It is certainly not an exact science. Glad she lived such a long life. Unfortunately there are others who have heart attacks in their 40s. Many factors to consider. Thanks for watching and subscribing
@@atapolsughondhabirom1002 : I'm 70. I grew up on a farm. One possible explanation for examples of longevity is the simpler, often home grown diet. We had many fruit trees and a large year round garden, killed our own farmed meat and hunted as well as eating fresh fish and seafood which was right on our doorstep whenever we needed it. Short version. Fresh unprocessed food and a lifetime of physical activity that comes with farm life i guess. Still, not everyone lived long. As the Docs will tell you, there's plenty that can go wrong. My brother didn't make it to 5 years old and there is at least one aunt I know of that went past 100. The rest all popped off somewhere in between with quite a number going into their 80s which I'm using as a marker for my own departure. I'm still working and am pleasantly surprised to have the dog wake me up every morning.
I stoped it too 3 yrs ago I had so strong muscle pains the doc said I havve to take it, another said I dont because 50 0/0 can not support statins . So I dontvtake it anymore.
Yes, medical information for us and a good level of insight is everything if we're going to be CEO of our life and the doctor our employee. Learn about our body in order to understand its needs. Learn about our doctor's motives in order to determine whether we hire or fire them. Most of them have too little time and/or respect for the 'ignorant' patient, to deepen their own understanding of the pros and cons of statins. Indeed, there's a wealth of statistics that indicates statins' danger, but don't assume that your doctor's delved there. Your doctor's not incentivised to counter the pharmaceutical company's heady claims of a 'life-saving' drug. Conversely, he/she is incentivised to promote statins without any critical thinking, which would be so convenient for them on so many fronts. Big pharma provides fancy daily luncheons at medical practices with an expectation that doctors will impulsively prescribe statins at the whiff of a cholesterol issue. And, depending on the doctor's 'importance/popularity', big pharma can pay them up to hundreds of thousands of dollars p.a to promote the drug on the speaking circuit. It can be a very cushy ride for some lazy/careless doctors to bank town. And interesting to note that the good doctor in this video endorses big pharma conducting its own studies on its own products without noting the potential conflict of such an approach. Hmmmm. Caveat emptor.
I've always had borderline high cholesterol (~220), but when a recent test edged even higher, my doctor recommended I start on statins. I pushed back and asked him if they could do a test to directly see if my arteries were narrowing, and he ordered a CT calcium heart score. The results of that scan showed I had almost no plaque in my coronary arteries (15th percentile for men my age). On the other hand, the CT scan picked up a suspicious shadow in my lung which turned out to be adenocarcinoma, stage 1. I had a lobectomy and there's a good chance the cancer didn't have a chance to spread. So that CT scan probably saved my life.
I was prescribed Staten 2 years ago for a "touch high" cholesterol at 52 years old. I never put this together, but I became very fatigued very easily not long after I stated taking it. I was just always tired all the time, muscle aches etc... I recently learned on my own this a fairly common side effect of Staten. No one told me this, even my doctor couldn't figure out the fatigue issue. I stopped taking it a few months ago and am just starting to feel "normal" again. I'd rather feel good while I'm alive than take something that makes me feel miserable until I die.
Ditto! Headaches, muscle fatigue, weakness, diarrhea on and on and on..... Here is another Doctors view on Statins and Cholesterol: czcams.com/video/B6IC9sfn_ZM/video.html
Yep, some people are simply naive and have no idea how deep the corruption goes. Let them be the lab rats, I suggest that everyone learn about the population reduction agenda that the U.N. and its staunchest supporters are pushing and see how discerning you are.
I just turned 81, and for most of my adult life, my cholesterol count has been very high. I was told at age forty, that if I don’t take cholesterol medication I will most likely be dead before I reach age fifty. I made a decision then to instead of medication I would change my eating, and lifestyle hobbits. Seems to have worked so far. Even though I still have high cholesterol numbers, my heart and general health are ok. I suppose that makes me one of the “lucky ones.!
@@thacker41 What??? That's just plain silly. There's many things to avoid as well as to eat for heart, brain, and vascular health. It is not just one thing, and certainly not canola oil. Please go back to school.
unless you've had an angiogram or thallium test you have no way of knowing how clogged your arteries are. I've met many elderly patients that were fine and it took just one stroke or one haert attack to end up in the ICU. Listen to your doctor.
czcams.com/video/GC9V1TWYLo4/video.html Statins are SO bad for you. They do more harm than good. Furthermore, LDL cholesterol is NOT bad cholesterol, nor is it even technically cholesterol. Because it is found at the site of repair, it has been deemed by many doctors who have been taught by the pharmaceutical companies that it's what causes blockages when in actuality, the LDL-cholesterol is there to stop blockages and repair the body. Do substantial research before taking statins and make sure you are not reading up about statins on bias websites that only support statins and don't share the other side of the story. Statins can cause heart problems, weak muscles, liver failure, and so, so much more. Lastly, pharmaceutical companies claim that statins can reduce heart attacks by 50% but they are using fractions to justify this. For instance, 2 out of 100 people may sustain injury from heart attack, but after taking statins, only 1 out of 100 people will sustain injury from heart attack. Never take statins. They are for the benefit of the pharmaceutical companies, not for the benefit of the patient.
I’m 72, stopped taking statins, my doctor was not happy. 6 months later I feel better than I have in at least 20 years. My cholesterol shot up so I’m getting retested with focus on fasting triglycerides. When my doctor prescribed statins I was 50 lbs overweight. I went keto 4 years ago and lost all the 50. I don’t smoke and I quite drinking. Feel fantastic.
I was given rosy a statin for high cholesterol and took it for 4 months. I mysteriously developed intense, increasingly worse overall body muscle and joint pain. It got so bad as to limit my mobility and I was taking pain meds around the clock. I went to orthopedist and he gave me cortisone shots and referred me to rheumatologist. In meantime, through my own research, I read that statins can cause joint and muscle pain. I was desperate so I tried cutting out rosuvastatin. Within a week, my pain is pretty much gone! My cardiologist wants me to continue with another medication but now I am afraid of cholesterol meds. I decline.
Hi Deborah. Yes 1-10 percent of patients taking statins can get muscle ache that is occasionally quite severe. Glad you are ok. Thanks for watching and subscribing
@@TalkingWithDocs Come on Docs, tell the bloody truth, LDL is necessary for the body to produce COQ10. COQ10 is needed by every muscle in the body so that the muscles can adsorbe glucose - glucose or energy - so they can function (that includes the heart). Low LDL, no COQ10, no muscle function! Of course the body hurts with out LDL, the muscles don't function. I would not let any of you put a band aid on, let alone operate on me. How much money do you make by proscribing statin drugs? You should be ashamed to call your selves doctors.
I’m the same way, I’m allergic to all statins and non statins. About 6 wks ago I was rushed to Critical Cardiac due to High BP and Hypertension, they put me on 2 cholesterol meds which I told them I was allergic to, when I was discharged after two weeks, I broke out in hugh welts of hives, everywhere, even my scalp, neck legs, especially my stomach and chest. My clinical Dr. took me off one of them and my Cardiologist took me of the second one. So right now I’m not on any cholesterol meds. I will have to lower it through diet.
Thanks mom 😭 I’m 35 with high cholesterol… I struggle to keep it on the low high end with diet and exercise. It’s a constant work in progress especially because Lipitor caused me so much body pain. Anyone else out there struggling but still trying, I see you and you aren’t alone ❤️
82 years old. Switched from pravastatin to Lipitor because my primary care doc advised it! Big mistake! Caused such knee pain that orthopedic doc advised knee replacements. Nope! Stopped Lipitor .... no more knee pain .... no knee replacements! This was about 7 years ago. I think Lipitor has made many orthopedic surgeons millionaires. Just my guess.
I’m a little older than you and I consider myself in decent shape my blood pressure is 110/68 in my pulse is 65. I took a hip-hop dance class via zoom every day and they couldn’t figure out why I had high cholesterol but it runs in the family so I feel your pain.
Love the fact that these doctors are in Canada! Finally, we Canadians get to hear info from those experts who are in our own country! (And these three are adorable too! 😉) ❤️👍🏻🇨🇦
And are Canadians getting heathy following the guidelines of the Medical Association in Canada? Do you think big Pharma has your best interest in mind? Do you feel they actually cure you of anything without destroying something else which you eventually die from?
@@Now_lets_get_this_straight omg! OK so do you believe society would be better if there were no doctors and medications? What do u suggest as an alternative to proven medications when someone ends up in the ER with a drug overdose, stroke, bacteremia, bacterial pneumonia, kidney infection, tuberculosis, eye infections, ear infections, blood clots in lungs/legs, hearts with very high/low heart rates in coma patients, painful fractures from an accident? what medication do u suggest a surgical patient get avoid procedural pain? would you like a bullet to bite or the hammer to the head approach?
Hi 0129145. Not sure if you watched the video but our first recommendation was lifestyle modification. This sometimes doesn't work and then medication is required. It is always your choice and you would have to weigh the risk and benefits for yourself. Having said that, big pharma is a business and is designed to make a profit and that is why you likely have some of their stock in your portfolio. Having medications that help with limited side effects is better for their business. We would all agree living a healthy lifestyle, eating better and exercising more would be best for all but look around, sadly people just are not willing to do that. Thanks for watching, subscribing and sharing with someone if you did.
Years ago my doctor wanted to put me on cholesterol medication and I decided No I will not take a medication, instead I started eating 1/2 to 1 cup of sauerkraut every day and I lowered it naturally with exercise and putting down the fork and going for a walk. Thank you 😊
I started taking crestor 10 years ago at 44. It put my cholesterol into the "proper" range. Fast forward to now and I am a type 2 diabetic. I sincerely wish these guys would discuss the very high chance that use of these statin drugs increases the probability of developing type type 2. Dr. Ken Berry is another CZcams Dr. that has his own opinions when it comes to the use of statins. I would love to hear these guys discuss his findings.
Hi dish. There is a chance not necessarily a very high chance of having higher blood glucose. We have two other videos about statins and yes their side effects are very real. Would always prefer diet and exercise over medications. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Statins increase the risk of developing DM2 by about 5% over five years. A real (but small) increase in risk. And the mortality reduction they provide persists despite this.
Three really smart docs, that also have great personalities while trying to help others get through a life that ever increasingly is more complicated. Great clips.
@@fireballxl-5748 Why? It takes no skill at all to criticize everything, but harder to back it up with science. Tell me why three highly educated, smart docs don't know what they're talking about. Id like to learn something here. thxs.
Thank you very much for this video. I had a heart attack less than a week ago (at only 51) it’s all quite a new world for me, this video and your overall demeanor is very comforting and informative. My team of doctors have been amazing, but it’s all a lot to take in. So trying to understand and ask all the right questions has been overwhelming. Thank you
My brother nearly died of Lipitor. It attacked his muscles. Finally only thing he could still do was write with one hand, lying down, he could not sit up straight, not swallow, nothing. After a half year in the intensive unit and a half year in rehabilitation he has now recovered up to 75%. He'll walk with a limb and can not put his arms above his head. It is a small miracle he has recovered this much, but he has escaped death. All because of Lipitor. He still has to do three monthly checkups at the university's clinic.
I'm 75. I was borderline high on cholesterol. I went on a keto diet and 3 months later I was in the middle of norm for cholesterol. Lost 25 pounds in the process. Good cholesterol bounced up and the bad dropped like a rock. Glucose dropped 45 points. Keto works! By the way Keto is easy if you have a plan.
Hi Farman. Congrats on the jump start that keto can provide. Just be careful with all of that animal protein and fat that can obviously lead to other problems line heart disease, stroke and cancer. Thanks for watching and subscribing
@@TalkingWithDocs not so sure you have the research to say this to your audience. Low fat diet caused me to gain 100 pounds. Lots of carbs. I went from 247 to 147 on Keto snd IF. Do you think I am healthier at 147 vs. 247.? Curious as to the answer.
I take 5mg of rosuvastain 2x a week since I had a heart transplant at 10 years old. My legs get sore, but protecting my heart and taking my meds is my highest priority. I’m 15 years post transplant!
Statins caused more problems for me rather than help me after taking for them for 30ish years also created elevated liver numbers. Switching to Repatha or Praluent with no statins. All my numbers have come down including my liver numbers. Won’t recommend statins to anyone! They are in it for the money.
My doctor has been trying to get me back on statins for nearly two years now because of the elevated numbers. I told him these statin drugs seem to me like correcting a cholesterol problem, but then you are watching my liver like a hawk. When I was on the cholesterol medication it's blood test every three months with out it it's blood test every six months. I also have type 2 diabetes reason for the 6 month blood test. I guess what I'm getting at is the cholesterol statin medication solves one problem and then can create another problem. I didn't know about non statin cholesterol medication until watching this video, I'll ask my doc about that next time he pressures me to be back on cholesterol medication.
Hi barry. Sorry to hear that. All pharmaceutical companies are kind of in it for the money as they are businesses. You probably hold some of their stock in your portfolio. Having said that, it is in their best interests to have medications that not only do the job but as also well tolerated to increase their use. Glad you found an alternative. Thanks for watching, subscribing and sharing with someone if you did.
Because of a family history of heart disease I expected clogged arteries and all that comes with that. To be proactive I started seeing a cardiologist in my 40's, who, after a couple years, prescribed Lipitor for slightly high cholesterol. Within a few months I was very sick for months, and couldn't figure out why. Long story short, I later found out that Lipitor had made me very sick and damaged my liver, (according to a doctor I later saw for another problem). I stopped Lipitor and changed over to Red Yeast Rice, (a natural statin), and Niacin, and now, almost 20 years later, I do not have clogged arteries, and I stopped taking it a few years ago. Do your own homework and let your doctor be the one that believes everything that Big Pharma writes in the Journals, and what their salespeople claim!
Absolutely! My doctor has prescribed Lipitor to me and there's no way I'm ever taking it. After I had a terrible reaction to depression medicine I was prescribed, I now review prescription meds for side effects. When I read that Lipitor can cause ALS, I was shocked and a bit angry that my doctor would prescribe this drug. I'd rather battle high cholesterol than ALS thank you! I read niacin can help (as you mention) and will have to try the red yeast rice idea.
Very informative. Thank you. Trying a Cardiologist now to talk about alternate medication options for cholesterol, other than statins. Glad to hear there are other avenues to try.
Look for the causes of cholesterol, work on them, and not on the cholesterol values. The cause could be anything, from some silent chronic illness, to a terrible poor diet.
My father had high cholesterol even though he was slim, fit (no gym), and regularly ate really well. Hardly ever processed food. He was an avid gardener though an engineer by profession and produced all our vegetables and fruit. He was out in his garden from dawn to dusk, even collected manure from paddocks regularly. Yet he had 3 heart attacks. After his first one, he was put on meds including low dose aspirin, and was taking meds diligently, ate lean and organic, drank alcohol on special occasions only. He still had further 2 heart attacks. In the end, he died aged 84 of slow internal bleed, a side effect of a long-term aspirin intake. In the last months of his life the aspirin he was taking caused his blood vessel walls to be so weak, they'd come apart, both internally and in his limbs. Doctors said "the material" was so weak, they weren't able to repair the tears.
@C NB That's what I was trying to highlight: genetics and the ineffectiveness of taking daily low dose aspirin in preventing heart attacks. My father's doctor advised my father to cycle aspirin: 5 days on; 2 days off. Despite this precaution, my father died of chronic bleed from the stomach which could not be controlled, not from complications caused by heart attacks. As it's been established now that the culprit is daily aspirin.
I’m so thankful I stumbled upon this. Over a decade of trying to get my numbers down, with little to no change. I’m at about 8-10% BF, regularly work out (why I don’t wanna use statins) and don’t really eat garbage. Found that stress is also a huge factor (contributing to bad cholesterol) and there in lies my likely area, I must try to reduce (stress). But, seeing that I may have nothing I really need to do, since numbers aren’t too bad (~250’s), I may just not stress about it. 🙏🙏🙏🤙🤙
Very true. Stress increases circulating cortisol levels which in turn raises insulin levels. High insulin is basically the culprit. And insulin resistance. Bring down insulin by low carbs, bring down insulin resistance by building muscle and poof, your cholesterol goes down as a corollary.
My experiences: When it was suggested by my Doctor to take Crestor based on my family history, I agreed but I did question the need for a 10 mg Crestor. While my bad cholesterol dropped significantly, each morning when I got up I felt like I had run a marathon the previous day. Switching to a 10 mg every second day help a little but still I had sore muscles. To my Doctor's surprise, I learned that Crestor makes a 5 mg pill so we tried a 5 mg every day. No more soreness and blood tests were almost as good on a 5 mg as they were on a 10 mg. That got my bad under control. To raise my good cholesterol took a little more work. A dose of metamucil daily and switching from cereal and toast in the morning to a fruit smoothie with almond milk raised the good cholesterol significantly. Great video guys - thanks.
Don't take Metamucil. It's over half sugar which is why it tastes good. Take a glass of pure psyllium fiber mixed with some juice. It works better and is better for you.
Really interesting discussion, direct and to the point. I've never heard that alcohol guideline, and now I feel better :-) I'm 54-years-old, run almost every day, and have had cholesterol over 200 for the past 20 years. My parents, grandparents, every ancestor I can find an obituary for, has died of heart disease or stroke. I started 10 mg of Atorvastatin four months ago, and my overall number went from 244 to 159 with no side effects that I can notice. I am going to stick with it.
Poor. Not enough fruits, vegetables, whole grains, too much processed foods. I've pretty much given up sweets, but that was easy. If it wasn't for an hour of exercise a day, I'd be a lost cause.
