Thanks for sharing this. Just finished reading "Health and Beauty Mastery" - what an eye-opener! This book exposes so many hidden truths about the health industry that no one talks about! I completely changed my habits
I am 68, in March of 2023 I desided to drop the statins because of of bad side effects. Started Keto and intermittent fasting. Went from 198 lbs to 168. Now I am not taking any meds for cholesterol or high blood pressure. My ldl is below 90. I feel great thanks to doctors like you. Thank you for your great advise!!
I had a CAC score March 15 of this year, I had one completely blocked coronary artery. I had been eating a low carb diet for two years and a type 2 diabetic for 20 years. I had a heart attack a week after my CAC test. Because I was eating healthy and my heart was in shape, I had two stents placed and I have no damage to my heart. My oxygen never went under 98% even though only one Coronary artery was fully functional. I am now on a carnivore diet and hoping it helps both my insulin resistance and diabetes as well as. My last A1C was 5.9 my triglycerides were 87 my HDL 88 and my LDL 179. My cardiologist is freaking out and wanting me to go on Repatha. When I tried to explain to him the three top reasons for heart issues was diabetes, insulin resistance and obesity. Why not help me treat these instead of looking at cholesterol? He looked at me like I was an alien when I asked him to separate my large and small ldl particles. I wish I could find a physician like you.
You 100% need the statins. High LDL is ok so long as you are metabolically healthy, which you are definitely not!!! You’re seriously risking your life. Go on the statins, then do what you can to improve your metabolic health and insulin resistance etc. Only then consider losing the statins
@@vickyburton2434 Once you have plaque, you need statins. Generally a low dose has the same efficacy, but don’t be a fool and go without them. You are the intended candidate.
@@RogerWilcoWTF I take Extended Life Niacin and Omega 3 fatty acid as well as ADK. I will have to pay for tests myself because my physicians are so indoctrinated by one number theory. .
Interesting that we as patients must instruct our doctors to do the correct trouble shooting and identify root cause. My doctors will not do it, they become offended if challenged. This is ego, not intelligence. I'm largely Keto and exercise every day for several hours either hiking, biking or just washing a car etc. I'll have to trust I'm good. Thx for all the advice, it changed my life and health.
This helps me stay ahead of any surprise cardio and cerebrovascular events. A dubious CKD (based on eGFR calculated using creatinine rather than cyststin-c) diagnosis, the discovery that a cyst on my pancreas had digested 90% of my pancreas, and hyperhomocystenemia were not events I was anticipating. So now I'm vigilant about vessel and heart health. Your information is very valuable to my vigilance. Thank you!
Great tips! Dr. Cywes, please do a video on strategies to manage emotional and physical stress that is backed by science to help manage cortisol levels etc. The LDL gaslighting gives many of us mental stress. Thanks for your hard work!
Loved to see you mention Rooibos Tea, it is the best. I'm sensitive to caffeine and love Rooibos as a bridge drink for intermittent fasting. Kingfisher Teas Rooibos is best.
@@robertcywes2966I live in Cape Town and a Stellenbosch doctor, Sybrandt Smit, did his studies on green rooibos rea and apparently it is excellent for cardiovascular health and lowers blood pressure.
I'm a 66 yo lifelong runner, cyclist, and exercise nut. Formerly on KETO but now low carb, my doctor recommended the CAC test because my LDL is a little high. I got there to find out it cost $100 out of pocket. Great score of 5.95 but my doctor still thinks I'm gonna die if I don't take statins, which I refused. He claims a higher LDL puts me a higher risk of heart attack.
so sad that an MD does not understand a basic WBC count !!!went back to cardio past cath, ( one of the largest practices in area) was pushing the repatha's since cant take any statins. Told her about the colchicine drug and the name of your video plus had been approved for FDA for cardio use, that got her attention, so tired of MDs treating patients like they are dumb as a bag of rocks. One advantage I do have I was an RN for years and can recognize when the doctors are just going thru the patients like an assembly line. Very refreshing to watch a doctor with compassion and values his patients.
