As always, amazing video, Dr. Winge! I love when you upload I literally sit through everything ads and all. I feel like there is so much to learn from you, and that you try very hard to keep up with current studies and literature. I find myself learning a lot, each time you upload. It only makes me want to learn more. Keep up the great work you do for everyone!
76 years old, had a Calcium score test done and it was 1477. Cardiologist did an echocardiogram and angiogram and they showed an 80% blockage in my right artery and veins. 3 weeks i had a quadruple bypass surgery. That was 9 weeks ago and I am recovering quite well.
I had a calcium score of 3200 and thought I was gonna drop dead my cardiologist at the time did a stress test and said I was perfect. Thankfully he transferred and I had to see another doctor that didn’t agree with him. Did the angiogram and had 90% blockage In two arteries. Had two stents put in the right artery that day and two weeks later did a stent in the left coronary Artery and that was seven years ago
@@tomvaccariello3019 1700 CAC here back in 2019. My cardiologist @ Mayo Clinic JAX did angiogram and I had 93% occlusion in LAD. One stent and so far so good. I always kick ass on echocardiogram stress tests with high METS, so cardio respiratory system is strong and efficient. Live healthy, eat healthy, keep heart & lungs strong and hope for the best. Salud 🍻
A stress test is almost useless. There was a famous Journalist a few years ago. He had a stress test done. He passed with flying colors. He dropped dead the next week from a massive heard attack. I’m glad you were referred to another doctor.
Excellent video from start to finish. This is great info you're putting out there & you've earned yourself a new subscriber! I'm a 40 y/o male who got my Lp(a) checked back in early 2023 & it was 204 nmol/L (eek). My LDL-C had mostly run in the 130-145 mg/dl range for most of my life prior to that. I got a CAC at the same time & it was zero (phew) - So I went to a cardiologist who had a focus on lipidology... I was started on 10mg rosuvastatin/10mg ezetimibe at that time. Since then, my LDL-C usually runs between 35-50 mg/dl. This led me down the lipids rabbit hole ingesting all the info I could from the likes of Tom Dayspring, Sam Tsimikas, Bill Cromwell et al and it has been an enlightening experience. With that, and this is just an anecdote on my part, but I figured it was worth sharing... I elected to start Berberine & 4g/day EPA/DHA around the same time I started on the LLT. I slowly ramped up my Berberine over time and I noticed my Lp(a) steadily came down with each panel. It has remained steady ~93 nmol/l, about a 110 nmol/L sustained drop! There's little research on Berberine & its connection to Lp(a) outside of a mild PCSK9 inhibiting effect, but I thought you might find my case of interest considering our similar risk challenges. (link to a tweet with the corresponding Lp(a) results over time: x.com/MikeMostwill/status/1852759699747192906 )
Interesting. I am currently 63 and last had my Lp(a) tested in 2022, it was 15 nmol/L, and that was after several years of a low carb/keto meat based diet. My CAC score at the time was 70 (just recently 102), and my LDL is very high, in the high 200s, but my HDL is always higher than my triglycerides, and my VLDL is low, in the teens.
What was your apoB level? Did not hear you mention it? Ia apoB directly correlated with LDL levels? Like if LDL goes up or down does ApoB follow? Does trt make it worse? Is red yeast rice an option too?
Interesting information Doc, appreciated. I’m an Endocrinologist myself, and I’ve come to the conclusion that even an carotid ultrasound is more “precise” in determining soft-plaque (more so than CAC) - being probably the far second to an Angio+contrast.
What about gut health as a way to reduce arterial inflammation by reducing sugar and managing endotoxicity from bacterial overgrowth and turn over in the gut. I have heard some doctors talking about this as a reason for heart and artery disease that not many people really discuss.
@manmedicine I'm glad you are sharing your journey and being proactive. I'm turning 40 next year and I've got my eye on my heart health. My father's side has horrible heart health from all my fathers siblings. Check out Dr William Davis. He is a big proponent in the gut link to heart disease. I look forward to hearing more from you about this I find your videos very helpful and informative!
You need to go to Dr Ken Berry utube channel, he does Q and A shows in the late afternoon, I think its Friday and Monday, but it has some great infl on how to get your numbers way down, with diet. There is heart doctor who had a heart event, overwieght, etc, He got his heart healthy with his diet, and there are others, do your own research, Your Diet is very inmportant and getting toxins out of the body and getting Zero score for your inflammation and getting the gut healthy.
@@gympho1 THAT WORKS WONDERS, EMPTY STOMACH IN THE MORNING, A FEW HOURS BEFORE YOUR FIRST MEAL. I DON'T FOLLOW IT HARD-CORE, BUT NO CARBS IS THE WAY TO GO AS WELL. LUSTEN TO DOCTOR BREWER HERE ON TH-cam, HE REVERSED HIS.
I’m 35 and just recently discovered that along with the calcium score of 10 I have 30 to 40% small calcified plaques in three arteries and absolutely terrified and if you have any words of advice or positive news please do share it. I much like yourself just recently discovered and Lpa of 288nmol. I suspect it has a large part to play in my findings. Some steps I’ve taken since, quit smoking, started taking Rosuvastatin and have lowered LDL from 166 to 53. Lost weight, 111 to 96 kilos and continuing to drop weight . Triglycerides are way down and have switched to a WFPB diet. I make sure to at least walk everyday.Nonetheless I can’t get this out of my mind, I feel like a walking heart attack. I am mentally destroyed.
There are people with scores in hundreds and thousands. A 10 isn’t anything that bad. They need to stop scaring people with this test. They don’t even recommend them for under 40 unless strong family history
Keep working on getting as healthy as possible. I think most lipidologists would want to get your LDL even lower. A PCSK9 inhibitor is something to discuss with your doctor.
Thanks so much Doc, since that comment 10mg ezetimibe was added. Unfortunately insurance won’t cover the PCSK9 inhibitor, but I feel the issue is also the Doc isn’t doing a very good job of asking. Might try asking another one. I’m currently in Lisbon, Portugal but am American by birth. Avoiding the states because I’d likely be paying an arm and a leg but perhaps would be easier to get a PCSK9 approved. Just not sure .
@@AgrippaMaxentius That will help. I take ezetimibe as well. You're right, in the US PCSK9s are very expensive. I could not get the VA to prescribe one for me. You usually have to be considered "high risk", meaning you have already had a heart attack. You may have better luck in Portugal, but these drugs will probably be expensive everywhere until they go generic.
@@AgrippaMaxentius just saw this. Having your LDL at 53 is a Great Step forward. Calcium Score of 10 is not that bad and the actions you have taken make you much less likely to be a "Walking Heart Attack" Hopefully you have kept the new Lifestyle Also Rosuvastatin (Which I take myself) makes any plaque you may have have much more Stable. Just be aware that your Calcium score may go up which actually means that any plaque you had is stabilizing
I am 77 with a calcium score of 2310, a wake up number for sure, did a angiogram test, no major blockage, 55% reduction in the arteries, no stents required, changed my diet, my life style, eating oats, drink oat milk, eating fruits everyday, no sodas, no beer, a year later my numbers are right in the ball park, LDL48, HDL 39, cholestrol 110, BP 125/75, a challange for sure, but the option is not giving up, Thanks for the video, good information, MP
as a heads up i found other science folks indicate excess glucose along with soft plaques is problematic so chk it out cause u r eating alot of dense glucose with oat based foods and drinks.
@@medawurm eating oat-based foods in their unprocessed form will cause any rise in blood sugar to be much less than ingesting refined carbohydrates so there’s not great cause to worry.
@DK-pr9ny I eat oats all the time. A lot. My A1c was 5.3 and triglycerides was 57. My ldl was 77. It went up a little bit from a year ago because I had eliminated a lot of tree nuts. I am 66. I think it is the sugar or fruits combined with oatmeal that is likely not helpful. I eat whole grain organic.
So far it seems to be either neutral or slightly negative in that regard. Just had a level check and it was 40 which is not too far off from my prior baseline.
nattokinase is probably a good supplement to prevent heart disease/assist in reversing CAD, but the actual medication is a thousand times more potent, so its best not to rely on supplementation.
Great video thanks for sharing your history. I’m 40 yrs old. My father had a heart attack at 55 and needed bypass surgery. As a result of that I did a deep dive into my heart health and after numerous tests I finally had a CT calcium scan done and when the physicians gave me the results their jaws dropped. I clocked in at a whopping 1608 CAC score. Stress test was fine, nuclear stress test fine, echocardiogram was all fine. They were all scratching their heads. My BMi is 16% no smoking or drinking it’s just purely genetics. I go for an angiogram next week to see what we are up against. Fingers crossed I can still live into my 80s.
@@WS-bh2qu You as well. My angiogram is on Wednesday so I am hopeful there are no major issues. I don't have chest pain or shortness of breath or anything like that so thats a good sign.
Thank you for the valuable information and for sharing your personal medical history. I have a very high calcium score of over 1300 and an LP(a) level exceeding 444 mg/L. I am only 48 years old, but my heart age is estimated to be over 84
Your Lp-a is only 44.4 mg/dl mine is 20. 30 is normal. I don't find that as concerning as your CAC. I'm reversing mine using the Linus Pauling Heart Protocol. 660 to 458 in 20 months.
Interesting topic. I align well with the discussion. At 41 calcium score of 380. Followed by a preventative cardiologist and prescribed a maximum statin with Zetia which drove LDL to 28. Lpa was found to be very high at 41 years of age as well. Very lean athletic and compliant to the approach. Fast forward 11 yrs with a new calcium score of 1600+. Fast forward 3 more years and now calcium score is 3800! Notably, no one ever stated that statins accelerate the calcium build up as "rigid" plaque. Annual stress tests occurred from 41 to 56. Finally achieve a positive stress test at 56 and prompted nuc perfusion then Cath which finally showed 95% and 90% similarly in other arteries. Result? Quad CABG with no event ever occurring. Big picture here is that genetics dominate no matter what you do. I had a very healthy diet, exercised regularly, never smoked, non-diabetic, followed by a cardiologist, used statins at highest dosage, etc, etc. Lpa was never impacted by medicines or life-style changes.
@@perrysellers9198 your ldl is too low from what I have seen by several cardiologists and cardiac surgeons on TH-cam. Dr philip Oveda (spelling) on here has information on that, especially people over 50 ish do better with ldl maybe around 100-120 ish (I don’t recall exact numbers)
I am 72 and about seven years ago had a calcium score of 1700. Had a stress test done within a week, which was “perfect.” My Lipitor dose was increased from 20 mg to 40. I’ve also been on a baby aspirin per day for at least the last 15 years. I’ve also been a runner for over 40 years. My cardiologist is also a runner. There have been one or two studies (one extensive study by the Cleveland Clinic), it’s my understanding, that have shown that in asymptomatic people (no chest pain or tightness etc.) a statin and baby aspirin/day result in the same mortality outcomes as stents and bypass surgery. My doctor(s) indicated that the combination of running and a statin as well as being asymptomatic myself probably means that my plaque is stable. I’ve done multiple stress tests and a few echos over the years, and so far so good. I continue to run 5 miles every day and will continue to do so for as long as I can. I see my cardiologist every 9 months or so. Hoping that this will be my routine for years to come…..
Please note that CAC is nonspecific and though score can be high, actual plaque could still be minimal or mild when you do CT coronary angiogram, which helps you visualize it…
@manmedice what about your fasting glucose, insulin resistance and AC1 levels …high levels cause inflammation and damage arteries that must be repaired causing calcification???
If niacin works so effectively to lower Lp(a) (and yes, I've tried that too with success) but yet no cardiovascular health benefit resulted, then why the heck does anyone thing a new drug to lower Lp(a) is going to accomplish anything?
Good question. Either Niacin didn't lower it enough to make a difference, or lowering it doesn't make a difference at all, and there's something else scientists have overlooked. I guess we will see.
