Newest Lab Results not quite what I expected
Replies
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I haven't had a middie age.... Is it carb-free....?1
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AlexandraCarlyle wrote: »I haven't had a middie age.... Is it carb-free....?
Uh, usually no. Where do you think your "middle" comes from?1 -
Oh Lordie, you're right.... spaghetti alla carbonara, pizza and lasagne. Garfield swears by it.....Middle-aged spread....!!2
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I heard recently that middle age was from something like 38 to 56. I look around and don't see too many people who are 112, so I wonder about that range. I am currently right about in the middle of that and think there is a good chance I have passed the halfway mark.2
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cstehansen wrote: »I heard recently that middle age was from something like 38 to 56. I look around and don't see too many people who are 112, so I wonder about that range. I am currently right about in the middle of that and think there is a good chance I have passed the halfway mark.
That was the reason I moved my goal to live to be 110 when at 50 I said something about being middle age. They asked if I planned to live to be 100 and I shot back NO I plan to live to be 110. There are a few websites with live to be 110 in their web name.
Now that I have studied how to help prevent premature death from type 2 diabetes, cancer, heart attack, autoimmune issues, Alzheimers, stroke, etc I know living longer is possible. Not making changes until I was 63 means I have more issues to fix and then reverse the damage if possible.3 -
I am still awaiting my Male Panel blood work results that I order through Life Extension and collected by LabCorp of Jackson TN but did get my results from Henry County Medical Center Paris TN today.
CT Lung Cancer Screening results Within Normal Limits $175 special
US Vascular Screening $75 Add On to $100 CT calcium scoring screening
Carotid artery/stroke screening results build up Within Normal range as well as Blood flow velocities.
CT Calcium Scoring/Screening Total Calcium Score: 9.3 with heart rate of 52.
The 9.3 total calcium score was a surprise but I am very thankful. I wish I had a scan ran mid 2014 before I started changing my WOE.
I have been more or less mild Keto for 31 months. Been on heavy levels of fish oil for 20 years and Co Q-10 off and on for the past 15 years. NSAIDS for 40 years but not regularly since 2004. Got CPAP machine 2004 and used nightly ever since. Never drank, smoked, did drugs or ran around on my wife. High weight of 250 a few times and have been in 200-210 range for last two years. Vitamin D levels of about 100 for past two years and added Vit K2 MK7 about 18 months ago. When in 2013 first Vit D level was 22. Due to 40 years of high pain levels movement has been limited but still I accidently move more than some do by intent. The kids are turning 20 this fall so I have pushed against great pain doing theme parks, etc plus a 31 day 8000 mile motorhome trip with just the two of them in 2011 when we hit about 16 states and the Pacific coast line. I use the backhoe some and mainly bush hog with the tractor. Between home, the company, church and other boards, college/graduate school, etc I have managed to keep my stress very high over the past 40 years.
I will need to get this worked into a blog post at www.ketolivewell.com (where you can see my supplements)one of these days along with the incoming Male Panel results. Hey I even beat Butter Bob's score of 17. I would have been happy if I had come in under 100 based on my past health history.
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@GaleHawkins - Congratulations!
I guess you can go back to your old ways now; maybe adding some serious vice other than overworking?1 -
@GaleHawkins - Congratulations!
I guess you can go back to your old ways now; maybe adding some serious vice other than overworking?
Thanks. These three test results makes my intent to live to 110 walking and talking the entire way more possible than I expected. Now I just have to slow down when driving so I do not hit 110 MPH racing a train to the crossing.
Actually even a Zero Calcium Score does not meant one will not die from heart disease because there is still a 5% chance.1 -
GaleHawkins wrote: »@GaleHawkins - Congratulations!
I guess you can go back to your old ways now; maybe adding some serious vice other than overworking?
Thanks. These three test results makes my intent to live to 110 walking and talking the entire way more possible than I expected. Now I just have to slow down when driving so I do not hit 110 MPH racing a train to the crossing.
Actually even a Zero Calcium Score does not meant one will not die from heart disease because there is still a 5% chance.
Ha! Ideally, only your train of thought would be racing at that speed in your immediate proximity.
Well, a lot of our choices ARE about playing the odds (as best we can discern them with our limited knowledge and crude n=1 experimental methods).
