling in my ankles. I take prednisone because I have secondary adrenal insufficiency. I was told I had a score of 1743. I then had a nuclear stress test which showed it was lining my arteries and didn’t look like I was being plugged. They put me on Crestor right away which caused me lots of muscle pain. I did some research that said if you have any endocrine issues, DO NOT TAKE. So I quit. Got better right away. I also have low thyroid and take medication for that. Earlier this week I went to the heart Dr. to get cleared to have shoulder surgery ( which I’ve decided not to have) it doesn’t hurt. She tried talking me into to taking some kind of statin but I said no. I do take a good Omega 3 everyday. She also suggested I take a baby aspirin everyday. I’m allergic to ALL NSAID’s. Prednisone thins my blood enough already. I bruise very easily. Don’t they read a patient’s chart anymore? They should also know the risks of someone on steroids having endocrine issues should not take that stuff. I have changed eating habits to help with inflammation. Some of the swelling was from twisting my ankle and tearing my Achilles tendon. It calcified and I didn’t know that’s what I had done until the swelling went down. That was 3 years ago this New Years Eve. And No I hadn’t been drinking. I just thank God that I’m still here. Bless you for the information.
Thanks for the honesty.
Excellent overview. Look forward to the 3 part program.
Thank you Doctor, your video was a breath of fresh air, straight to the point, no mincing with words.
Great video Dr. Davis. Thanks!
In Canada you cannot get a CT scan unless your doctor requests it. But you can get it in Detroit for $180.00 . I have only had ultrasound sound test done. 3 years no progression. 3 years grain free ! 🔥🏋️♂️🙏✌🇨🇦🇨🇦🥦🥑🍖🍗💗
Yes, Canada's healthcare system is superior to the American system, but in this you have to contend directly with physician ignorance.
@@WilliamDavisMD it would be interesting if you did a video on the differences between American and Canadian Healthcare System
I am in Canada and asked for the scan. My Dr. referred me to a cardiologist first. I then asked my cardiologist for the scan and he granted me it. Had it a week later with a score of 0. Both Dr. and cardiologist want me on a Statin as my LDL is slightly elevated due to eating high protein and high fat diet. 🤦♂️
@@scotbarlow213 don't take statin, only 1% decrease in mortality.
Obviously keep doing what you are doing, Cheers ✌🇨🇦🇨🇦
@@johnrobertson1808 I am getting advanced lipoprotein test done in May to see how my small dense particles look. No Statins !!
Thanks for the information. After my CT scan, the doctor that ordered it (my endocrinologist) said I needed to see a cardiologist immediately. He added that ai might have to get stents. My cardiologist laughed and said he had the same numbers. Having no symptoms and after an extra test or two, he said I would have to just be checked every two years or so.
I've had heart symptoms for few years my doctors wouldn't listen finally one doctor as listened to me .some doctors are useless and don't give a monkeys. Thanks for this video ❤ive subscribed
Hey cherry what kind of hear condition symptoms do you get And for how long? Ive been going through terrible heart condition issues since 2019 after catching one of the worst strains of COVID-19 But up to now Doctor still can't figure out what's wrong and how to help me so they just keep loading me up with prescriptions for this that n everything under the sun but what the root cause of the problem is and of course I don't take any of it but I'd take maybe baby aspirin at most.
Thank you for these honest words.
Ugggh, I've got my first one tonight, I cancelled the CT angiogram... let's find out if there's some plaque first before we inject the nuclear dye... Not looking forward to any bad news, wish me luck. Good vid, thx
Got a score of 1000 about 1 year ago. Off to watch your other videos before I croak.
You have magnificent control over your score, Di, but it won't come through statin drugs or cutting dietary fat. Take a look at my Undoctored Inner Circle where we discuss these issues in-depth, including via two-way live video.
I,m happily allergic to statins and other cholesterol lowering drugs, so do not take them, my triglycerides are very good and HDL is high. Will take a look at your inner circle, thanks.
hope you take vit k with your vitD
@@Jennifer-gr7hn Yes, always take D3 with K2 and also Magnesium!
Take nattokainaise an enzyme reduces fibrinogen which helps mitigate excessive clotting and eliminate carbs and seed oils as the are inflammatory
Excellent video. I hope most doctors see this and stop misleading patients.
