I can’t believe you’ve taken time out of your extremely busy life to give us this. Thank you so much. I’m in my 70s and the oldest person I know not on any medication. A deliberate decision.
I am 71 years old. My BP runs between 138/63 to 145/62 through out the day. I take ramipril 10mg, amplidipin 10 mg . I take 2 stating , plavix and flecanide . Am I over prescribed? Please advise me.
I wish more doctors were, like you, in it for the right reasons. I've had doctors that would get angry if I didn't take the meds they were pushing. That's when I realized that big pharma has a huge hold over the medical field.and doctors getting kickbacks is real. Thank you Dr for truly caring. And for educating us on what is needed, and what isn't. May you have a safe & healthy new year.
Thank you Doc. I have been on Amilodopine 10mg and Atoravastatin 20mg a day. I decided to stop and my BP is 120 75 anyway with slight increase in blood cholesterol which I brought down with sterols and diet. Statins gave me swelling ankles. All okay now, my doctor isn't talking to me anymore!! I thought I would die without the tablets = but I havn't and never felt better = thank you again
Thank you, Dr. Gupta, for a great quote. Any treatment, whether medical or surgical, needs to be given careful and due consideration because 'it's my body and I've got to live with it!' Excellent advice as usual and gratefully received. Wishing you good health and happiness in 2025.
My trust in Doctors is near zero. They have been playing around with my BP for decades (I have a genetic condition and major heart op in the 60s, which means it will always be higher than most). Everything they tried had side effects and made me feel worse. One tiny one dropped my rate to 36beats/min. They didn't care why or how it did that. Just try something else. Am on 2 BP meds currently which we tolerate, but my 'specialist' said I should have more and proudly proclaimed that some of his patients are on 5 or 6 BP meds! When I asked what was the cause, he said it was more important to manage the numbers and get my BP down as it was damaging my kidneys. These people are ignorant fools.
I am a hospice nurse. It saddens me that a lot of our patients came into hospice care with a grocery bag of prescriptions! Our medical director then goes through the meds and cancels most of them as they are comfort or palliative care now. We use integrative procedures using vitamins and diet recommendations to the patient and or families. There are lots of times that the patient stabilized and their quality of life improves and we end up "graduating" or discharging the patient from hospice care. If and when their health degrades, they can again come into our care, depending on their insurance, usually up to 3 times. Over the years of this job, I've come to the conclusion that over-prescription is real. Ive also seen the trend that most seniors put their doctors on an altar and refused to question their doctors recommendations or advice. Thank you for having the courage to put this informational video out there to the masses. Have an awesome New Year's!❤
Thank you for sharing this very hopeful story from all the experience that you have built up through your profession. I met a sprightly lady at a recent hospital appointment. She was very interested, bright and chatty, so I was so completely gobsmacked when she told me she was actually 86 years old! Despite the death of both her husband and her son, she lived alone, maintaining a positive attitude and an interest in everything. How did she not lose heart? She had a deep faith, a motherly kindness towards other people’s children that I could strongly feel emanating from her and offered helpful advice from her life experience. She also mentioned something very relevant, a kindly neighbour who would bring a hot meal to her every day without fail. Caring for each other with love and kindness makes the very best prescription of all.🥹
Very pragmatic advice. Dr. Gupta, your candid and frank approach is highly appreciated. You are a truly caring physician. Dr. Bipin Deshpande Dermatologist Pune, India.
Great video. This is exactly why I’ve made an appointment to come and see you at the end of January. Of course I want to take medications test will help me, but I don’t want to take anything that is unnecessary to me at my age and my situation, such as considering my comorbidities. I’m still working on the paperwork you need. The timing of this video is perfect for me. Thank you
Hello, from Ireland. My gp said if I don't take statin, he doesn't care .He did a risk factor assessment on my blood results, age, history etc, however he will, of course, continue to treat me when I have a stroke .His words.
Please listen to Dr Aseem Mulhotra, Cardiologist to understand the reasons for not taking a statin. Do your own research to increase your confidence in your informed decisions.
Poor bloke will learn about cholesterol one day 😂. In the meantime you can keep yourself healthy and meds free as much as possible 😊. P.s. what he said was downright horrible!
A couple of years ago I had a routine 5 yearly GP /nurse health screen aged 65. It included getting a BP test on one of those stand up and put your arm in devices. It came out high and the only follow up was a month later where the practice pharmacist phoned me and advised me to take statins. No re-check no diet or weight advice! I wasn't interested and proceeded with improved exercise and dietary changes.
So true, they're given out like sweets. My doctor hates it when I refuse a drug. Will their mindset ever change or is it really just about pound signs. Thank you Dr Gupta, you speak more sense than any doctor I know.
And more potassium. If you don't get enough in our diet, which is surprisingly common, put half to one teaspoon of cream of tartar (potassium bitartrate) in half a glass of warm water and drink it each morning.
It all makes perfect sense, thank you for your honesty and your compassion to help others and protect them from these drugs,may God bless you for sharing these facts with us all!!we’re so thankful for you ❤❤❤
Thanks for recently recommending the book "The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse" by Charlie Mackesy. I keep it beside my bed along with "Meditations" by Marcus Aurelius.
The sad part about statins is that not only do they only help a small percentage of patients who are taking them, neither they nor their doctors seem to stop and think that the vast majority of people who will have a cardiovascular event if untreated with a statin, will still have that event when put on a statin. That's what it means to have a relative risk reduction of around 17% (which is what I found when looking at 36 statin studies): 6 of 7 people on statins still have the event (assuming the only treatment they get is the statin, and don't make lifestyle changes.)
You would be a fantastic Holistic Heart Doctor! You’re so wise, take the time to explain things and care about the patients. I’m looking into a Natural Heart Doctor right now, but I also listen to you. Appreciate your knowledge so much!