I suspect everything we think we know is like watching Plato's shadows on the wall; most of it bears some resemblance to reality but isn't the genuine article.4 -
GaleHawkins wrote: »I am still awaiting my Male Panel blood work results that I order through Life Extension and collected by LabCorp of Jackson TN but did get my results from Henry County Medical Center Paris TN today.
CT Lung Cancer Screening results Within Normal Limits $175 special
US Vascular Screening $75 Add On to $100 CT calcium scoring screening
Carotid artery/stroke screening results build up Within Normal range as well as Blood flow velocities.
CT Calcium Scoring/Screening Total Calcium Score: 9.3 with heart rate of 52.
The 9.3 total calcium score was a surprise but I am very thankful. I wish I had a scan ran mid 2014 before I started changing my WOE.
I have been more or less mild Keto for 31 months. Been on heavy levels of fish oil for 20 years and Co Q-10 off and on for the past 15 years. NSAIDS for 40 years but not regularly since 2004. Got CPAP machine 2004 and used nightly ever since. Never drank, smoked, did drugs or ran around on my wife. High weight of 250 a few times and have been in 200-210 range for last two years. Vitamin D levels of about 100 for past two years and added Vit K2 MK7 about 18 months ago. When in 2013 first Vit D level was 22. Due to 40 years of high pain levels movement has been limited but still I accidently move more than some do by intent. The kids are turning 20 this fall so I have pushed against great pain doing theme parks, etc plus a 31 day 8000 mile motorhome trip with just the two of them in 2011 when we hit about 16 states and the Pacific coast line. I use the backhoe some and mainly bush hog with the tractor. Between home, the company, church and other boards, college/graduate school, etc I have managed to keep my stress very high over the past 40 years.
I will need to get this worked into a blog post at www.ketolivewell.com (where you can see my supplements)one of these days along with the incoming Male Panel results. Hey I even beat Butter Bob's score of 17. I would have been happy if I had come in under 100 based on my past health history.
Awesome News about your Calcium Scan! I am telling everyone I know to get one.2 -
I am telling others about the CAC scoring test as well that it only $100 in many areas.
LifeExtension returned my male panel results this morning. Total Cholesterol still about 300 with the LDL still about 200 but with the CAC scan and vascular work up showing good blood flows with min calcium build up the cholesterol must not be a artery health issue. CRP results were up some so I will have to troubleshoot to see if I can find the cause(s).
Fasting blood glucose came in at an 88 for the first time that I can remember which is 15-20 points lower than for the past few years. A1c was 5.2 in Dec 2016 and 5.1 last week so some of my new supplements to lower glucose are working or finally Insulin Resistance is becoming less resistant.3 -
GaleHawkins wrote: »I am telling others about the CAC scoring test as well that it only $100 in many areas.
LifeExtension returned my male panel results this morning. Total Cholesterol still about 300 with the LDL still about 200 but with the CAC scan and vascular work up showing good blood flows with min calcium build up the cholesterol must not be a artery health issue. CRP results were up some so I will have to troubleshoot to see if I can find the cause(s).
Fasting blood glucose came in at an 88 for the first time that I can remember which is 15-20 points lower than for the past few years. A1c was 5.2 in Dec 2016 and 5.1 last week so some of my new supplements to lower glucose are working or finally Insulin Resistance is becoming less resistant.
Wow. Sounds pretty darn good!
It might be interesting to get an NMR lipoprotein electrophoresis to measure your lipid sub-particle composition. Hardly seems necessary, though...1 -
GaleHawkins wrote: »I am telling others about the CAC scoring test as well that it only $100 in many areas.
LifeExtension returned my male panel results this morning. Total Cholesterol still about 300 with the LDL still about 200 but with the CAC scan and vascular work up showing good blood flows with min calcium build up the cholesterol must not be a artery health issue. CRP results were up some so I will have to troubleshoot to see if I can find the cause(s).
Fasting blood glucose came in at an 88 for the first time that I can remember which is 15-20 points lower than for the past few years. A1c was 5.2 in Dec 2016 and 5.1 last week so some of my new supplements to lower glucose are working or finally Insulin Resistance is becoming less resistant.
Wow. Sounds pretty darn good!
It might be interesting to get an NMR lipoprotein electrophoresis to measure your lipid sub-particle composition. Hardly seems necessary, though...