Just revisited this video after more than a year. I gave up the Atorvastatin. Felt fatigue, jogging pace went from under 9 min/mile to closer to 10. Also experienced ED for the first time in my life. I'm currently running 35-40 miles per week, and just ran a 10 mile road race in 7:24 mile pace. I'm not going to worry about a total cholesterol number of 240. If I have a cardiac incident in my 60's I'll comment again. 🙂
Dear Dr.’s -Thank you for your informative video. I sold Statins for 12 years while working for Merck. I also have a Biology degree and worked doing basic research. I believe statins are useful for a subset of the population but largely over prescribed. Genetics is the single most determining factor followed by diet and exercise. I’m 58 y.o. 6’4” tall and 200 lb. Hardly overweight and has been described as skinny or fit. I lift weights 2-3 times a week and generally ride a bike 2-3 times of week and then either golf or something else. Shirt off you can see stomach muscles. I’ve completed a 100 mile bicycle road race and 50 mile mountain bike race this year. I drink alcohol sparingly, meaning 3-4 drinks a week. My cholesterol is borderline high. The medical data being generated is useful for populations, but doesn’t account for genetics and lifestyle for the most part, and I think that’s a challenge for medicine. Until the medical community and Pharma are able to capitalize on genetic variances and markers related for inflammation or subset of cholesterol types then these meds should be used sparingly. Obesity, poor diet and nutrition and lack of exercise are the principle drivers metabolic and cardiovascular disease. I think cholesterol is an indicator. Statins are useful for, and I believe originally developed for familial hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia.
Hey gents, thanks for this informative video. Just some additional info for your viewers: TC (total cholesterol) and LDL are *not* the operative cholesterol "risk factors". I worked as a molecular biologist with a background in human molecular genetics my entire career and developed a PCR test for FH (familial hypercholesterolemia). I've read large amounts of this literature and attended several IAS (International Athersclerosis Symposia) conferences. TC and LDL are _not_ the operative lipid factors for risk for myocardial infarction (MI). The *operative* lipid factors for risk for MI are 1) HDL and 2) triglycerides. These are the lipid values that are significant with respect to Z-scores and p-values in clinical studies for risk of MI. I'm pointing this out as there is a lot of misunderstanding of this both in the lay and medical communities. Cheers, gents.
I gotta say I’m really appreciating your videos! The honesty and being upfront with it. Also explaining some of the background to things. I have high LDL levels because I also have low oestrogen and unfortunately my body has a significant mast cell reaction (that can end up in anaphylaxis) from oestrogen supplementation. However, my cholesterol originally went up we think from other medications! So it’s easy enough for me to bring down with meds but I’ve always been nervous about statins. Good to know about the background and to why I may feel that way, gives me something to look into and also to know what other options may be available if needed! Thanks guys! (I know this comment is 7 months after the fact but hey, relevant to today in my life.) thanks. Keep it up!
Thank you so much for your simple explanation of cholesterol. I’m 71 with a 6.7 result. I was told that my ratio of my good cholesterol to total cholesterol is still just about okay. The drs said although its only small benefit, a statin would help to give more protection. I do have perfect blood pressure and do exercises and walk mostly everywhere, so I’ve decided to leave it at the moment. Love your videos. Here in the UK drs are hard to see face to face now sadly. It does cause problems for many people. Hearing your good advice is reassuring. So thank you all. 👍
You never see the same doctor twice, some even look like 2nd year medical students, actually googling unusual symptoms while you’re sitting there, all giving conflicting advice and are quick to more prescribe the “ one size fits all” drugs.
Yeah Dr.Heffernan is back!! I lost ninety pounds, my BP went up and so did my LDL! I left the Cardiologist and went to McDonald's! I can't fight my genetics. Lipitor, low protein diet, doing fine. Stay healthy guys!! Watching while eating potato chips!☺️
Even when I followed plant-based diet--no eating out, zero fastfood, religiously exercised, my LDL was high (171). I can't believe that doctors still don't look at the other lipid markers in treating --but then I may be barking up the tree. My HDL runs around 100, my triglycerides 80, my ratios far below indicating low risk of HD, he started me on a cholesterol med. I didn't take it.
@@moonfall8972 It is disheartening to do the so called right things and not get the expected outcome!😓 What I hate, is when a Doctor looks at my weight and figures that is the problem in it's entirety!! Equally frustrating.
Around 5 years ago, after doing my yearly blood labs, my little MD has me scared to death because my blood work came back abnormal. It was my cholesterol and it was dangerously high and he wanted me on a statin right then and there. I said no, and took my blood work to my acupuncturist who is a licensed MD in another country. He said that I was lean and in great shape and that my high numbers were hereditary and he said not to worry. He wanted me to up my fish oil intake and chase each does with cinnamon. I think I also added the CQ10 and started taking a couple of other supplements like mushroom and ashwagandha. I went back 3 months later for new lab work, knowing that I didn't care what the blood work said, I was not getting on a statin and my little MD says to me, I quote: " I don't know what you're doing, but whatever it is, don't tell anyone and lets me and you patent it. " - People just rely way too much on their doctors who don't know everything. We give our power away instead of trusting ourselves. It's not his fault, he only knows what he has been taught. I am a 62 year old gal, no medications at all. Totally into energy work and minimal fake everything.
Hi Shirl. We would totally agree that we are just scratching the surface on the power of food and supplements and we would always prefer this over medications. Congrats on a job well done. Thanks for watching and subscribing
@@ravishdhange3532 I was taking the liquid Barleans brand fish oil, 2400mg. It taste like orange ice cream. I was taking 3 tsp. daily ( morning, lunch, dinner) and chasing it with cinnamon. It's very important that you power walk for a solid 30 minutes everyday. The power walk is just as important. Sweating. Also, garlic is very good for the heart. I love garlic but I can't eat it everyday, well I could, but I don't so I take a daily supplement.
Hi Shirl, Congratulations on finding a plan that works for you.....we'll done! You you mind telling me why you followed the fish oil with cinnamon? Thank you 🤗
Do you take coconut oil or Olive oil I do both but maybe should add the fish oil also ??? What does the Ashwagandha do, what is it supposed to help with ?
At one point in my life, age 69, I had Low HDL, High LDL, Total Cholesterol, hyperglycemic-190, Pre-diabetic, high BP & rate, 285lbs, , Fatty Liver, Visceral fat, Insulin resistant, Low energy, low stamina in all areas. clear thinking and Memory- marginal, 1 Stent, 1 Pacemaker. On Statins. I was going Down Hill Fast. Started Intermittent fasting, lost some weight. Added Keto to Fasting, mingled with Intermittent Carnivore Dieting. Now I am down to 210 and dropping, Great energy and stamina. No I can wield a Chainsaw for 6 hours easy. Total Cholesterol & HDL are now normal, Sugar at 110, LDL is very High! I am no longer pre-diabetic. Conclusion: High LDL is great compared to where I was.
My husband , lean 6’5” tall 200 lbs , great shape physically…doesn’t drink or smoke … just had 2 stents placed this past Thursday a couple months after his first 2 stents . 3 were 90% percent blocked ..1 was 60% ( they did the third because ..why not) . He had no symptoms except a little indigestion one morning followed by a higher than normal heart rate. I insisted he see a doctor when his heart rate was staying around 100 ( resting) when it normally ran around 62. He was told he had A flutter at his doctors . His cholesterol wasn’t terribly high but his good cholesterol . needed to come up. They put him through many tests and finally figured to everyone’s surprise that he had major blockage. He had just left a extremely stressful job that was almost unbearable the last couple of years. I believe stress has to be a factor . Thank God he did not have a heart attack and cause damage or worse .
So glad he is ok tallchic. There is good evidence to support your statement that stress is very bad for us. We all need to just chill a bit. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Hang on. "Why do we hate statins so much?" "It's hard to know". No it isn't. The pharma marketing departments have grossly overstated the benefits and understated the side-effects for decades. Who would love that kind of clap-trap? Using relative risk reduction instead of absolute risk reduction?? They treat people like fools.
Hi Jeremy. Yes please see our two videos about the side effects and the meta analysis that talked about risk reduction. Thanks for watching and subscribing
My total cholesterol is 147. LDL 71. BMI 23. Completely clear family visitor re CVD. My new very young doctor wanted to put me on statins, mostly because I'm male and over 60. And I do have well-controlled hypertension. The NNT value for statins as primary prevention is surprisingly high. For a guy with an LDL of 71and a BMI of 23, it's surely higher. It just feels too aggressive to me, especially for a medication that so many seem to dislike taking. I told my doc will consider statins if my LDL gets close to 100. The British Medical Journal and the UpToDate website seem to prefer higher thresholds. Confusing times.
The number is not the problem(if not HC) , if the colesterol is a problem it's other things making it the problem(like inflamation evt) , while colesterol is in the body to help. Studies have shoved that ldl Colesterol rise and fall dramatically in persons going through inflamation in their body. Another think to remember, if the pharmaceutical industry and doctors come to their senses and gave statins to those who mabye needed it. It would be real bad fore income, and people insvesting in the stockmarked! This is a billion dollar industry without comparison!
Docs with a sense of humor and candor. Must be a Canadian thing because it seems to be lacking here in the good old USA. We're lucky to get 15 minutes' facetime a visit with our docs and most of that time they're glued to a computer monitor. I don't fault the physicians; it's the way the practice of health care has become so de-personalized. So, I'll keep on watching Talking With Docs and mourn the good old days.
Remember when a doctor made house calls carrying his black bag. Also how they made their early rounds to the hospital visiting their patients. Oh those memories.....
Thanks so much York. Doing our best to try and provide useful information so people can make informed decisions. It is still always up to the patients. Thanks for watching, subscribing and sharing with someone if you did.
I'll add my experience with respect to hereditary factors. In my 30's I was a skinny, marathon running vegetarian who measured high cholesterol. Later I was diagnosed with familial hyperchloresterolemia and started on statins. After a couple of types ended up with Crestor which has worked well with no side effects for 15 years or so.
I was on statin 10mg and I could hardly walk.My son build me a ramp. So I stopped taking my medicine for two days.and I was fine, I could jog up and down the ramp.
My parents both had high cholesterol and also my two brothers. My parents both lived to be 90+ without meds. My total cholesterol is 201 and my triglyceride numbers are quite good. I am not going to take any statins even if my levels go up. Too many doctors just push meds instead of speaking with their patients about lifestyle changes that are manageable for them. The longer I live I realize that many issues are based on genetics and heredity and you probably can make minor inroads but that's about it.
Very interesting. I am 82 and used Lipitor for the past 40 years to control mine. In the past year my legs started to ache and weak. I stopped the Lipitor and the problems went away.
My whole family has the leg problem from statins, and some of us are not old. A so called top cardiologist said that there is no such symptom, even though it is well documented. I have consulted with many doctors regarding different medical problems, and found that most of them are idiots, they can't agree with each other, nor come up with a logical diagnosis.
@@grancito2 -- When one considers that most MDeities take their prescribing hints from Big Pharma propaganda, that's not surprising. My principle statin side effects were cognitive -- I could barely complete a sentence and seemed to have lost most of my vocabulary, among other memory-related problems -- along with chronic (mostly upper body) muscle pain. On the other hand, my younger brother has been on a statin for many years and claims to have had zero side effects -- so it seems some of our physiologies are more statin-compatible than others.
I have MTHRF A1298C gene mutation could this be contributing to my high cholesterol. I also had a pheochromocytoma removed in 2020. I hate taking meds as I have many medication allergies
Subscribed today!!! My cholesterol is a little high. I eat low carb and eating this way has taken away my need for blood pressure meds, no more inflammation, no more pre diabetic and lost a lot of weight. I can’t take statins nor will I. I love you guys. Your personalities are great. Many blessings 🤗🤗🤗
ALL the meds they prescribed after a recent heart attack DESTROYED my stomach and bleeding gums !!! I’d rather risk another episode than have a stomach destroyed
All medications have many many side effects. It is too scary to ingest. I knew a man who had high cholesterol that he inherited from his Father. I was a jogger, was thin, and didn't like desserts. He is still alive today. He is in his 70's. There are doctors out there that do not believe that cholesterol has anything to do with heart problems. Just sayin.
If you have high cholesterol and are starting to show signs of circulation problems, taking the drug seems obvious since you are probably in the 25%. A lot of the studies get comparative life expectancy given groups with similar numbers taking the drug vs not taking it, the Canadian database probable has enough in it to mine such a result. Group people with similar number, compare those who start the med between 50-60 against those who never took the drug, if the drug group lived to 83 while the no drug group lived to 75 you would have something better than the 25%, if it's 81.5 vs 83 you might scratch your head on that one. Certain courtiers, maybe Canada, do not give routine breast exams, since the life expectancy between them and groups of women who get exam and have lots of procedure, radiation, chemo, are almost the same or catching it early doesn't extend life expectancy while subjecting people to risky procedures.
Cholesterol and blood lipids in general are only one factor. In fact, in the absence of the vascular inflammation that causes LDL cholesterol to adhere to arterial walls, even severe hyperlipidemia can be non-problematic.
@@sarahgupton2552 -- I'm not aware of any. It's just something my own heart surgeon told me, explaining why some folks with hyperlipidemia, including very high LDL cholesterol, never have cardiovascular problems and live into their 80s and 90s.
My dad is 78 and has high cholesterol he went on one of these statins about 5 years ago because the Dr or PA told him he should. He had various side effects from it. He just quit taking it and the side effects have stopped. I asked him did the high cholesterol cause him any issues or pain, the answer was no. So my next question was why did you take the medication. He just took the recommendation. I also have high cholesterol but unless it starts causing me pain or inhibiting me in some way there’s no way I’m taking anything for it. We don’t have any heart issues in our family and most of us have high cholesterol, I just think it can be normal and not an issue for some people.
The current medical theory is that high cholesterol leads to clogging the arteries...( never proven and illogical since your body makes it anyway)... New theory is lack of k vitamins will prevent heart problems...
I love watching you guys you’re always so refreshing and uplifting to watch your topics are diverse and always interesting you both come across as great guys. Keep it up and I look forward to seeing you both real soon, take care👍 Phil.
I’m 83 years old my cholesterol is high, always has been. Cholesterol is 317 HDL is 52 Triglycerides is 261 LDL is 218. I’m allergic to Statins as it raises my blood sugar. I had to stop all medications for cholesterol
Hope you are ok Carole. There are other medications other than statins. You can also consider dietary changes ans fiber therapy. Thanks for watching and subscribing
As soon as the "cardiologist" suggested an increase in whole grains I realized he may know his lab results but not human anatomy. Increasing carbs (whole or processed grains) is the fastest way to gain weight. This flies directly in the face of "weight management"
Your logic is undeniable. There is no possible way to increase whole grains in your diet with lowering your overall caloric intake or increasing your energy expenditure. Username checks out . Haha
Hi MAGA. So carbs is a generic term that people have somehow come to demonize. Most people don’t actually understand nutrition and the association of whole foods and fiber content with lower glycemic index. Whole grains are good for you regardless of what the keto cult says. Highly processed anything is bad for you including white flour and sugar and shloukd be avoided. Losing weight is actually quite easy - eat a whole food plant based diet and exercise regularly. Plus you get to avoid heart disease stroke and cancer by removing the animal products so that’s a bonus. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Sorry but that just isn’t true. The number of calories in whole grains is limited. It’s funny that people will eat fat laden animal products that are exponentially calorically dense compared to grains but somehow think that grains will make them gain weight. The fiber makes you full so you eat less. Plus reduces your risk of heart disease and cancer. Thanks for watching and subscribing
@@TalkingWithDocs Bread turns into fat if not "burned" as energy through exercise. The issue is the ratio of exercise (activity) to diet. Sugars are also carbs and again if not "burned" by active lifestyle they will turn to fat. It is what the liver does, store excess carbs for times of food scarcity. For millions of years hominids ate what ever they could, without regard to sanitation or even cooking. The problem they faced was the availability of food. Our modern "three meals a day" pattern skews that scenario, we no longer have to work a LOT just to eat. Carbs and fats are not "bad " for a person, the sedentary lifestyle and frequency of gluttony is.
Nice summary. However, as you all may know, there has been recent (unfounded?) contention regarding whether LDL actually correlates with heart disease/etc. I think a wonderful video would be a presentation of key data (clinical studies) that suggests LDL should indeed be below a certain threshold.
Yes Famous Lines it is complicated and evolving. The overwhelming evidence still advocates lowering your cholesterol but there are many factors for sure. Great suggestion. There are links to 2 studies in the description. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Your wise.... Correlation is not causation.... Inflammation is the only sure cause of atheroschelrosis.... The MD forget the human body make it own cholesterol even when starving
There’s a huge difference between wise cracking and humor. This is vital and somewhat difficult info. Like a classroom, please don’t interrupt the flow. On the other hand, thank you for presenting this clear discussion on what is essentially risk analysis.
Thanks guys once again I just sent this to my friend who I talked to about three hours ago who said she was going to the doctor on Monday and discuss why she’s been on statins for eight years and her cholesterol still remains high. I can only tell you this woman is a paradox in medical miracles. She is a cardiac patient who bragged to me this morning (retired nurse) that they stopped to have breakfast with their son this morning and she only had a half order of biscuits and gravy and oh by the way she said they even put bacon in their gravy with the sausage.🙃 Love it when you say Dr. Paul we are all responsible for our own health I beg to differ she is not apparently I am responsible for hers , i’ve known her almost 50 years and I will continue to send her more and more videos she thinks you guys are hysterical, well so do I. Thanks for all the good info😆
A recent study even casts doubt on the simple aspirin therapy I've been pursuing for decades, saying the bleeding risk outweighs the benefit to elderly folks who have never had a heart attack or hypertension -- a category which includes me, even though I had a triple bypass procedure five years ago after experiencing stable angina. I sincerely wish the professionals would make up their minds.