I am 40 years old. My father died because of a heart attack at 50. He had huge amounts of plaques. I wanted to check my veins and did a CT scan 4 years ago at 36 yo. My calcium score was 0, but I had a 25% blockage in the LAD. I have been on statin for 2 years now. My LDL is around 40-50, but my lipo A result is high. Planning to have a CT scan again next year. Why didn't you have a CT scan to check the blockages directly?
Really appreciate this video- ICU RN for 20 some years… 5 years ago CAC score was zero, five years later it’s 28, I was shocked/mad/freaked/etc… Admittedly, I do “supplement” but subjectively very reasonable/low… the “good news” is that while my late Father was quite parallel to yours, he lived to 84 despite still smoking and the majority of his CA history was self induced with poor diet, no exercise. Thanks again.
I did mine recently & my score was 27 my doctor said that’s a low score & do one in another 5 years.He said that’s a safe score so i don’t know what you’re worried about
@@welovedogs6835The problem with the scores is that they are compounding meaning a 15% progression rate per year will mean a doubling of a score every 5 years.
It's really about focal vitamin C deficiency. Reversing my coronary artery calcium verified by CAC by 30% read Dr. Thomas Levy's book "Stop America's #1 Killer " Proof that the Origin of All Coronary Heart Disease is Clearly Reversible Arterial Scurvy.
@aussiegreek4993 Depends on a person's age at 70, 25 might not be a big deal! But at 40, that score could grow to 400 by age 60. I'm in the process of reversing mine. 660 to 458 in 20 months.
How did you reverse or lowered calcium score.. I stopped my statins as I had a score of 405 .. iv had 3 stents done 2 years ago and now I’m metabolically very healthy as I do intermittent fasting and eat whole foods .. I’m taking but k2 d3 I recently did an angiogram with dye and it was good , ie no more blockage since iv done my stents 2 years ago.. iv hardly been taking any statins .. I just changed the way I eat and stopped smoking and everything reversed including fatty liver.. my blood tests are perfect now but calcium score 405 is so high
@@davehoder3713 Dave, can you share your overall approach at a high level? I am 58, overall very healthy but have a score of 423. Advanced bloodwork looks very good, nothing glaring. Am modifying diet with supplementation regime from a wellness practitioner. Appreciate anything you are willing to share. Thanks!
I had a CT scan and i was told i had mild calcification of my LAD. The cardiologist told me i need statins. I'm 52, and i refused the statins advice. I've been a life long cyclist and some of that has been multi day ultra endurance. My cardiologist couldn't tell me whether it was hard or soft plaque. As my cholesterol has always been good, i suspect it is hard plaque. Statins have a bad rap, and I'm not convinced.
Well, consider that it sounds like you've been doing everything right...exercising, likely having fantastic cardio, eating well...but you STILL developed heart disease. So, regardless of whether you take a statin or not, it's only logical to assume that you should do something different.
Let me tell you, the fact that you've been a life long cyclist and doing multi-day ultra endurance events, in NO WAY prevents you from having growing plaque. I have been a life long exerciser and cycled over 100 miles a week for decades... Felt great at age 52, but by age 62 had serious blockage and by 66 required 2 stents in my LAD artery. Wondering what you mean when you state "cholesterol has always been good"... Unless you total cholesterol is under 150 and your LDL is under 70, then you can still be building up plaque. What most people say is "good" is only "good" compared to a average American who is building up plaque year after year. Refusing statins is foolish. Most of the dangers of statins is just internet hype and scare stories. Get serious now and you can halt progression of your plaque, but be aware that a calcium score will still climb with age, as the existing soft plaque will calcify and boost the score decade after decade (that is a good process....as calcifed plaque is much less dangerous than soft plaque)
I'm lying in an Australian hospital about to go in for a triple cbag following calcium scans and subsequent angiogram. I have never had any symptoms other than a minor pip up in cholesterol that started this process. My calcium numbers too were off the charts with 3 blockages of 100 ,90 and 50 %. The clever body's Collateral blood supply has kept me alive. At 66 thr average age for this procedure. Being fit tricked the stress test. My suggestion in an ideal world is that allen have an angiogram at age 65 if they are not on statins or have symptoms. Dr said i was guaranteed a heart attack within 5 years.
@@1209Gazza You’re very lucky in that you did all the right things. My story was very similar. 7 weeks out from a triple bypass. 70 and uber fit. Cardio angiogram had very similar blockages. 90, 80 & 70. Seriously doubt you would have lasted 5 years. You will soon have a new lease on life. Best wishes.
@chuckrogers5567 thanks so much. I did all the right things pre op and managed to get out today.....one day early apparently. Now the hard, slow rebuild begins.
I just read a study stating that TRT was associated with a significant increased in non calcified plaque volume, but did not increase the coronary artery calcium score. Should TRT users be concerned?
Long story short...there are major issues with that study, including short duration, more smokers/hypertensives/diabetics in the T group, and use of 1% Androgel, which on average didn't even raise T levels above 500, among other issues. It's hard to draw any meaningful conclusions, especially with the many other studies showing benefits.
Best and Worst thing was getting my score, still freaked out some 2 years later. At 49 I had some issues I thought were heart related (ended up not) but lead to full heart checks and found high CAC score over 200. Bad american diet till I was in my 30s then soso till mid 40s when I started eating cleaner so didn't expect perfection. This pushed me to also focus on adding exercise and monitoring better. I feel better than ever and it seems like my cardio health is stronger than most my age but its still in the back of my mind that my score says otherwise.
funny, i have a similar background and ethnicity to the Doc. family history of high cholesterol and i usually have higher values. in my 50's and just got a calc test with results of zero in all arteries. was wondering if blood type has any affect on lipid panels and/or Atherosclerosis
Last October when I was 39 I came back with a CAC score of 14. My endurance background may partly explain this given the incidence rate of marathoners and CAC scores, but I'm not guessing. Going to see a cardiologist next month to see what we can do. Lifestyle: check. Exercise: check. Labs: consistently solid. Inflammation low. Apo B was 94 last time I had it checked in July, and am testing Lp(a) next month to see where that is. A somewhat scary score! But doing what I can and in the meantime, just staying on top of health where I can.
How long would you say it realistically takes to lower your cholesterol 50mg/dl if you’re really actively trying and eating healthy/exercising? I’ve heard so many different answers to this question.
I did 50mg lowering on a vegan diet. But that wasn't my issue and I'd certainly would never do a statin as it's just calcifies the arteries. I use a Keto diet grain and sugar-free. Use the Linus Pauling Heart Protocol to reverse my coronary artery calcium verified by CAC.
I’m a 46 yo white make and ended up in the hospital early 2023 with random tachycardia. I’ve always had bradycardia so this was a surprise. Had many labs and tests including an echo, cat scan w/contrast, etc. I also wore a holter monitor for two weeks. The tachycardia stopped and has not happened since. Reading ct test reports I noticed at the bottom it mentioned coronary calcium. I decided to get a cac test. My cardiologist didn’t advise against it but said I had no reason to return to his office. The cac came back 146. All but 5 in the LAD. This is 90th percentile for my age. Cardiologist prescribed 25 mg of statin of which I was very hesitant to take. After all of this I immediately changed my diet, stopped drinking alcohol, and began a robust exercise program. I lost about 18 lbs and now weigh 158 at 5’9”. I was never obese or anything and never smoked. I did admittedly drink way too much alcohol. I’ve always ate decently but probably too many carbs and definitely too many liquid carbs. I’ve always had elevated ldl (160-180) and very low hdl (20-30). My triglycerides in the past were as high as 481, typically around 160. My bp was historically elevated 140/85 or thereabouts. These days my bp is typically around 110/62. Total cholesterol used to be 230 ish. I’ve got my hdl up to 56 and my triglycerides down around 57. Ldl is stubborn but has went down with the latest being 125. My latest apob was 87. No idea what apob was prior to last year since it was never looked at. So far I’m finding ldl, apob, and total cholesterol to be stubborn. After doing my own research I decided to talk to a different cardiologist who agreed with me on taking 5 mg of Rosuvastatin every other day which I am about a month into. My lp(a) is normal and I have had labs done for crp, homocysteine, among others which are all normal. I know little family history except my dad had an aortic aneurysm and my brother has had cholesterol issues. I’m still confused and a bit worried about all this. I wish there was a way to know why I have the score I have but likely never will. I feel like I’m doing about all i can. No doctor will order me a ct angiogram since I am free of symptoms. Great video!
The why is in Dr. Thomas Levy's book "Stop America's #1 Killer " Proof that the Origin of All Coronary Heart Disease is Clearly Reversible Arterial Scurvy. He's not kidding! Coronary artery calcium score verified by CAC. 660 to 458 in 20 months!
@@sapperstang I have similar experience, similar metrics. Past mistakes are partially to blame, probably 60/40, but this fact pattern is almost certainly pertaining to genetics as a major driver. Eat well, exercise, and considering statins is the best I’m hearing we can do at the end of the day. My score at 43 was 124, despite living a very active healthy lifestyle and taking care to eat well at least 80% of the time. I never had triglycerides like your levels but I have seen higher LDL. And unlike you I have elevated lipoprotein-a and homocysteine. Statins can do nothing for lipoprotein-a, but I understand they are working on that now.
@ frustrating for sure but I agree there must be a genetic component to people like us. I’d really like to know my level of soft plaques but my cardiologist says it wouldn’t change the treatment plan and would just cause more worry if some was found. I did some research on every other day statins so I went that route. So far no issues but I am terrified of developing diabetes using statins. Hoping my numbers improve on this dose. Will see in a few more months.
@@sapperstang Watch your CAC score grow while on a statin and with some people it's double the % of yearly progression. Reversing my CAC on the Linus Pauling Heart Protocol.
@@sapperstang a wise man once said death smiles at us all. All we can do is smile right back. So find your best shit-eating grin and dig in. Because everyone has their “something”. It could be much, much worse. My father is experiencing advanced stage 4 cirrhosis from NASH. Some plaque in an already risky world is nothing in comparison, I assure you. Life is just a long series of solving problems. This is a problem for us and many, many millions of others out there. It is now known, and that is an advantage. Use it wisely, as your story reveals clearly that you’re already doing. Regarding diabetes, extremely wise observation. Respect that problem. Our livers are precious, and statins do bring risk. Consider Pitavistatin accordingly, Livalo. It utilizes a different pathway in the liver that is not linked to type 2 diabetes risk. For what it’s worth. This is the one I have chosen as of today. Then it’s staying very active, vigilant, and focused on good Whole Foods rich in protein, healthy fats, and low glycemic response carbs. I’ve found beets, broccoli, chickpeas, avocados, leafy greens, and lean meats to be very sustainable and enjoyable. Loads of olive oil, and garlic. Enjoy your New York strips on occasion, but Salmon should probably be a dominant protein source for its other heart healthy attributes. Zone 2 aerobic fitness 3-4x a week with 1 HIIT day and 2-3x good weight training sessions a week will certainly cover all needs in the physical conditioning department. Recover with equal intent; saunas, cold plunges, try it all, do what you love. I hit a 220F sauna at least 3-4x a week, it’s divine. After all of that, 7 hours of sleep minimum if possible; a struggle area for me. But after all of this is where my research leads to the best prognosis, for what it’s worth.
Yes, as opposed to using only angiography. They could also use OCT or IVUS to visually view possible blockages. Very interesting is CT-FFR which can be done without entering the heart.
I'm 57 and my LDL has always been high, in ratio. My risk ratio was 6.7, even back in 1995, it's genetic. My calcium test 4 years ago was 313. I'm scared like the dickens to get another one now. I'll take your score which is good to me. I'm a bodybuilder and eat more greens than a horse. You mentioned Niacin which I use and Bergamot. Thank you for sharing, love the subject that you brought to light.
Remember a zero calcium score does not mean zero blockage. It means undetectable calcium in your arteries. You can still have significant plaque with a zero calcium score
It's not recent and has largely been debunked...but not entirely. Some individuals have cognitive issues while on statins that resolve when they stop them. Statin can help reduce the chance of getting one of the most common types of dementia however which is multi-infarct dementia. Controlling BP is important as well for that one.
