patrick.net

Patrick says

Right, from what I've heard, statins are just one more profitable scam by the medical industry.

Also, the government moved the cholesterol Goal Posts again to 200. What they don't tell you is that below 200 total your risk of cancer goes up dramatically.

Glad you're still with us for another trip around the sun! Sounds rough man rough!

rocketjoe79 says

Patrick says

Right, from what I've heard, statins are just one more profitable scam by the medical industry.

Also, the government moved the cholesterol Goal Posts again to 200. What they don't tell you is that below 200 total your risk of cancer goes up dramatically.

My cholesterol has always been between 200--240, never saw any reason to change that. If there is a significant change (up or down), that would be something to look into. I'd definitely stay away from statins, but just my personal opinion after looking into studies and stats.

REpro says

I would recommend going to ER if you notice some real problem.

The trick is to know whether the problem is real or you'll spend better part of the day in the ER for something trivial like intercostal neuralgia.

Heart disease is very common, I'm afraid of it.
I knew a guy who had a job assisting a pathologist; he said it was amazing how much hardening of the arteries he saw in young American guys.
It's complicated because why does calcium do that to our arteries? Once they're hard, blood pressure will go up and then other damage can happen.
Small damage to the lining of the artery starts another process of sfuff collecting there and narrowing it.
They've looked at different populations and seen differences in heart disease to come up with cholesterol as a culprit; in Japan and Korea years ago young people had better heart arteries and it was observed that they had low consumption of meat and dairy fats.
I think an exception was Inuits up north; they ate a lot of seal fat and didn't have heart disease problems. Maybe they also ate fish fats and so that helped them.
I take Atorovastatin 10mg because my cholesterol was "borderline". Now it's rather low. I started in 2018; I had not had a blood test since 1994 and had avoided seeing doctors generally. Statistically, statins seem to work.
I have a morbid curiosity and watch a show on Roku "Autopsy". Some of the guys died from their lifestyle of gluttony.
Little known factoid is that alcohol consumption isn't "heart healthy". I limit my consumption of wine and booze.
I try to avoid stress as much as possible and hope this keeps my blood pressure down. Having fun outdoors helps; female troubles and drama do not.
My friend's father told him that his sister's troubles probably cut 10 years off his lifespan. We shall see.

I could practically write a book on this subject, but here, I'll be brief:

About 15 years ago, I had a severe heart condition that was considered to be 'irreversible' by the medical community. I was given, at best '1-3 years' to live. Obviously, I'm still here, and, I'm here without ever taking their prescribed drugs, which, I found out through research, actually exacerbated my problem, resulting in an endless circle of changing medications, none of which 'cured' my problem.

I wanted to find out the root 'cause' of my problem, and through research, I came to the conclusion that the bulk of my problem was eating the Standard American Diet (SAD) and a lack of exercise. The bottom line is this; the 'diet' that the FDA recommends is KILLING US! They are injecting our food with chemicals, hormones, excessive amounts of fat, salt & sugar, etc. Our bodies were not designed to live on ARTIFICIAL FOODS. I'm living proof that quitting the SDA and substituting it with healthy, fresh, low calorie, high nutritional foods works. I could go on, but I'll stop here.

For those that are interested in changing their life from one of endless disease, illnesses and premature death, take the time to watch this free film. It just might save your life:

Forks Over Knives Documentary: Watch Online for Free!

"What if one simple change could save you from chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease? Take a deep dive into the plant-based diet documentary that has influenced millions around the world."

https://www.forksoverknives.com/the-film/

Were you vaxxed?

Somebody had to ask.

REpro says

In ER you immediately receive right professional attention, someone going to evaluate your problem on spot, get all necessary tests and labs, receive right treatment without delay.

That depends on the quality of the hospital. True story: a few years ago, I received a call from someone I used to work with. He had just been released from the hospital, having gone to the ER due to some heart issues. They did all the 'tests' and released him. I asked him how he was feeling and he told me that he felt just as bad as when he went in.