Hi Bruce. Things change with time. Medicine does the best it can to get the information out quickly and safely. Can’t argue about big Pharma when they are saying don’t take an ASA. Thanks for watching and subscribing if you did
Against my better judgment (retired doc), I accepted the recommendation of my gerontologist and started a statin. My total cholesterol is 139. The highest ever measured was 165. My LDL has always been below 99. I developed edema that resolved when I stopped the statin. I was started on the medication because the “cookbook “ says I should be on it. When I started medicine, we treated patients as individuals. Now patients are just numbers. The bean counters require the physician to “follow protocols”. We are now just another number.
Sorry to hear that JAY. Hope you are ok now. Yes guidelines are just that. Still have to treat the patient in front of you. Thanks for watching, subscribing and sharing with someone if you did.
Hi Yuri. Thanks for sharing. A recent meta analysis has shown that statins do not increase the risk of dementia or Alzheimers and may slightly reduce it but yes proceed with caution and listen to your body. Thanks for watching, subscribing and sharing with someone if you did.
Hi Erika. It varies from region to region and does need to take into account other health issues but in an ideal world below 180. Thanks for watching, subscribing and sharing with someone if you did.
Love your videos! This one on cholesterol was of interest to me e because I've been on medication for years to control it. Hi cholesterol and triglycerides are hereditary to me. I haven't smoked or drank alcohol for years and I'm in my 75th year. So, I must be doing something regarding my cholesterol levels. Also, I eat meals irregularly but I do eat plenty of veggies, fruits, nuts and seeds. And only a little meat. Thank you for this video, guys!
Very informative. First heart attack 3 years ago at age 54. Just felt a flutter from one side of my chest to the other and back. Had an irregular heart rate for about 12 hours. A week earlier had a CT cardiac scan, 2 hours later I got a call with the results and they wanted to know if I was having any symptoms. At that point, none. They said if I have any I need to go to the ER immediately. A week later to the ER, walking in because I didn't feel bad at all. I had the sense of impending doom. My dad died at 47 from his first and only heart attack. My body makes too much and doesnt suck out all the extra cholesterol. Six bypass later, I can't believe how much better I feel, especially since I had NO IDEA I felt bad! I am on 2 cholesterol meds and they want me to do the injections; on the fence with that. Funny thing about the vegetarian diet; the RN who ran the cardiac rehab program said I could eat salad for the rest of my life and I would never bring down my cholesterol. Now I know why - that 20%! Thank you so much for more insight!
Thank you for your discussion on this. I have had elevated cholesterol for the last couple of years, and many people in my family have high cholesterol. As I'm only 27, my doctor is concerned about the long term effects of high cholesterol, and has mentioned medication as an option. I'm in two minds about it, though, because I'm wary of liver damage as I already take multiple medications and my liver seems to be struggling a little because of it. I still haven't made up my mind, but I'm glad you're able to give unbiased information.
You know, I really appreciate these videos you guys create. Personally, I find doctors intimidating so i love being able to listen to real doctors talk about issues that concern me without having the anxiety I normally get when seeing a doctor in person. Im 25 , weight train, follow the Mediterranean diet so i eat lots of fish, vegetables and monounsaturated fats, dont drink/smoke... I do everything right but i still worry a lot about my health. I believe stress is the biggest killer and its the one factor i find hardest to mitigate. Anyways, i really appreciate this video and all of the work that you guys do!
Statins made me feel extraordinarily lethargic. The days I felt good were the days I'd forget to take them. I quit taking them and feel normal again. A question for you - do you look at just the number for LDL to determine whether someone has high cholesterol or is there another method?
These anti-cholesterol drugs almost crippled my hands and legs, and that was after 14 months of taking them. Never again will I take them, under any circumstances.Three friends of mine had a similar experience. Eat well, in moderation, exercise a lot and you could feel better without the need for these drugs. As always, talk it over with your doctor, which I am not.
Have an NMR test to establish the size of your LDL particles. The large LDL are very beneficial and you could have more of them than the small LDL which are not desirable.
I just want to say I love both of you and thank you for all the information you provide to the public. Thank you Dr. Weening for always keeping me in stitches. Your face expressions and laughter are great medicine...keep up the amazing work...thank you both again!
That is so kind Penny. We are doing our best and will continue to try and provide useful info for our loyal viewers. Thanks for watching and subscribing if you did
My thanks to you both as well taking time away from your busy practice and family to educate the public. hope u are enjoying the experience of film making. next step is your own daily cbc show every morning ala dr.oz :)
This is quite helpful and informative, thanks Docs! I am 29 years old, Canadian living in Japan. Here in Japan, we get a mandatory annual physical through our employer. My LDL cholesterol jumped from 143 last year to 232 this year. I've always had a pretty high fat diet ( love fast food, red meat, cheese, butter, etc), and it's caught up to me it seems. I also drink very heavily, and gained 16kg in the same calendar year. Exercise has always been a part of my life (weightlifting, hiking, cycling, walking), but I want to be more consistent with it. More importantly, I've started a pretty drastic lifestyle change: -Reducing alcohol to social occasions maybe a couple times a month - Cutting down the red meat, cheese, butter etc (😭) -Getting my fiber intake way up -More fruits, vegetables, oats, nuts, seeds etc I'm going to stick with this for a few months (or really, the rest of my life), then go get another round of bloodwork done to see how my LDL and lipids are looking. I'm open to statins if it's gonna stop me from having a heart attack in my 30s, but I want to see how much I can do "naturally" first. Thanks for the good info here, wish me luck
@@s.marvin9323 my girlfriend eats it nearly everyday. I'll take my chances with the LDL over eating natto 😂 Jokes aside, I'll stick with red beans / black beans. Can't do natto
Brendan, I normally just read the replies and do not reply. Your story sounds identical to mine. My LDL was also exactly at 232. I did take a low dose statin for awhile called ROSUVASTATIN 20mg for a little while like maybe 2 months as well as incorporated more plant based diet of fresh vegetables, oatmeal, nuts , beans as well as a variety of fresh fruits. Also , I incorporated more cardio exercise in conjunction with weight lifting ( 3 times per week or more). My LDL dropped down from 232 to to around 70. I then heard from a nurse friend that statins can cause muscle atrophy and our hearts are a very important muscle . So that kinda scared me and shortly afterwards I stopped the statin medication. I have continued to exercise 3 times or more per week and have also decreased my alcohol consumption . My diet has not been fully vegan nor all plant based for that matter and I have " fallen off the wagon" when it comes to dieting. I started eating more pizza, hamburgers, fried chicken, butter and etc that I knew that I should avoid. Months later I had more blood work and my LDL jumped back up to 165. So my doctor wants me to start taking statin again. I believe that if I strictly watch my diet , continue to exercise, and responsibly drink alcohol that my LDL levels will drop back down to a healthy number. I hope and pray that you can lower your bad LDL levels and that I will also be able to do so by taking the natural steps to do so. I wish you the best of luck. My problem was that I can easily sit and eat a large a pizza all by myself. I believe my " over cunsumption " caught with me as well and for me and probably for you as well it is a daily battle. One way we can "Monitor" our progress is to go a purchase a spiral notebook and write on it " Diet Journal" where we can write down exactly what we eat each day and at what time as well as our beverage or fluids intake so we can actually see our progress with the disciplined dieting change and then go get bloodwork done again to see how much it is working. Best of Luck !!
I got bad body aches. The doctor has given me different ones and they are all the same. I now take one every other day and that seems to work. Don't do that unless you check with your doctor first, mine said it was O.K. Also diet & exercise is good.
I found a research article that stated that only taking 1/2 of a 20 mg pill of atorvastatin every other day was effective. So when I first started taking it, I did exactly that. If it has contributed to any of my aches and pains, it is very minimal. And it has lowered my cholesterol down to safe levels. I wouldn't take them either if it caused me a lot of pain. I only suggest one might try the lower dose to see if it is tolerable.
The diet advise is the same, low fat and high carbs that are making people fat all over the world. These doctors will put you on a statin without doing a Cardiac Calcium Scoring and in the future into the operating room for a stent. Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result is the definition of insanity.
Hi and thank you for such a clear explanation of this subject. Loved the humor as well. Just subscribed and looking forward to learning from your videos! Thank you for all that you do :)
To me, the most interesting part of this video is the doctors banter:) Most doctors are socially inept, while in college, we were partying, chasing women and studying when we had to, doctors were studying, studying and doing more studying!!! So most have a large gap in social skills, all three of these guys seemed like normal guys that would be fun to hang out with:)
Hey Bold Guy. Yes we are normal guys and try to convey they in our practices and in our videos. Thanks for your kind words. Thanks for watching and subscribing if you did
The doctors do a very good job of not mentioning there is a chart that gives a person's life expectancy at a given cholesterol level. I have hyperlipidemia and also antithrombin 3 deficiency so my risk of early death was very high. Doctors estimated my life expectancy was age 40 when I had my first pulmonary embolism at age 30. My cholesterol runs about 500 without medication. I have taken the strongest statin dose available throughout my life. I didn't have health insurance for about 10 years and I ended up having a heart attack because of that I barely survived because of the antithrombin 3 problem I was deemed not suitable for bypass. There is an antithrombin 3 serum they can give you during surgery but my particular heart surgeon said he had no experience with it and therefore was hesitant to use it. He was concerned that the bypass he would be sewing on would clot during surgery. He said if I died on his table it would ruin his whole day, so... no surgery for me. Cardiogenesis saved my life, I grew small arteries that kept me alive. For the last 20 years, I have been taking statins every day. I have been on Crestor 40mg daily and the addition of zetia to that actually has reduced my incidence of angina remarkably. I also recommend 2 1000mg fish oil capsules daily. Side effects of statins for me are type 2 diabetes and I have fibromyalgia and connective tissue irritation, like tendons are painful at times. Statins saved my life and I am now age 65 any side effects are negated by the life-saving ability of these drugs for people like me.
Another amazing video. I cannot tolerate statins like many people. I lowered my cholesterol in 12 months from 262 (Scary) to 191 today. I did it by taking fish oil (1200mg omega-3) this high concentration is hard to find so buy a lot of bottles when you find it. The one I use is natures bounty because it is usually on sale 2 for 1. I took 4 softgels=4800mg first thing in the morning, and 4 (4800mg) at bedtime for 365 days, no other changes. My triglycerides nose dived down to just 96 mg/dl from 176!! I will take these results without big pharma meds and their side effects anyday!
Your information is greatly appreciated. It has been very helpful.Because of your information my doctor listened and has taken me off my BP medicine.I have not felt this good in months.I am still on a statin My cholesterol is very good.I monitor my BP daily. Thanks again
I am currently going through weight loss. I have just lost 28 pounds over the past 3 months and am doing intermittent fasting in conjunction with using a Mediterranean diet. I am type 2 and my A1C has dropped over the past 3 months which is on target with my current process of losing weight, but just had my cholesterol checked and my numbers went up slightly, something I did not expect. A friend just mentioned to me that she was told by her doctor that while you are in the process of losing weight it's not uncommon for your cholesterol levels to go up slightly until you get to a stable weight. My HDL increased as well. Can you speak a little about this phenomenon and when you should be concerned about it?
Hi Diane. Congrats. There can be transitional changes when losing weight. The other issue is that the keto diet is not a healthy one per se. It often is successful in Jump starting changes with a 20 lb weight loss but it is not sustainable or good for you. Best advice would be to further reduce consumption of animal products and consider a whole food plant based diet. Best of luck on your journey!
@@TalkingWithDocs I feel the best on the carnivore diet. Seen a reversal in a lot of chronic health issues I was having. Feel best with ditching the plants for animals.
Very good info. I'm in my 40's and had stent procedure with two heart arteries 85% clogged. Now I am a vegetarian after having Ornish intensive cardiac rehab learning things that I don't know and practice years ago. Before, I eat unhealthy food and enjoyed life so much. It was about good time and I was telling myself that life is too short. But when I was diagnosed with a heart disease and high blood pressure and almost had a heart attack, reality hits me. It's easy to say when things don't exist yet but when it does, it will test you to the limit and probably will regret what you've said specially if you have love ones that you don't want to leave behind early. After changing my lifestyle (eating variety of whole foods, fruits and vegies, beans and lentils and enough sleep and exercise) my cardiologist took away some of my medications. Our body is like a car, if you don't take care of them like changing oil, driving and abusing them, someday it will shutdown. Look at a vehicle that is well taken care of and the owner don't abuse it, you will see that the vehicle will look good and will last long. The sad part is most people know the information to be healthy but they don't practice and ignore it until it's too late. Heart attack is the number killer in North America by far.
I'm very surprised by this video since I'm usually highly impressed with this channel. There is ZERO studys linking high cholesterol with increased risk of a heart attack. One of the premiere doctors on cholesterol based out of Texas has great videos on this subject. He would not put his career on the line to push misinformation. Statins has shown to cause more problems with their side effects including Alzheimer's and other mental decline because our bodies need choloesterol to function. Statins interfere with that mix and should be reevaluated.
So your saying they no effect on stopping plugged up arteries full of cholesterol from heart attack or stroke ,suggest you get your education from another source just saying ridiculous statement
@@Mechone11 Don't be an idiot. There is no DATA that correlates high choloesterol with heart attacks. What causes the build up of plaque is inflammation caused by poor diet and lack of nutrition. Cholesterol is designed by nature to heal areas that are inflamed. Stop damaging your body and there would be no plaque build up. Don't blame cholesterol for your bad decisions.
Hi Kenneth. So we are not sure which one doctor you are referring to in Texas but the remainder of the scientific literature supports the reduction of cholesterol in reducing the risk of cardiovascular events. For the record, meta analyses (studies which review all of the studies on a certain topic) over the last 3 years have all shown that cholesterol lowering medications in fact reduce the incidence of dementia and may help reduce the risk of development of both dementia and Alzheimers. We are not exactly sure where you are getting your information. Cholesterol lowering medications do not reduce your cholesterol to 0. We definitely need cholesterol for many things like make hormones within our body but when someone takes a statin, their bodies still make cholesterol and have cholesterol in their blood. Having said that, a large number of patients are statin intolerant and thankfully there are many other classes of drugs that may be helpful to them in addition to regular exercise, healthy eating and stopping smoking. Hope that clarifies things a little. Thanks for watching, subscribing and sharing with someone if you did.
You're exactly right. The doctor you mention I think is doctor Nadir Ali, a cardiologist. If statins reduce CVD risks (they might a little, though they don't improve the risk of all-cause mortality), they don't even do it BY lowering cholesterol; they do it through other means, and just happen to also reduce cholesterol.
Is there any cholesterol study that takes into account culture as a factor in what is an acceptable range for cholesterol? For example, I’m Middle Eastern, and my parents and grandparents all had higher numbers - but all lived to very old age and died of other causes. I know you mentioned that some are just lucky - but, is it possible that some cultures simply have higher average numbers, and are fine at that level? Thanks for your videos!
Hi tesshiva. We are not aware of studies that show that high cholesterol is insignificant in certain cultures. Thanks for watching and subscribing if you did
Hi Azhar. These side effects are not uncommon. There are other classes of medications that you could discuss with your doctor. You can also try diet and exercise. Please see our videos abkur cholesterol lowering foods. czcams.com/video/O26rQ3B-0No/video.html Thanks for watching and subscribing
@@TalkingWithDocs -- No complaints since giving up *all* cardiologist-prescribed drugs and just taking one 81mg aspirin daily. Although not nearly as severe as those of the various statins, the beta and calcium channel blockers I took all had significant and distinctly unpleasant cognition-related side effects too. Since I value perceptual clarity above virtually all else, those drugs also had to go. Given my paternal genetics, I'm doing fine -- thanks to a vegetarian diet and a CABGx3 procedure five years ago, I've already outlived my father and his brother by nearly nine years, both of them having died from MI at 65. As seen from here, every additional minute I get with my loved ones is a blessing and a bonus -- and my mother recently passed away at 100, so there's no telling how many of those precious minutes are yet to come.
combined over 400 refused statins. used gugglestrones all natural (got on amazon) for 2.5 months combined dropped to 186. my doctor wanted to know what i had done and wrote the info down to research.
@@BillSW -- I've tried half a dozen statins and they all had the same nasty side effects to slightly different extents, as did the various calcium channel and beta blockers I've been prescribed over the years. I'm 74 and have never had any cardiovascular symptoms other than stable angina, which was corrected surgically five years ago. Since I value perceptual clarity above all else, I've rejected all that stuff because it seriously impairs my cognitive and sensory experience of whatever life I've yet to live. Having by far outlived all the previous generation's males save one on both sides of my family, I'm now much more interested in the *quality* of my life than in longevity, which is mere *quantity* of life -- and all those cardiologist-prescribed meds resulted in intolerable cognitive/sensory deficits that essentially ruined the former. FWIW, my current primary care provider, an internist, doesn't seem especially concerned with my decision to forego all those nasty chemicals -- but thanks for the well-intentioned, generic advice, which I've received dozens of times before. BTW, do you happen to be medical professional or a big pharma employee? Just curious...