I had a CT scan of 1188 13 years ago at age 68, which on the chart was equal to arterial age of 90. Given the typical annual increase of 10 to 20%, I now have an arterial age equal to George Washington’s.
@gabymalembe I reversed my 660 CAC by 30% in 20 months. By this coming August, I expect it to be down by 50%. I'm 69 on the Linus Pauling Heart Protocol.
I'm 75, healthy lifestyle, conscientious diet, blood pressure good(controlled), been taking very low dose statin for 20yrs, exercise religiously, never smoked, bloodwork numbers all good. I requested getting coronary calcium scan...it came back 5000+ !!!! Did stress test with dye- "normal blood flow". Got echocardiogram - unremarkable. I'm miffed! (As are my cardiologists, I think.) Your thoughts?....
Based on my experience and others I follow in the "health space" (eg. Siobhan Huggins) Lp(a) can be influenced by diet. So, the idea that you can test for it at age 10 and forget about it after that is not valid, in my opinion. I first had Lp(a) tested in 2009 (age 60) and it was somewhat high at 32 mg/dL (the reference range is (0 - 30). That's when I ate a mixed diet that included processed food including cereal, bread, pizza, etc., along with consuming too much fruit and other sweets. After I reduced my carbs my Lp(a) dropped down to about 15 mg/dL. When I went even lower carb, more animal-based, my Lp(a) dropped some more (e.g. 11 - 12 mg/dL). I have tracked Lp(a) a lot since 2009 and have tested it about 20 times over the years.
He's right it is reversible, I'm reversing mine on the Linus Pauling Heart Protocol. Be careful with fish oil I got A-fib from it. Switched to algae Omega3 no issues. Reversal verified by CAC.
Had a CAC score done at 52 and it was 0, and now I'm 63 and debating on whether or not to have another done. No family history, decent diet and plenty of exercise, lifting and cardio stuff. Thoughts?
Like you I have high Lp(a), everything else is just fine. I've been on Lipitor for several years before my PCP moved me to Crestor. We recently checked for Lp(a) and I was over 300. Not the contest I wanted to win! We've since added Repatha to the mix. I'm just over 50 so we seem similar in that age group. I take a few supplements - fish oil, pycnogenol and read chondroitin is good for stabilizing plaque (and why not protect the joints?). Thanks for sharing your approach to treatment I haven't dared ask for a calcium score.
Your PCP probably won't want you to get a CAC because he'll declare that the risk assessment of a CAC does not apply to a person on Statins which are designed to Calcify soft plague all in the name of stabilization. He probably won't tell you that the difference between placebo and the statin is just a mere 1% improvement. Reversing my coronary artery calcium verified by CAC with the Linus Pauling Heart Protocol.
Like you my lab numbers look good but my VA doc just ordered my calcium test; I haven't seen the report yet. He says if its not zero he's putting me on a statin. I don't want to take them....
Indeed, marathoners with CAC scores of 100 or higher are recommended to use 81mg aspirin when racing - highest risk is during the final 6 miles of Marathon…
It's a radical approach but have you looked into the Esselthyn diet? It may be something to reserve if nothing else works. Pretty good track record of keeping people alive who had severe CVD.
Wow, you have been an information highway and a blessing to me. I am a 65-year-old female with a calcium score 10. LDL score of 117. I don't know if that's percent or just 10. total cholesterol 143. My doctor is going to pieces because she wants me to have a plethora of tests, I've had calcium scoring w/ carotid score and headed for a stress test and echocardiogram. I don't eat sugar or carbohydrates at all so that has to count for something. Thank you for being there, I'll finish watching this at a different time and God bless you.
I would love to know if you are familiar with the medication, Repatha. My doctor wants me to go on it. I have a calcium score of 201 and a blockage of 30%.
Don't do it! The difference between placebo and a statin is a mere 1% improvement. Reversing my CAC on the Linus Pauling Heart Protocol. CAC of 660 to 458 in 20 months. On a statin a CAC just grows!
Thanks Doc - awesome video. Here is the $1mm question! How many people that got a "High" score and did nothing to change their lifestyle factor, in to the statistics. So a person gets a score of 500 and continues to smoke and eat garbage - they skew the statistics and CHD %. Thoughts?
In a recent medical study, two groups of people were tested, one just exercising and the other doing high intensity exercise over a measured period of time. The study conclusion found that arthroschlerosis can be reversed by high intensity aerobic exercise. Get a pushbike and exercise like billy -o and live longer ! I have been a cycling time triallist for over 40 years. My carotid artery has been tested with ultrasound by UK bio bank it looked empty on the screen. I am 66.
I'm new to this guy. I'd love to know what his diet is. I have taken dietary steps that lowered my LDL to 55 and feel like I may have reversed some blockages. That's why I'm so curious as to what he's doing.
I'am 67 and still refuse the statins but I'am going to have a heart teat soon and even it the test scores bad I still refuse poisen statin drugs. I told my heart doctor he can forget asking me to take that.
Statins don’t necessarily prevent heart disease, but they are supposed to minimise events such as heart attacks or strokes by stabilising/calcifying the plaque to prevent ruptures and clotting.
Thanks so much for this information. I have a very low calcium score, but a very high LDL level and family history of heart disease. I am starting on a statin and will find the other things that you are doing to lower the risks!
Hi Doc, just wondering if there's anything in the pipeline for potential medicines that will actually halt and maybe even reverse plaque and also statins create more hard plaque, though more stable calcium build is bad regardless. It would be cool if you talked about future treatments. Thank you and hope you're able to to reverse you plaque it can be done :)
I had mine done last year at age 46 and my score was 255 which is in the 98th percentile for my age. I have literally exercised 6-7 days/week for over 30 years, normal weight, normal BP and cholesterol have always been a fitness king with regard to diet and exercise. My parents are both alive and well in their late 70s. Very bizarre and makes no sense.
I think a lot of it is genetic. I'm 58M, been 70-80 pounds overweight for decades, but no drinking, no smoking, no sugar. I was also extremely fit in my teens and early 20's. My CAC score was 8 this past summer. My parents are still kicking it in their 80's.
@ my parents are both in their mid 70s and well and are in good health. My dad has been 100 pounds over weight for 2 decades. The man literally eats Chinese food for lunch every day. Worst eating habits ever. Me on the other hand has exercised every single day for 31 years, extremely fit and get a 255 calcium score. WTF. It’s not fair
Im 70 , had a score of zero. Am i genetically lucky to have zero. I abused sweets, take away food all my life up until 60. I never smoked and a minimal drinker, hardly any. I eat as healthy as i can now, rarely eat out, cook from scratch, cut out sweets as much as i can. I love sour dough bread my deadly downfall. I take d3 k2 , zinc , magnesium, fish oil, every day. I hope to stay well. My blood pressure is 110/75 on average.
@@drali19741 i take 10k iu d3 300 mcg k2 mk7 50 mg zinc 400 mg magn my dr said stay away from fish oil so my omega is from plant as in hemp seeds and salmon and other fish
Thanks so much for this video! Just had my first calcium scan at 72. Pre diabetic, LDL 180, HDL 33. Dad died of a heart attack at 38, mom had a stroke at 76. I think the most interesting point in this video was explaining the calcium test is an indicator of how much soft plaque over time has formed the calcium cap over it, and this is used as an indicator of plaque buildup, but not an indicator of soft plaque that hasn’t formed a calcium cap over it yet. Also very interesting to find out it’s more likely the soft plaque will kill you, not so much the older plaque with the calcium cap over it. Thanks again!
At 51 years age, male, in great shape, my score was zero! My Cardiologist said that it's likely from lifestyle and genetic. However, my total cholesterol is 253, HDL is 78 and LDL is 166. Triglycerides is 53. HDL/triglyceride ratio was very good. Blood pressure runs 117/64 on average. Weight train every day, ripped and never took PED's or TRT, no need. Cardiologist put me on Zetia...in 4 months will get more testing, and will have LPa tested.
@@AndrewID-1121 Zetia is mostly pointless as studies have shown no decreased mortality risk with the use of this drug, even though it does effectively lower LDL. I really don’t believe LDL is the whole story. Ask your doctor about getting a Lipoprotein A or an ApoB or you can buy your own through Ulta labs or another online provider (which you can get drawn at a local lab).
@@AndrewID-1121 Why would you wanna take anything at this point.... maybe your cholesterol was higher because you just had some sniffles or you worked out really hard 2 days prior that blood draw....
A cardiac calcium of 0 does not mean you are safe at all. It just means plaque isn’t yet calcified, but you could be loaded with incredibly dangerous soft plaque which has not yet been stabilized into stable calcified plaque. That’s why your doctor started you on meds. Meds will expedite the calcification process, making it less likely to rupture.
59, 6 years ago Score was 106. I have good numbers on ldl etc and we figures I would have maintained. Came back 366! Have discussion next week on meds, diet changes and exercise evaluation. Anything else I should look at?
@@SET12DSP but have you had a CCTA as well? Many of your comments are focused on CAC reduction, but plaque is the gremlin after a damage event in the artery, calcium is just late-stage protection after all the other things occurring in the ASCVD process. Before we champion Linus, probably wise to be certain your plaque is actually improving methodically. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate you trying to help. But Linus is controversial for a reason, based on my early read of it.
@ I’m sorry, but no sir, you’re not being censored. That is overblown political nonsense. You’re saying that repeatedly through this comment thread. There is no evil censor overlord hawking the comments of a TH-cam video amidst billions available on this platform. I’m sure you have great information, so share it.
i am 43 been overweight for some time and my calcium score was zero at last years CT scan. It is a metabolic issue and has very little to do with what you eat or exercise level
Has everything to do with what you eat! And the fact that I could never eat enough to get the vitamin C that I need in therapeutic doses. I'm on the Linus Pauling Heart Protocol which uses high dose vitamin C with Lysine and Proline. I use 30 grams of vitamin C ascorbic acid powder per day in divided doses. It's the equivalent to 600 oranges 🍊 per day! Very powerful. Enough to reverse my 660 CAC to 458 in 20 months.
I'm male, 74 years old, recently discovered LP(a), 187 nmol, went on Repatha 7/15/24 retest 11/5/24 dropped to 78, a 54% reduction , thanks for the vid!
I’m a 42 yr male RN . I had way high cholesterol and 700 + calcium score . Swear to god I started carnivore diet and everything went normal . Best labs ever
Yes, you sure can reverse it. My CAC 660 to 458 in 20 months. I typically have an HDL of 36, and it's still reversing. I have no concerns about cholesterol.
@@SET12DSP Thanks. That's really good to hear. I've been low carb (higher meat this year) since Oct 2021 and just the other day I noticed that two damaged areas in my leg are not as noticeable. I'm now 67 and both of these things could still be felt even when I was obese. 1. I was hit in the shin with a hockey stick at about 14 yo. There was always an area that was deeper. I has trouble finding it the other day and even wondered if I had been checking the wrong leg. 2. At about 18 yo I walked into a desk drawer handle and ended up with a distinct "chip" in the top of my upper kneecap. Both kneecaps seem the same now.
@@jobrown8146 Thank you! I see I didn't mention how I lowered my CAC! It was with the Linus Pauling Heart Protocol high dose vitamin C with Lysine and Proline. 30 grams of vitamin C ascorbic acid powder in divided doses per day. I also use K2-MK7 with D3 to move calcium from soft tissues to the bones and teeth. Proper dosing is 100mcg of K2-MK7 per 1000i.u. of D3. I'm 69. I had several broken bones through the years but have absolutely not a single pain in my body. At the age of 69 one could fall or trip easy enough so the K2-MK7 is very reassuring. I take 2400mcg of K2-MK7 with 5000i.u of D3 summer and 10,000i.u winter to maintain a 60ng D3 level. K2-MK7 is not toxic.
I had a 100% blocked LAD last year and has nothing showing up on the calcium score. It's useless! After getting a stent I feel like a normal person again.
@@milanpintar you don't under calcium score. You can have completely blocked arteries and a zero calcium score. Calcification happens later in the disease though you can die before it calcifies.
