Just Say NO to Coronary Calcium CT Scans
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- čas přidán 26. 08. 2024
- Let's talk about coronary calcium CT scans and why I NEVER order them.
If you have already had a coronary CT scan I have some advice I am going to share with you as well.
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#hearthealth #ctscan #heartdisease #cardiologist #holistichealth #holistichealing #functionalmedicine #naturopathy #medicaldoctor
CT scan saved my life. 3 years ago I Had normal cholesterol levels, doc said a waste of my money…738 score!!!!!!! I immediately changed my lifestyle and diet. Lost 40lbs, improved all blood markers. Had I not gotten the scan, I would probably be dean now.
Unfortunately it took you getting radiated to get motivated. We motivate people with abnormal lab results instead. We look for markers of inflammation, oxidative stress, homocysteine, Lp(a), intracellular vitamins/minerals, glutathione, fatty acids, BPA, pesticides, gut permeability, mold mycotoxins etc. That tells us risk AND what to do about it. I would look at your test results and tell you that you likely have CAD. Didn't need to get radiated to tell you that you are at risk of CAD and....cancer, brain disease etc. But congrats on your weight loss.
@@TheDrsWolfson, you talk trash
I agree with you 100%
Mine was 738 as well. Increased my station dosage. I have a new cardiologist, he is the bomb. Back in the gym as well.
Dean of what?
I'm a CT radiographer and perform these scans and they're personally incredible. They are relatively cheap ($150-200 in 🇦🇺) and non invasive (no cannulation and injection of iodine contrast), and pose minimal radiation as most sites perform sequential scans or fast scans (where you take a "slice" or xray through the heart every 3-5mm) meaning it's one of the lowest dose scans you can get, roughly about 2 weeks background radiation you obtain from the sun (the exact same type of radiation too!). The scoring system can be incredibly useful but not only that, it can locate where Ca build up has occurred. For example, a scoring of 100-200 in the LM (Left main) artery can be a massive issue compared to a Ca score in the thousands where calcium build up is scattered throughout the heart, like your kitchen sink having one big blocked pipe rather than all the small pipes being partially or minimally full of debris. Finally, CALCIUM build up is mostly due to family history of heart disease. Smoking, drinking and malnutrition impose minimal effects on Coronary heart disease when compared to family history or other underlying conditions. Hope this may be informative to someone reading :), however the Cardiologist in this video does raise some points and is more qualified than me, I just thought this perspective would be interesting
Also, if you get a Coronary angiogram (CTCA), all radiology sites should be performing a supplementary Coronary calcium score too.
Sorry, but you are killing people.
Good to hear the other side.
@@NaturalHeartDoctorActually you are.
@@NaturalHeartDoctor People will have rare CT scans for back problems, etc. You should watch the Widowmaker movie and you'll see that the CAC is so much safer than the alternative. Why would you ever suggest an angiogram where they could accidentally hurt you when you could just do a scan. Do you tell women to not do mammograms and dental patients not to do X-rays?
I am a physician. The cardiac CT scan to detect coronary artery calcification is a very useful test. It provides actionable information.
My bloodwork was good, I was exercising and cycling. I had no symptoms. My doctor advised a CT scan because of heredity issues. My score was 5700! It saved my life! What are you talking about?
Glad it helped you!
lol bruh “glad it helped you” 🤡🤡🤡🤡
I agree with you 💯 CAC is essential to know earlier than later on.
@@ElsaAndAnnie NO it does NOT measure the deadly soft plaque Statins increase cac
5700??? I did not know that know it could be so high. I thought the general measure was no higher than 500.
😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮 I think you are the ONLY doctor who I've ever come across who doesn't recommend it. I definitely plan on getting a calcium scoring test. It's so cheap it and feel it's well worth it. I've seen plenty of people in the comments sections on other videos claim it saved their lives. I would NEVER take a statin. My mom took one for 40 years and I'm convinced it caused or at least contributed to her Alzheimers!!😢😢😢😢😢
Statin drugs destroyed my elderly mothers quality life due to the dementia like side effects.