@@editorjuno Not a medical professional nor a pharma employee. I just spent countless months watching relatives hospitalized in the cardiac ward and I talked to many patients there that all seemed to do the opposite of what doctors were telling them. Since then, I've read many medical books and learned from reading DrMirkin.com, a retired medical doctor that writes well researched articles all with references to medical research. After reading your last response of having had stable angina, I assume you had a bypass or stent put in. If you have high blood pressure that is a high predictor of a stroke and dementia. You get angina as a result of clogged arteries or a faulty heart valve. If the former, even more reason to be on cholesterol lowering medications. I agree quality over quantity, but you can increase quality if you get tolerable medications. I suggest seeing another internist to see if they can find a tolerable medication. Best wishes!
Just found your channel today, and thoroughly enjoyed the couple of videos that I watched. My cholesterol has been creeping up over the last few blood draws. My physician knows that I am opposed to using a statin and ordered a cardiac CT scan. The results showed a low chance of developing heart disease due to blockages (Agaston score was zero). I still have modified my diet to include more plant based foods and fewer animal products, and increased my exercise. Have a blood draw next week, and am anxious to see if things have changed.
I have a family history of high cholesterol , my mother and her father both died at 76 with strokes before suffering mini strokes from vascular plugging of artery in neck and suffered dementia . Myself and my older sister have it and are both on statins mine is down to 490 and i'm 58 my sister just turned 78 and healthy been on them since she was 55 . I started a year ago. I do suffer from knee pain in left leg miss a couple of days and pain is gone. I also suffer from gallbladder ducts being plugged with cholesterol after test . Suffer a lot of pain, since being on a statin and another pill that turns your bile to an acid to dissolve blockage pain is almost gone . They were ready to yank my gallbladder. My stools were light in colour and have now gone back dark , high cholesterol will cause gall stones and blockage in bile ducts and lead to other issues not just strokes and heart
combined over 400 refused statins. used gugglestrones all natural (got on amazon) for 2.5 months combined dropped to 186. my doctor wanted to know what i had done and wrote the info down to research.
I'm 83 yr old woman my cholesterol is 157 . The bad one is 100 and good 58 . My new dr wanted me to take meds but I said no . I had a stroke at 61 yrs the could not find anything wrong thought it was from one of my meds . My cholesterol has always been under 200 . My overall health is good . Good heart is good , my bones like a young adult. I am not going to worry
My Mother had "ideal" cholesterol numbers. Suffered a major heart attack with four arteries almost fully clogged. Personally, went to an animal based diet almost 5 years ago. Brought my triglycerides from 268 to 80. Improved my HDL. Took my A1C from 10.1 to 5.3. Despite all that, my LDL of 307 has my doctor determined to put me on a statin. I think I'll pass. By the way, I feel healthier at 50 than I have in decades.
That’s awesome for you. Everyone is different. For the associated cancer risk alone can’t really advocate an animal based diet. Definitely agree about getting rid of sugar and refined carbs which are a problem. Whole foods that have carbohydrates have countless health benefits. All the best. Thanks for watching and subscribing
I was plant based for 5 years and went to gym 5 days a week and my cholesterol was 270. Doc said to exercise more and cut back on meat. For me its genetics. I've never taken anything.
I can't wait to live in the island where everything fresh,no chemicals on food. No doctors keep prescribing me prescriptions and make money out of me. Nowadays ,very seldom you find good doctors. Sometimes better not have health insurance ,it's unbelievable how much doctors charges through your insurance and you still has t pay the difference.
I am the same, I am a healthy vegan, I don't drink or smoke and walk every day for 40 -60 minutes. Nothing lowers my cholesterol, and I really don't want to take medication.
@@myrnahall6168 living on an island without doctors is certain for u to experience many diseases naturally that otherwise would be curable by doctors. Hope u never fall and fracture a bone in the jungle.
I have you ever wonder why cutting out meat or animal products is not your solution? Maybe there's another reason...."genetics" Not. Sugars, refined carbs and industrial oils (veg oils) are highly inflammatory which damage arteries, ldl cholesterol tries to repair it but it's too much and ends up clogging
I know a lot of people that have high cholesterol, but are not overweight. Why do Dr's always harp on weight? Every health problem is blamed on weight which is not true.
Are you fat? I am. It sucks in every way imaginable. It reduces my life happiness by 30%. Fat people die more often and earlier than skinny people. Wanna live longer? Sunlight and exercise.
your waist size predicts high blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol. those that are skinny with high cholesterol could also be diabetics. get tested by your doc and trust their advice. otherwise let nature takes its course and kill u sooner
Hi Fannie. We definitely do not blame all problems on weight however carrying extra weight does cause problems. You are totally correct that you can be thin with high cholesterol. Point well taken Fannie. Thanks for watching and subscribing if you did
Hi David. It is a struggle for many people for many reasons. Best to get some help with a formal plan. Best of luck. Thanks for watching and subscribing if you did
I think the best diet for managing cholesterol is probably of those living by the sea. Mainly Mediterranean. A lot of fish , fruits vegetables. Olive oil , and wine.
I need to start a Mediterranean diet. My LDL is borderline high and I cannot take Rosuvastatin. Causes increased anxiety, low back pain. I hate it honestly. Its up to me to lose the weight. And walk.
Surprised there isn't more said about statins and their anti-inflammatory functions. As mentioned by other commenters the Jupiter study (and I understand other studies have shown C-Reactive Protein levels (a marker for arterial inflammation) are a great way to discover high risk patients. My cardiologist has become a convert in the last 6 or 8 years. He's gone from just looking at my LDL levels to being more interested in my A1C numbers. My understanding is that when blood sugar levels are above 140 mg/dL there is inflammation occurring in my blood vessels. His comment on testing my CRP is that he knows I am in the high risk group and if my CRP levels were high he'd put me on statins and he already has me on statins (Lipitor generic). I had a heart attack over 16 years ago. The only cardio issues since then were due to 1st generation drug eluding stents becoming blocked and a cardio guy that was more aggressive about what to stent. My LDL runs between 55 and 65. I have found (by testing) that my intake of saturated fats and eggs has little to no effect on my LDL. Bringing some fats and oils back into my diet has increased my HDL up well above 40 which wasn't the case on what was basically a very low fat diet. My triglycerides remain well below 100 (usually about 80). If people taking statins have problems with muscle/joint pain or liver function then they should get off the statins. That hasn't been an issue for me. I've become convinced that inflammation, primarily from high blood sugar levels, initiates the damage that the cholesterol is trying to patch up.
Hi Ed. Yes there are many factors that can predict cardiac risk. This was a cholesterol video. There are a lot of patients with cardiac risk and normal A1c. CRP is a non specific marker for inflammation but is often elevated in cardiac patients. Thanks for watching and subscribing if you did
Thank you for this channel, very informative, but contradictory of what other doctors on youtube say in regards to eating a high vegetable/fruit diet. Others say eat a high protein/carnivore type diet. I would like to first know why there is such different information depending on which MD you talk to and how we actually get to consensus on this?? Its confusing to us non MDs…
Hi Carl. Very confusing for sure. Unfortunately a lot of it is marketing. It has changed from Atkins to South beach etc. All selling something. It makes sense to eat whole foods not processed limit sugar and eat more plants than animals. It is just common sense. We are not cave men with life expectancies of 30 years who aren’t sure where their next meal is coming from. Times have changed and what we eat should change too. Look around we have never been richer and had more access to modern medicine and we have never been heavier or sicker as a society. It is probably the food. Thanks for watching and subscribing if you did
@@TalkingWithDocs what is being promoted in a low carb, whole food, plant rich ketogenic diet is exactly what is in the name… whole food. Like a vegetarian diet, anytime we switch our diet to a whole food or real food diet and get away from a processed food diet, we are going to do better health wise. The difference in doctors what I am seeing is the interpretation of the science based on the studies. Many doctors have a bias when they begin to read the studies… there is a cognitive distortion of what they understand versus using the hierarchy of evidence, the scientific method and getting rid of old data. Not sure why it makes more sense to eat more plants than animals. Make sense and looking hard at the science are two different things. Meat, gram by gram is the lowest calorie and most nutrient dense food product. If you eat more dietary cholesterol, not going overboard, it carries the the fat soluble nutrients to your cells…. Your body’s homeostasis will adjust and make less cholesterol. Too many grains in a body that is already imbalanced can be problematic…. Ask the ancient Egyptians who died young of diabetes and heart disease, stroke, etc. they were bread eaters and lived in what we would now call the Mediterranean Diet. In my opinion, based on all the science studies I have read, weighing the hierarchy of evidence and using the scientific method as my guide, I see where a high fiber, low carb plant rich, adequate protein becomes is very beneficial for many… especially from what I can tell, those that have high triglycerides and test with high insulin from the Kraft test. YEs, it can be done vegetarian… your are correct… lifestyle is a choice. A low carb diet has nothing to gain from marketing…. What is the product when real food is being promoted? The product in promoting a statin is obvious… a pharmaceutical. The information provided here did not reference any studies, however, many of the other well credentialed doctors and research scientists are showing the studies they used to support their evidence.
The question is actually whether Cholesterol levels on the Lipid panel are a good predictor of coronary disease. A better (and more accurate) predictor is the Calcium CT scan score or a treadmill stress test. ________________________________________________________________________ "The second, more technological way, to determine risk is with an imaging study called a Coronary Calcium Scan. A Coronary Calcium Scan is a non-contrast, low-radiation, CT scan of the heart which takes about 30 seconds to acquire and costs about $50. The heart scan is then reviewed for evidence of calcium within the arteries of the heart; the plaque within the heart arteries calcifies or scars over time and is easily seen on these scans. Using a standardized software, the amount of calcified plaque is scored by an automated process." (Capital Cardiology)
Hi YL. Many would disagree with that statement. To that point, in Canada the test is almost never used as it does not change management, exposes the patient to radiation and has a significant cost to the healthcare system with no appeciabke benefit. We know that a lot of patients in the US get them
My mom refused medications. Her cholesterol was 325, she finally passed at 97 yrs old!!! NEVER any heart problems...
It is certainly not an exact science. Glad she lived such a long life. Unfortunately there are others who have heart attacks in their 40s. Many factors to consider. Thanks for watching and subscribing
That’s a true story, people in the past lived til hundred years without those drugs.
am going to quit
@@atapolsughondhabirom1002 : I'm 70. I grew up on a farm. One possible explanation for examples of longevity is the simpler, often home grown diet. We had many fruit trees and a large year round garden, killed our own farmed meat and hunted as well as eating fresh fish and seafood which was right on our doorstep whenever we needed it.
Short version. Fresh unprocessed food and a lifetime of physical activity that comes with farm life i guess.
Still, not everyone lived long. As the Docs will tell you, there's plenty that can go wrong. My brother didn't make it to 5 years old and there is at least one aunt I know of that went past 100. The rest all popped off somewhere in between with quite a number going into their 80s which I'm using as a marker for my own departure. I'm still working and am pleasantly surprised to have the dog wake me up every morning.
Thank you! You make me LOL.
Stopped taking statins 6 months ago. Haven’t felt this good in over 20 years.
Listen to your doctor but trust your body.
Nice Stroys. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Trust your body and stop listening to your doctor. He/she is just a drug pusher for pharmaceutical companies.
So the statins helped it made you feel worse?
I stoped it too 3 yrs ago I had so strong muscle pains the doc said I havve to take it, another said I dont because 50 0/0 can not support statins . So I dontvtake it anymore.
Yes, medical information for us and a good level of insight is everything if we're going to be CEO of our life and the doctor our employee. Learn about our body in order to understand its needs. Learn about our doctor's motives in order to determine whether we hire or fire them. Most of them have too little time and/or respect for the 'ignorant' patient, to deepen their own understanding of the pros and cons of statins. Indeed, there's a wealth of statistics that indicates statins' danger, but don't assume that your doctor's delved there. Your doctor's not incentivised to counter the pharmaceutical company's heady claims of a 'life-saving' drug. Conversely, he/she is incentivised to promote statins without any critical thinking, which would be so convenient for them on so many fronts. Big pharma provides fancy daily luncheons at medical practices with an expectation that doctors will impulsively prescribe statins at the whiff of a cholesterol issue. And, depending on the doctor's 'importance/popularity', big pharma can pay them up to hundreds of thousands of dollars p.a to promote the drug on the speaking circuit. It can be a very cushy ride for some lazy/careless doctors to bank town. And interesting to note that the good doctor in this video endorses big pharma conducting its own studies on its own products without noting the potential conflict of such an approach. Hmmmm. Caveat emptor.
I've always had borderline high cholesterol (~220), but when a recent test edged even higher, my doctor recommended I start on statins. I pushed back and asked him if they could do a test to directly see if my arteries were narrowing, and he ordered a CT calcium heart score. The results of that scan showed I had almost no plaque in my coronary arteries (15th percentile for men my age). On the other hand, the CT scan picked up a suspicious shadow in my lung which turned out to be adenocarcinoma, stage 1. I had a lobectomy and there's a good chance the cancer didn't have a chance to spread. So that CT scan probably saved my life.
Wow glad you are ok. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Smart that you had those tests done! Good for you!
Wow that happens good for you
Wow that happens good for you
Statins made my ancles and feet hurt like hell just about couldn't walk
I was prescribed Staten 2 years ago for a "touch high" cholesterol at 52 years old. I never put this together, but I became very fatigued very easily not long after I stated taking it. I was just always tired all the time, muscle aches etc... I recently learned on my own this a fairly common side effect of Staten. No one told me this, even my doctor couldn't figure out the fatigue issue. I stopped taking it a few months ago and am just starting to feel "normal" again. I'd rather feel good while I'm alive than take something that makes me feel miserable until I die.
Agreed!
Doc probably knew but got a kickback from the rx.
Ditto! Headaches, muscle fatigue, weakness, diarrhea on and on and on..... Here is another Doctors view on Statins and Cholesterol: czcams.com/video/B6IC9sfn_ZM/video.html
Same thing although I had muscle pain also. I totally agree with you besides it causes other diseases like diabetes.
Yep, some people are simply naive and have no idea how deep the corruption goes. Let them be the lab rats, I suggest that everyone learn about the population reduction agenda that the U.N. and its staunchest supporters are pushing and see how discerning you are.
I just turned 81, and for most of my adult life, my cholesterol count has been very high. I was told at age forty, that if I don’t take cholesterol medication I will most likely be dead before I reach age fifty. I made a decision then to instead of medication I would change my eating, and lifestyle hobbits. Seems to have worked so far. Even though I still have high cholesterol numbers, my heart and general health are ok. I suppose that makes me one of the “lucky ones.!
Glad to hear it Mike! Thanks for watching and subscribing if you did
At your age elevated cholesterol around 200 mg/dl even predicts future health. Also depends on how much HDL is in your body.
@@thacker41 What??? That's just plain silly.
There's many things to avoid as well as to eat for heart, brain, and vascular health. It is not just one thing, and certainly not canola oil. Please go back to school.
Thanks for that. Funny how the big Pharma controlled medical school and practice industry has taken over every thought of the typical physician! SAd.
unless you've had an angiogram or thallium test you have no way of knowing how clogged your arteries are. I've met many elderly patients that were fine and it took just one stroke or one haert attack to end up in the ICU. Listen to your doctor.
All three of you are informative and sometimes humorous! I quit my statin due to weak muscles! Never felt so good in my life. I am 74 years old.
Yes Berneice it can hurt the muscles. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Thanks, didn't know this.
Why don't doctors tell their patients about CoQ10? Statins lower one's levels and this nutrient is needed by the heart muscle.
czcams.com/video/GC9V1TWYLo4/video.html
Statins are SO bad for you. They do more harm than good. Furthermore, LDL cholesterol is NOT bad cholesterol, nor is it even technically cholesterol. Because it is found at the site of repair, it has been deemed by many doctors who have been taught by the pharmaceutical companies that it's what causes blockages when in actuality, the LDL-cholesterol is there to stop blockages and repair the body. Do substantial research before taking statins and make sure you are not reading up about statins on bias websites that only support statins and don't share the other side of the story. Statins can cause heart problems, weak muscles, liver failure, and so, so much more. Lastly, pharmaceutical companies claim that statins can reduce heart attacks by 50% but they are using fractions to justify this. For instance, 2 out of 100 people may sustain injury from heart attack, but after taking statins, only 1 out of 100 people will sustain injury from heart attack. Never take statins. They are for the benefit of the pharmaceutical companies, not for the benefit of the patient.
I’m 72, stopped taking statins, my doctor was not happy. 6 months later I feel better than I have in at least 20 years. My cholesterol shot up so I’m getting retested with focus on fasting triglycerides. When my doctor prescribed statins I was 50 lbs overweight. I went keto 4 years ago and lost all the 50. I don’t smoke and I quite drinking. Feel fantastic.
I was given rosy a statin for high cholesterol and took it for 4 months. I mysteriously developed intense, increasingly worse overall body muscle and joint pain. It got so bad as to limit my mobility and I was taking pain meds around the clock. I went to orthopedist and he gave me cortisone shots and referred me to rheumatologist. In meantime, through my own research, I read that statins can cause joint and muscle pain. I was desperate so I tried cutting out rosuvastatin. Within a week, my pain is pretty much gone! My cardiologist wants me to continue with another medication but now I am afraid of cholesterol meds. I decline.
Hi Deborah. Yes 1-10 percent of patients taking statins can get muscle ache that is occasionally quite severe. Glad you are ok. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Same thing with me and still haven’t recovered from muscle ça loss in legs 10 years later
@@TalkingWithDocs Come on Docs, tell the bloody truth, LDL is necessary for the body to produce COQ10. COQ10 is needed by every muscle in the body so that the muscles can adsorbe glucose - glucose or energy - so they can function (that includes the heart). Low LDL, no COQ10, no muscle function! Of course the body hurts with out LDL, the muscles don't function. I would not let any of you put a band aid on, let alone operate on me. How much money do you make by proscribing statin drugs? You should be ashamed to call your selves doctors.