I have a 50% blockage in my RHS renal artery - it was found after I pushed for a Doppler Ultrasound because I couldn’t control my BP. - Q is does this cause HBP or does HBP cause the stenosis? I only have the problem in the RHS. Still waiting to see a specialist (located in Australia) I am normal weight / non smoker/ exercise daily and have good diet… 🤷 Great channel - thanks!
Apo(a) is -15...Calcium score is 21 LdL is 112, total is 230, Hdl is 45, triglycerides are 75..........Im 66 and in good shape......What do you think???
Another thing I wanted to mention because I am rewatching your video to absorb more of what you are saying. I really appreciate you sharing. Have you looked into Nattokinase? It has been a game changer for my blood flow and my cardio and overall vascularity. When you were talking about your Dad's knees and hips. I was having knee problems which I think was related to less blood flow possibly from the arterial plaque. As soon as I started on the nattokinase my knees started healing. I had issues for two years and since the NK I am almost 100% again. My entire body has better blood flow and feels so much better. I think I'm going to start running again and I am 46yrs old, 6'4 220lbs. My long time shoulder injury is healing too. Even my chest feels like it has better blood flow. There is one study with over 1000 participants showing a major reduction in arterial plaque from a higher dose of 10,800 fu/day NK. The only criticism I know of with this study is that there was I think some industry insiders or industry money funding it, but that 's the same with the drugs that big pharma produces too if I'm correct. Someone with some interest has to fund the study and often those are the people with some stake in the game. So that in itself is not enough to discredit the study for me, but def something to take note of. There are other studies as well. Here is the study below. I welcome any criticism or advice you have about it. I don't think anything will change my mind about taking NK in the short term because of how good of results I have had and how much better my energy is from the increased blood flow. I honestly feel years younger, it's been pretty great. I don't adhere to the 10,800 dose but have taken up to 10,000 a day. Right now I'm at a lower 2000-6000 / day dose because I feel like I get a lot of benefit from that. I do feel a little light headed sometimes from the blood thinning action so that's prob why I don't take the higher doses as well. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9441630/#:~:text=After%2012%20months%20of%20NK,carotid%20atherosclerosis%20(Table%204). Here's another one on mice: www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-48562-y Here: www.kahnlongevitycenter.com/blog/how-to-reverse-atherosclerosis-heart-disease-and-more Other Nutraceuticals Other promising therapies for the reversal of atherosclerosis using nutraceutical therapies have appeared. In a recently published randomized study from China, 76 patients with carotid atherosclerosis were treated with either nattokinase (NK) 6,000 FU or simvastatin 20 mg (). In both groups cholesterol fell, and in the NK group HDL rose, but reversal of atherosclerosis over 26 weeks was profound with NK and plaque volume fell by 37%.
What is concerning about your bloodwork is your Triglyceride/HDL You want that less than 1 At 40, yours was 123/43 = 2.9 This would indicate that you could have more oxidized small dense LDL particles which are associated with an increase in CVD Dr Davis (cardiologist) states that if you lower carbs to 50 grams a day….your HDL will go up and your Triglycerides will go way down, and so will you small dense LDL particles. I recommend you Dr Gundry’s books and follow his recommendations What causes atherosclerosis is damage to the endothelial lining of your arteries. Creating Teflon arteries is what you need to do. There is a supplement that strengthens the glycocalyx which protects the endothelial lining of your arteries- Arterosil Eliminate grains Avoid lectins Eat whole food Avoid sugar Eat adequate protein And take the right supplements!
Thanks for the tips. My triglycerides are not fasting. I don't fast for lipid panels anymore. My fasting triglycerides are usually around 60-75. Particle size and measured levels of oxidized LDL in the serum are inferior markers to measuring ApoB when assessing risk. Those tests were popular over a decade ago but are no longer particularly helpful when we can measure ApoB. The same is true for the triglyceride to HDL ratio. Check out Tom Dayspring's master classes on lipids. He covers this in detail. I agree 100% that we need to focus on endothelial health. It's crucial. But I'm skeptical that I need a $100/month supplement to do that. Natural foods, essential micronutrient supplementation, exercise, hormone supplementation when indicated, and sunshine will likely be sufficient.
@@manmedicine trigs to hdl ratio is a proxy measure of over-all metabolic health .good metaboliic health means a low amount of systemic inflammation/insulin resistance that can cause bad artery walls (facilitating atherosclerotic development). I'm two years with a Carnivore method and my trig/hdl ratio is 0.6 to 1 with c reactive protein 0.4 and a cac score of zero ,(51 year old male.).
I don't understand why Lp-a is a marker of atherosclerosis progression but at the same time, Niacin will lower Lp-a but would not reduce one's risk. If that were true, why even bother with Lp-a?
Lp-a is the first cholesterol particle to the scene of the damaged artery. It starts the plaque build-up process. It is the bodies substitute for vitamin C deficiency. If you have an elevated CAC then your vitamin C deficient. Restore the C and watch CAC reversal as I have. No worries on Lp-a no matter how high!
Glad you’re on it. We definitely should not be burying our heads in the sand with these health issues. Thankfully we have individuals like you educating us. I’ve actually never heard of this calcium score test until I started a carnivore diet eleven months ago and my doctor became very concerned. Even though I lost fifteen lbs and look, feel better she’s definitely not a fan of a meat only diet. She recommended the calcium score test. Honestly I was a bit apprehensive because at 57 years old I was a raging sugar addict most of my life. It wasn’t until I started on TRT 10 years ago that I took a better approach on my health and diet. Anyways to my surprise I scored zero across the board. Do you think there is a hereditary connection to this? My great grandparents, and grandparents mainly succumbed to cancer or Alzheimer’s related conditions. But no coronary artery disease that I could find.
Had a calcium score of 475, a Lp(a) of 72. After a failed stress test, had a nuclear stress which showed 2 unknown age ischemic events. Off to cath lab, 90,80 and 75 % blockages that weren't stentable. Three weeks later 3xCABG. I was 57 and never really felt bad. A year later feel pretty good.
What do you think about the research showing LDL is not bad for those without other risk factors and eating low carb. In fact, I have read that the benefits of high LDL are such that all cause mortality drops under the aforementioned conditions. Are you familiar with these studies? I stopped eating sugar and carbs and all of my metrics improved, lost 25 lbs, lowered triglycerides, etc. However, I have very high LDL now. I am trying to get a CT scan and insurance is saying it is not covered because my LDL level alone puts me in a high risk bucket even though I don't think that is the case. One of their conditions is that you are at moderate risk, but not high risk. Also, I find it ironic that the CT scan is a much more reliable indicator of a problem then LDL, yet they are preventing me from getting it unless I pay $800 because of LDL.
@@Declan4253 Thanks for the reply. Be very careful what you read on the internet. So many are completely sold on what they want you to believe. Hard to believe you aren't already on a PCSK9 inhibitor and a statin, or one of the other alternative options. Looking at other views of the situation, you could start reading items and videos of Dr. Ford Brewer and his thoughts about " lean mass hyper-responders". He explores those ideas while not being a dedicated nut. Be very aware and cautious about those completely sold on their low-carb carnivore diets and the so called low-mortality outcome studies. Hopefully you are in the care of a cardiologist and not just a primary care doctor. LDL is not a problem for me. Mine, via strict diet and a strong statin, is normally under 40... Watch out for those who say they have "studies" proving low-carb carnivore is the golden path for everyone with LDL over 300. BTW, $800 seems high for a CT Scan (CAC score test)
As always, amazing video, Dr. Winge! I love when you upload I literally sit through everything ads and all. I feel like there is so much to learn from you, and that you try very hard to keep up with current studies and literature. I find myself learning a lot, each time you upload. It only makes me want to learn more. Keep up the great work you do for everyone!
God Bless you Ben !
76 years old, had a Calcium score test done and it was 1477. Cardiologist did an echocardiogram and angiogram and they showed an 80% blockage in my right artery and veins. 3 weeks i had a quadruple bypass surgery. That was 9 weeks ago and I am recovering quite well.
Keep it up, your content will save lives.
thank you
Extend Lives
Thank you for letting us into your personal life and putting a medical spin/science. very educational.
I had a calcium score of 3200 and thought I was gonna drop dead my cardiologist at the time did a stress test and said I was perfect. Thankfully he transferred and I had to see another doctor that didn’t agree with him. Did the angiogram and had 90% blockage In two arteries. Had two stents put in the right artery that day and two weeks later did a stent in the left coronary Artery and that was seven years ago
@@tomvaccariello3019 1700 CAC here back in 2019. My cardiologist @ Mayo Clinic JAX did angiogram and I had 93% occlusion in LAD. One stent and so far so good. I always kick ass on echocardiogram stress tests with high METS, so cardio respiratory system is strong and efficient. Live healthy, eat healthy, keep heart & lungs strong and hope for the best. Salud 🍻
@@tomvaccariello3019 what do you feel the cause was?
@@susanpusateri2129 my cardiologist told me to blame my parents. It’s 90% hereditary. I got everything that my father had.
A stress test is almost useless. There was a famous Journalist a few years ago. He had a stress test done. He passed with flying colors. He dropped dead the next week from a massive heard attack. I’m glad you were referred to another doctor.
@tom: Your age when u got the Stent and did you have any symptoms?
Excellent video from start to finish. This is great info you're putting out there & you've earned yourself a new subscriber! I'm a 40 y/o male who got my Lp(a) checked back in early 2023 & it was 204 nmol/L (eek). My LDL-C had mostly run in the 130-145 mg/dl range for most of my life prior to that. I got a CAC at the same time & it was zero (phew) - So I went to a cardiologist who had a focus on lipidology... I was started on 10mg rosuvastatin/10mg ezetimibe at that time. Since then, my LDL-C usually runs between 35-50 mg/dl. This led me down the lipids rabbit hole ingesting all the info I could from the likes of Tom Dayspring, Sam Tsimikas, Bill Cromwell et al and it has been an enlightening experience. With that, and this is just an anecdote on my part, but I figured it was worth sharing... I elected to start Berberine & 4g/day EPA/DHA around the same time I started on the LLT. I slowly ramped up my Berberine over time and I noticed my Lp(a) steadily came down with each panel. It has remained steady ~93 nmol/l, about a 110 nmol/L sustained drop! There's little research on Berberine & its connection to Lp(a) outside of a mild PCSK9 inhibiting effect, but I thought you might find my case of interest considering our similar risk challenges. (link to a tweet with the corresponding Lp(a) results over time: x.com/MikeMostwill/status/1852759699747192906 )
Interesting. I am currently 63 and last had my Lp(a) tested in 2022, it was 15 nmol/L, and that was after several years of a low carb/keto meat based diet. My CAC score at the time was 70 (just recently 102), and my LDL is very high, in the high 200s, but my HDL is always higher than my triglycerides, and my VLDL is low, in the teens.
Wow 4G of berberine. I take about 1800mg but I can't imagine taking that much. lol
What was your apoB level? Did not hear you mention it? Ia apoB directly correlated with LDL levels? Like if LDL goes up or down does ApoB follow? Does trt make it worse? Is red yeast rice an option too?
It used to average about 85-90 over the past 3-4 years (never checked it before that)...but it's down to 43 now ;)
did you have a cimt?
@@medawurmgreat question! highly recommend they get that test
Interesting information Doc, appreciated. I’m an Endocrinologist myself, and I’ve come to the conclusion that even an carotid ultrasound is more “precise” in determining soft-plaque (more so than CAC) - being probably the far second to an Angio+contrast.
Yes I agree
Honestly, your video is exceptionally helpful and dearly appreciated. Thanks for creating and sharing.
What about gut health as a way to reduce arterial inflammation by reducing sugar and managing endotoxicity from bacterial overgrowth and turn over in the gut. I have heard some doctors talking about this as a reason for heart and artery disease that not many people really discuss.
Great point. I deliberately left that out because in my opinion, the results are not definitive, but I've definitely got my eye on this.
@manmedicine I'm glad you are sharing your journey and being proactive. I'm turning 40 next year and I've got my eye on my heart health. My father's side has horrible heart health from all my fathers siblings.