My calcium score was 1750, so my cardiologist ordered the NC stress test, which showed no blockage. It makes me wonder if there is anyone who knows anything.
Dr William Davis(Cardiologist) does.
my calcium score was 800. I asked for an angiogram. I had a complete blockage of the left ventricle which is the most important artery. If I followed this guy’s advice I might b dead. At that calcium score level you probably have a blockage without symptoms. Get a new cardiologist and get an angiogram.
A stress test doesn’t show blockages.
You are lucky but a stress test is not absolute. Get an angiogram immediately. At 1750; you have a severe blockage and it could be in the lft ventricle. There is no no symptoms in many people.
@@chicagomikeGreat advice Mike.
who ever is giving you any type of x-ray will tell you it's perfectly safe, then they scamper off to hide behind a lead shield or another room. Safe?
Rtroyer8679; maybe like alcohol or something similar, one isn't so bad but heavy consumption (5 days a week, several exposures Per day 50 weeks per yr ?) or exposure will probably have negative effect.
I too wondered the same. " if save why are they hiding?"
I’m a 74 yo male. 11 years ago, went in for an annual cardiology checkup. No symptoms, everything looked normal. I asked the doc, “is there any other non-invasive test that would give me information about my heart?”. He told me about the calcium test. I had it done, and it came back 750. He was shocked. He then ordered a stress test, which I failed. Again, no symptoms during the test. They did an angiogram and found my LAD was 95% blocked, so a stent was inserted. He said that due to my fitness routine (mostly biking), my heart had developed alternate vessels around the blockage, which is probably why I had no symptoms. Had it not been for the test, I most likely would have had a heart attack at some point.
Dr Phillip Ovadia a metabolic cardiac surgeon has found CAC scores useful as a cheap screening tool to monitor progression of heart disease.
If it's increasing over time it indicates progression of heart disease. Then a CT angiogram will need to be done even if asymptomatic.
He has had patients with high CAC scores, like 1000, who exercise alot and have no symptoms . Their CAC remains stable over time then their heart disease has not gotten worse. I think he doesn't do a CT angiogram for them if patient isn't worried, no symptoms and there aren't other reasons to do one. But a patient could have a CAC score of 100, that over time increases to 500. That patient has a higher risk of a heart attack in his experience. So a CT angiogram would be next step.
Isn't the problem with CAC that it doesn't test for "soft" plaque, only "hard" plaque? Soft calcium is an on-going problem, while hard calcium could be a repair in progress. It seems to be less of a predictor than a snapshot of the past.
Had one done for 71 dollars. Zero score. Best money spent. SAN Jose California
Well since that went so well maybe you should go take a nice luxurious hike around Chernobyl.
There is a coronary calcium CT scan which gives you an Agatston score and a coronary CT with contrast. You seem to be placing these two in the same bucket despite the title of the video. Insurance does not typically cover a CT calcium score as it is a screening for patients who are not having symptoms but want to know if they have any coronary calcification. The coronary CT with contrast is used for symptomatic patients to find blockages.
This COMMONSENSE advice! I am due to my cardiologist tomorrow but I had already decided not to go for the scan. Thank you for confirming me in my decision. I am just going to assume that I have everything and I am going to make lifestyle and diet changes. I am afraid that even the 'small' amount of radiation is going to only push my heart a little further down the disease route. So, why not take it into my own hands and start to try and REVERSE it? 'Let food be thy medicine'!
Had this test and found dialated arteries that need to be monitored (due to high blood pressure, that is being and has been treated). This is a cheap, quick test that can pick up on conditions that can go undetected until you have a material health event. My condition would have possibly killed me if left unchecked. The $125 was worth every penny.
I had a Cardio CT scan, and the results were about as bad as possible -- OVER 75% blockage. Still, dr didn't want to put in stints or do anything, so what was the point? I'm glad I don't have stints, but now the test does seem like a waste.
Got it done for $115. My score was 200. Ill check with my primary care physician and go from there.
Get on a Statin. Don't let anyone talk you out of it
@@Corkfish1 GET REAL. THAT IS NOT WHAT YOU WANT.