I’m the same way, I’m allergic to all statins and non statins. About 6 wks ago I was rushed to Critical Cardiac due to High BP and Hypertension, they put me on 2 cholesterol meds which I told them I was allergic to, when I was discharged after two weeks, I broke out in hugh welts of hives, everywhere, even my scalp, neck legs, especially
my stomach and chest. My clinical Dr. took me off one of them and my Cardiologist took me of the second one. So right now I’m not on any cholesterol meds. I will have to lower it through diet.
You make a good choice
Thanks mom 😭 I’m 35 with high cholesterol… I struggle to keep it on the low high end with diet and exercise. It’s a constant work in progress especially because Lipitor caused me so much body pain.
Anyone else out there struggling but still trying, I see you and you aren’t alone ❤️
Stop "struggling" and ignore your cholesterol numbers. You may live a long and healthy life.
82 years old. Switched from pravastatin to Lipitor because my primary care doc advised it! Big mistake! Caused such knee pain that orthopedic doc advised knee replacements. Nope! Stopped Lipitor .... no more knee pain .... no knee replacements! This was about 7 years ago.
I think Lipitor has made many orthopedic surgeons millionaires. Just my guess.
You are welcome kiddo! Thanks for watching and subscribing
I'm 33 and my Dr said I have high cholesterol as well. I'm here for you if you need to talk or if you have any tips or advice.
I’m a little older than you and I consider myself in decent shape my blood pressure is 110/68 in my pulse is 65. I took a hip-hop dance class via zoom every day and they couldn’t figure out why I had high cholesterol but it runs in the family so I feel your pain.
My endocrinologist used to tell me LDL - lousy cholesterol, HDL - happy cholesterol. I've never forgotten!😎😎😎😎
I can never keep them straight. I think this will do it. 🙂
Dr. Ronald Schweitzer - 'Educating our specialist colleagues'
Nice Raynie. Thanks for watching, subscribing and sharing with someone if you did.
Love the fact that these doctors are in Canada! Finally, we Canadians get to hear info from those experts who are in our own country! (And these three are adorable too! 😉) ❤️👍🏻🇨🇦
And are Canadians getting heathy following the guidelines of the Medical Association in Canada? Do you think big Pharma has your best interest in mind? Do you feel they actually cure you of anything without destroying something else which you eventually die from?
@@Now_lets_get_this_straight omg! OK so do you believe society would be better if there were no doctors and medications? What do u suggest as an alternative to proven medications when someone ends up in the ER with a drug overdose, stroke, bacteremia, bacterial pneumonia, kidney infection, tuberculosis, eye infections, ear infections, blood clots in lungs/legs, hearts with very high/low heart rates in coma patients, painful fractures from an accident?
what medication do u suggest a surgical patient get avoid procedural pain? would you like a bullet to bite or the hammer to the head approach?
Thanks so much D! Thanks for watching, subscribing and sharing with someone if you did.
Hi 0129145. Not sure if you watched the video but our first recommendation was lifestyle modification. This sometimes doesn't work and then medication is required. It is always your choice and you would have to weigh the risk and benefits for yourself. Having said that, big pharma is a business and is designed to make a profit and that is why you likely have some of their stock in your portfolio. Having medications that help with limited side effects is better for their business. We would all agree living a healthy lifestyle, eating better and exercising more would be best for all but look around, sadly people just are not willing to do that. Thanks for watching, subscribing and sharing with someone if you did.
Years ago my doctor wanted to put me on cholesterol medication and I decided No I will not take a medication, instead I started eating 1/2 to 1 cup of sauerkraut every day and I lowered it naturally with exercise and putting down the fork and going for a walk. Thank you 😊
Nice Betty Damn Boop. Thanks for watching and subscribing if you did
I sure did 🥰🥰🥰
Are you still demonizing fats, doc? Too bad
Awesome 👌 I think I love your way instead of taking these meds. And these doctors here want u to take thr drugs lol 😆 🙄 no way good buy!!!!
Read The Pritikin Program of Diet and Exercise and the supporting medical references.
I started taking crestor 10 years ago at 44. It put my cholesterol into the "proper" range. Fast forward to now and I am a type 2 diabetic. I sincerely wish these guys would discuss the very high chance that use of these statin drugs increases the probability of developing type type 2. Dr. Ken Berry is another CZcams Dr. that has his own opinions when it comes to the use of statins. I would love to hear these guys discuss his findings.
Hi dish. There is a chance not necessarily a very high chance of having higher blood glucose. We have two other videos about statins and yes their side effects are very real. Would always prefer diet and exercise over medications. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Statins increase the risk of developing DM2 by about 5% over five years. A real (but small) increase in risk. And the mortality reduction they provide persists despite this.
Rage against the Machine dish9630. Hope your health improves. Say no to drugs.
@@andrewweinstein62484:53
You docs are great, inform viewers with pertinent information in a lighthearted manner. Thank you
Doing our best Ken! Thanks. Thanks for watching and subscribing if you did
Three really smart docs, that also have great personalities while trying to help others get through a life that ever increasingly is more complicated. Great clips.
Thanks so much Danny. Doing our best! Thanks for watching and subscribing if you did
They may be everything you said but their information is not correct.
@@fireballxl-5748 Why? It takes no skill at all to criticize everything, but harder to back it up with science. Tell me why three highly educated, smart docs don't know what they're talking about. Id like to learn something here. thxs.
Maybe smart Dr's, but weren't you born inherently sound so that if you were continue, you should not require any intervention.
@@dannylaw7367 Okay.....stay in your naive world...as if doctors are infallible because of their "education".
Thank you very much for this video. I had a heart attack less than a week ago (at only 51) it’s all quite a new world for me, this video and your overall demeanor is very comforting and informative. My team of doctors have been amazing, but it’s all a lot to take in. So trying to understand and ask all the right questions has been overwhelming. Thank you
So glad we could help and wish you the best during your recovery. Thanks for watching and subscribing
You might want to continue your journey look deeper these guys aren’t 💯 correct czcams.com/video/R4Jzmj5X9xA/video.html
Did you have high cholesterol, to your knowledge, before the heart attack?
Read The Pritikin Program of Diet and Exercise and the supporting medical references.
JSterlingBeauty1 was the heart attack due to high cholesterol? What were your numbers?
My brother nearly died of Lipitor. It attacked his muscles. Finally only thing he could still do was write with one hand, lying down, he could not sit up straight, not swallow, nothing. After a half year in the intensive unit and a half year in rehabilitation he has now recovered up to 75%. He'll walk with a limb and can not put his arms above his head. It is a small miracle he has recovered this much, but he has escaped death. All because of Lipitor. He still has to do three monthly checkups at the university's clinic.
Yes this is the most common side effect. We discuss them in a separate video. Hope he continues to improve. Thanks for watching and subscribing
I'm 75. I was borderline high on cholesterol. I went on a keto diet and 3 months later I was in the middle of norm for cholesterol. Lost 25 pounds in the process. Good cholesterol bounced up and the bad dropped like a rock. Glucose dropped 45 points. Keto works! By the way Keto is easy if you have a plan.
Hi Farman. Congrats on the jump start that keto can provide. Just be careful with all of that animal protein and fat that can obviously lead to other problems line heart disease, stroke and cancer. Thanks for watching and subscribing
@@TalkingWithDocs Would you please site the double blinded studies that show this :)
@@TalkingWithDocs not so sure you have the research to say this to your audience.
Low fat diet caused me to gain 100 pounds. Lots of carbs. I went from 247 to 147 on Keto snd IF. Do you think I am healthier at 147 vs. 247.?
Curious as to the answer.
@@vicki5472 No doubt they were funded by a drug company.
@@TalkingWithDocs Can you share the science that says a meat diet causes what you say it does. This is simply not true.
I take 5mg of rosuvastain 2x a week since I had a heart transplant at 10 years old. My legs get sore, but protecting my heart and taking my meds is my highest priority. I’m 15 years post transplant!
Hi Destiny. Wow that is amazing. So glad you are ok and so responsible to take your meds. All the best! Thanks for watching and subscribing
Statins caused more problems for me rather than help me after taking for them for 30ish years also created elevated liver numbers. Switching to Repatha or Praluent with no statins. All my numbers have come down including my liver numbers. Won’t recommend statins to anyone! They are in it for the money.
My doctor has been trying to get me back on statins for nearly two years now because of the elevated numbers. I told him these statin drugs seem to me like correcting a cholesterol problem, but then you are watching my liver like a hawk. When I was on the cholesterol medication it's blood test every three months with out it it's blood test every six months. I also have type 2 diabetes reason for the 6 month blood test. I guess what I'm getting at is the cholesterol statin medication solves one problem and then can create another problem. I didn't know about non statin cholesterol medication until watching this video, I'll ask my doc about that next time he pressures me to be back on cholesterol medication.
Dr. Ronald Schweitzer - 'Educating our specialist colleagues'
Hi barry. Sorry to hear that. All pharmaceutical companies are kind of in it for the money as they are businesses. You probably hold some of their stock in your portfolio. Having said that, it is in their best interests to have medications that not only do the job but as also well tolerated to increase their use. Glad you found an alternative. Thanks for watching, subscribing and sharing with someone if you did.
Thanks for watching, subscribing and sharing with someone if you did.
Good luck NLINE7. Thanks for watching, subscribing and sharing with someone if you did.
Because of a family history of heart disease I expected clogged arteries and all that comes with that. To be proactive I started seeing a cardiologist in my 40's, who, after a couple years, prescribed Lipitor for slightly high cholesterol. Within a few months I was very sick for months, and couldn't figure out why. Long story short, I later found out that Lipitor had made me very sick and damaged my liver, (according to a doctor I later saw for another problem). I stopped Lipitor and changed over to Red Yeast Rice, (a natural statin), and Niacin, and now, almost 20 years later, I do not have clogged arteries, and I stopped taking it a few years ago. Do your own homework and let your doctor be the one that believes everything that Big Pharma writes in the Journals, and what their salespeople claim!
Nice work
Absolutely! My doctor has prescribed Lipitor to me and there's no way I'm ever taking it. After I had a terrible reaction to depression medicine I was prescribed, I now review prescription meds for side effects. When I read that Lipitor can cause ALS, I was shocked and a bit angry that my doctor would prescribe this drug. I'd rather battle high cholesterol than ALS thank you! I read niacin can help (as you mention) and will have to try the red yeast rice idea.
@@robertdinunzio1749what is ALS
You guys are great. Thank for educating us with your expertise and experience ! Kudos from the country south of you!
Thanks so much Troy! Thanks for watching and subscribing if u
Very informative. Thank you. Trying a Cardiologist now to talk about alternate medication options for cholesterol, other than statins. Glad to hear there are other avenues to try.
Good luck MAUREEN. Thanks for watching, subscribing and sharing with someone if you did.
Look for the causes of cholesterol, work on them, and not on the cholesterol values. The cause could be anything, from some silent chronic illness, to a terrible poor diet.
Read The Pritikin Program of Diet and Exercise and the supporting medical references.
My father had high cholesterol even though he was slim, fit (no gym), and regularly ate really well. Hardly ever processed food. He was an avid gardener though an engineer by profession and produced all our vegetables and fruit. He was out in his garden from dawn to dusk, even collected manure from paddocks regularly. Yet he had 3 heart attacks. After his first one, he was put on meds including low dose aspirin, and was taking meds diligently, ate lean and organic, drank alcohol on special occasions only. He still had further 2 heart attacks. In the end, he died aged 84 of slow internal bleed, a side effect of a long-term aspirin intake. In the last months of his life the aspirin he was taking caused his blood vessel walls to be so weak, they'd come apart, both internally and in his limbs. Doctors said "the material" was so weak, they weren't able to repair the tears.
So sorry to hear that Danuta. Thanks for watching and subscribing if you did
Well, he still lived to be 84. I’d say that’s pretty good!
@C NB That's what I was trying to highlight: genetics and the ineffectiveness of taking daily low dose aspirin in preventing heart attacks. My father's doctor advised my father to cycle aspirin: 5 days on; 2 days off. Despite this precaution, my father died of chronic bleed from the stomach which could not be controlled, not from complications caused by heart attacks. As it's been established now that the culprit is daily aspirin.
Thanks for the information
@@danutahanyga4834 I also have a friend who took aspirin and had problems with bleeding. Aspirin has to be monitored for sure.
I’m so thankful I stumbled upon this. Over a decade of trying to get my numbers down, with little to no change. I’m at about 8-10% BF, regularly work out (why I don’t wanna use statins) and don’t really eat garbage. Found that stress is also a huge factor (contributing to bad cholesterol) and there in lies my likely area, I must try to reduce (stress). But, seeing that I may have nothing I really need to do, since numbers aren’t too bad (~250’s), I may just not stress about it. 🙏🙏🙏🤙🤙
Fair enough Connor. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Thank you for bringing up the issue of stress. Nobody talks about that in relation to cholesterol numbers..
Very true. Stress increases circulating cortisol levels which in turn raises insulin levels. High insulin is basically the culprit. And insulin resistance. Bring down insulin by low carbs, bring down insulin resistance by building muscle and poof, your cholesterol goes down as a corollary.
My experiences: When it was suggested by my Doctor to take Crestor based on my family history, I agreed but I did question the need for a 10 mg Crestor. While my bad cholesterol dropped significantly, each morning when I got up I felt like I had run a marathon the previous day. Switching to a 10 mg every second day help a little but still I had sore muscles. To my Doctor's surprise, I learned that Crestor makes a 5 mg pill so we tried a 5 mg every day. No more soreness and blood tests were almost as good on a 5 mg as they were on a 10 mg. That got my bad under control. To raise my good cholesterol took a little more work. A dose of metamucil daily and switching from cereal and toast in the morning to a fruit smoothie with almond milk raised the good cholesterol significantly. Great video guys - thanks.
Thanks for sharing your story Michael. Thanks for watching, subscribing and sharing with someone if you did.
Michael that's the exact same thing I did. Low dose Crestor is Very effective no need for high dose
Don't take Metamucil. It's over half sugar which is why it tastes good. Take a glass of pure psyllium fiber mixed with some juice. It works better and is better for you.
@@genome1000 Juice has sugar also... suggest three 50 mg capsules. No sugar.
@@troyf1 True, but there is a difference between refined sugar found in Metamucil and natural sugar found in fruits and fruit juices.
Really interesting discussion, direct and to the point. I've never heard that alcohol guideline, and now I feel better :-)
I'm 54-years-old, run almost every day, and have had cholesterol over 200 for the past 20 years. My parents, grandparents, every ancestor I can find an obituary for, has died of heart disease or stroke. I started 10 mg of Atorvastatin four months ago, and my overall number went from 244 to 159 with no side effects that I can notice. I am going to stick with it.
So glad to hear that it is working for you. All the best. Thanks for watching in subscribing
what is your diet like ?
Poor. Not enough fruits, vegetables, whole grains, too much processed foods. I've pretty much given up sweets, but that was easy. If it wasn't for an hour of exercise a day, I'd be a lost cause.
Check your kidneys occasionally and intact parathyroid hormone
Just revisited this video after more than a year. I gave up the Atorvastatin. Felt fatigue, jogging pace went from under 9 min/mile to closer to 10. Also experienced ED for the first time in my life. I'm currently running 35-40 miles per week, and just ran a 10 mile road race in 7:24 mile pace. I'm not going to worry about a total cholesterol number of 240. If I have a cardiac incident in my 60's I'll comment again. 🙂
Dear Dr.’s -Thank you for your informative video. I sold Statins for 12 years while working for Merck. I also have a Biology degree and worked doing basic research. I believe statins are useful for a subset of the population but largely over prescribed. Genetics is the single most determining factor followed by diet and exercise. I’m 58 y.o. 6’4” tall and 200 lb. Hardly overweight and has been described as skinny or fit. I lift weights 2-3 times a week and generally ride a bike 2-3 times of week and then either golf or something else. Shirt off you can see stomach muscles. I’ve completed a 100 mile bicycle road race and 50 mile mountain bike race this year. I drink alcohol sparingly, meaning 3-4 drinks a week. My cholesterol is borderline high. The medical data being generated is useful for populations, but doesn’t account for genetics and lifestyle for the most part, and I think that’s a challenge for medicine. Until the medical community and Pharma are able to capitalize on genetic variances and markers related for inflammation or subset of cholesterol types then these meds should be used sparingly. Obesity, poor diet and nutrition and lack of exercise are the principle drivers metabolic and cardiovascular disease. I think cholesterol is an indicator. Statins are useful for, and I believe originally developed for familial hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia.
Thanks for sharing your expertise Ronald. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Totally agree with you, and I am a medical researcher too.
Thank you for posting this.
"Genetics is the single most determining factor "
Hence the medication.
-A biochemist
Thanks Merck. I would never trust you or big Pharma. I took Propecia and now….
Hey gents, thanks for this informative video. Just some additional info for your viewers: TC (total cholesterol) and LDL are *not* the operative cholesterol "risk factors". I worked as a molecular biologist with a background in human molecular genetics my entire career and developed a PCR test for FH (familial hypercholesterolemia). I've read large amounts of this literature and attended several IAS (International Athersclerosis Symposia) conferences. TC and LDL are _not_ the operative lipid factors for risk for myocardial infarction (MI). The *operative* lipid factors for risk for MI are 1) HDL and 2) triglycerides. These are the lipid values that are significant with respect to Z-scores and p-values in clinical studies for risk of MI. I'm pointing this out as there is a lot of misunderstanding of this both in the lay and medical communities. Cheers, gents.