Dr, please don’t take this personally - I love you. I’ve been on a keto diet for the last 20 years (the only way I’ve found to manage my weight and general well being) thus having high LDL, my doctors keep trying to make me take a statin. Just had a coronary calcium ct and have a score of zero. Yet my doctor still insists that I must be on a statin to reduce long term risk. I wish you were my doctor…
Hi @Dave Rei, can you share what your diet consist of from day to day on keto diet?
Find another doctor. With a zero score the guidelines don't call for a statin. My wife's doctor stopped bugging her when she showed him her zero score.
Say no. Find another doctor out of your area
The LMHR keto study clearly shows there isn't a risk of metaboliclly healthy people with high LDL lipoproteins in a ketogenic setting. You don't need a statin you need a new doctor.
Btw my total cholesterol is 400. Zero CAC score after half a decade of keto/carnivore. LDL isn't responsible for atherosclerosis.
Thank you for this information! I was frustrated my husband’s doctor and cardiologist had him get an angiogram catheterization after getting what turned out to be a false positive echo stress test. I’d wanted him to get CAC first, but they ignored my suggestion. Lots of money and unnecessary risk for nothing. His CAC we finally did after the invasive procedure was barely above zero. Mine was zero. We both just wanted to know our risk after my brother died unexpectedly at 59 of heart failure.
This sort of behavior is inexcusable, Suzy. I would make your feelings known to those doctors and never allow them to exploit you or your husband again.
Actually, you never said why they ordered the angiogram. Remember, he said the coronary calcium score is for asymptomatic individuals. Not everyone's head needs to be on the chopping block. That's just plain irresponsible.
For years doctors have tried to get me on statins, high fat plus running would bring the numbers they wanted, eventually I just told them to show me an 80 year old with low cholesterol and I would go on statins. Still no takers!
My calcium score is10 at 65 years old. Never overweight never anything I am now intermittent fasting 20 hours / 5 and eating no sugar no carbs.
My nurse practitioner who should not be practicing anything was trying to scare me into the very things you mentioned. Very frustrating
You can reverse it
How do I reverse it? My provider never said a word@@sheddkkhan6758
Thank you for your brutal honesty, Dr. Davis - I hit the subscribe button!
Thank you very much for the information you share with us. Hope you can give a lecture to our Cardiologist here in the Philippines. God bless you always.
Phenomenal info....fantastic video. Many thanks!!!
Always great information. ARA in Austin Texas is offering self referral CAC screening for 75.00.
Just be careful, Debra!
I’m 53 and told I have high cholesterol. I had an echocardiogram and everything was great. But my cardiologist is insisting that I stay on REPATHA I have to inject every 2 weeks even though I feel sick for 5-7 days each injection. She told me if I don’t take Repatha (or equivalent) that I’m setting myself up for an early grave/heart attack/stroke !
Yesterday she told me I needed a Chemical Stress Test in CT w/Dye . I’ve had SOOO many CT scans, MRI, X-rays over the years (those were from many injuries, chronic illness, autoimmune, chronic migraines etc.) I’m concerned about the nuclear exposure .
I feel like many New/Younger Drs tend to order a barrage of tests and prescriptions after 1 visit! (My family GP retired 4 yrs ago ) I’m having trouble finding a Dr who Listens & Doesn’t Jump The Gun On Diagnosis, medications , tests & surgery.
Any advice you could give would be a true gift and very appreciated!! Thank You either way, because your videos are extremely helpful!💜💜💜💜
I've also noticed the young ones (even though their generation has been majorly messed up on drugs) will write a prescription and order MANY tests if you have good insurance. If you're on public insurance they're conservative.
Your high blood pressure is not gonna kill you this medication they put you on well, I have something in mind might help both of us. Are you interested? Please let me know. Thank you and God bless you.
@@maryabraham9182 I’m so sorry, I edited my post. I meant to say I have high Cholesterol. My blood pressure actually runs very low.
Do your opinions stay the same with my correction? Again I apologize.
Any advice I welcome openly. I want to get healthy. Last time I saw my GP , I expressed my desire to get off some prescriptions (Zoloft being one) and he recommended instead that I ADD On another to the Zoloft . Seriously?! I was like…Hello….did u even listen to what I said? Then the nurse came back in after he left and tried to pressure me into a tetanus shot & shingles. I said NO repeatedly!! Why the push for these?
