Heart Stents and Upcoding: How Cardiologists Game the System

Cardiologists can criminally game the system by telling a patient they have a much more serious, unstable disease than they really have, upcoding fraud that results in unnecessary procedures, unnecessary cost, and unnecessary patient harm.
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Damn, cardiologists criminally gaming the system by lying to patients for personal gain. What about all the people who then die on the table or have a massive stroke? How do the doctors sleep at night? I’m pretty cynical when it comes to much of modern medicine, but even this through me for a loop. And, it was just so brazenly discussed and dismissed in the journals. “Yeah, we know this happens. Oh well.” Just goes to show what happens when there’s so much money in the mix!
This was the final video in my seven-part series on stents. If you missed any, check out:
• Do Angioplasty Heart Stent Procedures Work? (nutritionfacts.org/video/do-an...)
• Why Angioplasty Heart Stents Don’t Work Better (nutritionfacts.org/video/why-a...)
• The Risks of Heart Stents (nutritionfacts.org/video/the-r...)
• Angioplasty Heart Stent Risks vs. Benefits (nutritionfacts.org/video/angio...)
• Do Heart Stent Procedures Work for Angina Chest Pain? (nutritionfacts.org/video/do-he...)
• Why Are Stents Still Used If They Don’t Work? (nutritionfacts.org/video/why-a...)
As I say over and over in this video series, during a heart attack, in an acute setting, angioplasty can be life-saving. As I reiterate, when I’m talking about stable CAD, I’m talking nonemergency situations. In an upcoming series I talk about pros and cons of statin drug therapy. Spoiler: If you have a history of heart disease or stroke, taking a statin is recommended. All of these videos, including the upcoming statin series, are available on a digital download of a webinar I did last year. You can find it here: drgreger.org/collections/vide...
UPDATE: A new meta-analysis was just published last month and alas, there is still zero survival benefit to stent placement for stable coronary artery disease, but at least there were fewer heart attacks. Since this still didn’t translate into actually living any longer, the foundation of treatment remains medical and lifestyle management. Hat tip to Dr. Bitterman! (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33742...)
Have a question about this video? Leave it in the comment section at nutritionfacts.org/video/heart... and someone on the NutritionFacts.org team will try to answer it.
Want to get a list of links to all the scientific sources used in this video? Click on Sources Cited at nutritionfacts.org/video/hear.... You’ll also find a transcript and acknowledgements for the video, my blog and speaking tour schedule, and an easy way to search (by translated language even) through our videos spanning more than 2,000 health topics.
If you’d rather watch these videos on KZbin, subscribe to my KZbin Channel here: kzbin.info_...
Thanks for watching. I hope you’ll join in the evidence-based nutrition revolution!
-Michael Greger, MD FACLM
Captions for this video are available in several languages; you can find yours in the video settings. View important information about our translated resources: nutritionfacts.org/translatio...
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[@zac7681]

I am so thankful for Dr.Greger teaching me why its so important to eat my vegetables. It honestly has changed my quality of life more than anything else I have ever done.

[@AnlamK]

It could be just a placebo effect but I'm glad you are eating veggies.

[@TheStruggler101]

Don't stop at vegetables, eat whole grains, legumes, fruit, and eat lots of it! And throw in a handful of nuts and seeds every now and then for good measure.

[@AndrewPawley11]

This has been an ouitstanding series of videos.

[@alfredogonzalez8735]

Also false, because the studies he shows lumps angioplasty with stents... stents are proven to be effective when you remove the non-stent angioplasty from the analysis

[@5SADH]

@@alfredogonzalez8735 do you have any sources to cite which we can review?

[@adamjensen4109]

I know I am quite off topic but does anyone know a good place to stream new series online?

[@otisaga]

Dr. Greger, It has been almost 5 years since I switched to WFPBN thanks to your personal efforts and benefited greatly. These last video series, coming from a medical professional, had been the most eye-opening experience since then. This should be made into netflix documentary or something that has much bigger outreach -- it should not stay here in the confines of KZbin videos or other relatively small scale platforms. I, personally, am ready to help in any way I can.

