Today, I review, link to, and embed Metabolic Mind‘s “How to Actually Predict a Heart Attack (Beyond Cholesterol)”.
All that follows is from the above resource.
How to Actually Predict a Heart Attack (Beyond Cholesterol)
Feb 3, 2025Have you been told you have high cholesterol and need to start a statin to prevent a heart attack? You’re not alone. Every year, millions receive this news from their doctors—often with a sense of fear and urgency. But it turns out that cholesterol isn’t the best way to determine your risk of cardiovascular disease. We can and should do much better since cholesterol levels alone don’t come close to telling the full story. Dr. Bret Scher, board-certified cardiologist, lipidologist, and Medical Director of Baszucki Group, explains that there are better testing options that go beyond LDL levels to assess cardiovascular disease risk. Coronary calcium scores and CT angiograms provide a detailed plaque analysis to help you more accurately measure the present and future risk of heart disease, rather than just relying on lab markers that correlate with disease risk. In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Why coronary calcium scores (CAC) are more predictive than LDL levels
- How CT angiograms provide a more detailed look at plaque buildup
- The differences between coronary calcium scores and CT angiograms
- The benefits of advanced analysis, like Cleerly Health evaluations, in assessing heart disease risk
- How to use these tests to make more informed decisions with your doctor
Despite decades of medical advancements, cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of death—proving that our current approach isn’t enough. It’s time to rethink not just how we treat heart disease, but how we assess cardiovascular health in the first place. Studies Mentioned: Impact of Statins on Cardiovascular Outcomes Following Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring
CMEs Mentioned: Managing Major Mental Illness with Dietary Change: The New Science of Hope
Brain Energy: The Metabolic Theory of Mental Illness
Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry. Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/