2:50 I love you doc and I recommend you daily. Cardiac stress test does not use a dye. It uses a radioactive tracer typically technetium. The drug we use dilates blood vessels. Lexiscan is trade name and generic regadenoson is used. I believe the more often than occasional increase in heart rate is due to decreased b/p and your body's compensatory mechanism to increase stroke volume. Great work as always!!!
Thoughts on the role of ApoB and Lipoprotein(a) as risk factors? Peter Attia seems to be pretty obsessed with reducing ApoB as much as possible, which makes no sense to me. Videos about these topics would be super awesome.
Thanks a lot for your inspiring talks which have helped me a lot so far, by changing my mindset about food and the effects of it on my health. At the age of 80 it nearly feels as if I’ve never had more energy.
Rob Cwys I was drinking rooibos while watching your video...even better if you can get your hands on stokkies( raw bulk) which is richer tasting...I'm a cholesterol skeptic and enjoyed all your podcasts...subscribed and ticked.
Very helpful information. 58 yr male and my cac score was 605 2 years ago. I have lost 60+ lbs with a locarb keto diet and the information you give is giving me the knowledge to retest and double up my efforts to do my best. Much thanks Dr.
my CAC score went from 30 to 1:10 in three years all because I was taking vitamin D3 without vitamin K2 …started taking K2 twice a day along with magnesium glycinate ,cod liver oil capsules and nattokinase.. I eat a lot of carbs. I did not change my diet and I got my score down to 90 when year later. The CAC test is good, but the best one is the CT angiogram, same scan, but they inject dye into your arteries so they can see the soft plaque and the calcified plaque… If you’re wondering what the cod liver oil cap, and Natto are for .. to keep the clots from forming keep the blood flowing
I had a nuclear medicine stress test where they did not want me to use the treadmill but instead injected me with something that shot my BPM up to 160 in a few seconds. They did not find anything wrong at the time. I was still having symptoms and believed there was a major problem. Several months later I insisted on another nuclear medicine stress test but to their displeasure, I also insisted on the treadmill. That meant the Doctor had to be present during the test. This time as my heart rate was climbing slowly and more naturally I had a MCI. Based on my experiences and many discussions with my cardiologist, I would recommend using the treadmill if possible and also to use the left and right mammary arteries for coronary bypasses since they trend to last longer than a radial artery or a saphenous vein.
For the pharmacological (Regadenoson) nuclear medicine stress test to be accurate you need to stop ALL caffeine containing products for at least 12 hours. Also you need to stop all anti-angina meds (nitrates) prior to the test. Btw the dr should 100% be present when this is done and not only when the treadmill is used.
Dear Dr. Cywes, While watching this video I ordered the tea you mentioned. I almost thought I was allergic to all tea’s. I am drinking a hot cup right now. Wow, You are so right about this tea. It is so pleasant to drink. Thank you for mentioning it. 👏👏👏
I am in the UK, the Dr’s will not give us any of those tests and most of those tests are only done at specialist labs in the big cities. Don’t move her!
What about hard plaque vs soft plague? Soft plaque, which appears to be the real risk factor on calcification, does not show up in a CAC score. Wouldn’t a CIMT test prove bettter?
I have been diabetic type 2 since I was 50 and I am 70 now and I have been doing keto off and on for those 20 years and recently I was pretty strict keto for the last year, and now I am eating a carnivore diet. My blood sugars are still high, and my triglycerides are 138 and my HDL is 43. My TSH is 3.34 which is not a good number for me. I just got over a sinus infection and had taken a Z-Pac antibiotic. I just did blood work yesterday and a few days earlier I had a low grade fever return, but fortunately it didn't turn into a sinus infection again. My HSCRP went up to 1.3 when normally it is at .6. I think the thyroid numbers and the sinus infection affected my numbers. I had a CAC score about 5 years ago and it was 210.
Awareness buys time, time buys options - until it doesn't. Trillions spend on sick care, an unhealthy population, and a Govt that subsidies; corn, soy, wheat, and rice. Thanks for your awareness.
This is great. All spot on! I remember peter Atillas guest who ended the interview on a note, just eat less calories 🥴. What causes bulging of varicose veins/valve failure. My guess that its arterial inflammation.