Carnivore. Fire your doctors and live your best life! At 60, doctors will only be involved in my life for emergent care. Annual sales calls (checkups) be damned. I'm flying solo from now on. Order my own blood tests from labcorp. I would rather die at 80 then live like a prisoner in a 'nursing' home until I'm 85!
My doctor tried scaring me and ordered many tests. I no longer use him.
70 years old and my score is 2280. I immediately had an angiogram and they found zero blockages.
I just need to keep ticking.
I’ve had a cough for eight years. Just got worse. I have been taking the vitamin k2 and has helped dissolved a ganglion cyst on my wrist. My chiropractor took ex rays. High calcium. Cholesterols high. Only eat organic food. Glad I came across your video.
Have you always ate organic food or did you just start?
If you take calcium you must take Vitamin K2
you can't see calcium in your heart on an X-ray. you have to have a contrast die angiogram CT. at least it's not lung cancer - any cough should be seen by a DOCTOR - any cough that doesn't resolve is either cancer, an esophogus issue or something else, you must get it checked.
My cardiologist ordered a bunch of tests after my CT score plus high dose statin therapy. He was disappointed when I refused them all.
And when you have a heart attack in the future maybe you will not be so smug?
What an honest doctor !!!! Thank You !!!!
It's refreshing to hear someone point out the very limited benefit from testing in asymptomatic therapy.
I'm dubious about your comments on medical therapies, though.
Thank you for this video, Dr Davis. I've already had tons of blood tests, and I have wanted to get this heart CT test for a long time, but unfortunately I do not have a doctor, and where I live you can not get a heart CT scan without a doctor's prescription.
If you've no doctor, how were you able to get all those blood tests done?
You Tuber you can order them yourself and go to a participating lab. You pay out of pocket
You could always vacation in a state in which direct-to-consumer heart scans are offered, Lloyd. I've had many people do this.
@@JustANobody1983 Ah, I see.
@@WilliamDavisMDDr just took this test today CT cardiac scoring test. They did no needle or fluid, is this normal? I literally just went into the machine with stickers hooked on my chest. Told to hold my breath for a few seconds, a few times and was out in 5 minutes. Just wanted to know if this was ok?
I did have a calcium score done. It scored at a high 400s. Family history of heart attacks. I did have a standard stress test that I failed, then had a Nuclear stress test. That test did indeed show I had two ischemic areas of unknown age. Off to cath. I had three blockages, 90,80 and 75%. Clearly I had had two asymptomatic heart attacks and a bypass was preformed. Thinking symptoms are always going to happen isn't always guaranteed. I say get the score. You at least have a baseline.
Very interesting. My calcium scores for the last few years were: 400+, 542 & 609. Have been on statins for about 40 yrs (age 70). Currently on high dose Crestor and low dose Zetia which doctor believes will reduce the calcium blockage. Found 30% blockage in LDA 5 yrs ago. Not overweight & exercise regularly (gym + walk several miles daily). History of heart disease in family.
May be genetically predispositoned for CAD but in reality "genes may load the gun but lifestyle pulls the trigger".
Check out channels by Sten Ekberg and Kendberrymd. Your diet can be modified to reduce your CAC score.
@@TagiukGold Thanks. I’ll check them out. Am having a heart cath in 2 days. There is so much conflicting info out there.
It’s all about your diet… I dropped my score from 728 to 661 in 3 1/2 months…. low carb 50 grams or less a day… just my story….
I had a friend that was ,70 on crestor and she got liver cancer. Take something to clean your liver like milk thistle or Tudca or both.
Mine was 1409. Three clogged arteries, three stents. Almost 30 months later, still on Blood thinners, Statins, Aspirin, and blood pressure meds....
🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
Manuel, it seems your regimen is not working for you, if you're doing all that and not seeing improvement in your labs or scans. I think you should address the food addiction first and get on Dr. Williams plan to save your life.
Thank you so much for this info…. I’m entering the slippery slope of medical care
Sure glad I have the VA on my side. I get a CT every year. So far, so good.