[@soilikasanen]

Hi! In Finland WFPBD is a five-letter word not to be mentioned by health professionals - officials really don´t like the idea of information about it spreading. But somehow one brave reporter dared to do a 30 min mini-documentary about it. It´s now online, presented in Swedish with Finnish subtitles. It turned out as Finnish "What The Health!" Like, when the reporter asked why sick people are not told about the benefits of WFPBD, the nutritionist explained, that even getting informed about such a restrictive diet, could be so stressful, that knowledge about such could be more detrimental than risks of patients´s usual diet. Exactly like on Dr. Greger´s video about "Meat and tobacco industry use the same deceptive tactics." As lifestyle medicine orientated M.D, I´d be eager to spread the word, but unfortunally I lack editorial skills. So - if you´d be interested to help, for example to add English subtitles to this program and help it to spread internationally - it´d be great! For now, there are 0 (=zero) views! When it came out on TV, there were no subtitles on Spotlight -series info, so no one could know what the issue of that program was. It can be found by YLE Areena Spotlight : Voisiko ruokavalio pelastaa ihmishenkiä? areena.yle.fi/1-50677544#autoplay=true The content of FST is public - so when it´s not used for any kind of commercial etc. purposes, it´s allowed to use, of course with appropriate credits. I´d love to co-operate.

[@chrisolson3240]

Dr. Gregor is on a tear in the MD community. Saving lives with knowledge & experience. Thank You.

[@tobias.ferreira]

Michael, your work has so much, SO MUCH importance and value. Thank you for informing people about these frauds and bad practices inside medicine. Only because people like you do this that we can have a chance to protect ourselves against unecessary and even evil interventions. Hope evidence based practices get more and more popular... My sincere gratitude to this series of yours and everything else of your work.

[@alfredogonzalez8735]

Dr gregor can be wrong like he is about CVD reversal and stents

[@-plantingseedsofwisdom...]

@@alfredogonzalez8735 That's why he always gives references, and tells you to make up your own mind. Personally, I trust and respect Dr Greger and will take his advice.

[@alfredogonzalez8735]

@@-plantingseedsofwisdom... Yeah but theres something dishonest about making a series of videos on "stents" but then when he cites his references he says "angioplasty and stents" because the studies lump all angioplasty with stents ... all the references did not separate stent and non-stent angioplasty with the exception of the MASS2 study which showed no statistical significance but the meta analysis did show stents work and he's making our community into anti-medicine conspiracy theories

[@tw4668]

The information is getting out because of people like you Dr Greger. Thank you.

[@donrawlyk]

Last year I had 2 stents installed. I hadn’t suffered a heart attack and was surprised to find out I needed them. Just last week I did stress test and echo and my cardiologist told me that some day the stents would clog up and he’d had to do something then, but didn’t say what. Also told me I has a bicuspid heart valve left side. I take a dozen pills everyday along with blood thinners and I bruise if i as much as sneeze. Just turned 65 last August. What a retirement.

[@g99se9]

Get the book by Dean Ornish. It’s not too late.

[@donrawlyk]

Thanks...I’ll look it up......

[@gfrozin]

That was such a nice tip of the hat at the end.

[@RonnieMinh]

Thanks Doc for exposing just how greedy and heartless some Doctors can be.

[@davidchristensen7441]

I love the “thumbs-down” crowd...likely 3 disgruntled cardiologists... 😂

[@GamesJoblin]

Hey, gotta keep the money rolling in ;)

[@JosiahMcCarthy]

Well, likely 3 persistent carnivores who dislike every vegan video they can.

[@Harrowed2TheMind]

Down to 2, now, hum?

[@richardedward123]

My PCP has been in family practice for 35 years. I recently showed him a book, "How Not To Die." He'd never heard of it...or Nutrition Facts dot org or Dr. Michael Greger. I made sure to tell him this is not a self-help book that promotes a fad diet. Rather, "this is science based nutrition" and that Dr. Greger is not a corporate sponsored celebrity doctor.

[@robynrosner2259]

On another note. . . 6 out of last 7 heart transplants at UMC unit I worked on. . . Died. . . But not before they got millions from Indian Casino money. Poor Indians. I left there after 3 nursing. Instructors were shot to death at same time. That was hushed too. I witnessed the cardiac fraud as a cardiac RN. There was no room for change. So I left the stent assembly line syatem too. Thank you.

[@michaelhunt2747]

I’ve never felt more like a car till I watched this series. I should’ve gotten the extended warranty.