Thanks for watching and subscribing
I gotta say I’m really appreciating your videos! The honesty and being upfront with it. Also explaining some of the background to things. I have high LDL levels because I also have low oestrogen and unfortunately my body has a significant mast cell reaction (that can end up in anaphylaxis) from oestrogen supplementation. However, my cholesterol originally went up we think from other medications! So it’s easy enough for me to bring down with meds but I’ve always been nervous about statins. Good to know about the background and to why I may feel that way, gives me something to look into and also to know what other options may be available if needed! Thanks guys! (I know this comment is 7 months after the fact but hey, relevant to today in my life.) thanks. Keep it up!
So glad you found it helpful Telle. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Thank you so much for your simple explanation of cholesterol. I’m 71 with a 6.7 result. I was told that my ratio of my good cholesterol to total cholesterol is still just about okay. The drs said although its only small benefit, a statin would help to give more protection. I do have perfect blood pressure and do exercises and walk mostly everywhere, so I’ve decided to leave it at the moment. Love your videos. Here in the UK drs are hard to see face to face now sadly. It does cause problems for many people. Hearing your good advice is reassuring. So thank you all. 👍
Very welcome Sandra in the UK! Thanks for watching and subscribing
You never see the same doctor twice, some even look like 2nd year medical students, actually googling unusual symptoms while you’re sitting there, all giving conflicting advice and are quick to more prescribe the “ one size fits all” drugs.
Yeah Dr.Heffernan is back!! I lost ninety pounds, my BP went up and so did my LDL! I left the Cardiologist and went to McDonald's! I can't fight my genetics. Lipitor, low protein diet, doing fine. Stay healthy guys!! Watching while eating potato chips!☺️
Even when I followed plant-based diet--no eating out, zero fastfood, religiously exercised, my LDL was high (171). I can't believe that doctors still don't look at the other lipid markers in treating --but then I may be barking up the tree.
My HDL runs around 100, my triglycerides 80, my ratios far below indicating low risk of HD, he started me on a cholesterol med. I didn't take it.
@@moonfall8972 It is disheartening to do the so called right things and not get the expected outcome!😓 What I hate, is when a Doctor looks at my weight and figures that is the problem in it's entirety!! Equally frustrating.
Enjoy! 🤍👌
@@moonfall8972 good for you, great HDL and pretty low tri. LDL is becoming less of a predictor of problems
Keto no doubt.
These guys need a show ASAP. Thank you. You're a God send.
Thanks so much Michael. We wish. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Around 5 years ago, after doing my yearly blood labs, my little MD has me scared to death because my blood work came back abnormal. It was my cholesterol and it was dangerously high and he wanted me on a statin right then and there. I said no, and took my blood work to my acupuncturist who is a licensed MD in another country. He said that I was lean and in great shape and that my high numbers were hereditary and he said not to worry. He wanted me to up my fish oil intake and chase each does with cinnamon. I think I also added the CQ10 and started taking a couple of other supplements like mushroom and ashwagandha. I went back 3 months later for new lab work, knowing that I didn't care what the blood work said, I was not getting on a statin and my little MD says to me, I quote: " I don't know what you're doing, but whatever it is, don't tell anyone and lets me and you patent it. " - People just rely way too much on their doctors who don't know everything. We give our power away instead of trusting ourselves. It's not his fault, he only knows what he has been taught. I am a 62 year old gal, no medications at all. Totally into energy work and minimal fake everything.
Hi Shirl. We would totally agree that we are just scratching the surface on the power of food and supplements and we would always prefer this over medications. Congrats on a job well done. Thanks for watching and subscribing
How much fish oil cap one can tk
@@ravishdhange3532 I was taking the liquid Barleans brand fish oil, 2400mg. It taste like orange ice cream. I was taking 3 tsp. daily ( morning, lunch, dinner) and chasing it with cinnamon. It's very important that you power walk for a solid 30 minutes everyday. The power walk is just as important. Sweating. Also, garlic is very good for the heart. I love garlic but I can't eat it everyday, well I could, but I don't so I take a daily supplement.
Hi Shirl,
Congratulations on finding a plan that works for you.....we'll done!
You you mind telling me why you followed the fish oil with cinnamon? Thank you 🤗
Do you take coconut oil or Olive oil I do both but maybe should add the fish oil also ??? What does the Ashwagandha do, what is it supposed to help with ?
At one point in my life, age 69, I had Low HDL, High LDL, Total Cholesterol, hyperglycemic-190, Pre-diabetic, high BP & rate, 285lbs, , Fatty Liver, Visceral fat, Insulin resistant, Low energy, low stamina in all areas. clear thinking and Memory- marginal, 1 Stent, 1 Pacemaker. On Statins. I was going Down Hill Fast.
Started Intermittent fasting, lost some weight. Added Keto to Fasting, mingled with Intermittent Carnivore Dieting.
Now I am down to 210 and dropping, Great energy and stamina. No I can wield a Chainsaw for 6 hours easy. Total Cholesterol & HDL are now normal, Sugar at 110, LDL is very High! I am no longer pre-diabetic.
Conclusion: High LDL is great compared to where I was.
Nice work Bill. Thanks for watching and subscribing if you did
Brilliant mate!
Read The Pritikin Program of Diet and Exercise and the supporting medical references.
Great Job
Plant based does work!! Only been doing for a month and down 8 pounds 🙌🏼Great information!!!
Sweet Southern chick! Thanks for watching and subscribing
how is your weight now? Did you change your diet for life or for just a month?
My husband , lean 6’5” tall 200 lbs , great shape physically…doesn’t drink or smoke … just had 2 stents placed this past Thursday a couple months after his first 2 stents . 3 were 90% percent blocked ..1 was 60% ( they did the third because ..why not) . He had no symptoms except a little indigestion one morning followed by a higher than normal heart rate. I insisted he see a doctor when his heart rate was staying around 100 ( resting) when it normally ran around 62. He was told he had A flutter at his doctors . His cholesterol wasn’t terribly high but his good cholesterol . needed to come up. They put him through many tests and finally figured to everyone’s surprise that he had major blockage. He had just left a extremely stressful job that was almost unbearable the last couple of years. I believe stress has to be a factor . Thank God he did not have a heart attack and cause damage or worse .
So glad he is ok tallchic. There is good evidence to support your statement that stress is very bad for us. We all need to just chill a bit. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Hang on. "Why do we hate statins so much?" "It's hard to know". No it isn't. The pharma marketing departments have grossly overstated the benefits and understated the side-effects for decades. Who would love that kind of clap-trap? Using relative risk reduction instead of absolute risk reduction?? They treat people like fools.
Hi Jeremy. Yes please see our two videos about the side effects and the meta analysis that talked about risk reduction. Thanks for watching and subscribing
My total cholesterol is 147. LDL 71. BMI 23. Completely clear family visitor re CVD. My new very young doctor wanted to put me on statins, mostly because I'm male and over 60. And I do have well-controlled hypertension. The NNT value for statins as primary prevention is surprisingly high. For a guy with an LDL of 71and a BMI of 23, it's surely higher. It just feels too aggressive to me, especially for a medication that so many seem to dislike taking. I told my doc will consider statins if my LDL gets close to 100. The British Medical Journal and the UpToDate website seem to prefer higher thresholds. Confusing times.
For sure FlatSHenry. Every patient is unique. Good luck with your decision. Thanks for watching and subscribing if you did
No statins!! Your baby doctor is a brainwashed fraud
The number is not the problem(if not HC) , if the colesterol is a problem it's other things making it the problem(like inflamation evt) , while colesterol is in the body to help. Studies have shoved that ldl Colesterol rise and fall dramatically in persons going through inflamation in their body. Another think to remember, if the pharmaceutical industry and doctors come to their senses and gave statins to those who mabye needed it. It would be real bad fore income, and people insvesting in the stockmarked! This is a billion dollar industry without comparison!
@@Kjuken69 Heia Roar. Sant. ja.
Docs with a sense of humor and candor. Must be a Canadian thing because it seems to be lacking here in the good old USA. We're lucky to get 15 minutes' facetime a visit with our docs and most of that time they're glued to a computer monitor. I don't fault the physicians; it's the way the practice of health care has become so de-personalized. So, I'll keep on watching Talking With Docs and mourn the good old days.
Look for a concierge doctor. I found one. It is a little pricey but amazing. My visits are at least 30 minutes and I can talk with my doctor any time
Remember when a doctor made house calls carrying his black bag. Also how they made their early rounds to the hospital visiting their patients. Oh those memories.....
Thanks so much York. Doing our best to try and provide useful information so people can make informed decisions. It is still always up to the patients. Thanks for watching, subscribing and sharing with someone if you did.
Nice Jackie. Concierge. Sounds fancy. Thanks for watching, subscribing and sharing with someone if you did.
Yes larry. Plus polio and small pox. Those were the days. Thanks for watching, subscribing and sharing with someone if you did.
Doctors, you are the BEST. Thank you for sharing your knowledge in a way I can understand and with an easy sense of humor.
Glad you liked it J. Thanks for watching and subscribing
I'll add my experience with respect to hereditary factors. In my 30's I was a skinny, marathon running vegetarian who measured high cholesterol. Later I was diagnosed with familial hyperchloresterolemia and started on statins. After a couple of types ended up with Crestor which has worked well with no side effects for 15 years or so.
Thank you so much for sharing Julian. Thanks for watching and subscribing if you did
I think the people with muscle problems occur when their on 30mg daily.
Mother Nature designed you as an omnivore
I was on statin 10mg and I could hardly walk.My son build me a ramp. So I stopped taking my medicine for two days.and I was fine, I could jog up and down the ramp.
@@Now_lets_get_this_straight Not me! Even twice a week for less effects results in muscle weakness, achy and stiff and sore.
My parents both had high cholesterol and also my two brothers. My parents both lived to be 90+ without meds. My total cholesterol is 201 and my triglyceride numbers are quite good. I am not going to take any statins even if my levels go up. Too many doctors just push meds instead of speaking with their patients about lifestyle changes that are manageable for them. The longer I live I realize that many issues are based on genetics and heredity and you probably can make minor inroads but that's about it.
Hi Wyn. Sounds reasonable. Diet and exercise always first choice. Thanks for watching and subscribing
I agree!!!
I just unsubscribed from these doctors.
@@theresa94010 why?
You can tell how uncomfortable they all got regarding their choice of words when the topic was Big Pharma.
You docs are so informative and entertaining at the same time. Will you make a video on triglycerides and how to lower them please.
I would love to see that too.
@@pierre976 That information is everywhere. Google it.
Stop eating so many carbs. That helps lower carbs. Eat more meat.
I take bezafibrate for that.
@@grancito2 because the docs told you to, but if you change your diet you can do the same without possible side effects and damage to liver
I really enjoy the information these doctors provide. And, they make it fun to learn.
Thanks Richard. Doing our best
Very interesting. I am 82 and used Lipitor for the past 40 years to control mine. In the past year my legs started to ache and weak. I stopped the Lipitor and the problems went away.
My whole family has the leg problem from statins, and some of us are not old. A so called top cardiologist said that there is no such symptom, even though it is well documented. I have consulted with many doctors regarding different medical problems, and found that most of them are idiots, they can't agree with each other, nor come up with a logical diagnosis.
@@grancito2 -- When one considers that most MDeities take their prescribing hints from Big Pharma propaganda, that's not surprising. My principle statin side effects were cognitive -- I could barely complete a sentence and seemed to have lost most of my vocabulary, among other memory-related problems -- along with chronic (mostly upper body) muscle pain.
On the other hand, my younger brother has been on a statin for many years and claims to have had zero side effects -- so it seems some of our physiologies are more statin-compatible than others.
Yes that can happen Chuck. Thanks for watching, subscribing and sharing with someone if you did.
Hi grancito2. It definitely can happen. Thanks for watching, subscribing and sharing with someone if you did.
Hi Bruce. Yes we are all different for sure. Thanks for watching, subscribing and sharing with someone if you did.
I’ve been taking a statin for five years with no side effects and it works. I feel great.😊
Awesome Sally. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Same here. I have read all of the scientific material as well, for me its a no brainer.
Statins are bad. Really bad for you.
I have MTHRF A1298C gene mutation could this be contributing to my high cholesterol. I also had a pheochromocytoma removed in 2020. I hate taking meds as I have many medication allergies
Subscribed today!!! My cholesterol is a little high. I eat low carb and eating this way has taken away my need for blood pressure meds, no more inflammation, no more pre diabetic and lost a lot of weight. I can’t take statins nor will I. I love you guys. Your personalities are great. Many blessings 🤗🤗🤗
Thanks so much Soozi. Glad you are doing ok. Thanks for watching, subscribing and sharing with someone if you did.
Read The Pritikin Program of Diet and Exercise and the supporting medical references.
Very good and informative. Impressed and grateful for your work. Thank you.
Very welcome Connor. Thanks for watching and subscribing
ALL the meds they prescribed after a recent heart attack DESTROYED my stomach and bleeding gums !!! I’d rather risk another episode than have a stomach destroyed
Yes Jean there is a risk of bleeding versus second heart attack for sure. Sorry you are having a hard time
All medications have many many side effects. It is too scary to ingest. I knew a man who had high cholesterol that he inherited from his Father. I was a jogger, was thin, and didn't like desserts. He is still alive today. He is in his 70's. There are doctors out there that do not believe that cholesterol has anything to do with heart problems. Just sayin.
Where are those doctors? I have not found any of those.
If you have high cholesterol and are starting to show signs of circulation problems, taking the drug seems obvious since you are probably in the 25%. A lot of the studies get comparative life expectancy given groups with similar numbers taking the drug vs not taking it, the Canadian database probable has enough in it to mine such a result. Group people with similar number, compare those who start the med between 50-60 against those who never took the drug, if the drug group lived to 83 while the no drug group lived to 75 you would have something better than the 25%, if it's 81.5 vs 83 you might scratch your head on that one. Certain courtiers, maybe Canada, do not give routine breast exams, since the life expectancy between them and groups of women who get exam and have lots of procedure, radiation, chemo, are almost the same or catching it early doesn't extend life expectancy while subjecting people to risky procedures.
Cholesterol and blood lipids in general are only one factor. In fact, in the absence of the vascular inflammation that causes LDL cholesterol to adhere to arterial walls, even severe hyperlipidemia can be non-problematic.
@@editorjuno study?
@@sarahgupton2552 -- I'm not aware of any. It's just something my own heart surgeon told me, explaining why some folks with hyperlipidemia, including very high LDL cholesterol, never have cardiovascular problems and live into their 80s and 90s.
My dad is 78 and has high cholesterol he went on one of these statins about 5 years ago because the Dr or PA told him he should. He had various side effects from it. He just quit taking it and the side effects have stopped. I asked him did the high cholesterol cause him any issues or pain, the answer was no. So my next question was why did you take the medication. He just took the recommendation. I also have high cholesterol but unless it starts causing me pain or inhibiting me in some way there’s no way I’m taking anything for it. We don’t have any heart issues in our family and most of us have high cholesterol, I just think it can be normal and not an issue for some people.
Hi Fuqoff. Understandable. But the first symptom is often a heart attack or stroke. Best of luck. Thanks for watching and subscribing if you did
The current medical theory is that high cholesterol leads to clogging the arteries...( never proven and illogical since your body makes it anyway)... New theory is lack of k vitamins will prevent heart problems...
Thank you for helping us (me) understand things I should know about my health. This information has helped me stay discipline & making good choices.
Glad we could help Tammy
I love watching you guys you’re always so refreshing and uplifting to watch your topics are diverse and always interesting you both come across as great guys. Keep it up and I look forward to seeing you both real soon, take care👍 Phil.
Thanks so much Phil. Doing our best. Thanks for watching and subscribing if you did
@@TalkingWithDocs Dr. Ronald Schweitzer - 'Educating our specialist colleagues'
I’m 83 years old my cholesterol is high, always has been.
Cholesterol is 317
HDL is 52
Triglycerides is 261
LDL is 218.
I’m allergic to Statins as it raises my blood sugar. I had to stop all medications for cholesterol
Go for you
Hope you are ok Carole. There are other medications other than statins. You can also consider dietary changes ans fiber therapy. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Those numbers are alarmingly high. Have you had a calcium scan to get your score?
Read The Pritikin Program of Diet and Exercise and the supporting medical references.
Try black seed oil for cholesterol!
As soon as the "cardiologist" suggested an increase in whole grains I realized he may know his lab results but not human anatomy. Increasing carbs (whole or processed grains) is the fastest way to gain weight. This flies directly in the face of "weight management"
Your logic is undeniable. There is no possible way to increase whole grains in your diet with lowering your overall caloric intake or increasing your energy expenditure. Username checks out . Haha
Hi MAGA. So carbs is a generic term that people have somehow come to demonize. Most people don’t actually understand nutrition and the association of whole foods and fiber content with lower glycemic index. Whole grains are good for you regardless of what the keto cult says. Highly processed anything is bad for you including white flour and sugar and shloukd be avoided. Losing weight is actually quite easy - eat a whole food plant based diet and exercise regularly. Plus you get to avoid heart disease stroke and cancer by removing the animal products so that’s a bonus. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Sorry but that just isn’t true. The number of calories in whole grains is limited. It’s funny that people will eat fat laden animal products that are exponentially calorically dense compared to grains but somehow think that grains will make them gain weight. The fiber makes you full so you eat less. Plus reduces your risk of heart disease and cancer. Thanks for watching and subscribing
@@TalkingWithDocs i was being sarcastic =)
@@TalkingWithDocs Bread turns into fat if not "burned" as energy through exercise. The issue is the ratio of exercise (activity) to diet. Sugars are also carbs and again if not "burned" by active lifestyle they will turn to fat. It is what the liver does, store excess carbs for times of food scarcity. For millions of years hominids ate what ever they could, without regard to sanitation or even cooking. The problem they faced was the availability of food. Our modern "three meals a day" pattern skews that scenario, we no longer have to work a LOT just to eat. Carbs and fats are not "bad " for a person, the sedentary lifestyle and frequency of gluttony is.