I recommended that he get a second opinion by checking himself into a local hospital that is renowned for dealing with heart issues. He took my advice, and naturally, the hospital had his medical file from his ER visit sent over. To their shock, the file indicated that he had a leak in a valve that required emergency surgery. He was told that he could die at any moment without the surgery. Now think about that. The first 'hospital' sent him home, where no doubt he would have died, the other hospital saved his life.

The top hospitals only hire the cream of the crop from medical schools. The mediocre hospitals hire those that are left over. The quality of care that you receive can vary dramatically, as illustrated by the case cited above.

My tests are all normal, normal blood pressure, pulse, etc. etc. except for some elevated blood sugar. I started a low key paleo diet last August to see if I could normalize the sugar test, avoid all refined sugars (processed foods, cakes, cookie, pies, crackers, standard breakfast cerals, ramen soups) and minimal wheat or refined starches etc.(perhaps a single tortilla, sourdough slice, cracked wheat pasta or small portion of dirty rice, small half potato with skin with dinner). Since no breads before dinner, no margarines, either. Oils have been olive oil to cook. Diet trends towards proteins, vegetables, nuts and oils, with some fruit. No diet colas, but I do drink artificially sweetened lemon lime, can't avoid everything. I also supplemented with 10K u vit. D daily. Snacks and appetite slackers tend to be a few nuts and raw carrots, which actually works pretty well.

I have been losing weight without dieting steadily since then, maybe 3 or 4 pounds a month. I don't consciously reduce portions, but appetite has also gone down without anything resembling raving hunger. My Basal Metabolic Rate has increased (more heat production, sleep with minimal blankets even in cold weather), and I have started growing hair back in areas that had lost it. There definitely are hormone/thyroid/testosterone disruptors in the standard sugars, wheats and oils that are in common processed foods. How they work, I don't know, but my own body laboratory proves some kind of conspiracy. I am still losing weight, and if this keeps going, I might even wind up slim.

I'll be getting blood tests again later this month, so I'll see how it goes. If the sugar is down, that clinches the paradigm.

Whether the psychopathic fiends have purposely engineered the foods to do this shit to the populace is hard to decipher inductively, but some convergence of food content is definitely there to fuck the population up. I always hated food crap and food conspiracies, but now I am paying attention. My friend in Santa Cruz who has educated himself on all things food has seen my weight loss and is giving me an "I told you so" war dance.

Hugh_Mongous says

REpro says

I would recommend going to ER if you notice some real problem.

The trick is to know whether the problem is real or you'll spend better part of the day in the ER for something trivial like intercostal neuralgia.

Thats right. I had discussion with EMT doctor during transfer about it. Judge when is state of emergency is tricki. Some people panic, some tolerate pain.
I had previous situations when wasn't sure. Sit down and problem go away after few minutes. When I decided to go, pressure on my chest (not really pain) stay with me for almost an hour. I was prized for accurate decision.

"To ER, or not ER, that is the question."
I would say if you are male and over 50, it is better to err on the side of caution than not. I have had a couple of friends who had false indicators, calling EMI, but I told them both that it was OK, better safe than sorry or dead and not so sorry.

REpro says

I would recommend going to ER if you notice some real problem. Skip doctor regular visit. In ER you immediately receive right professional attention, someone going to evaluate your problem on spot, get all necessary tests and labs, receive right treatment without delay. Suddenly all specialists have time for you.

100%. Any heart issue they get you in immediately and it's generally all hands on deck. If you think you broke your arm say you think you're having a heart attack. Not making light of your situation, but it's true what you said. Waiting 10 days to get an appointment when you feel off is not the best idea. Just know your insurance plan and be willing to likely pay a higher cost but get taken care of quicker.

RayAmerica says

The top hospitals only hire the cream of the crop from medical schools.

all white and asian doctors?

Just a reminder, cholesterol is an indicator, and eradicator of inflammation. Deal with the inflammation, don't blame the indicator.

Statins may be effective if you are at high risk of heart attack, but the liver damage they can and do cause, not worth it. Again, better to deal with the root cause, not blame your body for fighting your inflammation.

Lastly, heart specialists did not exist as a profession before the 20th Century. Why? They weren't needed. Heart problems, excepting the current trend due to spike protein shots, are dietary.

Wow REPro - glad the shit got handled, sorry for all the medical crap.