I’m about have a CT scan for calcium score. I have high cholesterol of 7.7mmol. The doctor referred me to the scan. Was interesting to hear what was talked about in this video. I’m only 45 and very fit. I hardly drink I don’t smoke and my diet isn’t bad at all. Quite frustrating to have such high cholesterol
It's more than likely a family history of high cholesterol...I was diagnosed with it along with two of my family members...I'm 54 strong fit and don't drink or smoke...go on statins for your own good..don't listen to people on here against statins...its a family history so medication is your only choice 😉👍
High LDL is not necessarily a problem. LDL is made up of Large Buoyant LDL (harmless), and small dense LDL.. dangerous. Check your Triglyceride to HDL ratio as a quick check of yhe “small dense LDL”. A ratio below 2 is decent.. 1.5 or below is good.. 1.0 or less even better. Dont let high LDL scare you.. that ratio is much more important. If it is high.. reduce carbs and sugar and trig will go down
Please read the book: The Great Cholesterol Myth by Stephen Sinatra and Dr Jonny Bowden
I'm an 83 year old female. I got the CAC coronary heart test for calcium recently. Total score was 117. Three arteries were 0 - one was 37 and the "widow maker" artery was 80. I am in the process of lowering my cholesterol. My sugar and blood pressure are good. I know a stress test well result in the radioactive/nuclear test will be next. I don't wish to do this. I also know my cardiologist will almost demand a statin drug. I wish there was a way to talk to you!! What kind of doctor would you recommend? I would like one that were feel like you do.
I wouldn't worry about further testing. Your total score of 117 is Very good to be 83 years old!!😉
I recently had a Cardiac Calcium Score. My Doctor office called me and I was told I had a widow maker! I'm a former Paramedic so I wasn't about to worry about it yet. I asked what my score was? I was told 60 and to double up on my cholesterol medicine. I didn't know what that number meant. I did some research and it's a very low number and all the recommendations are to increase your medication and avoid alcohol and to be active, ie exercise.
Fmb12 it’s under 100 so your score of 60 is safe.I don’t know why your doctor is overdramatising everything mine came back as 27 my doctor said keep doing what you’re doing see you in 5 years.
@@aussiegreek4993 may I ask how old you are
@@acts-me8xr I’m 58 your score of 60 is in the mild category is your cholesterol high that’s the only reason i can think he’s told you to increase your medication.
How can stenting a blockage not be beneficial.
They don’t last. They cause clots and can lead to strokes. The problem is not narrowing of your arteries. The problem is inflammation of the artery walls leading to plaquing and then a soft plaque ruptures and you get a myocardial infarction. Stents are outdated medicine and not the panacea that people think that they are.
First thing first…if my Husband had a CT scan, he’d never had to be rushed into emerg and surgery to repair a blockage! He received a stent and it saved his life…it didn’t have to be an emergency. He’s since had two more stents inserted, and last month, he was rushed into surgery, bypassing the registry office and again, blocked stent, his life was saved. I’ll be having a CT scan shortly because of some issues, and by heavens if they say I have a blockage, I’ll darn well get a stent! Everything here is paid for, so no bills, but we’d still get done what needs to be done regardless of any costs. Be informed consumers, like everything else, ask questions, do your research, and always make decisions you’re comfortable with, not what someone else “suggests” YOU do for your own body.
You need to do more investigation into stents. They really are NOT the wonder surgical interventions that they were once touted as being. In fact, there is increasing evidence that they can cause as much harm as good. Risk of blood clots goes up, etc.
I had a calcium score of 0. I had some athlesclerosis in my left aorta. I won’t take statins.
Thank you so much . So glad I stumbled upon your site. I am 65, play tennis 3-4 times week. Good cholesterol. Got a CT scan out of curiosity. Score of 725! Primary care doc put me on a low dose statin and baby aspirin. Sent me for a Nuclear stress test which I passed easily.
I know my diet has caused this. Have put on weight in past 4 years, pizza, chocolate. So now I am on your diet in past 6 weeks.
Here is my question. If I start on vitamin K will it reverse the stabilization of the statin on my calcified plaque and cause a break off?
Good question, hope the good Dr replies. My score was 1789...yeeks.
@@chefbambu9382 come on Doc no answer its 2 yr ago?
Thank you very much for your video!
I had a recent Heart CT scan and was shocked at my score of 1600. I’ve had high cholesterol for over 40 years. My primary care doctor is very concerned and I have been a wreck since first learning of this score. I ride a bicycle 3 times a week and never experienced and chest discomfort. Had a stress test a year ago and results were good. I’m 6 feet tall and 188 pounds. Not sure what to do at this point.
High triglycerides and low HDL too?
@@entrrt triglycerides and HDL was fine
@@trynforpar shoot for 60 hdl That's MUCH protective than just plain high cholesterol#
Is your LDL above 190? It sounds like statin therapy is a good place to start. Did they recommend further tests? Stress tests tend to be advanced.