I appreciate all the information in this video. I actually even subscribed to learn more. However, what is it that Peter has wrong? I find his information very valuable and it has helped me quite a bit in terms of changing my overall health. I feel likeboth what you suggest and what he prescribes can be used in unison.
It's impossible to know who to believe. We have accomplished professionals on both sides, both making convincing arguments, conflicting studies... Might as well flip a coin. Also, rising CAC could be soft plaque calcifying, which is ideal.
@@johnsonpaul1914If you’re talking about statins, they’re almost all generics at this point. People need to stop making that argument. I have no idea if low-dose statins reduce risk for people who have a CAC greater than 80 or whatever.
@@johnsonpaul1914I'm speaking with the context of this realm, one of eating correctly. Even in the low carb, no processed food circles, there's a difference in approach and a different path with which pharmaceuticals you'll take when your case has advanced enough. They all recommend drugs when you have crossed certain thresholds.
I begin a binge with a frown, a grimace or agonised facial expression, a blind reminiscence of my impalement shock which was unrememberable for 60 years
My doctors reacted exactly as you describe. Freaking out about my LDL (highest was 509). The cardiologist was convinced that I would be on his operating table the following week and he'd be cleaning "cottage cheese" out of my veins. That was a year ago. He convinced me to do an expensive CT Angiogram. Calcium score was 0 and they found no evidence of atherosclerosis. And yet THEY ARE STILL PUSHING STATINS! I hate that! I started keto (real food, not gimmicks) 6.5 years ago, and that's when my LDL went up. Covid triggered an autoimmune condition called Lymphocytic Colitis, so I stepped up to carnivore 3.5 years ago. That's when my LDL shot up to the 509 mark. The problem I'm having is that every time I have any issues, the doctors look at me through the lens of "it must be the LDL". For example, following a UTI which turned out to be a staph infection, I had massive leg cramps every night, even after the infection was gone. They wouldn't look at my kidney function. They wanted to do another expensive scan of the veins in my legs, looking for a clot. I refused it. Finally massively increasing my water intake helped the cramping. I still think there is something wrong because I've never had to drink so much water before. It has also been suggested that my LDL could be due to FH, which is asinine because that's a condition that's supposed to occur from birth. I never had "high" LDL till keto. So to prove that I could lower my LDL without a statin, I did a 2 week carb challenge eating plain white rice (a al Nick Norwitz's Oreo study). The rice didn't trigger my colitis, and I did indeed lower my LDL by nearly 50%. But all my other numbers went drastically in the wrong direction. Most concerning was my Cardio CRP which was previously 0 mg/L then shot up to 0.9 mg/L! I had such massive inflammation from that carb challenge, my blood pressure was consistently very high, giving me massive headaches beginning within a few days of the challenge. And, of course, they are still pushing statins. Ever since that challenge, I've had painless numbing sensation in both my legs down to my left big toe, and now at the end of my left ring finger. This latter is very concerning as I'm a harpist and need my fingers! I'm afraid to go to my regular doctors because they will again look at me through the lens of "It must be the LDL". I plan to see a chiropractor first, but if you have any suggestions I very much welcome the input! 💜
youre getting leg cramps and drinking so much water because you dont hyrdrate the same without carbs. you need to up your sodium intake and/or take an electrolyte supplement
There's definitely a connection between carnivore and cramping. There's 1 person a Watched that said a little bit of carbs helps the kidneys and somehow reduces cramping. So take that for what it's worth.
Yes, I second that suggestion. My husband had the same and, while he is 6mos on carnivore, his Dr uses fear and condescension to tell him he is going to make me a widow and that his lipids look terrible. He's looking for another Dr and also would like a consult with Dr. Cywes, if we can afford it. God Bless.
The main take away from this video should be: 1) blind faith in authority is the greatest enemy of truth. 2) healthcare is self-care 3) don't be afraid to take charge of you health and advise your MD accordingly
Where was the part where Peter Attia was wrong? You titled the video that but didn’t mention his name? Peter has talked about calcium scoring before and the importance of it
I had a CAC score test done through a radio promotion. My score was 158.. they kept saying through the promotion that the test was $700 Had a nuclear stress test, and a treadmill stress test, which I passed with flying colors, so they said. Still worried.