For everybody: Take your BP every week if you're over 40, no matter what.

* No matter if you do cardio 3-4x
* No matter if you are near/at ideal weight.
* No matter if Mom/Dad/Both had great hearts.

Some of the shit is genetic, some of it might be something you haven't thought of. You might be fine for 50 years and then shit stops working somewhere and crap builds up. Whatever, you'll see it increase and you'll certainly notice a big jump which is a major problem if it repeats the results 10-15 minutes later.

Waiting 6-12 months between checkups or when you are bored waiting around a CVS and use the machine once in a blue moon doesn't cut it over 40. BP can spike fast and suddenly. I know a guy who was 52, jogged 4x a week, 5'11" and 170lb, got checkups twice a year, one day, he came home and passed out on the way to the shower and sure enough, stroke. He had been at the Doc's just a couple months before and was 120/75 like he had been for a decade. At the hospital not half an hour after collapsing he was 180/120. When asked he said "Other than being more tired than usual for about a week, it was the same shit, I didn't feel any different."

Take your BP every week, try for around the same time of day, and the chances of you being surprised by a stroke/heart attack is very small.

AmericanKulak says

Some of the shit is genetic

Absolutely not. My Grampa and Dad both have/had high blood pressure, I do not. It is primarily dietary. God does not create us diseased, we do that ourselves.

I've been to the doctor once in the past 20 years for a checkup. Recently when I had a weird panic attack preceded by deja vu from recalling a dream I had the night before about what I was doing right at that moment. It happened four times that day. I would start recalling the dream in more detail, then would feel like I was about to pass out or throw up. Never happened before, never happened since. I had a checkup, including BP, and full blood work done. Nothing came back except I have a bit of a buildup in my iron levels. Stopping some of my supplements and will re-test in a few months. Apparently purely psychological, and weird as fuck.

My health has nothing to do with luck or genetics. I exercise enough, take a wide range of supplements, and eat pretty healthy. There's no secret to health, no trick to avoiding cancer, diabetes or heart attacks. Just requires discipline, knowledge, and time. The piece most people are missing is knowledge.

NuttBoxer says

My health has nothing to do with luck or genetics. I exercise enough, take a wide range of supplements, and eat pretty healthy. There's no secret to health, no trick to avoiding cancer, diabetes or heart attacks. Just requires discipline, knowledge, and time. The piece most people are missing is knowledge.

There are people with high cholesterol in their 30s despite a lifetime of good diet and exercise and healthy weight.

Everybody over 40 MUST take their BP once a week. BP can suddenly spike for a variety of reasons.

My Norwegian grandmother was diagnosed with high blood pressure in her forties. No medication, drank pots of coffee every day and into her 90's chopped her own wood. She died at 102. I have wimp genetics compared to her.

What is a safe blood pressure level?

They keep lowering the bar, I suppose to promote medication, like the thumb on the scale. Rumor is it is now recommended 120/70 resting, whereas the older standard was 120/80. It used to be past a certain age as high as 130/85 was OK due to loss of arterial compliance, but it is the low number that is more important than the high number. Also, 90 diastolic used to be the threshold for considering medication. However, I have heard of people taking BP meds for diastolics lower than 90 now. I think 120/70 is an artificially low standard.

I just happen to have resting of around 120/70 to 125/75 pretty routinely when I measure it at home, with a resting pulse of 55 to 60.

komputodo says

all white and asian doctors?

What's that supposed to mean? Enlighten us.

AmericanKulak says

There are people with high cholesterol in their 30s despite a lifetime of good diet and exercise and healthy weight.

If you look at the root cause of high cholesterol, inflammation, the huge uptick in auto-immune diseases, which are mostly inflammatory, and the correlation between these and diet, the logical conclusion is their diet isn't as good as you say it is. But maybe you could give me an example of a healthy diet, so we can get into specifics.

Ceffer says

They keep lowering the bar, I suppose to promote medication, like the thumb on the scale. Rumor is it is now recommended 120/70 resting, whereas the older standard was 120/80. It used to be past a certain age as high as 130/85 was OK due to loss of arterial compliance, but it is the low number that is more important than the high number. Also, 90 diastolic used to be the threshold for considering medication. However, I have heard of people taking BP meds for diastolics lower than 90 now. I think 120/70 is an artificially low standard.