Hi Tom
Stay positive eat salads with grilled chicken maybe and be active and for sure stay away from stress. By eating only two meals a day I went from 219 to 183 or so and have a ton of flavored drops in me water. Movement is medicine as you probably already know.
I hope you doing well now.I see ya wrote this 10 months ago.
Skip
Very interesting 🤔
Thanks Doc 👍🏽
Great video Dr. Davis. My score came back in the 700 range. I don't smoke or drink. I have a healthy diet. I had mitral valve repair surgery fourteen years ago, and the leaflets were attached to a Gore-tex loop. The highest score on my test is for the artery closest to the mitral valve. Is it possible the Gore-tex was mistaken for the artery and they concluded it had a lot of calcium?
Your wheatbelly link throws some Vietnamese TV ad.
new Subscriber. This is very eye opening … thank you for being an honest doctor. I want to find an honest one in my area
Interesting take on this. Thx.
Proof we are not patients, we are customers. A cured patient is a lost customer.
Just had my first scan this morning, $50 with heart Month special. It was 767 with left main at 95, left ant 556, LCX 35.5, RCA 80.2.
What would you recommend I do next? I have not talked to my primary Dr yet.
Thanks for sharing this info!
Thank you for such an important video.
Thoughts on how often s CAC test is safe? CT scans are pretty radioactive...
I would like to know, also! I have Barrett’s Esophagus, and I want to avoid radiation!
I wondered the same. After researching that, I learned they are actually pretty low in radiation.
Links are not working, please can you update?
The CT calcium scan should be a routine test. I'm with the military health system and I was told that they wouldn't do a CT scan unless I was on statins.
3 years ago you made a video of why i shd do a ct scan
CT coronary in my city is 5000 U.S.dollars and they're used so often that you wait months for them.
WoW 5000$ ??? In my country cost 150$ CT And MRi cost 250$ why in US so expensive wooe
@@kimberlytippen4436 Because they can get it. No way should it cost that much.
We pay way more for medical care in the US because of our insurance system. When you have a single payer plan, they have to negotiate the prices!
I have to disagree with you on whether or not the stress test is a benefit or not. My CAC score was 2534 a year ago and I did both an echo cardiogram AND nuclear stress test. I was VERY relieved to find out both tests came back normal. It gave me some peace of mind. I am still asymptomatic.
I'm not a doctor, but knowing what I know now, I'd highly recommend having a CAC score starting at age 55 (to have at least a baseline), then every 5 years after that to keep an eye on things. My cholesterol was always a little high (total cholesterol around 220) and I kept putting off going on statins for years (even though my doc kept bringing it up). I wish I had at least been told about this test when he was trying to convince me to go on a statin. I probably would have caught this even sooner and would have immediately gone on a statin.
I don't believe most hospitals are trying to scare you.
You say cholesterol doesn't cause atherosclerosis????? what?????
You failed to mention that statins convert soft plaque to hard plaque (calcification), and that's a good thing. Soft plaque is much more likely to break off and cause a heart attack than hard plaque. So yes, when you're on a statin, your CAC score WILL rise, but that's a good thing. I think you're providing a LOT of misinformation. Since I got my shockingly high CAC score of 2534, I've done extensive reading on reputable sites such as Harvard Health, Cleveland Clinic and PubMed. I think you're giving some bad advice here. And I can't help being cynical that you're saying these things to get people to buy a membership on your website.
There are MANY benefits to being on a statin. Statins can:
• Lower overall cholesterol levels, LDL and triglycerides. By lowering LDL cholesterol levels, statins can help prevent heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular events.
• Provide anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce inflammation in the body, which is a key contributor to heart disease.
• Improve the function of the endothelium, the inner lining of blood vessels, which can help reduce the risk of developing atherosclerosis.
• Slow the progression of calcification of the coronary arteries.
• Decrease the chance of blood clots forming by reducing the buildup of plaque on the walls of the arteries, stabilizing plaque so that it doesn’t break off and block blood flow to the heart or brain, and decrease swelling in the walls of your arteries.
• Improve symptoms of angina, such as chest pain or discomfort, by improving blood flow to the heart.
• Possibly improve bone health by reducing bone loss and fracture risk, particularly in postmenopausal women.