Thanks for sharing. Very informative and useful specially the words "You are in charge of your own health".
We thought so ANAN. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Nice summary. However, as you all may know, there has been recent (unfounded?) contention regarding whether LDL actually correlates with heart disease/etc. I think a wonderful video would be a presentation of key data (clinical studies) that suggests LDL should indeed be below a certain threshold.
Yes Famous Lines it is complicated and evolving. The overwhelming evidence still advocates lowering your cholesterol but there are many factors for sure. Great suggestion. There are links to 2 studies in the description. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Your wise.... Correlation is not causation.... Inflammation is the only sure cause of atheroschelrosis.... The MD forget the human body make it own cholesterol even when starving
Read The Pritikin Program of Diet and Exercise and the supporting medical references.
There’s a huge difference between wise cracking and humor. This is vital and somewhat difficult info. Like a classroom, please don’t interrupt the flow. On the other hand, thank you for presenting this clear discussion on what is essentially risk analysis.
Thanks Mike. Doing our best. Thanks for watching and subscribing
@@TalkingWithDocs I enjoyed the flash of fluffy kitties. My cardiac issue is serious, and I need lightheartedness in my life.
Thanks guys once again I just sent this to my friend who I talked to about three hours ago who said she was going to the doctor on Monday and discuss why she’s been on statins for eight years and her cholesterol still remains high. I can only tell you this woman is a paradox in medical miracles. She is a cardiac patient who bragged to me this morning (retired nurse) that they stopped to have breakfast with their son this morning and she only had a half order of biscuits and gravy and oh by the way she said they even put bacon in their gravy with the sausage.🙃 Love it when you say Dr. Paul we are all responsible for our own health I beg to differ she is not apparently I am responsible for hers , i’ve known her almost 50 years and I will continue to send her more and more videos she thinks you guys are hysterical, well so do I. Thanks for all the good info😆
Thank you so much Linda abs best of luck to your retired nurse friend. They can be stubborn! Thanks for watching and subscribing if you did
Read The Pritikin Program of Diet and Exercise and the supporting medical references.
Life is great with zero alcohol! 😊💜
The safe amount
After taking 40mg zocor for years I went full vegan lost 60 lbs and cholesterol is now in normal range without medication.
Very cool Bob. Way to go. Thanks for watching and subscribing if you did
Would be interested to know your triglycerides and HDL. How much did that improve? Was CHOLESTEROL your only cause for concern?
A recent study even casts doubt on the simple aspirin therapy I've been pursuing for decades, saying the bleeding risk outweighs the benefit to elderly folks who have never had a heart attack or hypertension -- a category which includes me, even though I had a triple bypass procedure five years ago after experiencing stable angina. I sincerely wish the professionals would make up their minds.
Hi Bruce. Things change with time. Medicine does the best it can to get the information out quickly and safely. Can’t argue about big Pharma when they are saying don’t take an ASA. Thanks for watching and subscribing if you did
I like a baby aspirin every couple days
Against my better judgment (retired doc), I accepted the recommendation of my gerontologist and started a statin. My total cholesterol is 139. The highest ever measured was 165. My LDL has always been below 99. I developed edema that resolved when I stopped the statin. I was started on the medication because the “cookbook “ says I should be on it. When I started medicine, we treated patients as individuals. Now patients are just numbers. The bean counters require the physician to “follow protocols”. We are now just another number.
Sorry to hear that JAY. Hope you are ok now. Yes guidelines are just that. Still have to treat the patient in front of you. Thanks for watching, subscribing and sharing with someone if you did.
Hi Yuri. Thanks for sharing. A recent meta analysis has shown that statins do not increase the risk of dementia or Alzheimers and may slightly reduce it but yes proceed with caution and listen to your body. Thanks for watching, subscribing and sharing with someone if you did.
This Doctor seems to have plenty of information on this czcams.com/video/R4Jzmj5X9xA/video.html
You guys are great! Will be watching you for now on! And learning about my health! Thank you!
That is great to hear Linda! We will do our best to keep you informed. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Would like to know what range of chlorestrolol you three would consider to be ideal for your patients (as distinct from govt guidelines)
Hi Erika. It varies from region to region and does need to take into account other health issues but in an ideal world below 180. Thanks for watching, subscribing and sharing with someone if you did.
@@TalkingWithDocs
Much Appreciated.....I'm glad I found you all.
Love your videos!
This one on cholesterol was of interest to me e because I've been on medication for years to control it.
Hi cholesterol and triglycerides are hereditary to me. I haven't smoked or drank alcohol for years and I'm in my 75th year. So, I must be doing something regarding my cholesterol levels.
Also, I eat meals irregularly but I do eat plenty of veggies, fruits, nuts and seeds. And only a little meat.
Thank you for this video, guys!
Nice work Judy! Thanks for watching and subscribing
Very informative. First heart attack 3 years ago at age 54. Just felt a flutter from one side of my chest to the other and back. Had an irregular heart rate for about 12 hours. A week earlier had a CT cardiac scan, 2 hours later I got a call with the results and they wanted to know if I was having any symptoms. At that point, none. They said if I have any I need to go to the ER immediately. A week later to the ER, walking in because I didn't feel bad at all. I had the sense of impending doom. My dad died at 47 from his first and only heart attack. My body makes too much and doesnt suck out all the extra cholesterol. Six bypass later, I can't believe how much better I feel, especially since I had NO IDEA I felt bad! I am on 2 cholesterol meds and they want me to do the injections; on the fence with that. Funny thing about the vegetarian diet; the RN who ran the cardiac rehab program said I could eat salad for the rest of my life and I would never bring down my cholesterol. Now I know why - that 20%! Thank you so much for more insight!
Hope you continue to be ok Laura! Thanks for watching and subscribing
Read The Pritikin Program of Diet and Exercise and the supporting medical references.
@@TB1M1 Pritikin was a quack who died young. Hardly a good role model.
Girl, I’m in the same boat it’s genetic even if you’re an athlete you can still have high cholesterol
Thank you for your discussion on this. I have had elevated cholesterol for the last couple of years, and many people in my family have high cholesterol. As I'm only 27, my doctor is concerned about the long term effects of high cholesterol, and has mentioned medication as an option.
I'm in two minds about it, though, because I'm wary of liver damage as I already take multiple medications and my liver seems to be struggling a little because of it.
I still haven't made up my mind, but I'm glad you're able to give unbiased information.
You know, I really appreciate these videos you guys create. Personally, I find doctors intimidating so i love being able to listen to real doctors talk about issues that concern me without having the anxiety I normally get when seeing a doctor in person. Im 25 , weight train, follow the Mediterranean diet so i eat lots of fish, vegetables and monounsaturated fats, dont drink/smoke... I do everything right but i still worry a lot about my health. I believe stress is the biggest killer and its the one factor i find hardest to mitigate. Anyways, i really appreciate this video and all of the work that you guys do!
Thanks so much sonny. Stress is a huge problem in our society. Meditation. Mindfulness. All important.
Statins made me feel extraordinarily lethargic. The days I felt good were the days I'd forget to take them. I quit taking them and feel normal again. A question for you - do you look at just the number for LDL to determine whether someone has high cholesterol or is there another method?
That is typically the way to measure edover60. Thanks for watching, subscribing and sharing with someone if you did.
These anti-cholesterol drugs almost crippled my hands and legs, and that was after 14 months of taking them. Never again will I take them, under any circumstances.Three friends of mine had a similar experience. Eat well, in moderation, exercise a lot and you could feel better without the need for these drugs. As always, talk it over with your doctor, which I am not.
Have an NMR test to establish the size of your LDL particles. The large LDL are very beneficial and you could have more of them than the small LDL which are not desirable.
You did the right thing!!
Tried statins, made my joints ache. Can't, won't take them again.
Did they stop aching?
I’m with you. Ached so bad and just stopped taking them two weeks ago. The aching went away in two days. I also swear I lost muscle mass in my arms.
You should go back to your doctor, for an alternative brand. I tried a couple, before I got one with no side effects for me..
Same here , no take fish oil and all OK
I tried one statin & could not tolerate the muscle aches. Switched to a different statin without problems.
The suggestions have tightened up considerably regarding alcohol use here in Canada a year after this posting.
They sure have. 2 per week! The healthiest amount is 0
I just want to say I love both of you and thank you for all the information you provide to the public. Thank you Dr. Weening for always keeping me in stitches. Your face expressions and laughter are great medicine...keep up the amazing work...thank you both again!
That is so kind Penny. We are doing our best and will continue to try and provide useful info for our loyal viewers. Thanks for watching and subscribing if you did
My thanks to you both as well taking time away from your busy practice and family to educate the public. hope u are enjoying the experience of film making. next step is your own daily cbc show every morning ala dr.oz :)
czcams.com/video/TtD7O7CRNms/video.html
This is quite helpful and informative, thanks Docs!
I am 29 years old, Canadian living in Japan. Here in Japan, we get a mandatory annual physical through our employer. My LDL cholesterol jumped from 143 last year to 232 this year. I've always had a pretty high fat diet ( love fast food, red meat, cheese, butter, etc), and it's caught up to me it seems. I also drink very heavily, and gained 16kg in the same calendar year.
Exercise has always been a part of my life (weightlifting, hiking, cycling, walking), but I want to be more consistent with it. More importantly, I've started a pretty drastic lifestyle change:
-Reducing alcohol to social occasions maybe a couple times a month
- Cutting down the red meat, cheese, butter etc (😭)
-Getting my fiber intake way up
-More fruits, vegetables, oats, nuts, seeds etc
I'm going to stick with this for a few months (or really, the rest of my life), then go get another round of bloodwork done to see how my LDL and lipids are looking. I'm open to statins if it's gonna stop me from having a heart attack in my 30s, but I want to see how much I can do "naturally" first. Thanks for the good info here, wish me luck
Good luck Brendan. You can do this. Just takes discipline. Thanks for watching and subscribing
@@TalkingWithDocs thanks Docs! I'll do my best
When I was in Japan, their first step in fighting high cholesterol was fermented natto. Looks and tastes bad, but it does work.
@@s.marvin9323 my girlfriend eats it nearly everyday. I'll take my chances with the LDL over eating natto 😂
Jokes aside, I'll stick with red beans / black beans. Can't do natto
Brendan, I normally just read the replies and do not reply. Your story sounds identical to mine. My LDL was also exactly at 232. I did take a low dose statin for awhile called ROSUVASTATIN 20mg for a little while like maybe 2 months as well as incorporated more plant based diet of fresh vegetables, oatmeal, nuts , beans as well as a variety of fresh fruits. Also , I incorporated more cardio exercise in conjunction with weight lifting ( 3 times per week or more). My LDL dropped down from 232 to to around 70. I then heard from a nurse friend that statins can cause muscle atrophy and our hearts are a very important muscle . So that kinda scared me and shortly afterwards I stopped the statin medication. I have continued to exercise 3 times or more per week and have also decreased my alcohol consumption . My diet has not been fully vegan nor all plant based for that matter and I have " fallen off the wagon" when it comes to dieting. I started eating more pizza, hamburgers, fried chicken, butter and etc that I knew that I should avoid. Months later I had more blood work and my LDL jumped back up to 165. So my doctor wants me to start taking statin again. I believe that if I strictly watch my diet , continue to exercise, and responsibly drink alcohol that my LDL levels will drop back down to a healthy number. I hope and pray that you can lower your bad LDL levels and that I will also be able to do so by taking the natural steps to do so. I wish you the best of luck. My problem was that I can easily sit and eat a large a pizza all by myself. I believe my " over cunsumption " caught with me as well and for me and probably for you as well it is a daily battle. One way we can "Monitor" our progress is to go a purchase a spiral notebook and write on it " Diet Journal" where we can write down exactly what we eat each day and at what time as well as our beverage or fluids intake so we can actually see our progress with the disciplined dieting change and then go get bloodwork done again to see how much it is working. Best of Luck !!
Thankyou, last time I tried Statins and while I was exercising it felt like my whole body went into a meltdown, so stopped taking them.
Yes they can be hard for some people to take for sure. Thanks for watching and subscribing if you did
I got bad body aches. The doctor has given me different ones and they are all the same. I now take one every other day and that seems to work. Don't do that unless you check with your doctor first, mine said it was O.K. Also diet & exercise is good.
I found a research article that stated that only taking 1/2 of a 20 mg pill of atorvastatin every other day was effective. So when I first started taking it, I did exactly that. If it has contributed to any of my aches and pains, it is very minimal. And it has lowered my cholesterol down to safe levels. I wouldn't take them either if it caused me a lot of pain. I only suggest one might try the lower dose to see if it is tolerable.
The diet advise is the same, low fat and high carbs that are making people fat all over the world. These doctors will put you on a statin without doing a Cardiac Calcium Scoring and in the future into the operating room for a stent. Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result is the definition of insanity.
@@mcintyjohn I agree 100%
Hi and thank you for such a clear explanation of this subject. Loved the humor as well. Just subscribed and looking forward to learning from your videos! Thank you for all that you do :)
You are very welcome Elizabeth. Glad to have you along for the ride. Thanks for watching and subscribing
To me, the most interesting part of this video is the doctors banter:)
Most doctors are socially inept, while in college, we were partying, chasing women and studying when we had to, doctors were studying, studying and doing more studying!!!
So most have a large gap in social skills, all three of these guys seemed like normal guys that would be fun to hang out with:)
Hey Bold Guy. Yes we are normal guys and try to convey they in our practices and in our videos. Thanks for your kind words. Thanks for watching and subscribing if you did
The doctors do a very good job of not mentioning there is a chart that gives a person's life expectancy at a given cholesterol level. I have hyperlipidemia and also antithrombin 3 deficiency so my risk of early death was very high. Doctors estimated my life expectancy was age 40 when I had my first pulmonary embolism at age 30. My cholesterol runs about 500 without medication. I have taken the strongest statin dose available throughout my life. I didn't have health insurance for about 10 years and I ended up having a heart attack because of that I barely survived because of the antithrombin 3 problem I was deemed not suitable for bypass. There is an antithrombin 3 serum they can give you during surgery but my particular heart surgeon said he had no experience with it and therefore was hesitant to use it. He was concerned that the bypass he would be sewing on would clot during surgery. He said if I died on his table it would ruin his whole day, so... no surgery for me. Cardiogenesis saved my life, I grew small arteries that kept me alive. For the last 20 years, I have been taking statins every day. I have been on Crestor 40mg daily and the addition of zetia to that actually has reduced my incidence of angina remarkably. I also recommend 2 1000mg fish oil capsules daily. Side effects of statins for me are type 2 diabetes and I have fibromyalgia and connective tissue irritation, like tendons are painful at times. Statins saved my life and I am now age 65 any side effects are negated by the life-saving ability of these drugs for people like me.
Thank you for sharing your story. And so glad you are still with us!! All the best. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Another amazing video. I cannot tolerate statins like many people. I lowered my cholesterol in 12 months from 262 (Scary) to 191 today. I did it by taking fish oil (1200mg omega-3) this high concentration is hard to find so buy a lot of bottles when you find it. The one I use is natures bounty because it is usually on sale 2 for 1. I took 4 softgels=4800mg first thing in the morning, and 4 (4800mg) at bedtime for 365 days, no other changes. My triglycerides nose dived down to just 96 mg/dl from 176!!
I will take these results without big pharma meds and their side effects anyday!
Yes G there are lots of ways to get it down for sure. Glad you did. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Your information is greatly appreciated. It has been very helpful.Because of your information my doctor listened and has taken me off my BP medicine.I have not felt this good in months.I am still on a statin My cholesterol is very good.I monitor my BP daily. Thanks again
Wow Robert that is amazing. Glad we could help in any small way. All the best. Thanks for watching and subscribing
I am currently going through weight loss. I have just lost 28 pounds over the past 3 months and am doing intermittent fasting in conjunction with using a Mediterranean diet. I am type 2 and my A1C has dropped over the past 3 months which is on target with my current process of losing weight, but just had my cholesterol checked and my numbers went up slightly, something I did not expect. A friend just mentioned to me that she was told by her doctor that while you are in the process of losing weight it's not uncommon for your cholesterol levels to go up slightly until you get to a stable weight. My HDL increased as well. Can you speak a little about this phenomenon and when you should be concerned about it?
Hi Diane. Congrats. There can be transitional changes when losing weight. The other issue is that the keto diet is not a healthy one per se. It often is successful in Jump starting changes with a 20 lb weight loss but it is not sustainable or good for you. Best advice would be to further reduce consumption of animal products and consider a whole food plant based diet. Best of luck on your journey!
@@TalkingWithDocs I feel the best on the carnivore diet. Seen a reversal in a lot of chronic health issues I was having. Feel best with ditching the plants for animals.