I just happen to have resting of around 120/70 to 125/75 pretty routinely when I measure it at home, with a resting pulse of 55 to 60.

Actually there is no answer at all to this. It depends on the individual, taller people naturally have a higher BP (so their cerebral tissue doesn't become under-oxygenated), even if your doctor tells you otherwise, as they shill for pharma. 120/80 was normal, then they moved that to the start of borderline high-bp with new ideal/normal below 120/80. Also systolic vs diastolic just points to different issues, there is not really one that's more important. Lately the difference between s and d has become fashionable as a means of measuring health and fitness, and it keeps changing. IMO a significant change is more indicative of a signal than your historical values, as long as they usually measure anywhere from 100/60 to 140/90,

Patrick says

What is a safe blood pressure level?

110/70 I think it is now. Down from 130/80. Either number too high = hypetension.

NuttBoxer says

If you look at the root cause of high cholesterol, inflammation, the huge uptick in auto-immune diseases, which are mostly inflammatory, and the correlation between these and diet, the logical conclusion is their diet isn't as good as you say it is. But maybe you could give me an example of a healthy diet, so we can get into specifics.

Folks:

I'm not arguing the cause of high BP, cholesterol, genetics, whatever. I agree statins are a last resort.

You can hit your head, be fine for days, and then have a clot whip around your circulatory system and stroke you out. The older you are, the more likely you can be spiked.

What I'm saying is - check your BP weekly if you're over 40. Any sudden or gradual increase is a red flag. Why is one thing, but knowing something is going south is important.

"But I went to the doctor 4 months ago and it was 120/80!!!" said the guy from the hospital.

https://palexander.substack.com/p/golomb-et-al-amyotrophic-lateral

"Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Associated with Statin Use: A Disproportionality Analysis of the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System"; odds-ratios for ALS were elevated for all statins

AmericanKulak says

110/70 I think it is now. Down from 130/80. Either number too high = hypetension.

Anything below 120/80. So 119/79 and lower ;) of course this has no scientific basis. Agree on the sudden change though. One reason they check womyn for pre eclampsia before, during, and for some time after labor. Usually that sudden change is just an indication of an urgent problem, not the cause of it.

NuttBoxer says

Recently when I had a weird panic attack preceded by deja vu from recalling a dream I had the night before about what I was doing right at that moment. It happened four times that day. I would start recalling the dream in more detail, then would feel like I was about to pass out or throw up. Never happened before, never happened since.

@NuttBoxer I had a similar experience at one point. I was biking to work, suddenly felt damn weird, actually threw up on the street, but then I was OK.

Later I realized that I had had rye toast for breakfast, and the bread was kind of weird tasting. Possibly ergot poisoning, though I think it's quite rare that they miss that.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/ergot-poisoning

My onset for each occurrence was super specific. Was enough for me to say after 20 years, a checkup is probably due. Glad I was able to confirm good health, and glad it was only that one day. Panic attacks, or whatever it was, are not fun. Weird thing is, I was hiking on my day off. Not stressful in the slightest.

6 ft 7 here, according to this article the gradient difference is 9mm hg every 5 inches for tall(er) people's BP in order to avoid syncopes. Measured 130/85 (after coffee), so the equivalent for a 6'2 man would be 121/76 and 5'7 115/67. It has varied slightly, but never changed more than 10 mm hg on both ends for the past 30 years.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbiomedres.us%2Fpdfs%2FBJSTR.MS.ID.001381.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjfvf69y738AhU7JzQIHV14BF0QFnoECAkQAQ&usg=AOvVaw1EjJhr-WkimWpc-MD7p2li

Ceffer says

due to loss of arterial compliance,

Lower arterial compliance can happen in athletes, esp. strength focused ones. Also extreme endurance athletes may encounter higher atherosclerosis. This may be surprising to some, but it doesn't mean by itself that they are worse off or that their exercise isn't net beneficial. Athletes commonly have wider pulse pressure. This all shows that focusing on one set of numbers without looking at everything else is not the right way to approach health.