@@davie2983 Ok Doctor. 😂
@@Corkfish1stations will mess you up AVOID at all costs! I've have read way too many comments on people that got their life back after dropping stations.
Totally disagree. Everyone should get one starting at age 40 especially if you have a family history or a poor bloodwork. Stupid to wait for symptoms or a cardiac event which usually ends up killing people.
Your life
its the only true indicator so far for heart failure
I had today. My score was 59. My blood pressure has dropped way low, I have lost over 50lbs and for five years running my lipid panel for the last five years have been perfect…should I be bothered? I also had to pay 50 bucks…
Give us a call: 480-535-6844
Thx Doc. We stumbled upon your video not by chance, but divine appt. Lol. Your words were a must hear. We will support your channel. Thank you
I appreciate that! Thank you!
I’ve had 2 back to back 0CAC scores at 52 and 57 now 58 years young.
Wow
You can get a free one through University Hospitals.
I demanded one after finding out (through my own investigations) that I had very high Lp(a). Only 50 and thought I was super healthy. Score of 61. Probably saved my life to some degree as it was a huge wake up call. Dropped carbs almost completely , only eat real food, HIIT cardio + weight training. All blood markers now are great, well except for that Lp(a)😢
Nice!
And what if the calcium score is zero?
It means no calcium. You are lucky.
No calcium present, that is good. But you may still have undetected soft plaques which are the dangerous ones.
If you are young, it should be zero. But if you are a senior like me, the zero score would be fabulous! Consult with a cardiologist, or two.
I think this test is best for young people. If you are seeing a significant CAC score, you have had a serious level of blood glucose spike and inflammation, therefore soft plaque buildup for decades.
Good for all ages
@@NaturalHeartDoctor Sorry but I thought you said these ct scans can lead to problems.
Interesting. I just got score. I see your point. At 62 years old being overweight I know I have a positive score. I should be changing my lifestyle since I already know I am sick. BTW my score was 75. Not great but it gave me a good kick in the pants to change my diet and work out almost everyday.
For my TC Calcium Score (CACS) I received 12 DLP, i.e. 2.16 mSv which is equivalent to *1/10 of one year of natural radiation just to live in this earth.* I mean, essentially I added 1 month of the natural ionizing. Yeah!... the TC scanner was one of top Siemens TC machines. In terms of risk/ information reward , it was exceptional. There is no one now who is forcing me to run further tests. It depends on the results. And remember: calcium score could be detected in a exponentially measure over the years. In terms of radiation, probably your next fly will cause you to absorb more radiation than this exam -- if performed with excellent low-radiation protocols.
So wait for symptoms? What if it's the big one and too late?
Give us a call: 480-535-6844 we can help find a treatment plan for you NATURALLY
First symptom in many, is death. 33% find out this way.
@@NaturalHeartDoctoryou are nuts.
@NaturalHeartDoctor Hi Dr. Jack, is CT Coronary Angiography important for chest pains or can I do a Functional cardiac exercise Stress test instead?
All my blood and stress tests were good, no symptoms. I had to ask for one and it cost $100 and I have 390, got it last week.
A game changer, I thought my heart was in great shape.
To all the people saying that CT scan saved your life. Maybe it did, because otherwise you would have been unaware.
But we know now that it is the soft plaque rather than the stable Ca deposits, that are the danger. Like this doctor has advised, I am going to assume that I have blockage - a little or a lot. What am I going to do? Back pedal right now and get off sugar, carbs, processed food, seed oils.
If someone gets a CAC Score of ZERO, it just means the heart and surround arteries are clear of plaque. BUT what about the rest of the body, head, arms, legs, etc? What's the test for this?
Give us a call: 480-535-6844
ZERO CAC does NOT show the deadly soft plaque.. It is beyond useless and dangerous like this Great honest DR says
Echocardiogram looks at the heart and if you got insurance it’s usually covered if the doc requests.
The heart surgeon I listened to says plaque in on region of the arteries means also plaque in other regions, its not local but generalized. If the cac test turns out be bad, you should also have a soft plaque test. You cannot see this on a CAC-test, on a CAC test you can only see old calcified plaque. Bur whats happening now, the formation of soft plaque and at which rate is important.
