I'm a CT radiographer and perform these scans and they're personally incredible. They are relatively cheap ($150-200 in 🇦🇺) and non invasive (no cannulation and injection of iodine contrast), and pose minimal radiation as most sites perform sequential scans or fast scans (where you take a "slice" or xray through the heart every 3-5mm) meaning it's one of the lowest dose scans you can get, roughly about 2 weeks background radiation you obtain from the sun (the exact same type of radiation too!). The scoring system can be incredibly useful but not only that, it can locate where Ca build up has occurred. For example, a scoring of 100-200 in the LM (Left main) artery can be a massive issue compared to a Ca score in the thousands where calcium build up is scattered throughout the heart, like your kitchen sink having one big blocked pipe rather than all the small pipes being partially or minimally full of debris. Finally, CALCIUM build up is mostly due to family history of heart disease. Smoking, drinking and malnutrition impose minimal effects on Coronary heart disease when compared to family history or other underlying conditions. Hope this may be informative to someone reading :), however the Cardiologist in this video does raise some points and is more qualified than me, I just thought this perspective would be interesting

CT scan saved my life. 3 years ago I Had normal cholesterol levels, doc said a waste of my money…738 score!!!!!!! I immediately changed my lifestyle and diet. Lost 40lbs, improved all blood markers. Had I not gotten the scan, I would probably be dean now.

I am a physician. The cardiac CT scan to detect coronary artery calcification is a very useful test. It provides actionable information.

My bloodwork was good, I was exercising and cycling. I had no symptoms. My doctor advised a CT scan because of heredity issues. My score was 5700! It saved my life! What are you talking about?

This COMMONSENSE advice! I am due to my cardiologist tomorrow but I had already decided not to go for the scan. Thank you for confirming me in my decision. I am just going to assume that I have everything and I am going to make lifestyle and diet changes. I am afraid that even the 'small' amount of radiation is going to only push my heart a little further down the disease route. So, why not take it into my own hands and start to try and REVERSE it? 'Let food be thy medicine'!

Thx Doc. We stumbled upon your video not by chance, but divine appt. Lol. Your words were a must hear. We will support your channel. Thank you

😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮 I think you are the ONLY doctor who I've ever come across who doesn't recommend it. I definitely plan on getting a calcium scoring test. It's so cheap it and feel it's well worth it. I've seen plenty of people in the comments sections on other videos claim it saved their lives. I would NEVER take a statin. My mom took one for 40 years and I'm convinced it caused or at least contributed to her Alzheimers!!😢😢😢😢😢

My calcium score was 1750, so my cardiologist ordered the NC stress test, which showed no blockage. It makes me wonder if there is anyone who knows anything.

There is a coronary calcium CT scan which gives you an Agatston score and a coronary CT with contrast. You seem to be placing these two in the same bucket despite the title of the video. Insurance does not typically cover a CT calcium score as it is a screening for patients who are not having symptoms but want to know if they have any coronary calcification. The coronary CT with contrast is used for symptomatic patients to find blockages.

Had this test and found dialated arteries that need to be monitored (due to high blood pressure, that is being and has been treated). This is a cheap, quick test that can pick up on conditions that can go undetected until you have a material health event. My condition would have possibly killed me if left unchecked. The $125 was worth every penny.

I've just heard of a Cleerly scan Would that be better Then a Cac scan I've got extremely high ldl.

I had today. My score was 59. My blood pressure has dropped way low, I have lost over 50lbs and for five years running my lipid panel for the last five years have been perfect…should I be bothered? I also had to pay 50 bucks…

Isn't the problem with CAC that it doesn't test for "soft" plaque, only "hard" plaque? Soft calcium is an on-going problem, while hard calcium could be a repair in progress. It seems to be less of a predictor than a snapshot of the past.

Dr Phillip Ovadia a metabolic cardiac surgeon has found CAC scores useful as a cheap screening tool to monitor progression of heart disease. If it's increasing over time it indicates progression of heart disease. Then a CT angiogram will need to be done even if asymptomatic. He has had patients with high CAC scores, like 1000, who exercise alot and have no symptoms . Their CAC remains stable over time then their heart disease has not gotten worse. I think he doesn't do a CT angiogram for them if patient isn't worried, no symptoms and there aren't other reasons to do one. But a patient could have a CAC score of 100, that over time increases to 500. That patient has a higher risk of a heart attack in his experience. So a CT angiogram would be next step.

