I am a 60 year old with no risk factors or symptoms for coronary disease. Based on this video I had the test done and paid for it myself. My CAC score came back at very high level (1100). Very very happy I came across this as I can now get this treated.
Always timely PCRI videos from Alex & Dr S. Calcium scoring must be done on 128 slice or higher CT machines...for accuracy. There are many older CTs in use (64 slice) which give less optimal results. Older patients (65+) more commonly have higher calcium scores. In those patients CONTRAST is injected to better visualize coronary artery anatomy & occlusions.
I highly recommend getting a heart calcium scan even if you have to pay for the test yourself. My ex-heart doctor refused my request to order the scan, so I convinced my nurse practitioner to order it. The test score was almost 200, and it recommended further testing which showed a totally blocked left anterior descending artery. This test may save your life.
I hope you beat your doc up with his failure to order the scan. They need to hear their patients. I'm thinking of changing my med professional for a similar request.
CT for coronary calcium score does NOT demonstrate occlusions. The Left Ant. Descending (LAD) artery that is "TOTALLY blocked " is called a widow maker for a good reason.
Thanks. This is great information. As often as my doctor pushes my having a colonoscopy, he never suggests a heart scan. At my age of 70 I would think that a heart scan would also be recommended.
I was in a car accident in Feb. and had a CT scan in the ER for chest trauma. I was stunned when the ER doc told me I had CAD and a thoracic aneurysm. I had zero symptoms. Turns out after finding a cardiologist that I had very high Lipoprotein (a) numbers indicating I had a gene problem that overwhelmed my plant-based diet and daily exercise regimen. I was furious that the test you discussed had not been done when I was younger. I am 71. 800K people die every year from cardiovascular disease and yet this simple test is not done routinely. The good news is the accident resulted in no permanent injuries yet it allowed me to discover a serious condition that was missed by my primary doc. Bad news is that I am part of the 10% who could not tolerate a statin and we are still trying to find a solution. An injection may be in my future. Good news is that my prostate cancer appears to be stable since my HIFU procedure two years ago. Thank you for the excellent work you do!
The CT scan was the beginning of a series of tests two years ago that ultimately identified significant 80%+ blockages in two cardiac arteries which then led to stent implants. No regrets.
My general practitioner recommended the i take Red Yeast Rice supplement to lower my cholesterol (my cholesteral was a slightly high according to blood test) Walmart and other places sell it.
Red yeast contains statin naturally, so there is no difference. The only difference is red yeast has much smaller amount and with unpredictable dose concentration.
I've been on a statin for many years. While its true they lower cholesterol levels, they can cause fairly significant joint and muscle pain. I need to lose 20 pounds and eat less processed foods. Then perhaps I can get off statins and blood pressure meds. I've already started a healthy exercise regimen.
But I can’t continued to take statin according to my Oncologist 16:44 because it interact with my new medicine Nubeqa So should I do in this situation my cholesterol is normal now and had no plaque
Why is it not good? Relative to a very high chance of dying suddenly is a good relative, regardless of percentage, let alone a BIG 50% reduction. If your chance of suffering a heart attack in the next 10 years is 16% for example, many may have a higher chance than that, cutting it down to 8% is nothing in your eyes?
@@hn5460 I am in favour of the CT scan for Calcium score. Dr Scholz is a great man whom I respect. He is incorrect about the advantages of statins. The 50% improvement quoted by the pharmaceutical companies is a relative figure and not an actual figure. If you check on the actual reports from the statin trials you will see that actual improvement figures are very low. Statins are a money maker for big pharma with side effects for the patient who are often on other drugs. It is best to reduce the calcium risk by natural means. Weight loss, diet changes etc. I hope that explains my comment. Good luck if you take the statins!
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I am a 60 year old with no risk factors or symptoms for coronary disease. Based on this video I had the test done and paid for it myself. My CAC score came back at very high level (1100). Very very happy I came across this as I can now get this treated.
Another great informative video. I really appreciate the work you are doing. I know it has helped me a lot. Thank you.
Great info. Dr.and Alex.
Thank you.
Always timely PCRI videos from Alex & Dr S. Calcium scoring must be done on 128 slice or higher CT machines...for accuracy. There are many older CTs in use (64 slice) which give less optimal results. Older patients (65+) more commonly have higher calcium scores. In those patients CONTRAST is injected to better visualize coronary artery anatomy & occlusions.