Great Dr who tells the truth!
Thank you!
Doctor Nissan the foremost cardiologist says do not do routine testing.
he just wants to dole out statins
Is severe calcification of the abdominal aorta at age 63 bad and can it be reversed?
oreos did 2x better than statins, but if calcium score is to high you are living dangerously regardless of ldl
Is it really that big a deal to get a scan done to give somebody a piece of mind to have a visual of your arteries in the doctors not paying for it? What difference does it make to him? If the patient wants to do it let them do it
Your life your choice
if the number comes back high, it can also cause great stress in someone. I know at age 70, mine came back at 420 with 380 in the LAD. A year ago, I had nuclear stress test and echo done. No ischemia. Probably should repeat the CAC now that 3 years have passed. I eat low carb, walk 3-4 miles a day. I'm a diabetic (LADA) so of course all the docs want me on a statin, something I've never taken or intend to
radiation from a mammogram is higher
No, the CT calcium score is much higher than a mammogram
@@bobbipavlik8742 I got 0.216 mSV, that is way lower than a mammogram. It depends on TC machine, CACS protocol and body mass.
What about cardiac MRI ?
Insurance does not pay for ct scan
First Dr that I see that recommend not to get this test done. I find it helpful, especially for people whose Dr's suspect problems.
Thank you!
How comparable is the ct scan to scan at airport?
Airports have CT scanners?
@@SimulatedGoat I'm not saying they have ct scan , I'm asking how close is the scan at airport to a ct scan. There is some radiation from airport scanners.
Excellent information
Glad it was helpful!
CT score is more of a CV health history, as it only tell you amount of calcium not soft plaque, which is the most dangerous, when they break off, blood clot is formed leading to stroke or heart attack. However, it is a very powerful clarion call to make life changing diet/exercise/drugs intervention.
LDCT are used to scan for various things…lung ca… calcified coronary arteries don’t mean anything. Your symptoms are the best predictor of a problem. I haven’t seen one positive nuclear stress test in any asymptomatic severely calcified coronary arteries.
You might try a cardio vision screening but i am not sure if it is as complete as a cac scan, DO Your RESEARCH
Y contact us.. u can tell us in video
There’s only so much information we can give here. Medical advice should be given on a 1 on 1 basis
What about a CIMT
@@louisevad6091 carotid plaque doesn't have strong correlation with coronary plaque ie you can have one but not the other... Both together is a rare finding
The guy has no clue how radiation actually works
I'm planning to have a CIMT next month.
Awesome
Shame they stopped the down votes. This guy's advice is dangerous
Big pharma is dangerous
@@NaturalHeartDoctor I'll mention that to my dad. He's been on statins for 30 years and he's at the gym right now. I'm 65 and I expect he'll probably outlive me.
@@NaturalHeartDoctoryes a@@hole but they can save lives. I I don’t believe in everything they say from modern medicine and from Pharma, but there are some things that are good if I had followed your advice, I would be glad you just want people to make money off of them you’re just as bad in fact, you’re much much much much worse because you’re sprouting these ideas which are totally and completely dangerous. You should be removed from CZcams. Blocking you’re miserable site.
I have had stent installed in my heart. The doctor prescribed a statin drug for me to take for the rest of my life. Should i obey him ?
Yes, because the stent is metal and if you dont take them the plaque will stick on the stent. Go and ask your doc again just to make sure.
I've just heard of a
Cleerly scan
Would that be better
Then a Cac scan
I've got extremely high ldl.
The Cleerly Scan is a CT Scan that they use AI to analyze. Supposed to be more accurate but still doses you with radiation.
What do you do if you’ve already had two or three CT scans and a nucleus test in a two-year period. Period.