• Per a JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) study, researchers found that patients with CAC (coronary artery calcium) who took statins had a lower risk of cardiovascular events than patients with CAC who did not take statins.
There's no misinformation. Calcified arteries is not a good thing either. YES, in some cases, calcification is better than soft plaque, but it depends on many risk factors. If your overall risk of heart complications is low - statins could cause more damage than help. For example, if you are young, non-smoker, leading healthy lifestyle, don't have diabetes, don't drink and don't eat a lot of sugars and processed foods, chances are, your high cholesterol is actually a good thing. Remember, only a fraction of consumed cholesterol ends up in your blood stream, your body is making exactly as much cholesterol as it needs, and it needs it for many processes. But sometimes, it is high because you got a serious inflammation process going on, and THIS alone could cause damage to your arteries. Cholesterol would then be send to all those damaged areas to "patch them up" thus participating in the formation of soft plaques. But the culprit was never the high cholesterol itself, it was INFLAMMATION. Which comes from overeating, consuming processed foods, sugars/carbs. By suppressing your cholesterol with statins, you are actually not solving the problem, you are delaying the inevitable, while damaging your liver.
This video actually aims to fix the underlying problems or rather point to other vids that focus on that, instead of fixing a symptom.
All wrong. Statins extend lifespan by 4 days. That’s it. Way too many bad side effects.
LDL is not “bad”. It is good and the guideline to keep it under 100 is based on corrupt and outdated medical advice from the 1950’s.
LDL does not cause heart disease. You are blaming the firemen (LDL) who show up in your arteries to put out the fire (inflammation) caused by high carb / high starch / high sugar processed foods and seed oils that comprise the standard American diet (SAD).
The solution is the Carnivore diet. You need to boost your HDL, lower your triglycerides, reverse your fatty liver, and erase inflammation. You also need to walk daily and get a solid uninterrupted 8 hours of sleep nightly and eliminate stress.
It goes without saying that you should not be smoking, drinking, or doing dope either.
90% of beating heart disease comes down to all of the above. Rarely ever are pharmaceuticals and surgeries the answer.
Prevention is the best path here. If you eat like a hog and abuse yourself then you will check out early from this life. I mean, seriously, WTF did you expect?
@ agree with every single point
No link to the program.
I distrust the motives of most doctors. The pandemic is reason enough.
Absolutely, the doctors, the media, the pharmaceutical industry have been corrupted !!!
How come I saw two different people around 65 one said he was a department head who was the first in his office to have the scan he said 8 months earlier he had a good stress test he felt good . Any way after the scan he said he needed a triple bypass . Same with another gentleman he needed a quadruple bypass they both said it was the scan that saved there life’s . I don’t understand please help.
It’s so confusing we don’t know who to believe😩
Thank you Dr
Very well done. Thank you
Would a carnivore diet help?
Yes but can't you still get a soft plaque block it will miss?
What is your opinion on Chelation?
At 58 years old I had a CAC score of zero, but I have familial hypercholesterolaemia so LDL is very high, they want to put me on statins despite a zero CAC score.
My score yesterday was 1597! I’m scared. Cardiologist put me on statin and baby aspirin, but told me I don’t have a heart problem because my echocardiogram and treadmill stress test were normal. I’ve been having shortness of breath, but no chest pain. Only shortness of breath. I’m so confused now. He totally poo-pood my high result of 1597 and I wonder why he even did this test if the results don’t mean anything. I don’t know what to think now.
I hope you're pursuing a cause for the shortness of breath. Could be heart or lungs. Hope you get both checked out soon. Good luck!
I'm 48 5'8 168lbs. I have family history of heart disease, and genetically high cholesterol. My Dr. has me on 20mg lipitor. my LDL is 104 so he wants to bump my Lipitor to 40mg. He wants my LDL around 60. Going in for my first heart CT heart scan in a couple weeks. I had some issues with heart palpations and fluttering. Thought it might be A-fib since my dad has it. I really have no idea if Statins really work, but my Dr. really believes in them.
The TYPE of LDL is what really needs to be known as big fluffy ones aren't the dangerous ones compared to the smaller dense ones. I'd be more concerned if your Trig/HDL ratio was high. Cholesterol in and of itself isn't the culprit UNLESS you're trying to sell me statins(i.e., big pharma)
@@entrrt My HDL and Tyig were perfect.