Check out Dr William Davis. He is a big proponent in the gut link to heart disease. I look forward to hearing more from you about this I find your videos very helpful and informative!
@@brentonlmoderation is key
You need to go to Dr Ken Berry utube channel, he does Q and A shows in the late afternoon, I think its Friday and Monday, but it has some great infl on how to get your numbers way down, with diet. There is heart doctor who had a heart event, overwieght, etc, He got his heart healthy with his diet, and there are others, do your own research, Your Diet is very inmportant and getting toxins out of the body and getting Zero score for your inflammation and getting the gut healthy.
Have you looked into vitamin K2 MK7 and Nattokinase for reversing plaque?
I take the K2 but they don't reverse plaque. They may reduce calcium but unfortunately they don't reduce established plaque
It won’t reverse it only prevents possible blod clots
@@manmedicine how about Nattokinase and Serrapeptase?
@@gympho1 THAT WORKS WONDERS, EMPTY STOMACH IN THE MORNING, A FEW HOURS BEFORE YOUR FIRST MEAL.
I DON'T FOLLOW IT HARD-CORE, BUT NO CARBS IS THE WAY TO GO AS WELL. LUSTEN TO DOCTOR BREWER HERE ON TH-cam, HE REVERSED HIS.
EDTA
any updates? how will you track progress?
I’m 35 and just recently discovered that along with the calcium score of 10 I have 30 to 40% small calcified plaques in three arteries and absolutely terrified and if you have any words of advice or positive news please do share it. I much like yourself just recently discovered and Lpa of 288nmol. I suspect it has a large part to play in my findings. Some steps I’ve taken since, quit smoking, started taking Rosuvastatin and have lowered LDL from 166 to 53. Lost weight, 111 to 96 kilos and continuing to drop weight . Triglycerides are way down and have switched to a WFPB diet. I make sure to at least walk everyday.Nonetheless I can’t get this out of my mind, I feel like a walking heart attack. I am mentally destroyed.
There are people with scores in hundreds and thousands. A 10 isn’t anything that bad. They need to stop scaring people with this test. They don’t even recommend them for under 40 unless strong family history
Keep working on getting as healthy as possible. I think most lipidologists would want to get your LDL even lower. A PCSK9 inhibitor is something to discuss with your doctor.
Thanks so much Doc, since that comment 10mg ezetimibe was added. Unfortunately insurance won’t cover the PCSK9 inhibitor, but I feel the issue is also the Doc isn’t doing a very good job of asking. Might try asking another one. I’m currently in Lisbon, Portugal but am American by birth. Avoiding the states because I’d likely be paying an arm and a leg but perhaps would be easier to get a PCSK9 approved. Just not sure .
@@AgrippaMaxentius That will help. I take ezetimibe as well. You're right, in the US PCSK9s are very expensive. I could not get the VA to prescribe one for me. You usually have to be considered "high risk", meaning you have already had a heart attack. You may have better luck in Portugal, but these drugs will probably be expensive everywhere until they go generic.
@@AgrippaMaxentius just saw this. Having your LDL at 53 is a Great Step forward.
Calcium Score of 10 is not that bad and the actions you have taken make you much less likely to be a "Walking Heart Attack"
Hopefully you have kept the new Lifestyle
Also Rosuvastatin (Which I take myself) makes any plaque you may have have much more Stable. Just be aware that your Calcium score may go up which actually means that any plaque you had is stabilizing
I am 77 with a calcium score of 2310, a wake up number for sure, did a angiogram test, no major blockage, 55% reduction in the arteries, no stents required, changed my diet, my life style, eating oats, drink oat milk, eating fruits everyday, no sodas, no beer, a year later my numbers are right in the ball park, LDL48, HDL 39, cholestrol 110, BP 125/75, a challange for sure, but the option is not giving up, Thanks for the video, good information, MP
as a heads up i found other science folks indicate excess glucose along with soft plaques is problematic so chk it out cause u r eating alot of dense glucose with oat based foods and drinks.
Congrats
@@medawurm eating oat-based foods in their unprocessed form will cause any rise in blood sugar to be much less than ingesting refined carbohydrates so there’s not great cause to worry.
Oats are terrible for you. They spike your blood sugar. What is your A1C and triglycerides?
@DK-pr9ny I eat oats all the time. A lot. My A1c was 5.3 and triglycerides was 57. My ldl was 77. It went up a little bit from a year ago because I had eliminated a lot of tree nuts. I am 66. I think it is the sugar or fruits combined with oatmeal that is likely not helpful. I eat whole grain organic.
I’m 58. Feel healthy but got a calcium score of 2300 last week. Have a spect stress test scheduled next week. Thanks for sharing.
why are you having that when you know you have heart disease. you should be having an angiogram to find blockages surely.
@@olddogguitars23 Stress tests are a waste of time. Get a CT Angiogram.
How do you feel the nandrolone is effecting your numbers? I know when on 40mg it crushed my HDL down to 31 in a few weeks.
So far it seems to be either neutral or slightly negative in that regard. Just had a level check and it was 40 which is not too far off from my prior baseline.
@mannmedicine id love a update on how your nandrolone protocol is going
I just use test and gh because I am scared of lowering my HDL for too long.
Have you tried nattokinase with serrapeptase like in the Arthur Andrews Medical product Neprinol?
nattokinase is probably a good supplement to prevent heart disease/assist in reversing CAD, but the actual medication is a thousand times more potent, so its best not to rely on supplementation.
Great video thanks for sharing your history. I’m 40 yrs old. My father had a heart attack at 55 and needed bypass surgery. As a result of that I did a deep dive into my heart health and after numerous tests I finally had a CT calcium scan done and when the physicians gave me the results their jaws dropped. I clocked in at a whopping 1608 CAC score. Stress test was fine, nuclear stress test fine, echocardiogram was all fine. They were all scratching their heads. My BMi is 16% no smoking or drinking it’s just purely genetics. I go for an angiogram next week to see what we are up against. Fingers crossed I can still live into my 80s.
@@ZachTerlierCalgaryREALTOR Apo-b or LPa levels?
Apo B was slightly elevated at 99 Lpa was optimal at 58
LDL P and Small LDL p were elevated though.
I’m in a similar spot. Best wishes.
@@WS-bh2qu You as well. My angiogram is on Wednesday so I am hopeful there are no major issues. I don't have chest pain or shortness of breath or anything like that so thats a good sign.
What’s your A1C, HDL and triglycerides?
Thank you for the valuable information and for sharing your personal medical history. I have a very high calcium score of over 1300 and an LP(a) level exceeding 444 mg/L. I am only 48 years old, but my heart age is estimated to be over 84
@RamasamyArumugam1927 have you got any numbers for your blood sugar by any chance?
@@paulthompson8608 Yes, it was checked in September 2024 Glucose: 5.13 mmol/L [= 92.34 mg/dL] (Reference range: 3.50 - 5.60 mmol/L)
HbA1c (NGSP/DCCT): 5.5% (Reference range: 4.0 - 6.1%)
@@paulthompson8608 Glucose: 5.13 mmol/L (Reference range: 3.50 - 5.60 mmol/L)
HbA1c (NGSP/DCCT): 5.5% (Reference range: 4.0 - 6.1%)
Your Lp-a is only 44.4 mg/dl mine is 20. 30 is normal. I don't find that as concerning as your CAC. I'm reversing mine using the Linus Pauling Heart Protocol. 660 to 458 in 20 months.
@@SET12DSP Thanks for the info
Interesting topic. I align well with the discussion. At 41 calcium score of 380. Followed by a preventative cardiologist and prescribed a maximum statin with Zetia which drove LDL to 28. Lpa was found to be very high at 41 years of age as well. Very lean athletic and compliant to the approach. Fast forward 11 yrs with a new calcium score of 1600+. Fast forward 3 more years and now calcium score is 3800! Notably, no one ever stated that statins accelerate the calcium build up as "rigid" plaque. Annual stress tests occurred from 41 to 56. Finally achieve a positive stress test at 56 and prompted nuc perfusion then Cath which finally showed 95% and 90% similarly in other arteries. Result? Quad CABG with no event ever occurring. Big picture here is that genetics dominate no matter what you do. I had a very healthy diet, exercised regularly, never smoked, non-diabetic, followed by a cardiologist, used statins at highest dosage, etc, etc. Lpa was never impacted by medicines or life-style changes.
@@perrysellers9198 your ldl is too low from what I have seen by several cardiologists and cardiac surgeons on TH-cam. Dr philip Oveda (spelling) on here has information on that, especially people over 50 ish do better with ldl maybe around 100-120 ish (I don’t recall exact numbers)
I am 72 and about seven years ago had a calcium score of 1700. Had a stress test done within a week, which was “perfect.” My Lipitor dose was increased from 20 mg to 40. I’ve also been on a baby aspirin per day for at least the last 15 years. I’ve also been a runner for over 40 years. My cardiologist is also a runner. There have been one or two studies (one extensive study by the Cleveland Clinic), it’s my understanding, that have shown that in asymptomatic people (no chest pain or tightness etc.) a statin and baby aspirin/day result in the same mortality outcomes as stents and bypass surgery.
My doctor(s) indicated that the combination of running and a statin as well as being asymptomatic myself probably means that my plaque is stable. I’ve done multiple stress tests and a few echos over the years, and so far so good. I continue to run 5 miles every day and will continue to do so for as long as I can. I see my cardiologist every 9 months or so. Hoping that this will be my routine for years to come…..
Please note that CAC is nonspecific and though score can be high, actual plaque could still be minimal or mild when you do CT coronary angiogram, which helps you visualize it…
@manmedice what about your fasting glucose, insulin resistance and AC1 levels …high levels cause inflammation and damage arteries that must be repaired causing calcification???
You didn’t hear the part where I explained these are not fasting labs
If niacin works so effectively to lower Lp(a) (and yes, I've tried that too with success) but yet no cardiovascular health benefit resulted, then why the heck does anyone thing a new drug to lower Lp(a) is going to accomplish anything?
Good question. Either Niacin didn't lower it enough to make a difference, or lowering it doesn't make a difference at all, and there's something else scientists have overlooked. I guess we will see.
I am 40 years old. My father died because of a heart attack at 50. He had huge amounts of plaques. I wanted to check my veins and did a CT scan 4 years ago at 36 yo. My calcium score was 0, but I had a 25% blockage in the LAD. I have been on statin for 2 years now. My LDL is around 40-50, but my lipo A result is high. Planning to have a CT scan again next year. Why didn't you have a CT scan to check the blockages directly?
You don't want to keep getting CT scans, because of the radiation and that dye they put in your veins can damage your liver big time.
You can reverse it
Excellent video Doc. Thanks for all the great information. Stay well.
Really appreciate this video- ICU RN for 20 some years… 5 years ago CAC score was zero, five years later it’s 28, I was shocked/mad/freaked/etc… Admittedly, I do “supplement” but subjectively very reasonable/low… the “good news” is that while my late Father was quite parallel to yours, he lived to 84 despite still smoking and the majority of his CA history was self induced with poor diet, no exercise. Thanks again.
I did mine recently & my score was 27 my doctor said that’s a low score & do one in another 5 years.He said that’s a safe score so i don’t know what you’re worried about
I agree! People are being scared into taking statins! These are low scores. Nothing to freak out about
@@welovedogs6835The problem with the scores is that they are compounding meaning a 15% progression rate per year will mean a doubling of a score every 5 years.
It's really about focal vitamin C deficiency. Reversing my coronary artery calcium verified by CAC by 30% read Dr. Thomas Levy's book "Stop America's #1 Killer " Proof that the Origin of All Coronary Heart Disease is Clearly Reversible Arterial Scurvy.
@aussiegreek4993 Depends on a person's age at 70, 25 might not be a big deal! But at 40, that score could grow to 400 by age 60. I'm in the process of reversing mine. 660 to 458 in 20 months.
Why is my HDL Chronically low . I’m VA they’re good at testing but sucking on follow up
I'm 63, tested 3 years ago with 325 score. Tested a few weeks ago down to 85. No statins, hope to be zero in a couple years.
Fantastic. nice work.