Happy new year Dr Gupta!🎉 Great Cardiologist, even better human being 🙏feel very lucky to have been able to visit you in person. All the best and thank you for all of the work you do
It can be traced back centuries (esp in US) to start of modern medicine. True informed choice hard in current health care systems - for most MDs too. Self educate and be discerning no matter the sources. I do this to help my Drs help me. We’re all in this together. Thx and much respect Dr Gupta. Edit: imagine if focus was prevention and quality of care was focus vs profit? Wow.
Thank you for realising that in older people quality of life is very important, and filling a person up with strong acting drugs is not always adding to either lifespan or quality of life. I realised many years ago that a healthy way of living is more important than doctors visits
Another form of overprescription is this: standard starting dose of rosuvastatin is 20 mg per day. Based on some "unsung" studies that I found on the Internet, I cut back on it and take 2.5 (!) mg day. The result is
One more thought. The whole thing must begin with doctors and other healthcare professionals starting to regard patients as partners and not subordinates and just faulty items on the conveyor belt.
Numbers have changed since I was young and more drugs given so early now. We are never given a alternative such as exercise or rest or suppliments or diet just more drugs. At menopause they want to prescribe heart meds but it's common our blood pressure changes and most times causes no harm. It's just a normal change from low estrogen.
Have noticed the medical specialists who have an overall holistic approach and balanced view, are people who although practising in the US are from other parts of the world. Not having grown up in a Big Pharma society.
Totally agree but don't forget that in the UK we were told for decades that sugar was fine and fat was bad. Then we were told that eggs were bad and seed oils were healthy but to name a few. We listened, we adhered and now many people are suffering the consequences. My mum cannot get her head around only needing few carbs and fat not being the villain. To her, sugar isn't the enemy. She's 82 and I doubt she'll ever change her mind now 😢
On the one hand over prescription of approved medication and on the other hand censorship and ignoring of numerous cheap drugs that have been proved to be safe over a long period and with positive repurposing evidence. Drug companies benefit from both of these trends
What a thorough, well thought out talk, Dr Gupta. Canadian 76 yo F here. I’m taking more and more medication and I am aware of & question & research why. I feel guilty that after all my knowledge I’m still not motivated to lose 50lb Thank you. Yours in appreciation….Jane
Thank you Dr. Gupta for all of your videos, but especially this one. After getting no help with Long Covid from my primary physician, I consulted a cardiologist due to shortness of breath, weakness, and a fainting episode I had mild hypertension prior to Covid, but it is about 142/86 in the early am and decreases significantly in the late morning if I'm not under stress. I was on a low dose of Metoprolol, which had worked well. The cardiologist did standard tests including a stress ecco showing some left ventricular hypertrophy. He referred me to a different primary care physician. That doctor then prescribed an antidepressant for my night awakenings (even though I don't feel depressed), also post Covid, and he doubled my Metoprolol, adding Losartan 50/12.5 mg for hypertension. I'm in my 70's but had been very active pre -Covid. I wonder why I need the heavy hitting with these meds when I can take beet extract to relax my morning hypertension, try to lessen stress, and improve my diet and exercise. Do I need to worry about a stroke if I don't take all these meds?
well said Doctor drugs are dished out to easely and not needed half the time . blood pressure being the most over prescribed medication instead of life style changes and diet
I feel very fortunate as my GP questioned some of the medications prescribed by my cardiologist & in fact halved one as she said”you don’t want to be that you can’t get out of a chair” & she said she would “wear that” with the cardiologist. He’s accepted her decision & tells me we have my meds just right!! No thanks to you buddy I think. He has added another med recently which I don’t believe has any added benefits for my Afib & heart failure so I’m going to talk with my GP about stopping it .
Some GPs are still doing a great job...despite incessant and highly demoralising social media criticism, an ageing population and burgeoning chronic sickness rates.
I'm guessing that the medication your GP cut in half was a beta-blocker? I only take a very low dose beta-blocker and so never feel sluggish and tired all the time! Yep, I also have Afib!😉
Ive got LVSD and paroxysmal A F .Ive refused statins preferring to take the dietary route .I sometimes think the cures worse than the disease .Your videos are so educational .Thank you for helping and your reassurance .
2:54 Exercise advice may be spoken to the patient but when is it ever written down and handed to the patient in prescription form? You can find a study on the value of written prescriptions over verbalized instructions. When written down by a doctor they are vastly more likely to be followed.
Unnecessary or unneeded prescription is not over prescription.... its wrong prescription. I have autoimmune condition and only dermatologist and rheumatologist prescribe meds to manage the pain, even they don't try curing it. All others: Dental, Gestro, etc etc ask me to see derma or rheumatologist for any pain. Lost two teeth to inflammation in mouth. The dental clinic only advised cleaning of the teeth and gums which only made the inflammation worse eventually one teeth cracked into half after few months and another developed cavity, both had to be removed. They did nothing about the pain I had in the teeth or gums for which I went to see them. This is state of medicine in present times.
Thank you for your efforts to educate the public, question, in light of the recent papers showing intima thickness reduction and benefits to lipid profiles, have your views on Nattokinase changed any since your last video on it. A significant reduction in the thickness of the carotid artery intima-media and the size of the carotid plaque was observed. The improvement rates ranged from 66.5 to 95.4%. NK was found to be ineffective in lowering lipids and suppressing atherosclerosis progression at a dose of 3,600 FU/day. The lipid-lowering effect of NK was more prominent in subjects who smoked, drank alcohol, and subjects with higher BMI. Regular exercise further improved the effects of NK. Co-administration of vitamin K2 and aspirin with NK produced a synergetic effect.
