An Easy, At Home Test to Find Plaque in your Arteries

[@OTatime]

Nic - you and Ford are two of my go-to health authorities on THE KZbin. I saw his video on the A/B index a while ago. I did it at home and had good results. My markers are good as well, despite being overweight but not hypertensive. Your review of his video has inspired me to take the DIY test again - but with more resting in between measurements. I appreciate your science-based insights and practical recommendations. Thank you.

[@henrik9947]

Medical student here, ABI is a great tool and is commonly used in primary care. But as Dr. Nic said you'd want a physician to interpret your values holistically as not only diabetes but many other things can modify your ABI. For example someone with mediasclerosis can have a normal ABI but it might actually be masked peripheral artery disease... and so on.

[@raraavis7782]

As a middle aged woman...I miss those times, when plaque on my teeth was the only kind of plaque I had to worry about...😭

[@8_bit_Geek]

I’m the same age and why I’m lifting weights as I watch this video

[@jonnnybfly]

I ❤ Physionic and his analyses. You're one of the best KZbin channels out there, Physionic. I appreciate your candor, humility, knowledge, and expertise.

[@Physionic]

Thanks for the kind words - not sure I deserve all that, but thank you

[@siclucealucks]

Love your Channel. I have seen the Brewer video..but I was not sure how accurate it is. The for clearifying

[@salobaid9652]

ABI positive test means advanced vascular disease. As a practicing physician we do this test looking for peripheral vascular disease.when positive it means patients has generalized atherosclerosis.If negative does not mean a person is free of disease.one could have advanced disease in the heart with negative test.

[@frankenz66]

Yeah, I love Dr. Ford's channel and approach to diabetes and heart disease prevention. Been a follower a long time

[@invisiblevfx]

I saw this too, good to see you covering it too

[@tikibarry2279]

I did this as soon as Dr Brewer posted it. Glad you agree with its validity. I'm not so sure about all of his other ideas.

[@RichardHarlos]

What a strange things to say: _"I'm not so sure about all his other ideas."_ Are you saying that you haven't watched his other content and so you can say anything about it? Or, are you saying that you have seen his other content and disagree with it? Because, frankly, no one can be sure about all of someone else's ideas (tautology). Heck, most of the time, we can't be sure about all of our own ideas :)

[@tikibarry2279]

@RichardHarlos What a strange thing to say.

[@Philusteen]

Someone needs to tell Dr. Brewer's video team that their music choice is the equivalent of garnishing a salad by dropping a pudding cup in the middle of it. Some things just don't belong in the presentation, lol

[@bobbrian1641]

I thought I was watching one of those Eastern European prank shows they play on airplanes.

[@RichardHarlos]

No one likes everything. What you meant to say is that *_you_* don't care for the music. And that's fine. Just because you don't care for it, doesn't mean that everyone shares your taste. So, instead of projecting your preferences as if they indicate that something outside of you needs to change, consider owning your preferences by saying, "I don't care for the music on Dr. Brewer's videos." That's honest. Saying that somethings needs to change because _you don't' care for it_ feels... like an unwarranted sense of entitlement. No offense intended, just aiming for clarity.

[@Philusteen]

@RichardHarlos you're not very fun at parties, are you. 😆

[@-fred]

I was amused by the reference to old silent movies where the music described the action. Perfect for this demonstration. Dr Brewer's uses music in his other videos according to the content, and not very much.

[@RichardHarlos]

@@Philusteen If you think that sharing a relevant, helpful fact implies that I'm no fun at parties, you have a lot to learn about thinking correctly. When would now be a good time to outgrow that adolescent tendency to sidestep good information by casting aspersions? 😄

[@mrhomely]

Ive found that there are many independent medical imaging facilities that you can independently schedule a CTA or calcium score for fairly affordable pricing

[@joe1071]

I usually compare blood pressure between my arm and my third leg. More research needs to be conducted in this area

[@jesusnoguez2376]

Great Video Nick! Thanks for pointing out a normal ABI doesn't mean there is no plaque, Dr Brewer does mention that as part of the interpretation of the video, you did a better job explaining the calculation, thank you!

[@alansnyder8448]

This is fantastic. I haven't seen a recent Dr. Brewer's so will go check it out.

[@danielwertz8724]

Im here early, lets learn about plaque

[@techwhiz6629]

Another thing he suggests is CIMT, carotid intima media test. Which is better than calcium score as it detects soft plaque. CT Angiogram would be better, but it may have side effects. Or may be another method IMO would be accumulated LDL-C above 80 over years.

[@sharkair2839]

i took his suggestion and had one yesterday.

[@The-Benjamin-786]

You are awesome bro, thanks

[@MajorCanada]

Consistent outro music helps me remember the contents of the video. Hope it continues.

[@ZappyOh]

Anti-troll comment: You are awesome.

[@Physionic]

Ha, thanks, Zappy - hope you've been well.