How did you reverse or lowered calcium score.. I stopped my statins as I had a score of 405 .. iv had 3 stents done 2 years ago and now I’m metabolically very healthy as I do intermittent fasting and eat whole foods .. I’m taking but k2 d3 I recently did an angiogram with dye and it was good , ie no more blockage since iv done my stents 2 years ago.. iv hardly been taking any statins .. I just changed the way I eat and stopped smoking and everything reversed including fatty liver.. my blood tests are perfect now but calcium score 405 is so high
What’s your secret, my MD says I have calcification around one of my heart valves. It’s got me worried.
Hi see my reply to @cpchris2
@@davesmart6240
@@davehoder3713 Dave, can you share your overall approach at a high level? I am 58, overall very healthy but have a score of 423. Advanced bloodwork looks very good, nothing glaring. Am modifying diet with supplementation regime from a wellness practitioner. Appreciate anything you are willing to share. Thanks!
I had a CT scan and i was told i had mild calcification of my LAD. The cardiologist told me i need statins. I'm 52, and i refused the statins advice. I've been a life long cyclist and some of that has been multi day ultra endurance. My cardiologist couldn't tell me whether it was hard or soft plaque. As my cholesterol has always been good, i suspect it is hard plaque. Statins have a bad rap, and I'm not convinced.
Well, consider that it sounds like you've been doing everything right...exercising, likely having fantastic cardio, eating well...but you STILL developed heart disease. So, regardless of whether you take a statin or not, it's only logical to assume that you should do something different.
Best to test, not guess.
Go for it bud what do doctors know anyway
CT scans show only show calcified hard plaque. It's soft plaque that is the problem. Soft plaque can rupture, causing a clot.
Let me tell you, the fact that you've been a life long cyclist and doing multi-day ultra endurance events, in NO WAY prevents you from having growing plaque. I have been a life long exerciser and cycled over 100 miles a week for decades... Felt great at age 52, but by age 62 had serious blockage and by 66 required 2 stents in my LAD artery. Wondering what you mean when you state "cholesterol has always been good"... Unless you total cholesterol is under 150 and your LDL is under 70, then you can still be building up plaque. What most people say is "good" is only "good" compared to a average American who is building up plaque year after year.
Refusing statins is foolish. Most of the dangers of statins is just internet hype and scare stories. Get serious now and you can halt progression of your plaque, but be aware that a calcium score will still climb with age, as the existing soft plaque will calcify and boost the score decade after decade (that is a good process....as calcifed plaque is much less dangerous than soft plaque)
I'm lying in an Australian hospital about to go in for a triple cbag following calcium scans and subsequent angiogram. I have never had any symptoms other than a minor pip up in cholesterol that started this process. My calcium numbers too were off the charts with 3 blockages of 100 ,90 and 50 %. The clever body's Collateral blood supply has kept me alive. At 66 thr average age for this procedure. Being fit tricked the stress test. My suggestion in an ideal world is that allen have an angiogram at age 65 if they are not on statins or have symptoms. Dr said i was guaranteed a heart attack within 5 years.
@@1209Gazza thank you for sharing your story and best of luck!
@@1209Gazza You’re very lucky in that you did all the right things. My story was very similar. 7 weeks out from a triple bypass. 70 and uber fit. Cardio angiogram had very similar blockages. 90, 80 & 70. Seriously doubt you would have lasted 5 years. You will soon have a new lease on life. Best wishes.
@chuckrogers5567 thanks so much. I did all the right things pre op and managed to get out today.....one day early apparently. Now the hard, slow rebuild begins.
I just read a study stating that TRT was associated with a significant increased in non calcified plaque volume, but did not increase the coronary artery calcium score. Should TRT users be concerned?
Long story short...there are major issues with that study, including short duration, more smokers/hypertensives/diabetics in the T group, and use of 1% Androgel, which on average didn't even raise T levels above 500, among other issues. It's hard to draw any meaningful conclusions, especially with the many other studies showing benefits.
@@manmedicine Would test cyp be safer on the cardiovascular system than compounded TRT cream?
Best and Worst thing was getting my score, still freaked out some 2 years later. At 49 I had some issues I thought were heart related (ended up not) but lead to full heart checks and found high CAC score over 200. Bad american diet till I was in my 30s then soso till mid 40s when I started eating cleaner so didn't expect perfection. This pushed me to also focus on adding exercise and monitoring better. I feel better than ever and it seems like my cardio health is stronger than most my age but its still in the back of my mind that my score says otherwise.
funny, i have a similar background and ethnicity to the Doc. family history of high cholesterol and i usually have higher values. in my 50's and just got a calc test with results of zero in all arteries.
was wondering if blood type has any affect on lipid panels and/or Atherosclerosis
Last October when I was 39 I came back with a CAC score of 14. My endurance background may partly explain this given the incidence rate of marathoners and CAC scores, but I'm not guessing. Going to see a cardiologist next month to see what we can do. Lifestyle: check. Exercise: check. Labs: consistently solid. Inflammation low. Apo B was 94 last time I had it checked in July, and am testing Lp(a) next month to see where that is. A somewhat scary score! But doing what I can and in the meantime, just staying on top of health where I can.
Wait . How do you minimize the flushing from niacin . ?
Take less
How long would you say it realistically takes to lower your cholesterol 50mg/dl if you’re really actively trying and eating healthy/exercising? I’ve heard so many different answers to this question.
@@kimbaker4352 50 mg is not doable for most people by lifestyle alone. Need statins
I did 50mg lowering on a vegan diet. But that wasn't my issue and I'd certainly would never do a statin as it's just calcifies the arteries. I use a Keto diet grain and sugar-free. Use the Linus Pauling Heart Protocol to reverse my coronary artery calcium verified by CAC.
I’m a 46 yo white make and ended up in the hospital early 2023 with random tachycardia. I’ve always had bradycardia so this was a surprise. Had many labs and tests including an echo, cat scan w/contrast, etc. I also wore a holter monitor for two weeks. The tachycardia stopped and has not happened since. Reading ct test reports I noticed at the bottom it mentioned coronary calcium. I decided to get a cac test. My cardiologist didn’t advise against it but said I had no reason to return to his office. The cac came back 146. All but 5 in the LAD. This is 90th percentile for my age. Cardiologist prescribed 25 mg of statin of which I was very hesitant to take. After all of this I immediately changed my diet, stopped drinking alcohol, and began a robust exercise program. I lost about 18 lbs and now weigh 158 at 5’9”. I was never obese or anything and never smoked. I did admittedly drink way too much alcohol. I’ve always ate decently but probably too many carbs and definitely too many liquid carbs. I’ve always had elevated ldl (160-180) and very low hdl (20-30). My triglycerides in the past were as high as 481, typically around 160. My bp was historically elevated 140/85 or thereabouts. These days my bp is typically around 110/62. Total cholesterol used to be 230 ish. I’ve got my hdl up to 56 and my triglycerides down around 57. Ldl is stubborn but has went down with the latest being 125. My latest apob was 87. No idea what apob was prior to last year since it was never looked at. So far I’m finding ldl, apob, and total cholesterol to be stubborn. After doing my own research I decided to talk to a different cardiologist who agreed with me on taking 5 mg of Rosuvastatin every other day which I am about a month into. My lp(a) is normal and I have had labs done for crp, homocysteine, among others which are all normal. I know little family history except my dad had an aortic aneurysm and my brother has had cholesterol issues. I’m still confused and a bit worried about all this. I wish there was a way to know why I have the score I have but likely never will. I feel like I’m doing about all i can. No doctor will order me a ct angiogram since I am free of symptoms. Great video!
The why is in Dr. Thomas Levy's book "Stop America's #1 Killer " Proof that the Origin of All Coronary Heart Disease is Clearly Reversible Arterial Scurvy. He's not kidding! Coronary artery calcium score verified by CAC. 660 to 458 in 20 months!
@@sapperstang I have similar experience, similar metrics. Past mistakes are partially to blame, probably 60/40, but this fact pattern is almost certainly pertaining to genetics as a major driver. Eat well, exercise, and considering statins is the best I’m hearing we can do at the end of the day. My score at 43 was 124, despite living a very active healthy lifestyle and taking care to eat well at least 80% of the time. I never had triglycerides like your levels but I have seen higher LDL. And unlike you I have elevated lipoprotein-a and homocysteine. Statins can do nothing for lipoprotein-a, but I understand they are working on that now.
@ frustrating for sure but I agree there must be a genetic component to people like us. I’d really like to know my level of soft plaques but my cardiologist says it wouldn’t change the treatment plan and would just cause more worry if some was found. I did some research on every other day statins so I went that route. So far no issues but I am terrified of developing diabetes using statins. Hoping my numbers improve on this dose. Will see in a few more months.
@@sapperstang Watch your CAC score grow while on a statin and with some people it's double the % of yearly progression. Reversing my CAC on the Linus Pauling Heart Protocol.
@@sapperstang a wise man once said death smiles at us all. All we can do is smile right back. So find your best shit-eating grin and dig in. Because everyone has their “something”. It could be much, much worse. My father is experiencing advanced stage 4 cirrhosis from NASH. Some plaque in an already risky world is nothing in comparison, I assure you. Life is just a long series of solving problems. This is a problem for us and many, many millions of others out there. It is now known, and that is an advantage. Use it wisely, as your story reveals clearly that you’re already doing. Regarding diabetes, extremely wise observation. Respect that problem. Our livers are precious, and statins do bring risk. Consider Pitavistatin accordingly, Livalo. It utilizes a different pathway in the liver that is not linked to type 2 diabetes risk. For what it’s worth. This is the one I have chosen as of today. Then it’s staying very active, vigilant, and focused on good Whole Foods rich in protein, healthy fats, and low glycemic response carbs. I’ve found beets, broccoli, chickpeas, avocados, leafy greens, and lean meats to be very sustainable and enjoyable. Loads of olive oil, and garlic. Enjoy your New York strips on occasion, but Salmon should probably be a dominant protein source for its other heart healthy attributes. Zone 2 aerobic fitness 3-4x a week with 1 HIIT day and 2-3x good weight training sessions a week will certainly cover all needs in the physical conditioning department. Recover with equal intent; saunas, cold plunges, try it all, do what you love. I hit a 220F sauna at least 3-4x a week, it’s divine. After all of that, 7 hours of sleep minimum if possible; a struggle area for me. But after all of this is where my research leads to the best prognosis, for what it’s worth.
Should stents be FFR directed before being placed?
Yes, as opposed to using only angiography. They could also use OCT or IVUS to visually view possible blockages. Very interesting is CT-FFR which can be done without entering the heart.
I'm 57 and my LDL has always been high, in ratio. My risk ratio was 6.7, even back in 1995, it's genetic. My calcium test 4 years ago was 313. I'm scared like the dickens to get another one now. I'll take your score which is good to me. I'm a bodybuilder and eat more greens than a horse. You mentioned Niacin which I use and Bergamot. Thank you for sharing, love the subject that you brought to light.
@@JollyDeacs11
Agree. Sometimes knowing is worse than not knowing .
Female here…. Age 71. Had scan done last year - score was 0% blockage. Felt very happy about that … good luck to you
Remember a zero calcium score does not mean zero blockage. It means undetectable calcium in your arteries. You can still have significant plaque with a zero calcium score
@@manmedicinenot all heroes where capes. I respect you immensely.
So how do you reduce the build up?????
No mention of insulin resistance? It appears to be the heat source where ApoB is the fuel.
Its "a" heat source...one of several.
@@manmedicine I'm 35 yr old man what likely level of coronary disease do I have based on the artery image I have.
How about CIMT for assessing risk?
Have you had any experience with coronary & micro vascular spasms.
Hi....what are your thoughts on the recent suggestion of a link between Statins and Dementia?
It's not recent and has largely been debunked...but not entirely. Some individuals have cognitive issues while on statins that resolve when they stop them. Statin can help reduce the chance of getting one of the most common types of dementia however which is multi-infarct dementia. Controlling BP is important as well for that one.