[@sharit7970]

Just make sure you're getting premium fuel, Mr. Car ; )

[@animaginaryboy_]

I’m a little confused by the meta-analysis in the description. They found no significant difference in all-cause mortality but “ There were statistically significant lower rates of MACE (death, MI or stroke) in the revascularization arm when compared to conservative arm.” Isn’t the aim of revascularization to prevent MACE? Seems like the best strategy would be to perform the intervention and lifestyle modifications. I think the problem is that the interventions give people a false sense of security and they don’t make the lifestyle changes.

[@Avenger222]

Yep, exactly. And even if they didn't give people a false sense of security, most people have a very difficult time changing their lifestyles and then sticking to them.

[@jennielyra3694]

This is a comment to help the algorithm reach more people.

[@Harrowed2TheMind]

This is a reply with the same purpose.

[@Harrowed2TheMind]

@Milica Skenderovic, Mag. Pharm. If you were ever wondering where I got to know your channel at first, I believe you now have your answer! XD

[@Pamsouthdakota]

Ok

[@edo6923]

I have been waiting for this series since I missed webinar on the topic. Thank you.

[@kristybeck3494]

Love this - thank you for always sharing the truth! Always educating us!

[@rajg825]

Thanks Dr. Greger for another informative video. Much love from Australia ♥️

[@natemathews3780]

Thankyou Dr. Greger

[@lorah3005]

👍 #BoycottMeat and all other animal products of cruelty and exploitation in any way possible!

[@SchgurmTewehr]

Spread the message!

[@c-LAW]

Seems like doctors are pretty eft up. In my 50+ years, I've yet to personally use a doctor who doesn't push their therapy sales funnel to keep you coming back. That goes for dentists and optometrists too. 02:36 tell a doctor you don't have insurance and the lying upsale is mitigated -- but not eliminated.

[@rhodes1591]

One word : "Thanks !" 🙏🏻

[@sakshiupadhyay2816]

More truth ,more reality.🔥

[@sharit7970]

Thanks for doing the research and posting! Prevention is most definitely better than a 'cure'.

[@cutabove9046]

Sadly, with heart disease it is only stable until it isn't. And after it becomes unstable a large percentage of those people's first heart attack is their last. Stenting arteries with blockages of 90 to 95 percent reduces blood pressure, often very dramatically. My younger brother had three stents placed and his blood pressure dropped 22 points for both numbers. This reduced a major risk factor for a heart attack and allowed him to get off ALL his blood pressure meds. My next door neighbor had five stents placed and reduced blood pressure by 17 points. The reality is that most people either refuse to follow a very low fat whole food plant based diet or they drop out after a year or two. And for those people stents, blood pressure meds and statins a necessary to extend life and improve their quality of life.

[@soilikasanen]

They still should have the right to know. Here in Finland health authorities are strongly against WFPBD, and there is no - not one - articles in Finnish scientific medical journals about it. Only concerned views about the "potential theoretical harms of vegan diet" - even low cholestherol and high level of folate have been seen as such!

[@sang9107]

Not all heroes wear capes. Thank You Doc

[@goldenknowledge5914]

Im a doctor and this guy is my idol

[@solarcrystal5494]

at least its good to know that these doctors have a lot of practice when they do a stent during a heart attack

[@mgfatso]

great video with life-saving information

[@willynatanael2842]

You are such an amazing man. God bless you doctor Greger!

[@waitaminute2015]

How do we get monetary incentives out of medicine?

[@pigsareasintelligentasdogs4093]

By spreading truth and debunking lies.

[@osowilly5013]

Muchas Gracias

[@rjb1122]

Great video. Very important information.

[@GregMeadMaker]

Yep, in our home we're doing the switch to whole foods. Dr Greger's daily dozen helps a lot as a guideline. Buying mustard seeds today to sprinkle on the frozen broccoli. Although it's nice to have fresh, it's not always possible. Coincidentally, about twice a week I'm listening to a lecture or documentary and Dr Greger is being either interviewed or quoted.

[@jeanneamato8278]

When we go to interview for a new doctor or even talking to our usual doc. the first question should be “how much nutritional education did you receive”?

[@Rend2be]

God bless Michael Greger.

[@johnfausett3335]

The many examples of generally accepted practices in medicine, causing them to be the third leading cause of death include dietary advice (or the lack thereof), stents and bypasses, drugs that reduce symptoms yet do nothing for underlying causes, vaccines, etc. all constitute the cutting edge of very profitable yet ineffective state of the art. Historically, people who point out these inconsistencies are labeled quacks and charlatans, but maybe the tide is finally beginning to turn. Sadly, the docs will be last people to get the memo.