I had one yesterday and i regret it because of the radiation. Is there anything I can do now. I’m actually in a lot of anxiety about what I have done to my dna
Give us a call: 480-535-6844
The radiation you obtained is the exact same exposure you obtain from the sun, even if you stay inside. Radiation exposure from Ca scoring is minimal, being approximately 2-3 weeks of natural background radiation. Like anything it poses a risk, but as long as you are not pregnant you don't have to worry. To put this into perspective, if you fly from London to LA 3 round trips a year, it's the same radiation (both dose and type of radiation) but yet most people are worried about a plane crash :) unfortunately you can't do anything about radiation dose post exposure, so just don't stress
@@curtiswhite5171 thank you! 🙂
You're young and cute. You will be fine.
@hairbyjennifer2820 What could you do, really? Phone the laboratory/ hospital and ask them for the 'DLP' value performed during your CACS. Then convert it into millisievert (mSV) and you will discover that you absorbed less radiation then one year living in this earth. Probably you absorbed a little more than the radiation of a mammography, i.e. 6 weeks of of Equivalent Natural Background Radiation Exposure. Scaring people about radiation without sufficient knowledge is not informative.
🦆 🦆 🦆 🦆 🦆
Eat well, live well, think well…
Nonsense. Most people can’t afford to eat well (gee thanks, Joe.) Living well is easier said than done, and thinking well is subjective and meaningless; nobody has ever thought themselves into good health.
Of COURSE I find this video a week ** AFTER ** I went for a CT heart screening. 😜
Lol that’s how it always goes!
This calcium scan is all over the place. My doctor is pressuring me to get a calcium scan. It’s in the news. CZcams channels regarding health are talking about it. I had gone into my health provider’s portal to download some old blood work. Wouldn’t you know, each and every single document had a title page reminding me get a Calcium Scan with date that is basically saying I’m overdue. Does this not sound like a campaign to anyone?
We pay 100% of this scan. Right? If this is so important, why isn’t the insurance paying?
What about slices and angles? Do they know which way to scan to get a likely higher or lower number? What if you get a higher score the next time (100% paid by you again of course because by now you are scared and/or hooked) and the number went up only because the scan angle was slightly different?
What is the dose of radiation and what is the recommended dose for YOU? Does anyone ask if you had dental scans first? -do they care? Radiation in small doses does add up. If you have something like Hashimoto’s, you need to avoid radiation. In my current situation, I just had dental x-rays done. I am so sure that if I did bring it up, it will be fluffed off and the tech would proceed.
So here we are rushing to get our scans and then we compare scores. We pay for this out of our own pocket and once done, will no doubt want another as soon as we can to compare scores. Let’s see if it goes up or down.
What is it showing, the past or the present dangers? Isn’t calcium secure enough compared to the real danger of the sticky soft plaque? Why can’t we scan for that stuff?
The worst of all of this is that diet and nutrition are always last on the list. What if there IS a way to repair or remove plaque and THAT is what should be discussed instead of calcium scores, of old damage that our bodies have fairly secured especially compared to the more dangerous soft plaque.
I don’t know. I’m not a doctor but am old enough to know to question when you see, feel, hear a campaign.
Totally understand your questions. Give us a call: 480-535-6844
CIMT shows the soft plaque
I just had that done at my new Functional Doc's office! I'm still waiting for results. So... if we do this, is there any need for the calcium scan of the heart? @@jerseytony1
Zero or low calcium score in a young person doesn't mean much as plaque hasn't had time to calcify..
Its still there
I rather have the hospital charge me stress tests and so on...than a triple bypass maybe that's what you're shooting for. I paid $95 a few years ago and was very pleased to get a score of: 0 .....If you are over 40, just get it done for peace of mind. Just read the comments of how many people were shocked/surprised and made drastic changes!
My cardiac surgeon told me a stress test is useless if you have several similarly occluded vessels. Apparently the stress test will come back normal even if you have 60-70% blockages because there's similar ischemic returns across the entire heart.
Yes there is risk no doubt on that ..but the universal truth of life is Risk to Benefit ... Every benefit has somw risk and vice versa.. It does have radiation exposure but to check the arteries and calcium scoring .. i think the benefits oitweights the risk
Where I come from the Stress Test has typically been the 1st test of choice recommended by GPs at +A$600 Vs the Ct Scan at A$150. It has been well documented in social media that after a couple of decades of medical industry resistance to CT heart scans has increasingly relented with the upsell benefits now recognised and popularity increasing on this basis. My observations are that the science shows benefit in both but the CT Scan from an economic basis is a no brainer as a good starting point. I think you don’t understand the science or the benefits of both, especially the cost benefits 🤷♂️.
peterb8180 Nasty human. Attacking without even checking his results. Happy this is as connected as we will ever be.