12:50 discussion on statins and alternatives. Interesting review of the corruption within. When I went to my Dr years ago and he was alarmed by my very high cholesterol and related LDL etc, he suggested statins. I naturally refused, since we're perfectly healthy, have good BMI, BP etc and I don't take drugs. However, as I was leaving, he quietly suggested we try top-quality Omega-3 fish oils. 2gm a day. He could not prescribe them, so we bought them ($35) from the local health shop. A month later, my levels had reduced by 35% which he said was better than any statin. But we agreed not to talk about it or enter it into my clinical notes...
Interested in the age correlations to over dosing and sensitivity to side effects for those 75 plus years old. Thank you for addressing over 90 years old. Today research is out indicating doctors, right now in the UK, will be soon using an AI scan to recommend who should take medications that can "reduce" Atrial Fibrillation. Do you have information on this as well? Thank you for increasing awareness of health care treatments.
I was put on a statin in my early 40s. I'm 66yo. I gained weight and currently have a BMI around 30. Never once do I remember an MD discuss diet. Smoking, yes, but not diet. A1c is currently 5.0, but even at 5.7 years ago, no diet talk. Been put on PPIs with GERD, which I fixed on my own. Yes, standard avoidance of certain foods for GERD discussed, but no weight loss strategy. Now I'm about to start low carb for the first time to see how that works. I've been reading labels since my early 20s and eat very little processed food. Little did I realize carbs are carbs despite being "quality" carbs from whole grains, etc. Recently had a cardiologist prescribe Repatha, which I'm not going to take because I don't think an LDL-C of below 70 sounds right. Years ago I had a high LDL-P but LDL-C particles were large. Am going for lowering triglycerides & triglyceride/HDL ratio. Dropped my rosuvastatin 20mg down to 10mg a couple of months ago.
At age 71, I think I know whether or not I am well. I live in the hypochondriac heaven aka Italy. They all keep checking BP and cholesterol, and a hundred other things besides. I avoid doctors and medication: too busy walking, cycling, doing yoga, swimming in the sea. Cook seasonal vegetables that I get at the market. And meat from an organic butcher. Also eat seasonal fruit
Your sound preference for you mic. if the input was turned up more next time it would be easier to hear your. I had to turn the volume way up and I have normal hearing. Thank you for talking about the over prescribing of medications.
My husband had his well man test.Everything was fine except his good chlorestetol. He was advised to include some nuts daily. A few days later a letter came from the doctor. It said he should consider taking a Statin. He is not over weight, dosent smoke or drink. Has no family history of heart disease or stroke. This recommendation was purly due to his age. Needless to say, he said no, thank you. Thank you as always.
I have never figured out How you keep your job!! Long time follower. Keep it up! I get in much trouble for being extremely conservative. Thank god i refused the vax. EXC varient running wild in mid Wilts. And it is long lasting and very difficult. Look how the NHS tried to rubbish the name of Steve London based YT influencer (abt 9 mil subs since 2021 )- 'Diary of a CEO'. Far as I could tell... just because he did not challenge his interviees medical beliefs? I have sent this to my surgery head! They are very cautious and do not perscribe easily. I think the worse problem is you have to suffer being extremely intolerant of what ever is cheapist before you are allowed the best quailty medications!! One size fits someone!
They want you to take the drugs that you may not need, and may cause you great suffering, because they don't want to be sued for malpractice. That is what they fear.
I have refused to take prescribed lanzoprazole as I have no symptoms that warrant me taking it. Twice I have had to return them when they have been included with my statins, to be told that, although unopened they will have to be thrown away. I am now thinking of reducing my statin from one 20mg tablet a day to one every 2 days. I am nearly 70. I have decided to be in control of the medication I take. I have had no opportunity to discuss the tablets I have been prescribed by my GP, with my GP, 37:49 so am making my own decisions.
So many truths in this video. I've had four different doctors/nurses, in the past year, recommend starting a statin even though my LDL has been between 112 to 129 the last 2 years and there is a very small percent risk reduction for patients who are over 60 and have diabetes. I started Entresto 8 months ago because it's part of the new GDMT for HF, but it's hurt my kidney function and I'm not really seeing any benefits. The Entresto study results are questionable as are the benefits. I also started Flomax because I had some symptoms, but those could've been caused by heart/kidney related problems or even an inguinal hernia that I hope to get repaired in the future.
PPI’s deplete vitamin B12. Fact! It’s no wonder there is an epidemic of B12 deficiency and all that entails. Low B12 can cause forms of heart failure which happened in my case.
Being advised for decades by "experts" to avoid red meat...because they were (and some still are!) convinced it clogs-up our arteries...probably didn't help!
It has been with huge pain that I have listened to you speaking on this subject. I am one of those people who seem to get side-effects easily. I am on so many medications (12) that the pharmacy make up a Dosette box. I throw out the tablets that I have asked my doctor to remove ie statins, Lansoprazole. Spiriva Respimat has caused me such tremors that I am unable to safely boil a kettle of water or a saucepan full of boiled vegetables. My question is, is there a medical specialty that can safely reduce this ‘death from 1000 cuts’? What clinical choices are available?
Very interesting and sensible views! It can be so difficult to get balanced info, there’s always a counter-argument to what one is currently reading. Thank you for that food for thought.
Hi Dr gupta I would love to see you on the public health collaboration PHC with like mind health professionals like Dr David unwin and Dr aseem malhotra
Great suggestion. That seems to be primarily about Low-Carb diets for Diabetes control / treatment...an excellent initiative (started in Southport, Merseyside) involving a focus on lifestyle and reduced insulin / drug requirements. And it presumably brings with it associated benefits for people with a "pre" or present diagnosis of Diabetes..including reduced CVD risk..which will no doubt interest Dr Gupta.