I highly recommend getting a heart calcium scan even if you have to pay for the test yourself. My ex-heart doctor refused my request to order the scan, so I convinced my nurse practitioner to order it. The test score was almost 200, and it recommended further testing which showed a totally blocked left anterior descending artery. This test may save your life.
I hope you beat your doc up with his failure to order the scan. They need to hear their patients. I'm thinking of changing my med professional for a similar request.
CT for coronary calcium score does NOT demonstrate occlusions. The Left Ant. Descending (LAD) artery that is "TOTALLY blocked " is called a widow maker for a good reason.
Thanks. This is great information. As often as my doctor pushes my having a colonoscopy, he never suggests a heart scan. At my age of 70 I would think that a heart
scan would also be recommended.
Very helpful, thanks. Currently on active surveillance and waiting on the results of a second CT scan. Fingers crossed.
Stressing the 'big picture' is essential...thanks
Never thought of it brilliant brilliant suggestion. Got statin a year ago caused severe joint pains had to stop taking it because I couldn't work
What an excellent and informative video! I’m definitely going to get the CT scan. But I’ve recently had an echocardiogram…do I still need one?
Great info tks
I was in a car accident in Feb. and had a CT scan in the ER for chest trauma. I was stunned when the ER doc told me I had CAD and a thoracic aneurysm. I had zero symptoms. Turns out after finding a cardiologist that I had very high Lipoprotein (a) numbers indicating I had a gene problem that overwhelmed my plant-based diet and daily exercise regimen. I was furious that the test you discussed had not been done when I was younger. I am 71. 800K people die every year from cardiovascular disease and yet this simple test is not done routinely. The good news is the accident resulted in no permanent injuries yet it allowed me to discover a serious condition that was missed by my primary doc. Bad news is that I am part of the 10% who could not tolerate a statin and we are still trying to find a solution. An injection may be in my future. Good news is that my prostate cancer appears to be stable since my HIFU procedure two years ago.
Thank you for the excellent work you do!
Where does one find the case studies that show lowering cholesterol extends people’s lives with cardiovascular disease?
The CT scan was the beginning of a series of tests two years ago that ultimately identified significant 80%+ blockages in two cardiac arteries which then led to stent implants. No regrets.
So I had a quad bypass then then a pacemaker is how they found my PSA was 5000 so a little late to catch that "early".😢
My general practitioner recommended the i take Red Yeast Rice supplement to lower my cholesterol (my cholesteral was a slightly high according to blood test) Walmart and other places sell it.
Red yeast contains statin naturally, so there is no difference. The only difference is red yeast has much smaller amount and with unpredictable dose concentration.
Love your vids…my doc said he thought it wasn’t necessary….daaaa…take care…
I've been on a statin for many years. While its true they lower cholesterol levels, they can cause fairly significant joint and muscle pain. I need to lose 20 pounds and eat less processed foods. Then perhaps I can get off statins and blood pressure meds. I've already started a healthy exercise regimen.
But I can’t continued to take statin according to my Oncologist 16:44 because it interact with my new medicine Nubeqa
So should I do in this situation my cholesterol is normal now and had no plaque
Is the 50 percent risk reduction by using statins an actual or relative reduction? I have info that it relative. Not good.
Why is it not good? Relative to a very high chance of dying suddenly is a good relative, regardless of percentage, let alone a BIG 50% reduction.
If your chance of suffering a heart attack in the next 10 years is 16% for example, many may have a higher chance than that, cutting it down to 8% is nothing in your eyes?
@@hn5460 I am in favour of the CT scan for Calcium score. Dr Scholz is a great man whom I respect. He is incorrect about the advantages of statins. The 50% improvement quoted by the pharmaceutical companies is a relative figure and not an actual figure. If you check on the actual reports from the statin trials you will see that actual improvement figures are very low. Statins are a money maker for big pharma with side effects for the patient who are often on other drugs. It is best to reduce the calcium risk by natural means. Weight loss, diet changes etc. I hope that explains my comment. Good luck if you take the statins!
Taking D3 is big help…takes bad stuff and transfers to bones….also looking other things can lower the numbers naturally…
Need to take vit D with vit K else you may be doing more harm. Read up on it