I demanded one after finding out (through my own investigations) that I had very high Lp(a). Only 50 and thought I was super healthy. Score of 61. Probably saved my life to some degree as it was a huge wake up call. Dropped carbs almost completely , only eat real food, HIIT cardio + weight training. All blood markers now are great, well except for that Lp(a)😢

its the only true indicator so far for heart failure

I'm planning to have a CIMT next month.

So wait for symptoms? What if it's the big one and too late?

I’ve had 2 back to back 0CAC scores at 52 and 57 now 58 years young.

All my blood and stress tests were good, no symptoms. I had to ask for one and it cost $100 and I have 390, got it last week. A game changer, I thought my heart was in great shape.

I have had stent installed in my heart. The doctor prescribed a statin drug for me to take for the rest of my life. Should i obey him ?

What about cardiac MRI ?

Got it done for $115. My score was 200. Ill check with my primary care physician and go from there.

Great Dr who tells the truth!

Interesting. I just got score. I see your point. At 62 years old being overweight I know I have a positive score. I should be changing my lifestyle since I already know I am sick. BTW my score was 75. Not great but it gave me a good kick in the pants to change my diet and work out almost everyday.

For my TC Calcium Score (CACS) I received 12 DLP, i.e. 2.16 mSv which is equivalent to *1/10 of one year of natural radiation just to live in this earth.* I mean, essentially I added 1 month of the natural ionizing. Yeah!... the TC scanner was one of top Siemens TC machines. In terms of risk/ information reward , it was exceptional. There is no one now who is forcing me to run further tests. It depends on the results. And remember: calcium score could be detected in a exponentially measure over the years. In terms of radiation, probably your next fly will cause you to absorb more radiation than this exam -- if performed with excellent low-radiation protocols.

Had one done for 71 dollars. Zero score. Best money spent. SAN Jose California

LDCT are used to scan for various things…lung ca… calcified coronary arteries don’t mean anything. Your symptoms are the best predictor of a problem. I haven’t seen one positive nuclear stress test in any asymptomatic severely calcified coronary arteries.

You can get a free one through University Hospitals.

I had one yesterday and i regret it because of the radiation. Is there anything I can do now. I’m actually in a lot of anxiety about what I have done to my dna

I think this test is best for young people. If you are seeing a significant CAC score, you have had a serious level of blood glucose spike and inflammation, therefore soft plaque buildup for decades.

Totally disagree. Everyone should get one starting at age 40 especially if you have a family history or a poor bloodwork. Stupid to wait for symptoms or a cardiac event which usually ends up killing people.

What about a Echocardiogram? What do you think?

And what if the calcium score is zero?

Doctor Nissan the foremost cardiologist says do not do routine testing.

You might try a cardio vision screening but i am not sure if it is as complete as a cac scan, DO Your RESEARCH

First Dr that I see that recommend not to get this test done. I find it helpful, especially for people whose Dr's suspect problems.

How comparable is the ct scan to scan at airport?

I wanted one. They tried found blockage in the LAD prescribed Plavix and I have an appointment with the cardiologist on Friday. This was elective for me, I started keto a year ago. But my Apob was high. My LDL’s gone up. A bit freaked. Even though they put me in the CT scanner with an iodine injection they say they couldn’t do a CAC.

Is it really that big a deal to get a scan done to give somebody a piece of mind to have a visual of your arteries in the doctors not paying for it? What difference does it make to him? If the patient wants to do it let them do it

Insurance does not pay for ct scan

My symptoms have been worse since I had the CT scan. Am I imagining it, sometimes I do think so.

How can i get ahold of you?

What about a CIMT

Yes there is risk no doubt on that ..but the universal truth of life is Risk to Benefit ... Every benefit has somw risk and vice versa.. It does have radiation exposure but to check the arteries and calcium scoring .. i think the benefits oitweights the risk

oreos did 2x better than statins, but if calcium score is to high you are living dangerously regardless of ldl

If someone gets a CAC Score of ZERO, it just means the heart and surround arteries are clear of plaque. BUT what about the rest of the body, head, arms, legs, etc? What's the test for this?

i have a echogram every 5 years ,and it comes out good ,i take magnesium taurate,coq10, beet juice, and omega 3 and k2 vitamins

Another example of treating the monitor and not the patient. Statin are the most prescribed medication world wide. Maybe they should just put it in the water.