@stevelanghorn1407 Yes, the whole subject of insulin resistance fascinates me. I am currently doing low carb after my GP confirmed I had hypertension. I downloaded the freshwell app, which is fantastic for information and has be put together by 2 NHS doctors.
@stevelanghorn1407 Yes, I'm fascinated by the studies of insurlin resistance. After being diagnosed with hypertension and refusing BP meds. I follow the freshwell app that has been put together by 2 nhs doctors and I'm seeing good results.
@@1971lydia Yes. It's a brilliant initiative. Unfortunately, these great individuals using Low Carb diets to treat Diabetes (such as Dr Unwin & Dr Ian Lake) have been "hijacked" to a degree by some very popular extreme diet advocates on social media (promoting pure "carnivore / paleo" diets etc). The initiative was never really meant to be about promoting these more extreme diets for wider society / non-diabetics. But cutting out UPFs is definitely a big aspect of their work.
Fabulous Information Doc! This is exactly what I have to go through with my Cardio DR. I know he must think I'm the Patient from Hell! LOL. But I refuse to take pills I don't need. Thank you for sharing all your wonderful knowledge,
Thank you doctor, I'm in my 70s,never had bp problems,but got white coat and anxiety problems after hubby's death.I immediately got bp meds,and have since got very bad burning feet.I left off all of the nerve meds as I became a zombie..I'm still on a bp pill with diuretic and my feet suffer,but what does one do?
I went on the carnivore diet and then developed high cholesterol because of that It was through my research into the side effects of statins that I discovered something very interesting As long as someone's vital statistics are good, high cholesterol even high ldl is not an issue at all In fact, as long as someone is metabolically healthy, they will live longer if they have high ldl
Each doctors thinks they know best! not always, this is the issue here, prescribing many different types of medicine and or tablets and sending the patient home without proper tests and investigation, watch out the A&E it is a risk zone !
Thanks for another great video. In 2025 Can you do a review on what we know about the advanced imaging/risk evaluation status of the AI enhanced imaging technologies being developed and used world wide. Nothing too nerdy just a report on who's doing what and what they are trying to evaluate and potential benefits. I'm aware of the Oxford study which evaluates the status of the fat layer around arteries and a company called "Cleerly" in the U.S. which is looking at analysing plaque status in greater detail for more accurate risk assessment. A quick search online shows that this area of research is exploding.
I refused to take the statins offered by my doctor for about three years for slightly high total and LDL cholesterol. No advice on diet But I tried a few different approaches. Finally keto for a couple of months Then low carb. Total cholesterol is still high But now due to high HDL (good) with very low TG and bordeline ldl. Lost 13kg and feeling great. Literally have to fight the medical advice from GPs to get to goid health.
HI! I love you! Can you please make a video about Wandering Atrial Peacemaker or about Ectopic Atrial Peacemaker? Thank you! I wish you Happy Hollydays!
Oversubscribed may be due drug industry lobby & doctor out of date knowledge. High cholesterol may due to life style or genetic. High LDL alone is not the key factor to take statin when triglyceride is low. I understand that take statin only when you have very high LDL & triglyceride and a family member have stroke. Some people have aching muscles when taking statin - the problem may be due to one has muscle weakness disease and if test is negative then it is the statin. Change Atorvastatin to Rosuvastatin … but avoid simvastatin if you are from Chinese descendants. Statin takers need to take CoQ10 enzyme as statin reduce the production of this enzyme which is energy to cells. Not every doctor knows this. Check with your gp to ensure that they are not interact with others you may take.
I am hoping that the Labour government will look at this. I have no idea what Wes Streeting has in mind but this looks like a good area to make much needed savings and improvements all round. I understand why doctors fear going against the herd and wonder how much power the pharmaceuticals wield with government. I long for sane leaders rather than what appears to be corrupt ones in many nations.
Our favorite cardiologist
I can’t believe you’ve taken time out of your extremely busy life to give us this. Thank you so much. I’m in my 70s and the oldest person I know not on any medication. A deliberate decision.
I am in my 70's too and meds free.
Knowledge is power.
My internist always says the longer you stay off medicine the better!
And antidepressants are some of the worse because psycholgical side effects cannot be proven.
I am 71 years old. My BP runs between 138/63 to 145/62 through out the day. I take ramipril 10mg, amplidipin 10 mg . I take 2 stating , plavix and flecanide . Am I over prescribed? Please advise me.
"My body and I have to live with it." Great summary at the end 👌
Your best video yet...the Oscar is on its way! Thank you for your continued responsibility in this vital area. You are heard out here!
Not just knowledge but clearly a lovely person.
A good new year to everyone. 👍👍👍
I wish more doctors were, like you, in it for the right reasons. I've had doctors that would get angry if I didn't take the meds they were pushing. That's when I realized that big pharma has a huge hold over the medical field.and doctors getting kickbacks is real. Thank you Dr for truly caring. And for educating us on what is needed, and what isn't. May you have a safe & healthy new year.
Thank you Doc. I have been on Amilodopine 10mg and Atoravastatin 20mg a day. I decided to stop and my BP is 120 75 anyway with slight increase in blood cholesterol which I brought down with sterols and diet. Statins gave me swelling ankles. All okay now, my doctor isn't talking to me anymore!! I thought I would die without the tablets = but I havn't and never felt better = thank you again
watch statin nation. dr types are pushers for big pharma
Good your dr has shut his cakehole 😅
Thank you, Dr. Gupta, for a great quote. Any treatment, whether medical or surgical, needs to be given careful and due consideration because 'it's my body and I've got to live with it!' Excellent advice as usual and gratefully received. Wishing you good health and happiness in 2025.
Cholestoff sold over the counter which is a sterol lowered my LDL 40 points.