Thanks.
I looked that up on LE site last night. I am going with the full suite for a more complete baseline for the years to come. Their battery of cancer markers test look interesting as well.1 -
GaleHawkins wrote: »GaleHawkins wrote: »I am telling others about the CAC scoring test as well that it only $100 in many areas.
LifeExtension returned my male panel results this morning. Total Cholesterol still about 300 with the LDL still about 200 but with the CAC scan and vascular work up showing good blood flows with min calcium build up the cholesterol must not be a artery health issue. CRP results were up some so I will have to troubleshoot to see if I can find the cause(s).
Fasting blood glucose came in at an 88 for the first time that I can remember which is 15-20 points lower than for the past few years. A1c was 5.2 in Dec 2016 and 5.1 last week so some of my new supplements to lower glucose are working or finally Insulin Resistance is becoming less resistant.
Wow. Sounds pretty darn good!
It might be interesting to get an NMR lipoprotein electrophoresis to measure your lipid sub-particle composition. Hardly seems necessary, though...
Thanks.
I looked that up on LE site last night. I am going with the full suite for a more complete baseline for the years to come. Their battery of cancer markers test look interesting as well.
I'll have to take a tour as well. Thanks for the heads-up.1 -
lifeextension.com/Vitamins-Supplements/itemLC123810/NMR-LipoProfile-Blood-Test
@RalfLott I got the NMR lab test ordered. It should be worth the $74.25 to finally know the make up of my high cholesterolGaleHawkins wrote: »GaleHawkins wrote: »I am telling others about the CAC scoring test as well that it only $100 in many areas.
LifeExtension returned my male panel results this morning. Total Cholesterol still about 300 with the LDL still about 200 but with the CAC scan and vascular work up showing good blood flows with min calcium build up the cholesterol must not be a artery health issue. CRP results were up some so I will have to troubleshoot to see if I can find the cause(s).
Fasting blood glucose came in at an 88 for the first time that I can remember which is 15-20 points lower than for the past few years. A1c was 5.2 in Dec 2016 and 5.1 last week so some of my new supplements to lower glucose are working or finally Insulin Resistance is becoming less resistant.
Wow. Sounds pretty darn good!
It might be interesting to get an NMR lipoprotein electrophoresis to measure your lipid sub-particle composition. Hardly seems necessary, though...
Thanks.
I looked that up on LE site last night. I am going with the full suite for a more complete baseline for the years to come. Their battery of cancer markers test look interesting as well.
I'll have to take a tour as well. Thanks for the heads-up.
@RalfLott I spent the $74.25 so I can now know what is the makeup of my cholestrol finally.
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GaleHawkins wrote: »I am telling others about the CAC scoring test as well that it only $100 in many areas.
LifeExtension returned my male panel results this morning. Total Cholesterol still about 300 with the LDL still about 200 but with the CAC scan and vascular work up showing good blood flows with min calcium build up the cholesterol must not be a artery health issue. CRP results were up some so I will have to troubleshoot to see if I can find the cause(s).
Fasting blood glucose came in at an 88 for the first time that I can remember which is 15-20 points lower than for the past few years. A1c was 5.2 in Dec 2016 and 5.1 last week so some of my new supplements to lower glucose are working or finally Insulin Resistance is becoming less resistant.
Wow. Sounds pretty darn good!
It might be interesting to get an NMR lipoprotein electrophoresis to measure your lipid sub-particle composition. Hardly seems necessary, though...
@RalfLott per your request.
NMR LipoProf+Graph
LDL-P 2402 High nmol/
Low < 1000 Moderate 1000 - 1299 Borderline-High 1300 - 1599 High 1600 - 2000
Very High > 2000
LDL-C 221 High mg/dL
HDL-C 69 mg/dL >39 BN
Triglycerides 75 mg/dL 0-149 BN
Cholesterol, Total 305 High mg/dL
HDL-P (Total) 30.7 umol/L >=30.5 BN
Small LDL-P 525 nmol/L <=527 BN
LDL Size 21.8 nm >20.5 BN
LP-IR Score <25 <=45 BN
INSULIN RESISTANCE MARKER
<--Insulin Sensitive Insulin Resistant-->
Percentile in Reference Population Insulin Resistance Score
LP-IR Score Low 25th 50th 75th High
<27 27 45 63 >63
LP-IR Score is inaccurate if patient is non-fasting.