My cardiologist is concerned about the LDL levels but did not test to determine how much of the small or large LDL particles were in the count. He wants me to go on statins because of the stents that were put in after my heart attack. So I was wondering if you could answer this question: Do stents increase the risk of plaque build up at the stent site when LDL is elevated? I'm irritated because neither of the cardiologists I've seen ever did a fasting blood sugar, and I was told the amount of blockage I had was higher than they would have expected considering my cholesterol and triglyceride numbers. The family doctor di that and found I was highly insulin resistant and almost pre diabetic. We discussed my diet and she didn't understand why I was IR. In all fairness to her, the discussion wasn't very in depth and she did want to go more into it on another appointment. I did more research and learned why. Although I didn't eat a lot of sugar, I ate way too many simple carbs, and also ate those carbs too often (mid meal snacks were always some kind of bread). My SubQ fat was low, but I still had a belly. So I dumped the majority of my simple carb intake, cut out sugar entirely, changed my snacking to nuts, and never eat past 6 pm if I can avoid it. In 3 months, I lost 3 inches in my waist but still kept the same subQ level (At 65 I have a visible, but not highly defined 6 pack). Reading the research on this and listening to you and a number of other cardiologists, I realized what the issue had been. Too high of a carb intake and insulin resistance.
What about the CIMT test for soft plaques over the stress test. Or both? Apparently even ppl with a zero CAC are still having heart attacks. Just what I’ve read recently
I have total chol at 280 and LDL at 180. Drs of course hype statins. I am 67 and a recovered diabetic on keto-ish low carb diet and eTRE (early time restricted eating) for over 4 years. I have a low Trigs at 70 and high HDL at 99. My Uric Acid is high, not certain why since all other inflammatory markers are low. Anyways, I cannot get a CAC or other test as I live in rural Greece. However, I asked the cardiologist to examine me to see if there are any signs of problems. He did many exams including electrodes, sonogram, and treadmill and said that I am perfectly fine, no need for meds! I wish that I could get the Uric Acid lower, but I have no idea what to do. Eliminating red meat does not seem healthy or feasible for me.
I read somewhere that low Trigs imply that high(er) LDL is the healthy big fluffy kind that transports fats/ketones. Also, that low Trigs imply low inflammation. I am not an expert, so perhaps I am incorrect or over simplifying?
Red meat and saturated fat is good for you. Just stop the carbs, sugars, and seed oils. Ben Bikman(with Ken Berry) ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-DTkzhSCsTD8.html stated in communication that 20 gm of allulose(RX Sugar) daily will dramatically lower your uric acid in a few weeks.
Clearly different experts focus on different things. Dr Cywes is focused here on inflammation. That’s one possible aggravating factor in the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Address it if it’s an issue. But many people - me included - have plaques and very low inflammatory markers and uric acid. What then? Address the known potential aggravating factors: hypertension, prediabetes or diabetes, elevated lipids, lack of exercise. What bothers me is when anyone focuses in on one thing when the condition is clearly complex and multifactorial. Then it starts to look like the person has an ax to grind, or is focused on advice that will help some and not others.
Folks, just because you have a low Ca score does not mean you are without risk. In fact you could be at high risk if you have a significant amount of soft plaque, which is not detectable by a Ca scan.
How do I reach you for a consultation and how much does it cost? I’ve been carnivore for about 4-5 months and low carb for years, yet I cannot lose weight and my A1C has moved into pre-diabetes zone at 5.7. Is my body just running low on insulin!? I’ve been eating a low carb diet for years in order to avoid this…how can this be? My HDL cholesterol is low at 63 but LDL is a 254. Triglycerides are at 91. My fasting glucose is 92. I’ve been eating fat and protein exclusively for 4-5 months. Why is this happening?
Thanks for the Video. Very informative. CAC sees only the hard plaque. What about the Soft Plaque. We are told hard plaque is nowhere near as dangerous as the soft plaque; hard plaque cannot be dislodged to cause heart attack. Whereas soft plaque is very likely to dislodge. So to be accurate, one has to undergo Angiogram rather that CAC. Do you agree with these statements. Thank you.
First, send me a bottle of your fountain of water you're taking. Second, I've listened and learned form you and other like docs for years and have confident idea on many of these things. Secondly, I've listened to Attia a handful of times. And his info just doesn't set right with me as it contradicts some things that y'all teach.