Make sure your getting enough potassium... I've had similar issues for decades...additionally night time leg cramping,
Took a 1000mgs of potassium a day for a couple of weeks, AFIB and cramps disappeared..
Took the NOW brand 1/4 tea spoon 2x a day
I would go to the Dr and all my blood work would come back with in normal range's
Good luck
FYI...statins will kill you... Lipitor will raise you blood sugar levels significantly and send you into pre diabetes
😳 I’m sorry sorry that this happened to you. Thank you for exposing them.
Thank you i had one yesterday and they didtell me what the number were they were more intested in gett me admitted in greeenville nc i knew that i had a stroke and it was by me stressig with family so i told then no and i was leaving for i need a second opinion for thydidntme the ct scan im dealing with more stress and I change my diet stwrting today and recessing sstress
Hope your doing better 👍
A very reasonable video. Test to get a Baseline and then adjust your diet and exercise to reduce risk of the score going up.
Yup: rationale and logical, unlike many things in healthcare.
i had a ct coronary scan and i had zero calcification. I thought that was great till i found out that i could still have plenty of plaque build up that just isn't calcified. So why was the doctor so eager for me to do the test? so they could make money of course!
Do any of those procedures when you have a blockage help reduce a heart attack? what "medical procedures" reduces a heart attack risk if your artery's are clogged up. Not talking about diet and exercise. actual surgery's.
great video!
Do you do consults doc
Thanks
Dr k
All these tests he mentioned are free or covered by Kaiser Insurance
THANK YOU SO MUCH, AWESOME VIDEO ❤
I ordered my own Quest lab test and the moment the results were ready I got a call from a rep trying to gaslight me about my LDL number😂
Slightly off topic. Dr. Davis some factors that have some value in cholesterol testing is the triglyceride/HDL ratio, total c/hdl ratio and ldl/hdl ratio. Can you comment on these ratios and their impact on cvd? Thanks
The only ratio I pay attention to is the Trig/HDL ration; I aim for 1.0 or less. Even better, go beyond these ratios and have a NMR lipoprotein analysis--far more information.
@@WilliamDavisMD My ratio in my last test is 1.6
Everybody is a walking timebomb unfortunately the question is do you know if you’re lowering inflammation caused by what you put in OR on your body?
Thank you…great advice
It is not a matter of high statin Rx. The Apob needs to be down to 40-50.
A major cause of calcification is elevated LP(a) . 24- 30% of the population have elevated Lp(a).
Ok, but heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the US. Understanding that you see value in the calcium score, what else are you recommending as preventative and early warning tests?
I told my doc I didn’t want to have this test done, so he snuck in another blood test (Apo, or something like that) to try to scare me about my “high cholesterol” and get me on a statin. 🤦🏻♀️
would supplementing with D3 & K2 help?
D3 absolutely. I remain uncertain about K2, as I added it to the program around 10 years ago, never saw any incremental advantage.
Yes, my husband had a CT last summer, and his score was 914 but the real one which nobody explained that the volume score is 666 and went to the cardiologist and he even touched him and prescribed statins and something for in case he has a heart attack, of course I know better didn’t take the medication start Keto fasting and supplements, D3 K2 niacin, omega 3 vitamin C magnesium selenium, stress management exercise and sleep and ah preying a lot haha
@@WilliamDavisMD I've been taking "Koncentrated K" + 10,000 IU's D3 daily for the last ten months, after a chest X-RAY showed calcification in my aorta. Had the CAC scan last week. The widowmaker is 6%, the other three are 0.
I also had blood work last week. The P.A. said my D-25 is near the top of the range at 94.3, and said I should cut back to 2000 IU's D3, and take them every other day.
Am I over doing the D3?
@@jselectronics8215 I've read that D3 near 100 range can make it extremely difficult to get cancer. I wouldn't go below 5k/day, but that's just MHO. I also take Koncentrated K.
@@jselectronics8215 Naturopath said 75-85 is optimal range if we're using evidence based Medicine. These ranges change if you have autoimmune. Then the range goes upward.
Beta Blockers are for high blood pressure. Not cholesterol or build up, right?
Beta blocker to make your heart squeeze better, lower heart rate and blood pressure
@mimiwave777 Not quite right. A beta blocker blocks adrenaline, reducing the force of your heart pumping the blood thus u get a decrease HR and decrease BP. It works more for decrease Hr. Dioxin would make your heart pump stronger.
I have had two ct heart scans about 15 years apart……both showed zero.