As you can see the LDL-P and LDL-C are over the top but the other NMR numbers are within normal limits at least.
With the CAC score of 9.3 and normal blood flow rates and relative clean arteries I do not think the high cholesterol is the end of the road for me just yet. The last A1c came in at 5.1 and my blood pressure is good.
I just watched the below and found it good.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=7gZt9DQqtZI
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GaleHawkins wrote: »GaleHawkins wrote: »I am telling others about the CAC scoring test as well that it only $100 in many areas.
LifeExtension returned my male panel results this morning. Total Cholesterol still about 300 with the LDL still about 200 but with the CAC scan and vascular work up showing good blood flows with min calcium build up the cholesterol must not be a artery health issue. CRP results were up some so I will have to troubleshoot to see if I can find the cause(s).
Fasting blood glucose came in at an 88 for the first time that I can remember which is 15-20 points lower than for the past few years. A1c was 5.2 in Dec 2016 and 5.1 last week so some of my new supplements to lower glucose are working or finally Insulin Resistance is becoming less resistant.
Wow. Sounds pretty darn good!
It might be interesting to get an NMR lipoprotein electrophoresis to measure your lipid sub-particle composition. Hardly seems necessary, though...
@RalfLott per your request.
NMR LipoProf+Graph
LDL-P 2402 High nmol/
Low < 1000 Moderate 1000 - 1299 Borderline-High 1300 - 1599 High 1600 - 2000
Very High > 2000
LDL-C 221 High mg/dL
HDL-C 69 mg/dL >39 BN
Triglycerides 75 mg/dL 0-149 BN
Cholesterol, Total 305 High mg/dL
HDL-P (Total) 30.7 umol/L >=30.5 BN
Small LDL-P 525 nmol/L <=527 BN
LDL Size 21.8 nm >20.5 BN
LP-IR Score <25 <=45 BN
INSULIN RESISTANCE MARKER
<--Insulin Sensitive Insulin Resistant-->
Percentile in Reference Population Insulin Resistance Score
LP-IR Score Low 25th 50th 75th High
<27 27 45 63 >63
LP-IR Score is inaccurate if patient is non-fasting.
As you can see the LDL-P and LDL-C are over the top but the other NMR numbers are within normal limits at least.
With the CAC score of 9.3 and normal blood flow rates and relative clean arteries I do not think the high cholesterol is the end of the road for me just yet. The last A1c came in at 5.1 and my blood pressure is good.
I just watched the below and found it good.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=7gZt9DQqtZI
Did you happen to get hsCRP, Fibrogen or any other inflammation markers tested?
With that calcium score and HDL/trig ratio, you are probably right about not worrying about the LDL, but knowing inflammation is level could give you a 3 out of 4 with only the least reliable of the 4 not being in range.1 -
CRP in Dec 2016 was 3.7 and May 2017 was 5.5 perhaps. I did a deep burn on my back in April. While it healed well there is still a very small scab in the center. I had been off all supplements for about 18 hours and did all of the CAC, blood flow studies and CT of lungs before going to give blood for the full male panel. There was some pain associated with the positions required to do the above mentioned testing.
Losing the last 25 pounds of weight may help CRP level so I need to make that happen. Below is where I ordered my Male Panel blood work.
lifeextension.com/magazine/2014/5/testing-for-c-reactive-protein-may-save-your-life/page-01
The blip below its source talks about perhaps LDL levels really may not be a valid risk factor for all people. In my case LDL is the only factor stating I may drop dead any day.
docsopinion.com/2015/08/04/the-road-to-diabetes-and-heart-disease-the-ticking-clock-hypothesis/
"The triglyceride/HDL cholesterol ratio is associated with increased risk. One study found that a ratio above 4 was a powerful independent predictor of developing coronary artery disease (13).
Although LDL cholesterol is often used to assess the risk of future cardiovascular events, many patients with the metabolic syndrome have normal or close to normal values. Thus, relying on LDL cholesterol in this population may be misleading.
Although predicting the risk of cardiovascular events by a clinical risk score using conventional risk factors is common practice, it may be dreadfully misleading in the clinical setting.