This is what we tell people in our support group! Eat the fat first and try to get fat in every bite. Trigger the cholecystokinin to tell the brain "you're full, stop eating!" Listening for that signal is an integral part of the fat adaptation process!
@@DingoLingo2 He was hospitalized with Afib and was told his heart was fine. He actually had total blockages in 3 of the main arteries that resulted in a widowmaker. If they had done a heart catheterization, it would have shown the blockages. Advocate for a heart catheterization! He survived, but his heart output is now 25%.
Great video! Very concise and informative. One of many of your videos that I saved on my playlist. Do you think metformin is a good anti-inflammatory drug with low side effects? Could you do a video on that? Thank you so much for your continued service.
I have had a heart attack..and I have one stent..I also have CKD.STAGE 3/4...MY Dr. Told me..if I want to go on Dialysis..continue with Colchicine...my choice..
What is the between this test a CRC and a CT SCAN CHEST? I had a "CT SCAN CHEST" test at a Kaiser, but they use a different numbering system then what you speak of here. Mine came back as a score of 6 in calcium score. I took this least year at age 66. Can you explain how to interpret this number compared to yours or is it a different test?
so my CAC was 420 3 years ago (380 in the LAD). I'm not on statins. My Total cholesterol is around 190, Hdl 55-60, trigs are 70, LDL around 114-130. I'm 74, diabetic with RA on Enbrel which is very effective. Vectra D score is 10. . I recently had a nuclear stress test when I was in the hospital with high heart rate (turned out to be a-flutter - have not had an episode since) - stress test came back negative - no ischemia. HS - CRP .3 . LP(a) score is 9. Most recent ApoB was 105 from October 2023. Retest? Would you suggest another CAC at this point? I walk 3-6 miles a day - eat a keto diet although probably 40 net carbs vs 20. Of course my doctors want me on statins especially since I"m a diabetic but the NNT isn't very encouraging for them . I don't want the. possible harmful side effects (no matter how small the doctors try to tell me the risk is) because I depend on my walking to keep my glucose numbers in range (hba1c of 6.0). And the thought that they could possibly worsen my diabetes.
Thank you for your work! Question - Is the negative impact of smoking on CVD risk related to nicotine or tobacco? I’ve been using tobacco less nicotine pouches but curious if you believe, and/or the data supports, that nicotine by itself impacts us negatively? Thank you!
I have been true to carnivore since Oct 2022. I am 71and have no symptoms. My Feb '24 CAC was 2770. I take aspirin and other anti-inflammatory supplements in addition to D3 K2 E Co Q10 and others. A CT w/contrast & Cleary analysis showed 80% and 60% stabilized plaque in R&L arteries. I passed my tread mill stress test 4 months ago and my CIMT shows I "passed" but am at high risk. My cardiologist told me several times there is no way to get plaque out of the body. After 14 treatments of EDTA iv chelation therapy, my elevated (but not crazy high) cholesterol numbers dropped dramatically and the bottoms of my feet that have been numb for 8 years have 98% feeling restored, additional proof that EDTA chelation is safe and effective. To date, I've had 24 EDTA treatments and will continue with monthly maintenance treatments for the foreseeable future.. I do weight bearing activities daily. My cardiologist wants me to take statin and a weekly injectable anti-inflammatory that I have declined.
Great choices! I didn't see any vitamin C listed. I am on the Linus Pauling Heart Protocol. I reversed a 660 score by 30% in 20 months. 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. If you have calcium like you do it is Clearly a vitamin C deficiency.
@@Thomas-1976 I think I can help you. He is on a IV chelation therapy pretty expensive. Myself I'm on an oral chelation. What it does is to remove toxic metals like lead, mercury, and others like calcium which is electricly conductive. Once bound to the chelation material it's just urinated away.
I do not see Peter Attia mentioned in this talk. Why is he mentioned in the title? If you want to disprove Peter Attia then come with facts. Personal attacks are inappropriate. Soft plaque does not show on CAC scores. Lp a level is an indicator of increased risk for CAD. Please indicate where Peter Attia is wrong