@@manmedicine ....thank you! :-)
I’m 35 and tested with a score of 10 and am terrified… any advice do I need angiogram. I feel absolutely awful about this all
I had a CT scan of 1188 13 years ago at age 68, which on the chart was equal to arterial age of 90. Given the typical annual increase of 10 to 20%, I now have an arterial age equal to George Washington’s.
Lol😂
haha Thomas Jefferson here!
@gabymalembe I reversed my 660 CAC by 30% in 20 months. By this coming August, I expect it to be down by 50%. I'm 69 on the Linus Pauling Heart Protocol.
@@SET12DSPHow? Please tell
I'm 75, healthy lifestyle, conscientious diet, blood pressure good(controlled), been taking very low dose statin for 20yrs, exercise religiously, never smoked, bloodwork numbers all good. I requested getting coronary calcium scan...it came back 5000+ !!!! Did stress test with dye- "normal blood flow". Got echocardiogram - unremarkable. I'm miffed! (As are my cardiologists, I think.) Your thoughts?....
Based on my experience and others I follow in the "health space" (eg. Siobhan Huggins) Lp(a) can be influenced by diet. So, the idea that you can test for it at age 10 and forget about it after that is not valid, in my opinion. I first had Lp(a) tested in 2009 (age 60) and it was somewhat high at 32 mg/dL (the reference range is (0 - 30). That's when I ate a mixed diet that included processed food including cereal, bread, pizza, etc., along with consuming too much fruit and other sweets. After I reduced my carbs my Lp(a) dropped down to about 15 mg/dL. When I went even lower carb, more animal-based, my Lp(a) dropped some more (e.g. 11 - 12 mg/dL). I have tracked Lp(a) a lot since 2009 and have tested it about 20 times over the years.
Is taking fish oil daily as good or better than taking a baby asprin? My CAC was 142 a year or 2 ago in upper 50s
You can reverse it
He's right it is reversible, I'm reversing mine on the Linus Pauling Heart Protocol. Be careful with fish oil I got A-fib from it. Switched to algae Omega3 no issues. Reversal verified by CAC.
Had a CAC score done at 52 and it was 0, and now I'm 63 and debating on whether or not to have another done. No family history, decent diet and plenty of exercise, lifting and cardio stuff. Thoughts?
Its optional. I personally won't be getting another one.
@manmedicine Thanks! I don't think I bother with another one either.
@@robd9819 I got my results back today. 51 year old male highly active with 664 calcium score. I was pretty shocked to hear this.
@@manmedicine Why Doc? Radiation?
Are you still using low dose nandrolone and will this influence stopping or continuing?
Like you I have high Lp(a), everything else is just fine. I've been on Lipitor for several years before my PCP moved me to Crestor. We recently checked for Lp(a) and I was over 300. Not the contest I wanted to win! We've since added Repatha to the mix. I'm just over 50 so we seem similar in that age group. I take a few supplements - fish oil, pycnogenol and read chondroitin is good for stabilizing plaque (and why not protect the joints?). Thanks for sharing your approach to treatment I haven't dared ask for a calcium score.
How much ldl you have
Your PCP probably won't want you to get a CAC because he'll declare that the risk assessment of a CAC does not apply to a person on Statins which are designed to Calcify soft plague all in the name of stabilization. He probably won't tell you that the difference between placebo and the statin is just a mere 1% improvement. Reversing my coronary artery calcium verified by CAC with the Linus Pauling Heart Protocol.
What was your Lipo(a)? I had 16mg/dl and a 0 score at age 43. My total is a bit high but my HDL has always been over 50.
Like you my lab numbers look good but my VA doc just ordered my calcium test; I haven't seen the report yet. He says if its not zero he's putting me on a statin. I don't want to take them....
Fortunately, you've got a number of other options if you don't do well on statins.
Indeed, marathoners with CAC scores of 100 or higher are recommended to use 81mg aspirin when racing - highest risk is during the final 6 miles of Marathon…
It's a radical approach but have you looked into the Esselthyn diet? It may be something to reserve if nothing else works. Pretty good track record of keeping people alive who had severe CVD.
Wow, you have been an information highway and a blessing to me. I am a 65-year-old female with a calcium score 10. LDL score of 117. I don't know if that's percent or just 10. total cholesterol 143. My doctor is going to pieces because she wants me to have a plethora of tests, I've had calcium scoring w/ carotid score and headed for a stress test and echocardiogram.
I don't eat sugar or carbohydrates at all so that has to count for something. Thank you for being there, I'll finish watching this at a different time and God bless you.
@@GS-st9ns you are in great health don’t worry !
Yeah.... You're one of the lucky ones... Check back with your doc in 5 years😂
The stress test won't really tell you anything regarding heart disease.
Sugar avoidance is pretty key, imho.
I would love to know if you are familiar with the medication, Repatha. My doctor wants me to go on it. I have a calcium score of 201 and a blockage of 30%.
I’m very familiar with it
Don't do it! The difference between placebo and a statin is a mere 1% improvement. Reversing my CAC on the Linus Pauling Heart Protocol. CAC of 660 to 458 in 20 months. On a statin a CAC just grows!
Thanks Doc - awesome video. Here is the $1mm question! How many people that got a "High" score and did nothing to change their lifestyle factor, in to the statistics. So a person gets a score of 500 and continues to smoke and eat garbage - they skew the statistics and CHD %. Thoughts?
In a recent medical study, two groups of people were tested, one just exercising and the other doing high intensity exercise over a measured period of time. The study conclusion found that arthroschlerosis can be reversed by high intensity aerobic exercise. Get a pushbike and exercise like
billy -o and live longer ! I have been a cycling time triallist for over 40 years. My carotid artery has been tested with ultrasound by UK bio bank it looked empty on the screen.
I am 66.
I'm new to this guy. I'd love to know what his diet is. I have taken dietary steps that lowered my LDL to 55 and feel like I may have reversed some blockages. That's why I'm so curious as to what he's doing.
Mostly a low-glycemic Mediterranean style diet. When I want to really lean out, I prefer a ketogenic diet with high mono and polyunsaturated fats.
Why is my HDL Chronically low
Glad I came across your video! Definitely Refreshing.
I know a guy that was on Statins drugs for decades , but still had triple bypass surgery
I see them every day.
Statins have turned into the gateway drug of the pharma industry.
I'am 67 and still refuse the statins but I'am going to have a heart teat soon and even it the test scores bad I still refuse poisen statin drugs. I told my heart doctor he can forget asking me to take that.
@@reginamay2767 Everybody Dies In The End..Just Enjoy Your Time Here.
Statins don’t necessarily prevent heart disease, but they are supposed to minimise events such as heart attacks or strokes by stabilising/calcifying the plaque to prevent ruptures and clotting.
Thanks so much for this information. I have a very low calcium score, but a very high LDL level and family history of heart disease. I am starting on a statin and will find the other things that you are doing to lower the risks!
Hi Doc, just wondering if there's anything in the pipeline for potential medicines that will actually halt and maybe even reverse plaque and also statins create more hard plaque, though more stable calcium build is bad regardless. It would be cool if you talked about future treatments. Thank you and hope you're able to to reverse you plaque it can be done :)
I had mine done last year at age 46 and my score was 255 which is in the 98th percentile for my age. I have literally exercised 6-7 days/week for over 30 years, normal weight, normal BP and cholesterol have always been a fitness king with regard to diet and exercise. My parents are both alive and well in their late 70s. Very bizarre and makes no sense.
I think a lot of it is genetic. I'm 58M, been 70-80 pounds overweight for decades, but no drinking, no smoking, no sugar. I was also extremely fit in my teens and early 20's. My CAC score was 8 this past summer. My parents are still kicking it in their 80's.
@ my parents are both in their mid 70s and well and are in good health. My dad has been 100 pounds over weight for 2 decades. The man literally eats Chinese food for lunch every day. Worst eating habits ever. Me on the other hand has exercised every single day for 31 years, extremely fit and get a 255 calcium score. WTF. It’s not fair
What do you think of K2-MK7 ? Supposedly help in calcification…regards, Tony
I think supplementing is a good idea along with eating lots of vitamin K rich foods.
Im 70 , had a score of zero. Am i genetically lucky to have zero. I abused sweets, take away food all my life up until 60. I never smoked and a minimal drinker, hardly any. I eat as healthy as i can now, rarely eat out, cook from scratch, cut out sweets as much as i can. I love sour dough bread my deadly downfall. I take d3 k2 , zinc , magnesium, fish oil, every day. I hope to stay well. My blood pressure is 110/75 on average.
Sir how much d3k2/zinc you take.Also which fish oil brand do you take.thanks
@@drali19741 i take 10k iu d3 300 mcg k2 mk7 50 mg zinc 400 mg magn my dr said stay away from fish oil so my omega is from plant as in hemp seeds and salmon and other fish
Thanks so much for this video! Just had my first calcium scan at 72. Pre diabetic, LDL 180, HDL 33. Dad died of a heart attack at 38, mom had a stroke at 76. I think the most interesting point in this video was explaining the calcium test is an indicator of how much soft plaque over time has formed the calcium cap over it, and this is used as an indicator of plaque buildup, but not an indicator of soft plaque that hasn’t formed a calcium cap over it yet. Also very interesting to find out it’s more likely the soft plaque will kill you, not so much the older plaque with the calcium cap over it. Thanks again!
Who really cares
At 51 years age, male, in great shape, my score was zero! My Cardiologist said that it's likely from lifestyle and genetic. However, my total cholesterol is 253, HDL is 78 and LDL is 166. Triglycerides is 53. HDL/triglyceride ratio was very good. Blood pressure runs 117/64 on average. Weight train every day, ripped and never took PED's or TRT, no need. Cardiologist put me on Zetia...in 4 months will get more testing, and will have LPa tested.
@@AndrewID-1121 Zetia is mostly pointless as studies have shown no decreased mortality risk with the use of this drug, even though it does effectively lower LDL. I really don’t believe LDL is the whole story. Ask your doctor about getting a Lipoprotein A or an ApoB or you can buy your own through Ulta labs or another online provider (which you can get drawn at a local lab).
@@AndrewID-1121 Why would you wanna take anything at this point.... maybe your cholesterol was higher because you just had some sniffles or you worked out really hard 2 days prior that blood draw....
A cardiac calcium of 0 does not mean you are safe at all. It just means plaque isn’t yet calcified, but you could be loaded with incredibly dangerous soft plaque which has not yet been stabilized into stable calcified plaque. That’s why your doctor started you on meds. Meds will expedite the calcification process, making it less likely to rupture.
59, 6 years ago Score was 106. I have good numbers on ldl etc and we figures I would have maintained. Came back 366! Have discussion next week on meds, diet changes and exercise evaluation. Anything else I should look at?
Yeah! As I like to say, you can tell him or her but you can't them much! Reversed my 660 CAC to 458 on the Linus Pauling Heart Protocol in 20 months.
@@SET12DSP but have you had a CCTA as well? Many of your comments are focused on CAC reduction, but plaque is the gremlin after a damage event in the artery, calcium is just late-stage protection after all the other things occurring in the ASCVD process. Before we champion Linus, probably wise to be certain your plaque is actually improving methodically. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate you trying to help. But Linus is controversial for a reason, based on my early read of it.
@eddybee5039 I have, but I can't reply to you as I'm censored. Reason! Big Pharma.
@eddybee5039 Yes, I have. I'm being censored.
@ I’m sorry, but no sir, you’re not being censored. That is overblown political nonsense. You’re saying that repeatedly through this comment thread. There is no evil censor overlord hawking the comments of a TH-cam video amidst billions available on this platform. I’m sure you have great information, so share it.
Kinda wish he spoke about his diet change
i am 43 been overweight for some time and my calcium score was zero at last years CT scan. It is a metabolic issue and has very little to do with what you eat or exercise level
Has everything to do with what you eat! And the fact that I could never eat enough to get the vitamin C that I need in therapeutic doses. I'm on the Linus Pauling Heart Protocol which uses high dose vitamin C with Lysine and Proline. I use 30 grams of vitamin C ascorbic acid powder per day in divided doses. It's the equivalent to 600 oranges 🍊 per day! Very powerful. Enough to reverse my 660 CAC to 458 in 20 months.