My trust in Doctors is near zero. They have been playing around with my BP for decades (I have a genetic condition and major heart op in the 60s, which means it will always be higher than most). Everything they tried had side effects and made me feel worse. One tiny one dropped my rate to 36beats/min. They didn't care why or how it did that. Just try something else. Am on 2 BP meds currently which we tolerate, but my 'specialist' said I should have more and proudly proclaimed that some of his patients are on 5 or 6 BP meds! When I asked what was the cause, he said it was more important to manage the numbers and get my BP down as it was damaging my kidneys. These people are ignorant fools.
I am a hospice nurse. It saddens me that a lot of our patients came into hospice care with a grocery bag of prescriptions! Our medical director then goes through the meds and cancels most of them as they are comfort or palliative care now. We use integrative procedures using vitamins and diet recommendations to the patient and or families. There are lots of times that the patient stabilized and their quality of life improves and we end up "graduating" or discharging the patient from hospice care. If and when their health degrades, they can again come into our care, depending on their insurance, usually up to 3 times.
Over the years of this job, I've come to the conclusion that over-prescription is real. Ive also seen the trend that most seniors put their doctors on an altar and refused to question their doctors recommendations or advice.
Thank you for having the courage to put this informational video out there to the masses.
Have an awesome New Year's!❤
Thank you for sharing this very hopeful story from all the experience that you have built up through your profession. I met a sprightly lady at a recent hospital appointment. She was very interested, bright and chatty, so I was so completely gobsmacked when she told me she was actually 86 years old! Despite the death of both her husband and her son, she lived alone, maintaining a positive attitude and an interest in everything. How did she not lose heart? She had a deep faith, a motherly kindness towards other people’s children that I could strongly feel emanating from her and offered helpful advice from her life experience. She also mentioned something very relevant, a kindly neighbour who would bring a hot meal to her every day without fail. Caring for each other with love and kindness makes the very best prescription of all.🥹
Very pragmatic advice.
Dr. Gupta, your candid and frank approach is highly appreciated.
You are a truly caring physician.
Dr. Bipin Deshpande
Dermatologist
Pune, India.
Fantastic Caring doctor we need lots more like you 🙏🙏
Great video. This is exactly why I’ve made an appointment to come and see you at the end of January. Of course I want to take medications test will help me, but I don’t want to take anything that is unnecessary to me at my age and my situation, such as considering my comorbidities. I’m still working on the paperwork you need. The timing of this video is perfect for me. Thank you
Finally someone professional speaks up. The obvious truth. 🙌
The absolute best and most important post you have ever made. I know how much work and detailed preparation went into this. Thank you!
I chuckled when I saw that this good Doctor’s video was preceded by a commercial for Jardiance.
Hello, from Ireland. My gp said if I don't take statin, he doesn't care .He did a risk factor assessment on my blood results, age, history etc, however he will, of course, continue to treat me when I have a stroke .His words.
Oh my.
What a jerk.
Find another doctor.
Please listen to Dr Aseem Mulhotra, Cardiologist to understand the reasons for not taking a statin. Do your own research to increase your confidence in your informed decisions.
Poor bloke will learn about cholesterol one day 😂. In the meantime you can keep yourself healthy and meds free as much as possible 😊. P.s. what he said was downright horrible!
A couple of years ago I had a routine 5 yearly GP /nurse health screen aged 65. It included getting a BP test on one of those stand up and put your arm in devices. It came out high and the only follow up was a month later where the practice pharmacist phoned me and advised me to take statins. No re-check no diet or weight advice! I wasn't interested and proceeded with improved exercise and dietary changes.
So true, they're given out like sweets. My doctor hates it when I refuse a drug. Will their mindset ever change or is it really just about pound signs. Thank you Dr Gupta, you speak more sense than any doctor I know.
Thanks a million.
You are a truly caring doctor.
Hi Doc😊😊love your vids. Very educational and eye opening. Retired RN here, psych specialist.
For high blood pressure, use Magnesium. Magnesium has many, many, therapeutic uses.
And more potassium. If you don't get enough in our diet, which is surprisingly common, put half to one teaspoon of cream of tartar (potassium bitartrate) in half a glass of warm water and drink it each morning.
It all makes perfect sense, thank you for your honesty and your compassion to help others and protect them from these drugs,may God bless you for sharing these facts with us all!!we’re so thankful for you ❤❤❤
Thanks for recently recommending the book "The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse" by Charlie Mackesy. I keep it beside my bed along with "Meditations" by Marcus Aurelius.
Ty so much Doc! You’re one of a kind.
The sad part about statins is that not only do they only help a small percentage of patients who are taking them, neither they nor their doctors seem to stop and think that the vast majority of people who will have a cardiovascular event if untreated with a statin, will still have that event when put on a statin. That's what it means to have a relative risk reduction of around 17% (which is what I found when looking at 36 statin studies): 6 of 7 people on statins still have the event (assuming the only treatment they get is the statin, and don't make lifestyle changes.)
You would be a fantastic Holistic Heart Doctor! You’re so wise, take the time to explain things and care about the patients. I’m looking into a Natural Heart Doctor right now, but I also listen to you. Appreciate your knowledge so much!
Are you finding it difficult to locate a suitable specialist?
@ nope, I see a regular cardiologist as well
Dr Gupta!!! I told my cardiologist to start a RUclips channel. Unfortunately, he won't. That's ok, we have Dr Gupta!
As always. Thank you doc
Happy new year Dr Gupta!🎉
Great Cardiologist, even better human being 🙏feel very lucky to have been able to visit you in person. All the best and thank you for all of the work you do
It can be traced back centuries (esp in US) to start of modern medicine. True informed choice hard in current health care systems - for most MDs too. Self educate and be discerning no matter the sources. I do this to help my Drs help me. We’re all in this together. Thx and much respect Dr Gupta. Edit: imagine if focus was prevention and quality of care was focus vs profit? Wow.