Another example of treating the monitor and not the patient. Statin are the most prescribed medication world wide. Maybe they should just put it in the water.
What about a Echocardiogram? What do you think?
EKG is about the electronics of the heart as I have had one.
An echocardiogram uses ultrasound to produce images of the heart. These images can be used to calculate the size of the heart’s chambers, the structure of the heart valves, how strongly the heart is beating (e.g. left ventricular ejection fraction), abnormal,communication between heart chambers (e.g. PFO) and estimate pressures in blood vessels such as the pulmonary artery. It is painless and uses sound waves to create the images. There is no radiation exposure. The test takes about 30 minutes to perform.
I see your point- CTC gives some patients awareness but some patients get overly stressed. Hospital generating revenue is not my concern. These tests have some reliability and relevance. People with CAD symptoms (unknown until the test results) could die out of CHF without warning. I lost my healthy brother in law at age 50. God didn’t even give him a second chance. If he had done CTC, he would have approached the cardiologist and appropriate diagnosis would have saved his life.
Sorry to hear that
How can i get ahold of you?
Give us a call: 480-535-6844
Or
You can schedule your call here: naturalheartdoctor.com/health-coaching-strategy-call/
It's a good test to see where your at
DOC, WHAT KIND OF BLOOD TESTS DO YOU RECOMMEND? PLEASE OPEN UP. YOU BOOK DOES NOT SPECIFY.
I wanted one. They tried found blockage in the LAD prescribed Plavix and I have an appointment with the cardiologist on Friday. This was elective for me, I started keto a year ago. But my Apob was high. My LDL’s gone up. A bit freaked. Even though they put me in the CT scanner with an iodine injection they say they couldn’t do a CAC.
why couldn't they do a CAC?
The widow maker mover explains the politics.
My symptoms have been worse since I had the CT scan.
Am I imagining it, sometimes I do think so.
It is possible.
I know of no one's health insurance that pays for this test and never had a doctor even recommend this. You just lost so much credibility - this noninvasive, low cost test can tell more than any other test I have heard of. Of course we should all do the steps you mention for heart and overall health. But you are doing people a huge disservice denouncing this simple test that reveals so much. Test, don't guess!!
I dont agree with the person in the video, ct scans can pinpoint where the buildup is occurring which can ultimately save your life, you may want to think that buildup can be corrected by diet and excercise but that is not the case, in many situations, sone people can have a very good diet and still get buildup or blockage and it doesn't just go away, sorry but from my research those are the cold, hard facts
i have a echogram every 5 years ,and it comes out good ,i take magnesium taurate,coq10, beet juice, and omega 3 and k2 vitamins
Nice
@@NaturalHeartDoctor thank you very much i stay away from red meat ,i eat tuna fish ,anchovies ,salmon ,virgin olive oil ,flack seed ,and berries ,i will splurge with aged white cheese grass fed
@@user-ut8ls7qp1j nothing wrong with red meat on occasion. The most nutrient dense food you can eat. Just make it grass fed/grass finished
Mine was 91😊
I agree
czcams.com/video/L1mMnnyJrgk/video.html
You are not responsible. If I followed your advice I would be dead.
Welp I wonder what made you come to our page
@@NaturalHeartDoctor the algorithm creep.
He is not an MD and he is trying to sell a bunch of stuff on his web site, beware.
Board Certified Cardiologist 🫀
He’s a DO, and actually has more training than an MD.
So what I wrote is true. @@a3300000
@@a3300000 Yes I trust this Dr way way way more than Big Pharm dealers who only give poison drugs
It only cost $100 bucks…. I think you’re wrong your reasons have not been my experience! I feel it is a useful test to have once every 5 to 7 years.
I had one at 48 I’m 52 now
I was 0.