Recent studies have shown that coronary calcium score (assessed by CT scan) may be very helpful to predict risk (14). A coronary calcium score of zero confers a 15-year warranty period against mortality in individuals at low to intermediate risk that is unaffected by age or sex."2 -
telegraph.co.uk/science/2016/06/12/high-cholesterol-does-not-cause-heart-disease-new-research-finds/
Someone is wrong on this issue and it could be both sides.1 -
I just saw an interesting post on Ketogains that many might find interesting.
Here are his numbers.
And a response from Dave Feldman
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https://youtube.com/watch?v=NpMoPqhZumo
After hours of watching/reading on high LDL C and P this 3 minute clip is a good summary of why I am no longer highly concerned with my 2402 LDL-P test result. I will keep reading to get a better understanding of all health risks.2 -
GaleHawkins wrote: »https://youtube.com/watch?v=NpMoPqhZumo
After hours of watching/reading on high LDL C and P this 3 minute clip is a good summary of why I am no longer highly concerned with my 2402 LDL-P test result. I will keep reading to get a better understanding of all health risks.
Thanks, @GaleHawkins. Lots of interesting things to chew on, and just in time for a lipidologist appt this week.
It's hard to quarrel with a near-zero CAC score. Congrats again!3 -
Hi all. Update so far. My husband's calcium score was last week was about 560. He's 65. Very sobering/depressing to both of us. My appointment at Emory Cardiology is at the end of the month. Not sure what to discuss there, maybe a redo on the calcium scan to check the size of the lumen? My relative who is a surgical nurse says to not argue with the doctor and if he says stent, do it.
Hubby will be seeing our primary care to discuss his score and possibly get a referral to a cardiologist.
We are low carbing, maintaining normal glucose, but I feel so helpless with events out of control. I guess my score of 1286 beats his score and I get to go first.1 -
My first reaction @Aquawave was "Oh S..."
I am so sorry. Very sobering indeed. I watched a program about stent or bypass. The bypass won. But if I were seeing a cardiologist, I would follow their advice after asking questions.
Best wishes for a good outcome for you both.2 -
Hi all. Update so far. My husband's calcium score was last week was about 560. He's 65. Very sobering/depressing to both of us. My appointment at Emory Cardiology is at the end of the month. Not sure what to discuss there, maybe a redo on the calcium scan to check the size of the lumen? My relative who is a surgical nurse says to not argue with the doctor and if he says stent, do it.
Hubby will be seeing our primary care to discuss his score and possibly get a referral to a cardiologist.
We are low carbing, maintaining normal glucose, but I feel so helpless with events out of control. I guess my score of 1286 beats his score and I get to go first.
The scores may not be cause for immediate rejoicing, but what a huge favor you've done for your collective future by alerting yourselves before any major cardiac event occurred! A good lesson for everyone in our generation.0 -
Hi all. Update so far. My husband's calcium score was last week was about 560. He's 65. Very sobering/depressing to both of us. My appointment at Emory Cardiology is at the end of the month. Not sure what to discuss there, maybe a redo on the calcium scan to check the size of the lumen? My relative who is a surgical nurse says to not argue with the doctor and if he says stent, do it.
Hubby will be seeing our primary care to discuss his score and possibly get a referral to a cardiologist.
We are low carbing, maintaining normal glucose, but I feel so helpless with events out of control. I guess my score of 1286 beats his score and I get to go first.
I just watched The Widowmaker on Netflix which hit on the issues with stints. The 2 biggest in my mind were that outcomes for those with stints were no better than those without. The other was once you have the stint, you can't have a bypass.
As was mentioned above, the bypass is nearly always successful whereas the stint isn't.
I have not yet had a chance to look up the actual studies for myself, so I can't validate these assertions yet.3 -
Hi all. Update so far. My husband's calcium score was last week was about 560. He's 65. Very sobering/depressing to both of us. My appointment at Emory Cardiology is at the end of the month. Not sure what to discuss there, maybe a redo on the calcium scan to check the size of the lumen? My relative who is a surgical nurse says to not argue with the doctor and if he says stent, do it.
Hubby will be seeing our primary care to discuss his score and possibly get a referral to a cardiologist.
We are low carbing, maintaining normal glucose, but I feel so helpless with events out of control. I guess my score of 1286 beats his score and I get to go first.