Thank you for realising that in older people quality of life is very important, and filling a person up with strong acting drugs is not always adding to either lifespan or quality of life. I realised many years ago that a healthy way of living is more important than doctors visits
Another form of overprescription is this: standard starting dose of rosuvastatin is 20 mg per day. Based on some "unsung" studies that I found on the Internet, I cut back on it and take 2.5 (!) mg day. The result is
Excellent! Thank you.
Great program Doctor, Have a long career educating public, Happy new year 2025 to you & family
Thanks for the voice of reason
Brilliant presentation. 👍.
Our favorite and smartest Doctor
One more thought. The whole thing must begin with doctors and other healthcare professionals starting to regard patients as partners and not subordinates and just faulty items on the conveyor belt.
A kind hearted Dr... love you
Numbers have changed since I was young and more drugs given so early now. We are never given a alternative such as exercise or rest or suppliments or diet just more drugs. At menopause they want to prescribe heart meds but it's common our blood pressure changes and most times causes no harm. It's just a normal change from low estrogen.
Thanks for such information
Have noticed the medical specialists who have an overall holistic approach and balanced view, are people who although practising in the US are from other parts of the world. Not having grown up in a Big Pharma society.
UK stopped practicing preventative care! Many issues are low vitamins .. bad diet .. education in school is huge!
Totally agree but don't forget that in the UK we were told for decades that sugar was fine and fat was bad. Then we were told that eggs were bad and seed oils were healthy but to name a few. We listened, we adhered and now many people are suffering the consequences. My mum cannot get her head around only needing few carbs and fat not being the villain. To her, sugar isn't the enemy. She's 82 and I doubt she'll ever change her mind now 😢
Sounds like you've done a lot of work for this video.
👍
It is appreciated.
On the one hand over prescription of approved medication and on the other hand censorship and ignoring of numerous cheap drugs that have been proved to be safe over a long period and with positive repurposing evidence. Drug companies benefit from both of these trends
What a thorough, well thought out talk, Dr Gupta. Canadian 76 yo F here. I’m taking more and more medication and I am aware of & question & research why. I feel guilty that after all my knowledge I’m still not motivated to lose 50lb Thank you. Yours in appreciation….Jane
Thank you Dr. Gupta for all of your videos, but especially this one. After getting no help with Long Covid from my primary physician, I consulted a cardiologist due to shortness of breath, weakness, and a fainting episode I had mild hypertension prior to Covid, but it is about 142/86 in the early am and decreases significantly in the late morning if I'm not under stress. I was on a low dose of Metoprolol, which had worked well. The cardiologist did standard tests including a stress ecco showing some left ventricular hypertrophy. He referred me to a different primary care physician.
That doctor then prescribed an antidepressant for my night awakenings (even though I don't feel depressed), also post Covid, and he doubled my Metoprolol, adding Losartan 50/12.5 mg for hypertension. I'm in my 70's but had been very active pre -Covid. I wonder why I need the heavy hitting with these meds when I can take beet extract to relax my morning hypertension, try to lessen stress, and improve my diet and exercise. Do I need to worry about a stroke if I don't take all these meds?
Some antidepressants will deprive B12 deficiency of which can cause some of the problems you describe.
well said Doctor drugs are dished out to easely and not needed half the time . blood pressure being the most over prescribed medication instead of life style changes and diet
You are a beautiful human being. Keep helping us!! 🙏🙏
Brilliant presentation!
I feel very fortunate as my GP questioned some of the medications prescribed by my cardiologist & in fact halved one as she said”you don’t want to be that you can’t get out of a chair” & she said she would “wear that” with the cardiologist. He’s accepted her decision & tells me we have my meds just right!! No thanks to you buddy I think. He has added another med recently which I don’t believe has any added benefits for my Afib & heart failure so I’m going to talk with my GP about stopping it .
Some GPs are still doing a great job...despite incessant and highly demoralising social media criticism, an ageing population and burgeoning chronic sickness rates.
I'm guessing that the medication your GP cut in half was a beta-blocker? I only take a very low dose beta-blocker and so never feel sluggish and tired all the time! Yep, I also have Afib!😉
Cardiologist Mulhotra from the UK is also very good . He has has heaps of interesting videos.
Ive got LVSD and paroxysmal A F .Ive refused statins preferring to take the dietary route .I sometimes think the cures worse than the disease .Your videos are so educational .Thank you for helping and your reassurance .
2:54 Exercise advice may be spoken to the patient but when is it ever written down and handed to the patient in prescription form?
You can find a study on the value of written prescriptions over verbalized instructions.
When written down by a doctor they are vastly more likely to be followed.
Unnecessary or unneeded prescription is not over prescription.... its wrong prescription.
I have autoimmune condition and only dermatologist and rheumatologist prescribe meds to manage the pain, even they don't try curing it. All others: Dental, Gestro, etc etc ask me to see derma or rheumatologist for any pain. Lost two teeth to inflammation in mouth. The dental clinic only advised cleaning of the teeth and gums which only made the inflammation worse eventually one teeth cracked into half after few months and another developed cavity, both had to be removed. They did nothing about the pain I had in the teeth or gums for which I went to see them. This is state of medicine in present times.
Agreed, medical overprescription is rampant especially in elderly.
Thank you for your efforts to educate the public, question, in light of the recent papers showing intima thickness reduction and benefits to lipid profiles, have your views on Nattokinase changed any since your last video on it.