[@ZappyOh]

@@Physionic Thanks, I'm fine, just busier than I would like :)

[@edd.]

I love your clear and precise explanations backed the process or processes which clarify the explanations and explains why the processes are occurring. 🙏

[@Physionic]

Thanks!

[@AbsenceLacksNothing]

Hold on just a minute. How high exactly do the feet need to be raised? If they lie flat, then the readings will be different than if they are raised by 6 inches or so, as seen in the video. Has anyone checked this because if it does make a difference then something is definitely likely to skew the readings/ratios.

[@peterbedford2610]

You can get a CardioRisk CIMT many places around the country. Its very accurate as to ones arterial health

[@orion9k]

Would things like vitamin C, arginine, citruline, tadalafil and other things that makes vessels relax and increase blood flood/blood plasma, make these plaque build up less problematic?

[@NateB]

Vitamin C if it comes from fruit. Calcium may also help by reducing parathyroid hormone levels.

[@Mario-forall]

"... shouldn't be done after consuming a stimulant..." 😢 You never let us have any fun

[@wolfrahmphosphoros5808]

thank You ever so much to Both Doctors. and don't do this while watching Physionic, as your blood-pressure as well as heart-rate will go through da roof. regards.

[@8_bit_Geek]

Saw that video months ago but I would just go and pay for the CIMT that he also recommended

[@justforthehackofit]

he's great !

[@Oneshot8242]

So, wait for, perhaps, two hours after consuming coffee? And, I would assume, smoking? OK, now I know what I'm going to die from!

[@Physionic]

2 hours isn't long enough - I'd probably do it before.

[@larsnystrom6698]

A substantial dose pf coffee is my normal state, so of course I want to meassure my blood preassure with that 🙂

[@wolfrahmphosphoros5808]

about 8 hrs after You've had your inhalation-session. regards.

[@wolfrahmphosphoros5808]

@@larsnystrom6698 same, but it'd not give You an accurate result regarding plaque, just accurate normal blood-pressure You're living with. regards.

[@Oneshot8242]

@wolfrahmphosphoros5808 Thanks. I'll do it first thing in the morning!

[@ilonabaier6042]

As soon as Dr B supported Kennedy for Director of Health & Services this cow girl was gone with the wind from his channel.

[@Christopher-b1p]

If you want change, then you have to be willing to do something different. Perhaps.we will see some interesting change under Kennedy.

[@MelloCello55]

@@Christopher-b1pLike the return of polio.

[@RichardHarlos]

Maybe 'this cowgirl' should learn to separate the medical advice that he offers, from the people he support. One doesn't have anything to do with the other. If I was an expert neurosurgeon -- the only one in the country who could operate on your life-threatening brain tumor, but I happened to support someone you don't support... would you decline the surgery? Hopefully, you're smart enough not to do that. Your response is akin to 'shooting the messenger', which is an error in reasoning. The question, then, is whether you'll correct your error, or continue in it. The choice is yours... choose wisely :)

[@TheCookiecupcakes]

* Searching the world wide web for Dr. Verhoeven's singular troll comment *

[@dairyair6634]

With regard to assessing possible arterial plaque accumulation, would routine imaging done - such as retina or mammography - be a good proxy?

[@Physionic]

I haven't assessed that and I'm not a clinician, so I don't have practical knowledge to draw on - maybe something I could look into in the future

[@bearcubdaycare]

Trawling?

[@invisiblevfx]

Do you have a recommendation for the bp cuff?

[@Physionic]

I use Omron, but I doubt it matters much

[@salobaid9652]

Omron#10

[@romansmirnov961]

what's the other test that requires some more planning?

[@Andrew-0815]

I assume that doesn't work or doesn't work as reliably with a wrist blood pressure monitor?

[@RichardHarlos]

I've read about the difference between wrist and arm-cuff readings on several sites (Mayo, Cleveland, Healthline), and they all agree that wrist readings tend not to be as accurate as arm-cuff readings. The two things that makes wrist readings less reliable are 1. the blood vessels are closer to the skin, making an accurate reading more difficult, and 2. the ease of use leads some people to use them without reading the directions carefully, particularly when it comes to positioning. There are exceptions for when an arm-cuff can't be used (pain in the arm, lymph nodes removed from armpit, etc.), and in these cases, some recommend using the wrist meter when at the doctor's office, so that it's reading can be compared to the one the provider measures.

[@RichQcCa]

I don’t know, but when taking your ankle blood pressure, shouldn’t they be at the same height as the rest of the body, not elevated like it shows in the video?

[@teri2466]

This test specifically looks for peripheral arterial disease, doesn't it? Or can it also inform on -cardiovascular- coronary artery disease?

[@Physionic]

What do you think peripheral artery disease is? :)

[@teri2466]

@Physionic Oops, sorry, I meant coronary artery disease.

[@teri2466]

Okay so, according to the American Heart Association, if you have PAD, you're at risk of having CAD. So, you can have one without the other & this test diagnoses PAD.