@Aquawave I read a lot on the CAC results before and after the testing. My take away was higher scores did not mean to have surgery unless the numbers are climbing more than 15% annually. I agree finding out the ID of the lumen is a good idea. Next year I plan to retest to see if my calcium plaque reversal effort is working or slowing the rate of increase to 10% or less yearly.
The CT CAC scoring was $100 and they had a promo for $75 more to do the US Vascular Screening at the same visit. It provided the Carotid Artery/Stroke Screening Results and Peripheral Arterial Disease Screening Results (ABI Index).
Perhaps a high CAC score that does not lower blood flows is not worth the risk of the surgery. Some doctors never offer by-pass surgery for different reasons. I do wish I knew about CAC scoring and had it done three years ago so I would now know the reversibility of artery calcium levels.
I am glad your husband learned his score as well.0 -
cstehansen wrote: »Hi all. Update so far. My husband's calcium score was last week was about 560. He's 65. Very sobering/depressing to both of us. My appointment at Emory Cardiology is at the end of the month. Not sure what to discuss there, maybe a redo on the calcium scan to check the size of the lumen? My relative who is a surgical nurse says to not argue with the doctor and if he says stent, do it.
Hubby will be seeing our primary care to discuss his score and possibly get a referral to a cardiologist.
We are low carbing, maintaining normal glucose, but I feel so helpless with events out of control. I guess my score of 1286 beats his score and I get to go first.
I just watched The Widowmaker on Netflix which hit on the issues with stints. The 2 biggest in my mind were that outcomes for those with stints were no better than those without. The other was once you have the stint, you can't have a bypass.
As was mentioned above, the bypass is nearly always successful whereas the stint isn't.
I have not yet had a chance to look up the actual studies for myself, so I can't validate these assertions yet.
Here's the thing. My Dad had a quadruple bypass in his mid 70's. He went from a strong and vibrant person to a fail old man. Within months of his heart surgery he underwent the carotid roto router procedure and suffered a mild stroke. After that his life was progressively worse, with numerous small strokes taking his mind away, he passed in 2001 at 83 years. My grandmother, his mother had "Hardening of the Arteries" and her mind also went after suffering heart attacks and strokes, passing in 1971 at the age of 66.
Bypass surgery/stenting only helps in the short term. Hardening of the arteries is in your entire body. I spoke to Dad's surgeon after the bypass years ago, he admitted that this was a temporary improvement and strongly recommended that I go on Statins and go on the complex carbohydrate/Low fat diet. I was one of the first to do so and surpise, suprise surprise! Statins did not prevent this disease at all and the diet contributed to my now verified, calcium condition. I am betting that more and more baby boomers who have been on Statins are developing plaque anyway and don't even know it since the Calcium Scan is not part of "Wellness" and lipid profiles come back as deceptively normal. Carrie Fisher could still be alive, if she had the scan.
I too, watched the "Widowmaker", I am not sure that cracking your chest open is preferable to stenting. I met a 93 year old women, thin as a rail, in the Radiology waiting room who had 5 stents. One was a stent within a stent. She had her full faculties. My morbidly obese, diabetic Brother in Law has 2 stents, he's about 63. He says his cardiologist has told him that he probably's getting 2 more in October. He had a heart attack while he was being cathed. Cathing and stenting were done at the same time. BIL also has diabetic neuropathy. He's the first to admit, it was his diet, still drinks sweetened iced tea though.
Edited to add:
So, if stenting vs bypass have somewhat similar outcomes (with less years with stenting), and there is just a progression of arterial disease leading to stokes, without solving the underlying cause; What is the difference of one or two years of life when the quality of life is going to be slowly eroded anyway? I think I would rather not have my chest cracked open and take the stenting even if it means I loose a few years of sub-optimal life.4 -
Oh man. I have no advice. I just wanted to say that I hope you guys find a plan that you are satisfied with. One that works well for you both.1
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https://youtube.com/watch?v=Pj_EjhNvdS4&t=561s
This doctor is very fast talking but he does talk about CAC testing and what to do about it. There are other related videos by others.
There seems to be reversing methods but I do not know their effectiveness. Below is a two part K2 seminary.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=DTspHSbuxQU&t=1641s1
This discussion has been closed.