Hello Docs! love this channel learning so much. Cholesterol video it's the first time I truly understand how cholesterol works. Great job docs
Glad it helped Connie! Thanks for watching and subscribing if you did
Very good info. I'm in my 40's and had stent procedure with two heart arteries 85% clogged. Now I am a vegetarian after having Ornish intensive cardiac rehab learning things that I don't know and practice years ago. Before, I eat unhealthy food and enjoyed life so much. It was about good time and I was telling myself that life is too short. But when I was diagnosed with a heart disease and high blood pressure and almost had a heart attack, reality hits me. It's easy to say when things don't exist yet but when it does, it will test you to the limit and probably will regret what you've said specially if you have love ones that you don't want to leave behind early. After changing my lifestyle (eating variety of whole foods, fruits and vegies, beans and lentils and enough sleep and exercise) my cardiologist took away some of my medications. Our body is like a car, if you don't take care of them like changing oil, driving and abusing them, someday it will shutdown. Look at a vehicle that is well taken care of and the owner don't abuse it, you will see that the vehicle will look good and will last long. The sad part is most people know the information to be healthy but they don't practice and ignore it until it's too late. Heart attack is the number killer in North America by far.
Thanks for sharing Toti. Thanks for watching, subscribing and sharing with someone if you did.
Ok
Great to hear. Read The Pritikin Program of Diet and Exercise and the supporting medical references.
I learned things from this video that I haven't found anywhere else. thanks so much.
Very welcome Laura. That is our goal - to educate (and maybe entertain a little 😀). Thanks for watching and subscribing
Just take your medicine. It’s very difficult to maintain a low cholesterol diet.
For sure Mary. Thanks for watching and subscribing if you did
I'm very surprised by this video since I'm usually highly impressed with this channel. There is ZERO studys linking high cholesterol with increased risk of a heart attack. One of the premiere doctors on cholesterol based out of Texas has great videos on this subject. He would not put his career on the line to push misinformation. Statins has shown to cause more problems with their side effects including Alzheimer's and other mental decline because our bodies need choloesterol to function. Statins interfere with that mix and should be reevaluated.
So your saying they no effect on stopping plugged up arteries full of cholesterol from heart attack or stroke ,suggest you get your education from another source just saying ridiculous statement
@@Mechone11 Don't be an idiot. There is no DATA that correlates high choloesterol with heart attacks. What causes the build up of plaque is inflammation caused by poor diet and lack of nutrition. Cholesterol is designed by nature to heal areas that are inflamed. Stop damaging your body and there would be no plaque build up. Don't blame cholesterol for your bad decisions.
Hi Kenneth. So we are not sure which one doctor you are referring to in Texas but the remainder of the scientific literature supports the reduction of cholesterol in reducing the risk of cardiovascular events. For the record, meta analyses (studies which review all of the studies on a certain topic) over the last 3 years have all shown that cholesterol lowering medications in fact reduce the incidence of dementia and may help reduce the risk of development of both dementia and Alzheimers. We are not exactly sure where you are getting your information. Cholesterol lowering medications do not reduce your cholesterol to 0. We definitely need cholesterol for many things like make hormones within our body but when someone takes a statin, their bodies still make cholesterol and have cholesterol in their blood. Having said that, a large number of patients are statin intolerant and thankfully there are many other classes of drugs that may be helpful to them in addition to regular exercise, healthy eating and stopping smoking. Hope that clarifies things a little. Thanks for watching, subscribing and sharing with someone if you did.
@@TalkingWithDocs Here's the video. Watch it carefully. czcams.com/video/o_QdNX9etCg/video.html
You're exactly right. The doctor you mention I think is doctor Nadir Ali, a cardiologist. If statins reduce CVD risks (they might a little, though they don't improve the risk of all-cause mortality), they don't even do it BY lowering cholesterol; they do it through other means, and just happen to also reduce cholesterol.
Is there any cholesterol study that takes into account culture as a factor in what is an acceptable range for cholesterol? For example, I’m Middle Eastern, and my parents and grandparents all had higher numbers - but all lived to very old age and died of other causes. I know you mentioned that some are just lucky - but, is it possible that some cultures simply have higher average numbers, and are fine at that level? Thanks for your videos!
Hi tesshiva. We are not aware of studies that show that high cholesterol is insignificant in certain cultures. Thanks for watching and subscribing if you did
@@TalkingWithDocs Then read on the topic. High cholesterol is positively correlated to long life in every study
Lifestyle is very important. Read The Pritikin Program of Diet and Exercise and the supporting medical references.
Statin gives me side effect sleeping disorder and muscular pain, what else can i use instead?
Hi Azhar. These side effects are not uncommon. There are other classes of medications that you could discuss with your doctor. You can also try diet and exercise. Please see our videos abkur cholesterol lowering foods. czcams.com/video/O26rQ3B-0No/video.html
Thanks for watching and subscribing
I'll try with diet and exercise lower my cholesterol . Thank you so much
I've tried at least a dozen different statins and they all gave me every nasty side effect in the book. Awful stuff!
Sorry to hear that Bruce. Thanks for watching and subscribing if you did
@@TalkingWithDocs -- No complaints since giving up *all* cardiologist-prescribed drugs and just taking one 81mg aspirin daily. Although not nearly as severe as those of the various statins, the beta and calcium channel blockers I took all had significant and distinctly unpleasant cognition-related side effects too. Since I value perceptual clarity above virtually all else, those drugs also had to go.
Given my paternal genetics, I'm doing fine -- thanks to a vegetarian diet and a CABGx3 procedure five years ago, I've already outlived my father and his brother by nearly nine years, both of them having died from MI at 65. As seen from here, every additional minute I get with my loved ones is a blessing and a bonus -- and my mother recently passed away at 100, so there's no telling how many of those precious minutes are yet to come.
combined over 400 refused statins. used gugglestrones all natural (got on amazon) for 2.5 months combined dropped to 186. my doctor wanted to know what i had done and wrote the info down to research.
@@BillSW -- I've tried half a dozen statins and they all had the same nasty side effects to slightly different extents, as did the various calcium channel and beta blockers I've been prescribed over the years. I'm 74 and have never had any cardiovascular symptoms other than stable angina, which was corrected surgically five years ago. Since I value perceptual clarity above all else, I've rejected all that stuff because it seriously impairs my cognitive and sensory experience of whatever life I've yet to live.
Having by far outlived all the previous generation's males save one on both sides of my family, I'm now much more interested in the *quality* of my life than in longevity, which is mere *quantity* of life -- and all those cardiologist-prescribed meds resulted in intolerable cognitive/sensory deficits that essentially ruined the former.
FWIW, my current primary care provider, an internist, doesn't seem especially concerned with my decision to forego all those nasty chemicals -- but thanks for the well-intentioned, generic advice, which I've received dozens of times before.
BTW, do you happen to be medical professional or a big pharma employee? Just curious...
@@editorjuno Not a medical professional nor a pharma employee. I just spent countless months watching relatives hospitalized in the cardiac ward and I talked to many patients there that all seemed to do the opposite of what doctors were telling them. Since then, I've read many medical books and learned from reading DrMirkin.com, a retired medical doctor that writes well researched articles all with references to medical research.
After reading your last response of having had stable angina, I assume you had a bypass or stent put in. If you have high blood pressure that is a high predictor of a stroke and dementia. You get angina as a result of clogged arteries or a faulty heart valve. If the former, even more reason to be on cholesterol lowering medications.
I agree quality over quantity, but you can increase quality if you get tolerable medications. I suggest seeing another internist to see if they can find a tolerable medication. Best wishes!
Just found your channel today, and thoroughly enjoyed the couple of videos that I watched. My cholesterol has been creeping up over the last few blood draws. My physician knows that I am opposed to using a statin and ordered a cardiac CT scan. The results showed a low chance of developing heart disease due to blockages (Agaston score was zero). I still have modified my diet to include more plant based foods and fewer animal products, and increased my exercise. Have a blood draw next week, and am anxious to see if things have changed.
Fingers crossed for you David! Thanks for watching and subscribing
@@TalkingWithDocs Update: Cholesterol went from 260 to 218 and HDL went from 42 to 56. I think things are headed in the right direction!
I have a family history of high cholesterol , my mother and her father both died at 76 with strokes before suffering mini strokes from vascular plugging of artery in neck and suffered dementia . Myself and my older sister have it and are both on statins mine is down to 490 and i'm 58 my sister just turned 78 and healthy been on them since she was 55 . I started a year ago. I do suffer from knee pain in left leg miss a couple of days and pain is gone. I also suffer from gallbladder ducts being plugged with cholesterol after test . Suffer a lot of pain, since being on a statin and another pill that turns your bile to an acid to dissolve blockage pain is almost gone . They were ready to yank my gallbladder. My stools were light in colour and have now gone back dark , high cholesterol will cause gall stones and blockage in bile ducts and lead to other issues not just strokes and heart
combined over 400 refused statins. used gugglestrones all natural (got on amazon) for 2.5 months combined dropped to 186. my doctor wanted to know what i had done and wrote the info down to research.
Hi chris. Yes high cholesterol has many issues for sure. Thanks for watching and subscribing if you did
I'm 83 yr old woman my cholesterol is 157 . The bad one is 100 and good 58 . My new dr wanted me to take meds but I said no . I had a stroke at 61 yrs the could not find anything wrong thought it was from one of my meds . My cholesterol has always been under 200 . My overall health is good . Good heart is good , my bones like a young adult. I am not going to worry
Fair enough Joyce. Keep it up! Thanks for watching and subscribing
My Mother had "ideal" cholesterol numbers. Suffered a major heart attack with four arteries almost fully clogged.
Personally, went to an animal based diet almost 5 years ago. Brought my triglycerides from 268 to 80. Improved my HDL. Took my A1C from 10.1 to 5.3. Despite all that, my LDL of 307 has my doctor determined to put me on a statin. I think I'll pass.
By the way, I feel healthier at 50 than I have in decades.
That’s awesome for you. Everyone is different. For the associated cancer risk alone can’t really advocate an animal based diet. Definitely agree about getting rid of sugar and refined carbs which are a problem. Whole foods that have carbohydrates have countless health benefits. All the best. Thanks for watching and subscribing
what about your iron levels and other things?
@@senderoestrecho9142 the rest of my blood work is great, including iron levels.
@@nocarbsnation ok, thanks for the info.
@@senderoestrecho9142 anytime!
I was plant based for 5 years and went to gym 5 days a week and my cholesterol was 270. Doc said to exercise more and cut back on meat. For me its genetics. I've never taken anything.
It certainly can be Cardinal. Thanks for watching and subscribing if you did
I can't wait to live in the island where everything fresh,no chemicals on food. No doctors keep prescribing me prescriptions and make money out of me. Nowadays ,very seldom you find good doctors. Sometimes better not have health insurance ,it's unbelievable how much doctors charges through your insurance and you still has t pay the difference.
I am the same, I am a healthy vegan, I don't drink or smoke and walk every day for 40 -60 minutes. Nothing lowers my cholesterol, and I really don't want to take medication.
@@myrnahall6168 living on an island without doctors is certain for u to experience many diseases naturally that otherwise would be curable by doctors. Hope u never fall and fracture a bone in the jungle.
I have you ever wonder why cutting out meat or animal products is not your solution? Maybe there's another reason...."genetics" Not. Sugars, refined carbs and industrial oils (veg oils) are highly inflammatory which damage arteries, ldl cholesterol tries to repair it but it's too much and ends up clogging
I know a lot of people that have high cholesterol, but are not overweight. Why do Dr's always harp on weight? Every health problem is blamed on weight which is not true.
Are you fat? I am. It sucks in every way imaginable. It reduces my life happiness by 30%. Fat people die more often and earlier than skinny people. Wanna live longer? Sunlight and exercise.
your waist size predicts high blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol. those that are skinny with high cholesterol could also be diabetics. get tested by your doc and trust their advice. otherwise let nature takes its course and kill u sooner
Hi Fannie. We definitely do not blame all problems on weight however carrying extra weight does cause problems. You are totally correct that you can be thin with high cholesterol. Point well taken Fannie. Thanks for watching and subscribing if you did
Hi David. It is a struggle for many people for many reasons. Best to get some help with a formal plan. Best of luck. Thanks for watching and subscribing if you did
Hi Bill. A tad harsh but true. Thanks for watching and subscribing if you did
Thank you for these valuable parameters. I want to ask you: Is garlic good for cholesterol? Thank you. May God bless you.
Yes it can help. And has other health benefits
I think the best diet for managing cholesterol is probably of those living by the sea. Mainly Mediterranean. A lot of fish , fruits vegetables. Olive oil , and wine.
I need to start a Mediterranean diet. My LDL is borderline high and I cannot take Rosuvastatin. Causes increased anxiety, low back pain. I hate it honestly. Its up to me to lose the weight. And walk.
@@elsplace896 hi I know it's good , most important is not to cook in oil. Bake the food , after you put olive oil.
@@elsplace896 swim every day and walk to the beach
@@themishmish101 ok thanks
why olive oil? Just eat the olives and skip the wine except on special occassions
Surprised there isn't more said about statins and their anti-inflammatory functions. As mentioned by other commenters the Jupiter study (and I understand other studies have shown C-Reactive Protein levels (a marker for arterial inflammation) are a great way to discover high risk patients. My cardiologist has become a convert in the last 6 or 8 years. He's gone from just looking at my LDL levels to being more interested in my A1C numbers. My understanding is that when blood sugar levels are above 140 mg/dL there is inflammation occurring in my blood vessels. His comment on testing my CRP is that he knows I am in the high risk group and if my CRP levels were high he'd put me on statins and he already has me on statins (Lipitor generic).
I had a heart attack over 16 years ago. The only cardio issues since then were due to 1st generation drug eluding stents becoming blocked and a cardio guy that was more aggressive about what to stent. My LDL runs between 55 and 65. I have found (by testing) that my intake of saturated fats and eggs has little to no effect on my LDL. Bringing some fats and oils back into my diet has increased my HDL up well above 40 which wasn't the case on what was basically a very low fat diet. My triglycerides remain well below 100 (usually about 80). If people taking statins have problems with muscle/joint pain or liver function then they should get off the statins. That hasn't been an issue for me.
I've become convinced that inflammation, primarily from high blood sugar levels, initiates the damage that the cholesterol is trying to patch up.
Hi Ed. Yes there are many factors that can predict cardiac risk. This was a cholesterol video. There are a lot of patients with cardiac risk and normal A1c. CRP is a non specific marker for inflammation but is often elevated in cardiac patients. Thanks for watching and subscribing if you did
I love my Honeyband Maple syrup...that have any effect!
I absolutely agree with you Ed
you nailed it !
Thank you for this channel, very informative, but contradictory of what other doctors on youtube say in regards to eating a high vegetable/fruit diet. Others say eat a high protein/carnivore type diet. I would like to first know why there is such different information depending on which MD you talk to and how we actually get to consensus on this?? Its confusing to us non MDs…
Hi Carl. Very confusing for sure. Unfortunately a lot of it is marketing. It has changed from Atkins to South beach etc. All selling something. It makes sense to eat whole foods not processed limit sugar and eat more plants than animals. It is just common sense. We are not cave men with life expectancies of 30 years who aren’t sure where their next meal is coming from. Times have changed and what we eat should change too. Look around we have never been richer and had more access to modern medicine and we have never been heavier or sicker as a society. It is probably the food. Thanks for watching and subscribing if you did
@@TalkingWithDocs what is being promoted in a low carb, whole food, plant rich ketogenic diet is exactly what is in the name… whole food. Like a vegetarian diet, anytime we switch our diet to a whole food or real food diet and get away from a processed food diet, we are going to do better health wise.
The difference in doctors what I am seeing is the interpretation of the science based on the studies. Many doctors have a bias when they begin to read the studies… there is a cognitive distortion of what they understand versus using the hierarchy of evidence, the scientific method and getting rid of old data.
Not sure why it makes more sense to eat more plants than animals. Make sense and looking hard at the science are two different things. Meat, gram by gram is the lowest calorie and most nutrient dense food product. If you eat more dietary cholesterol, not going overboard, it carries the the fat soluble nutrients to your cells…. Your body’s homeostasis will adjust and make less cholesterol. Too many grains in a body that is already imbalanced can be problematic…. Ask the ancient Egyptians who died young of diabetes and heart disease, stroke, etc. they were bread eaters and lived in what we would now call the Mediterranean Diet. In my opinion, based on all the science studies I have read, weighing the hierarchy of evidence and using the scientific method as my guide, I see where a high fiber, low carb plant rich, adequate protein becomes is very beneficial for many… especially from what I can tell, those that have high triglycerides and test with high insulin from the Kraft test. YEs, it can be done vegetarian… your are correct… lifestyle is a choice.
A low carb diet has nothing to gain from marketing…. What is the product when real food is being promoted? The product in promoting a statin is obvious… a pharmaceutical. The information provided here did not reference any studies, however, many of the other well credentialed doctors and research scientists are showing the studies they used to support their evidence.
The question is actually whether Cholesterol levels on the Lipid panel are a good predictor of coronary disease.
A better (and more accurate) predictor is the Calcium CT scan score or a treadmill stress test.
________________________________________________________________________
"The second, more technological way, to determine risk is with an imaging study called a Coronary Calcium Scan. A Coronary Calcium Scan is a non-contrast, low-radiation, CT scan of the heart which takes about 30 seconds to acquire and costs about $50.
The heart scan is then reviewed for evidence of calcium within the arteries of the heart; the plaque within the heart arteries calcifies or scars over time and is easily seen on these scans. Using a standardized software, the amount of calcified plaque is scored by an automated process." (Capital Cardiology)
Hi YL. Many would disagree with that statement. To that point, in Canada the test is almost never used as it does not change management, exposes the patient to radiation and has a significant cost to the healthcare system with no appeciabke benefit. We know that a lot of patients in the US get them