A significant reduction in the thickness of the carotid artery intima-media and the size of the carotid plaque was observed. The improvement rates ranged from 66.5 to 95.4%. NK was found to be ineffective in lowering lipids and suppressing atherosclerosis progression at a dose of 3,600 FU/day. The lipid-lowering effect of NK was more prominent in subjects who smoked, drank alcohol, and subjects with higher BMI. Regular exercise further improved the effects of NK. Co-administration of vitamin K2 and aspirin with NK produced a synergetic effect.
12:50 discussion on statins and alternatives. Interesting review of the corruption within. When I went to my Dr years ago and he was alarmed by my very high cholesterol and related LDL etc, he suggested statins. I naturally refused, since we're perfectly healthy, have good BMI, BP etc and I don't take drugs. However, as I was leaving, he quietly suggested we try top-quality Omega-3 fish oils. 2gm a day. He could not prescribe them, so we bought them ($35) from the local health shop. A month later, my levels had reduced by 35% which he said was better than any statin. But we agreed not to talk about it or enter it into my clinical notes...
Interested in the age correlations to over dosing and sensitivity to side effects for those 75 plus years old. Thank you for addressing over 90 years old. Today research is out indicating doctors, right now in the UK, will be soon using an AI scan to recommend who should take medications that can "reduce" Atrial Fibrillation. Do you have information on this as well? Thank you for increasing awareness of health care treatments.
Thank you for this video Dr Gupta. My PCP wants to put me on statins for cholesterol. If I could only get him to watch this video. You are the best.
Thank you very enlightening
I was put on a statin in my early 40s. I'm 66yo. I gained weight and currently have a BMI around 30. Never once do I remember an MD discuss diet. Smoking, yes, but not diet. A1c is currently 5.0, but even at 5.7 years ago, no diet talk. Been put on PPIs with GERD, which I fixed on my own. Yes, standard avoidance of certain foods for GERD discussed, but no weight loss strategy. Now I'm about to start low carb for the first time to see how that works. I've been reading labels since my early 20s and eat very little processed food. Little did I realize carbs are carbs despite being "quality" carbs from whole grains, etc. Recently had a cardiologist prescribe Repatha, which I'm not going to take because I don't think an LDL-C of below 70 sounds right. Years ago I had a high LDL-P but LDL-C particles were large. Am going for lowering triglycerides & triglyceride/HDL ratio. Dropped my rosuvastatin 20mg down to 10mg a couple of months ago.
At age 71, I think I know whether or not I am well. I live in the hypochondriac heaven aka Italy. They all keep checking BP and cholesterol, and a hundred other things besides. I avoid doctors and medication: too busy walking, cycling, doing yoga, swimming in the sea. Cook seasonal vegetables that I get at the market. And meat from an organic butcher. Also eat seasonal fruit
Brilliant. Keep doing what you're doing in "Hypo-Heaven"!
Well done! 😊
Your sound preference for you mic. if the input was turned up more next time it would be easier to hear your. I had to turn the volume way up and I have normal hearing. Thank you for talking about the over prescribing of medications.
Thank you Doc happy New Year to you, n ur family🎊🎉
Thank you again, Doctor and Happy New Year!🥂
Thank you.
Great as usual
Happy new year to you and it's a great message ❤️🎉
Thank you for this video ! 💐
My husband had his well man test.Everything was fine except his good chlorestetol. He was advised to include some nuts daily.
A few days later a letter came from the doctor. It said he should consider taking a Statin.
He is not over weight, dosent smoke or drink. Has no family history of heart disease or stroke.
This recommendation was purly due to his age.
Needless to say, he said no, thank you.
Thank you as always.
I have never figured out How you keep your job!!
Long time follower. Keep it up! I get in much trouble for being extremely conservative. Thank god i refused the vax. EXC varient running wild in mid Wilts. And it is long lasting and very difficult.
Look how the NHS tried to rubbish the name of Steve London based YT influencer (abt 9 mil subs since 2021 )- 'Diary of a CEO'.
Far as I could tell... just because he did not challenge his interviees medical beliefs?
I have sent this to my surgery head! They are very cautious and do not perscribe easily.
I think the worse problem is you have to suffer being extremely intolerant of what ever is cheapist before you are allowed the best quailty medications!! One size fits someone!
They want you to take the drugs that you may not need, and may cause you great suffering, because they don't want to be sued for malpractice. That is what they fear.
You’re amazing
Dr. Gupta, wish we had clones of doctors like you in India. We are short of good people like you - I need to consult someone like you!
I have refused to take prescribed lanzoprazole as I have no symptoms that warrant me taking it. Twice I have had to return them when they have been included with my statins, to be told that, although unopened they will have to be thrown away. I am now thinking of reducing my statin from one 20mg tablet a day to one every 2 days. I am nearly 70. I have decided to be in control of the medication I take. I have had no opportunity to discuss the tablets I have been prescribed by my GP, with my GP, 37:49 so am making my own decisions.
So many truths in this video. I've had four different doctors/nurses, in the past year, recommend starting a statin even though my LDL has been between 112 to 129 the last 2 years and there is a very small percent risk reduction for patients who are over 60 and have diabetes.
I started Entresto 8 months ago because it's part of the new GDMT for HF, but it's hurt my kidney function and I'm not really seeing any benefits. The Entresto study results are questionable as are the benefits.
I also started Flomax because I had some symptoms, but those could've been caused by heart/kidney related problems or even an inguinal hernia that I hope to get repaired in the future.
PPI’s deplete vitamin B12. Fact! It’s no wonder there is an epidemic of B12 deficiency and all that entails.
Low B12 can cause forms of heart failure which happened in my case.
Being advised for decades by "experts" to avoid red meat...because they were (and some still are!) convinced it clogs-up our arteries...probably didn't help!
Thank you!