I'm male, 74 years old, recently discovered LP(a), 187 nmol, went on Repatha 7/15/24 retest 11/5/24 dropped to 78, a 54% reduction , thanks for the vid!
With a coupon that my pharmacist found on line it worked out to about $300 month
Do you see any negative impact of TRT regarding lp(a)? Thanks for all the information you provided. Appreciate
I’m a 42 yr male RN . I had way high cholesterol and 700 + calcium score . Swear to god I started carnivore diet and everything went normal . Best labs ever
You can reverse it
Did you have a follow calcium test? If yes, how long wee you carnivore before second test?
Yes, you sure can reverse it. My CAC 660 to 458 in 20 months. I typically have an HDL of 36, and it's still reversing. I have no concerns about cholesterol.
@@SET12DSP Thanks. That's really good to hear. I've been low carb (higher meat this year) since Oct 2021 and just the other day I noticed that two damaged areas in my leg are not as noticeable. I'm now 67 and both of these things could still be felt even when I was obese.
1. I was hit in the shin with a hockey stick at about 14 yo. There was always an area that was deeper. I has trouble finding it the other day and even wondered if I had been checking the wrong leg.
2. At about 18 yo I walked into a desk drawer handle and ended up with a distinct "chip" in the top of my upper kneecap. Both kneecaps seem the same now.
@@jobrown8146 Thank you! I see I didn't mention how I lowered my CAC! It was with the Linus Pauling Heart Protocol high dose vitamin C with Lysine and Proline. 30 grams of vitamin C ascorbic acid powder in divided doses per day. I also use K2-MK7 with D3 to move calcium from soft tissues to the bones and teeth. Proper dosing is 100mcg of K2-MK7 per 1000i.u. of D3.
I'm 69. I had several broken bones through the years but have absolutely not a single pain in my body. At the age of 69 one could fall or trip easy enough so the K2-MK7 is very reassuring. I take 2400mcg of K2-MK7 with 5000i.u of D3 summer and 10,000i.u winter to maintain a 60ng D3 level. K2-MK7 is not toxic.
How can I convince my doc to treat me based on a 30yr window instead of 10?
Any updates?
Ronin! What a precious name.
Whats his regime now?
What about Red yeast rice for high cholesterol
Thanks for a great presentation.
Do you feel statins are helpful?
Don't you know they are a herbicide? Yeah that's right they kill cells.
You need a CCTA with Cleerly ai analysis. CAC is not a great test.
it's a good Bio Marker, a lot of heart doctors go buy it. then other tests follow
@@bigswolletx its usless.
I had a 100% blocked LAD last year and has nothing showing up on the calcium score. It's useless! After getting a stent I feel like a normal person again.
the non contrast CT is useless.
@@milanpintar you don't under calcium score. You can have completely blocked arteries and a zero calcium score. Calcification happens later in the disease though you can die before it calcifies.
@@gymjoedude that's what I tell everyone!
@milanpintar Were you on statins before your calcium test?
@@phxheat605 no, I started on my statins after getting the stent
I have a 50% blockage in my RHS renal artery - it was found after I pushed for a Doppler Ultrasound because I couldn’t control my BP. - Q is does this cause HBP or does HBP cause the stenosis? I only have the problem in the RHS. Still waiting to see a specialist (located in Australia) I am normal weight / non smoker/ exercise daily and have good diet… 🤷 Great channel - thanks!
Apo(a) is -15...Calcium score is 21 LdL is 112, total is 230, Hdl is 45, triglycerides are 75..........Im 66 and in good shape......What do you think???
You can reverse it
@@sheddkkhan6758 Reverse what? Im saying my numbers looks good. I eat fat and meat and eggs and butter and little to no carbs
@@mmfruitvegyou can reverse your calcium score by using a drug
you can reverse your coronary calcium score by using a drug
you can reverse your coronary calcium score by using a drug
Another thing I wanted to mention because I am rewatching your video to absorb more of what you are saying. I really appreciate you sharing. Have you looked into Nattokinase? It has been a game changer for my blood flow and my cardio and overall vascularity. When you were talking about your Dad's knees and hips. I was having knee problems which I think was related to less blood flow possibly from the arterial plaque. As soon as I started on the nattokinase my knees started healing. I had issues for two years and since the NK I am almost 100% again. My entire body has better blood flow and feels so much better. I think I'm going to start running again and I am 46yrs old, 6'4 220lbs. My long time shoulder injury is healing too. Even my chest feels like it has better blood flow. There is one study with over 1000 participants showing a major reduction in arterial plaque from a higher dose of 10,800 fu/day NK. The only criticism I know of with this study is that there was I think some industry insiders or industry money funding it, but that 's the same with the drugs that big pharma produces too if I'm correct. Someone with some interest has to fund the study and often those are the people with some stake in the game. So that in itself is not enough to discredit the study for me, but def something to take note of. There are other studies as well. Here is the study below. I welcome any criticism or advice you have about it. I don't think anything will change my mind about taking NK in the short term because of how good of results I have had and how much better my energy is from the increased blood flow. I honestly feel years younger, it's been pretty great. I don't adhere to the 10,800 dose but have taken up to 10,000 a day. Right now I'm at a lower 2000-6000 / day dose because I feel like I get a lot of benefit from that. I do feel a little light headed sometimes from the blood thinning action so that's prob why I don't take the higher doses as well. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9441630/#:~:text=After%2012%20months%20of%20NK,carotid%20atherosclerosis%20(Table%204).
Here's another one on mice: www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-48562-y
Here: www.kahnlongevitycenter.com/blog/how-to-reverse-atherosclerosis-heart-disease-and-more Other Nutraceuticals
Other promising therapies for the reversal of atherosclerosis using nutraceutical therapies have appeared. In a recently published randomized study from China, 76 patients with carotid atherosclerosis were treated with either nattokinase (NK) 6,000 FU or simvastatin 20 mg (). In both groups cholesterol fell, and in the NK group HDL rose, but reversal of atherosclerosis over 26 weeks was profound with NK and plaque volume fell by 37%.
- 27:52 yes, I am on a statin and it did raise my already high Lp(a) 10-12%.
Get off the statin and on the Linus Pauling Heart Protocol, which has reversed my CAC from 660 to 458 in 20. The Protocol uses Lysine to inhibit Lp-a.
Crestor worked better for me than Lipitor. My LDL last measured was 55. Lowest it has ever been ApoB 59. LP(a)31
What is concerning about your bloodwork is your Triglyceride/HDL
You want that less than 1
At 40, yours was 123/43 = 2.9
This would indicate that you could have more oxidized small dense LDL particles which are associated with an increase in CVD
Dr Davis (cardiologist) states that if you lower carbs to 50 grams a day….your HDL will go up and your Triglycerides will go way down, and so will you small dense LDL particles.
I recommend you Dr Gundry’s books and follow his recommendations
What causes atherosclerosis is damage to the endothelial lining of your arteries. Creating Teflon arteries is what you need to do.
There is a supplement that strengthens the glycocalyx which protects the endothelial lining of your arteries- Arterosil
Eliminate grains
Avoid lectins
Eat whole food
Avoid sugar
Eat adequate protein
And take the right supplements!
Thanks for the tips. My triglycerides are not fasting. I don't fast for lipid panels anymore. My fasting triglycerides are usually around 60-75.
Particle size and measured levels of oxidized LDL in the serum are inferior markers to measuring ApoB when assessing risk. Those tests were popular over a decade ago but are no longer particularly helpful when we can measure ApoB. The same is true for the triglyceride to HDL ratio. Check out Tom Dayspring's master classes on lipids. He covers this in detail.
I agree 100% that we need to focus on endothelial health. It's crucial. But I'm skeptical that I need a $100/month supplement to do that. Natural foods, essential micronutrient supplementation, exercise, hormone supplementation when indicated, and sunshine will likely be sufficient.
@@DrJK-wm9ec Great points.
@@manmedicine trigs to hdl ratio is a proxy measure of over-all metabolic health .good metaboliic health means a low amount of systemic inflammation/insulin resistance that can cause bad artery walls (facilitating atherosclerotic development). I'm two years with a Carnivore method and my trig/hdl ratio is 0.6 to 1 with c reactive protein 0.4 and a cac score of zero ,(51 year old male.).
Gundry is a certified quack.
Would you write which statins you are on? Thank you. Your videos are so helpful .
rosuvastatin 10mg plus ezetimibe 10mg plus pantethine 600mg twice a day. I'll be discussing my labs soon.
I don't understand why Lp-a is a marker of atherosclerosis progression but at the same time, Niacin will lower Lp-a but would not reduce one's risk. If that were true, why even bother with Lp-a?
Lp-a is the first cholesterol particle to the scene of the damaged artery. It starts the plaque build-up process. It is the bodies substitute for vitamin C deficiency. If you have an elevated CAC then your vitamin C deficient. Restore the C and watch CAC reversal as I have. No worries on Lp-a no matter how high!
Glad you’re on it. We definitely should not be burying our heads in the sand with these health issues. Thankfully we have individuals like you educating us. I’ve actually never heard of this calcium score test until I started a carnivore diet eleven months ago and my doctor became very concerned. Even though I lost fifteen lbs and look, feel better she’s definitely not a fan of a meat only diet. She recommended the calcium score test. Honestly I was a bit apprehensive because at 57 years old I was a raging sugar addict most of my life. It wasn’t until I started on TRT 10 years ago that I took a better approach on my health and diet. Anyways to my surprise I scored zero across the board. Do you think there is a hereditary connection to this? My great grandparents, and grandparents mainly succumbed to cancer or Alzheimer’s related conditions. But no coronary artery disease that I could find.
Yes absolutely. Genes make a big difference
ApoB is what he's saying, apolipoprotein B. Lower those levels, but it's only possible to lower it with medicine? Wrap up 54:00
@@aaron___6014 what’s the B5 derivative he is taking? Pantho??
Had a calcium score of 475, a Lp(a) of 72. After a failed stress test, had a nuclear stress which showed 2 unknown age ischemic events. Off to cath lab, 90,80 and 75 % blockages that weren't stentable. Three weeks later 3xCABG. I was 57 and never really felt bad. A year later feel pretty good.
Doc, I really think you should do CT coronary angiogram, too!
I might, but honestly, the outcome won't change my approach
What do you think about the research showing LDL is not bad for those without other risk factors and eating low carb. In fact, I have read that the benefits of high LDL are such that all cause mortality drops under the aforementioned conditions. Are you familiar with these studies? I stopped eating sugar and carbs and all of my metrics improved, lost 25 lbs, lowered triglycerides, etc. However, I have very high LDL now. I am trying to get a CT scan and insurance is saying it is not covered because my LDL level alone puts me in a high risk bucket even though I don't think that is the case. One of their conditions is that you are at moderate risk, but not high risk. Also, I find it ironic that the CT scan is a much more reliable indicator of a problem then LDL, yet they are preventing me from getting it unless I pay $800 because of LDL.
So what is your LDL level? Over, 80, over 100, over 150....or over 200...and of course, your age.
@@delwoodkelp8590 LDL is 384 and my age is 54. HDL is 64 (used to be 44).
@@Declan4253 Thanks for the reply. Be very careful what you read on the internet. So many are completely sold on what they want you to believe. Hard
to believe you aren't already on a PCSK9 inhibitor and a statin, or one of the other alternative options.
Looking at other views of the situation, you could start reading items and videos of Dr. Ford Brewer and his thoughts about " lean mass hyper-responders". He explores those ideas while not being a dedicated nut.
Be very aware and cautious about those completely sold on their low-carb carnivore diets and the so called low-mortality outcome studies.
Hopefully you are in the care of a cardiologist and not just a primary care doctor.
LDL is not a problem for me. Mine, via strict diet and a strong statin, is normally under 40...
Watch out for those who say they have "studies" proving low-carb carnivore is the golden path for everyone with LDL over 300.
BTW, $800 seems high for a CT Scan (CAC score test)