[@saganspirit]

Not perfect but sounds very good

[@troychristensen8016]

The legs are more than 10% different. That would be a concern if in arms. But legs?

[@BaldAndCurious]

34 sconds in.... If it's "at home" and not using any specialized equipment, probably not that sensitive.

[@talananiyiyaya8912]

What if I get a result of 0.2? I took the test four times. Took ages

[@BrittneyHillsbery]

That's well under the .6 Consult a Physician

[@DoozyyTV]

oh no

[@lazur1]

Are you saying the test isn't accurate if you're 'ok'?, you merely don't know *exactly how* 'ok' you are?, but if you're *not* 'ok', the test is great? (I can live with that:^)

[@Physionic]

If you have a high degree of plaque (you're not okay), the test is sensitive - properly done.

[@The-Benjamin-786]

Avoid refined flours and maybe flours in general, they’re the worst

[@user-ii7xc1ry3x]

What in the Hogwart's Legacy is this

[@m4inline]

Doesnt work on me. Every time i get a bp check i have a panic attack.

[@Christopher-b1p]

Just go and exercise a lot. Then you won't need a blood pressure test.

[@RichardHarlos]

@@Christopher-b1p In almost all cases, you can't out-exercise a bad diet. You're right that exercise is beneficial in its own right, but if the food choices are unhelpful, the exercise can't overtake the food. In logic, there's a concept called "necessary, but not sufficient". So, you're right about exercise, but there's more to it than that.

[@Christopher-b1p]

@@RichardHarlos Apart from not getting enough calories or vitamins / minerals... that is not true.

[@Sandi-w6v]

❤

[@mithrandir491]

This dude hasn't heard of angiogenesis.

[@Physionic]

Omg no - that's a big word! My goodness, is that the one where your arteries fill with cheese?

[@mithrandir491]

@@Physionic sure, nothing screams healthy living like the cheddar.

[@Ape76]

Those digital blood pressure devices are not that accurate for this test! You can measure on the same arm three times on a row and get three different measurements, sometimes the difference is 10 units of measurement!?

[@Physionic]

Both are correct, but slightly different definitions. Look it up in the Oxford dictionary.

[@Ape76]

@ not sure what you mean, but I was talking that the measurements are not consistent enough to trust the 0.8 (or whatever it comes out) results!

[@pdfbrander]

I had a heart attack Oct 6th and Feb 19th. Since then, I have been focused on my health. I did this test in May and the score was 0.8 today it is 1.14. I cut carbs and all processed foods (mostly carnivore now), quit alcohol, take more exercise, take nattokinase, d3, k2, omega 3 daily and other supplements in cycles. TMG, citruline malate, beta alanine, creatine, cordyceps, lion's mane, bilberry I went a little OTT at one point. Seems to be working though. I've never felt better.

[@larryc1616]

Carnivore quack diet = atherosclerotic heart disease 💔

[@RichardHarlos]

I always enjoy reading people's experience like yours. I'm glad to hear you survived the ordeal -- twice -- and that by making deliberate changes, your health is improving. Keep up the good work! Cheers!

[@phillipmurphy842]

It is “trawling” not “trolling”.

[@Physionic]

Both are correct, but slightly different definitions. Look it up in the Oxford dictionary.

[@caljerm]

Ever fish before? We go trolling all the time

[@davin8r]

Actually you're both wrong -- it's TROWL

[@RichardHarlos]

Side note about Internet trolls you may find interesting. Canadian researches looked into the phenomenon and according to Psychology Today: **Study: Internet Trolls and Dark Tetrad Personality Traits** They conducted two online studies with over 1,200 people, giving personality tests to each subject along with a survey about their Internet commenting behavior. They were looking for evidence that linked trolling with the "Dark Tetrad" of personality traits: narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and sadism. They found that Dark Tetrad scores were highest among people who said trolling was their favorite Internet activity. To get an idea of how much more prevalent these traits were among Internet trolls, one can refer to tables from the paper showing low Dark Tetrad scores for everyone in the study ... except the trolls. Their scores for all four traits soar on the chart. The relationship between trolling and the Dark Tetrad is so significant that the authors write in their paper: "... the associations between sadism and GAIT (Global Assessment of Internet Trolling) scores were so strong that it might be said that online trolls are prototypical everyday sadists." Trolls truly enjoy making you feel bad. To quote the authors once more (because this is a truly quotable article): "Both trolls and sadists feel sadistic glee at the distress of others. Sadists just want to have fun ... and the Internet is their playground!"

[@dannyspitzer1267]

Brewer spews a lot of nonsense... There are better channels out there

[@RichardHarlos]

That's not a rebuttal of the information specifically mentioned in this video... which makes your criticism vacuous. If you disagree with this particular advice, feel free to say precisely why. Otherwise, why would you care to share something without any evidence for others to verify for themselves. You don't really imagine that people care about a vacuous claim by a stranger... do you? :)