It has been with huge pain that I have listened to you speaking on this subject. I am one of those people who seem to get side-effects easily. I am on so many medications (12) that the pharmacy make up a Dosette box. I throw out the tablets that I have asked my doctor to remove ie statins, Lansoprazole.
Spiriva Respimat has caused me such tremors that I am unable to safely boil a kettle of water or a saucepan full of boiled vegetables.
My question is, is there a medical specialty that can safely reduce this ‘death from 1000 cuts’? What clinical choices are available?
Very interesting and sensible views! It can be so difficult to get balanced info, there’s always a counter-argument to what one is currently reading. Thank you for that food for thought.
Hi Dr gupta I would love to see you on the public health collaboration PHC with like mind health professionals like Dr David unwin and Dr aseem malhotra
Great suggestion. That seems to be primarily about Low-Carb diets for Diabetes control / treatment...an excellent initiative (started in Southport, Merseyside) involving a focus on lifestyle and reduced insulin / drug requirements. And it presumably brings with it associated benefits for people with a "pre" or present diagnosis of Diabetes..including reduced CVD risk..which will no doubt interest Dr Gupta.
@stevelanghorn1407 Yes, the whole subject of insulin resistance fascinates me. I am currently doing low carb after my GP confirmed I had hypertension. I downloaded the freshwell app, which is fantastic for information and has be put together by 2 NHS doctors.
@stevelanghorn1407 Yes, I'm fascinated by the studies of insurlin resistance. After being diagnosed with hypertension and refusing BP meds. I follow the freshwell app that has been put together by 2 nhs doctors and I'm seeing good results.
Yes it also covers poor diets like ultra processed foods
@@1971lydia Yes. It's a brilliant initiative. Unfortunately, these great individuals using Low Carb diets to treat Diabetes (such as Dr Unwin & Dr Ian Lake) have been "hijacked" to a degree by some very popular extreme diet advocates on social media (promoting pure "carnivore / paleo" diets etc). The initiative was never really meant to be about promoting these more extreme diets for wider society / non-diabetics. But cutting out UPFs is definitely a big aspect of their work.
Thanks for this. Happy NewYear 2025 to you and all your YT subcribers🎉❤
Fabulous Information Doc! This is exactly what I have to go through with my Cardio DR. I know he must think I'm the Patient from Hell! LOL. But I refuse to take pills I don't need. Thank you for sharing all your wonderful knowledge,
Thankyou ❤
Thanks and A great 2025 to you too.
I’d be interested in your opinion regarding HRT and heart health! 🤔
Thank you doctor, I'm in my 70s,never had bp problems,but got white coat and anxiety problems after hubby's death.I immediately got bp meds,and have since got very bad burning feet.I left off all of the nerve meds as I became a zombie..I'm still on a bp pill with diuretic and my feet suffer,but what does one do?
I went on the carnivore diet and then developed high cholesterol because of that
It was through my research into the side effects of statins that I discovered something very interesting
As long as someone's vital statistics are good, high cholesterol even high ldl is not an issue at all
In fact, as long as someone is metabolically healthy, they will live longer if they have high ldl
Each doctors thinks they know best! not always, this is the issue here, prescribing many different types of medicine and or tablets and sending the patient home without proper tests and investigation, watch out the A&E it is a risk zone !
Thanks for another great video.
In 2025 Can you do a review on what we know about the advanced imaging/risk evaluation status of the AI enhanced imaging technologies being developed and used world wide. Nothing too nerdy just a report on who's doing what and what they are trying to evaluate and potential benefits. I'm aware of the Oxford study which evaluates the status of the fat layer around arteries and a company called "Cleerly" in the U.S. which is looking at analysing plaque status in greater detail for more accurate risk assessment. A quick search online shows that this area of research is exploding.
Can you please explain what a mini stroke may look like?
Would a statin be wise because of cholesterol being a bit high? Thanks for a respkns!
I refused to take the statins offered by my doctor for about three years for slightly high total and LDL cholesterol.
No advice on diet But I tried a few different approaches.
Finally keto for a couple of months Then low carb.
Total cholesterol is still high But now due to high HDL (good) with very low TG and bordeline ldl.
Lost 13kg and feeling great.
Literally have to fight the medical advice from GPs to get to goid health.
HI! I love you! Can you please make a video about Wandering Atrial Peacemaker or about Ectopic Atrial Peacemaker? Thank you! I wish you Happy Hollydays!
good informative wish you a happy 2025
The bottom line. Know my body. Take notes and research but be careful where I research. Prayer is a powerful tool. Stay natural with balance if I can.
Oversubscribed may be due drug industry lobby & doctor out of date knowledge. High cholesterol may due to life style or genetic. High LDL alone is not the key factor to take statin when triglyceride is low. I understand that take statin only when you have very high LDL & triglyceride and a family member have stroke. Some people have aching muscles when taking statin - the problem may be due to one has muscle weakness disease and if test is negative then it is the statin. Change Atorvastatin to Rosuvastatin … but avoid simvastatin if you are from Chinese descendants. Statin takers need to take CoQ10 enzyme as statin reduce the production of this enzyme which is energy to cells. Not every doctor knows this. Check with your gp to ensure that they are not interact with others you may take.
Thank You. Happy 2025 to you Dr
I dont have high blood pressure may I have cholesterol
I wish you could send this video to Governor Dewine of Ohio. He just vetoed a bill that would have allowed a doctor to say, In my opinion.
Hi Doc😊😊
I am hoping that the Labour government will look at this. I have no idea what Wes Streeting has in mind but this looks like a good area to make much needed savings and improvements all round. I understand why doctors fear going against the herd and wonder how much power the pharmaceuticals wield with government. I long for sane leaders rather than what appears to be corrupt ones in many nations.