Mine was 91😊

This calcium scan is all over the place. My doctor is pressuring me to get a calcium scan. It’s in the news. KZfaq channels regarding health are talking about it. I had gone into my health provider’s portal to download some old blood work. Wouldn’t you know, each and every single document had a title page reminding me get a Calcium Scan with date that is basically saying I’m overdue. Does this not sound like a campaign to anyone? We pay 100% of this scan. Right? If this is so important, why isn’t the insurance paying? What about slices and angles? Do they know which way to scan to get a likely higher or lower number? What if you get a higher score the next time (100% paid by you again of course because by now you are scared and/or hooked) and the number went up only because the scan angle was slightly different? What is the dose of radiation and what is the recommended dose for YOU? Does anyone ask if you had dental scans first? -do they care? Radiation in small doses does add up. If you have something like Hashimoto’s, you need to avoid radiation. In my current situation, I just had dental x-rays done. I am so sure that if I did bring it up, it will be fluffed off and the tech would proceed. So here we are rushing to get our scans and then we compare scores. We pay for this out of our own pocket and once done, will no doubt want another as soon as we can to compare scores. Let’s see if it goes up or down. What is it showing, the past or the present dangers? Isn’t calcium secure enough compared to the real danger of the sticky soft plaque? Why can’t we scan for that stuff? The worst of all of this is that diet and nutrition are always last on the list. What if there IS a way to repair or remove plaque and THAT is what should be discussed instead of calcium scores, of old damage that our bodies have fairly secured especially compared to the more dangerous soft plaque. I don’t know. I’m not a doctor but am old enough to know to question when you see, feel, hear a campaign.

Y contact us.. u can tell us in video

radiation from a mammogram is higher

Of COURSE I find this video a week ** AFTER ** I went for a CT heart screening. 😜

Zero or low calcium score in a young person doesn't mean much as plaque hasn't had time to calcify..

Where I come from the Stress Test has typically been the 1st test of choice recommended by GPs at +A$600 Vs the Ct Scan at A$150. It has been well documented in social media that after a couple of decades of medical industry resistance to CT heart scans has increasingly relented with the upsell benefits now recognised and popularity increasing on this basis. My observations are that the science shows benefit in both but the CT Scan from an economic basis is a no brainer as a good starting point. I think you’re delusional otherwise and don’t understand the science or the benefits of both, especially the cost benefits 🤷‍♂️. Good luck with promoting your paradigm 🤞🤔.

The widow maker mover explains the politics.

To all the people saying that CT scan saved your life. Maybe it did, because otherwise you would have been unaware. But we know now that it is the soft plaque rather than the stable Ca deposits, that are the danger. Like this doctor has advised, I am going to assume that I have blockage - a little or a lot. What am I going to do? Back pedal right now and get off sugar, carbs, processed food, seed oils.

DOC, WHAT KIND OF BLOOD TESTS DO YOU RECOMMEND? PLEASE OPEN UP. YOU BOOK DOES NOT SPECIFY.

I see your point- CTC gives some patients awareness but some patients get overly stressed. Hospital generating revenue is not my concern. These tests have some reliability and relevance. People with CAD symptoms (unknown until the test results) could die out of CHF without warning. I lost my healthy brother in law at age 50. God didn’t even give him a second chance. If he had done CTC, he would have approached the cardiologist and appropriate diagnosis would have saved his life.

I agree

I dont agree with the person in the video, ct scans can pinpoint where the buildup is occurring which can ultimately save your life, you may want to think that buildup can be corrected by diet and excercise but that is not the case, in many situations, sone people can have a very good diet and still get buildup or blockage and it doesn't just go away, sorry but from my research those are the cold, hard facts

kzfaq.info/get/bejne/gpedgNGf3rDWl58.html

Shame they stopped the down votes. This guy's advice is dangerous

You are not responsible. If I followed your advice I would be dead.

He is not an MD and he is trying to sell a bunch of stuff on his web site, beware.

I had one at 48 I’m 52 now I was 0.