[@vascoamaralgrilo]

Thanks!

[@nood5712]

My cousin is an intervention cardiologist professor at Baylor school of medicine. I was gonna rely on his advice for my heart condition. I am now convinced he is a fraudster. No need for his consultation.

[@kenhoward7046]

Great series. I myself have a stint, about 3 years ago I had a Heart attack, and for a life saving procedure, had the Angioplasty and stint. Since then I have been Plant Based, and an avid follower of Dr. Michael Greger. My biggest concern is what is the life expectancy of living with a Stint, and is it necessary, to live with all these prescribed medications, especially a Stantin? Thank you Dr. Greger, I enjoy your books and videos as well as the Daily Dozen App. Ken

[@brettrussell3752]

I just watched these videos and I'm in a strange situation. I've been a vegan for 8 years (not a junk food vegan) I had a mysterious illness where I was dizzy for 2 months I could not even drive. My primary physician sent me to the cardiologist just to rule things out. It was just a coincidence that the same week that I was going to see the cardiologist I started getting angina and it isn't this got a little bit better. The cardiologist doubled my statins to 80 mg( even though I'm a vegan I still had higher than the doctors wanted cholesterol

[@medinabello19]

He's the best

[@MiwaKaursKitchen]

“The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will educate his patients in the care of the human frame, in diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease." - Thomas Edison

[@chuckybang]

You cant prevent all disease with diet and exercise. That is idiotic.

[@80slimshadys]

@BenBenson yea after he stole the idea from someone lol

[@yakidin6330]

@@chuckybang what disease cant you prevent ??

[@chuckybang]

@@FlamingBasketballClub Its idiotic to think that doctors of the future will give no medicine as diet and excercise will not fix everything. What about Type 1 diabetes, Lupus, etc

[@soilikasanen]

@@chuckybang they could be prevented! DM1 can be even reversed at early stages. Still, here in Finland nobody warns about dairy, nor processed meats during pregnancy and infancy, thought those are known risk factors. Autoimmune diseases like SLE, can be handled or even reversed by WFPBD. I learned that from Dr. Michael Klaper´s Moving Medicine Forward - course. It could be hard to believe, but also my morphea dissappeared with vegan diet. As did asthma, joint swellings, arthritic pains, nerve pains, too.

[@SchgurmTewehr]

Share the message!

[@entermiracle6]

Hello Dr. What if I have put one stent and regret the decision endlessly. Can you show me some positivity.

[@frumpd63]

More life saving advice here! Practicing surgeons are too close to this to see what the statistics plainly show. How could stents not help people? How could meat be unhealthy? The data doesn't lie.

[@brettrussell3752]

Sorry I sent that off too early. taking the 80 mg statins my angina got worse and I could only walk a few feet before I had to lay down. I quit taking the statins and my angina got better and my dizziness got better. The cardiologist also ordered an echo and an artery test they came out fine but I failed on the stress test because I still have some angina. I saw the cardiologists today and he wanted me to do a catheter Echo to see where the blockage is I said no because I think he was going to recommend a stent or maybe even open heart surgery afterwards My question is why do I have coronary heart disease after being on statins for years and being a strict vegan for 8 years? And how do I fix it I should also mention after becoming a vegan I gained weight and I also got the gout( I don't eat too many nuts and no oil) was it the statins. Thanks Brett

[@alfredogonzalez8735]

Wasn't Dr. Avi supposed to help check some of your work?

[@memofromessex]

Please can you do a video on managing hereditary haemochromatosis (aka Celtic Disease, Celtic Curse) with diet? Asking for a friend 🙄

[@eelkeaptroot1393]

Wow, cool you got mentioned is some research! Oh and don't mind people like dr Avi, they're just trying to protect the status quo.

[@Avenger222]

Dr. Greger admitted Dr. Avi was right regarding reduced MIs. Heck, he even mentions him by name in the description of the video. Stents work. At the end of the day is it a replacement for a good diet and healthy lifestyle? Of course not. But even Dr. Avi wouldn't disagree with that. [edit: fixed typo in "wouldn't"]

[@eelkeaptroot1393]

@@Avenger222 Yes, well I think Avi is a bit of a whiney dude, not to mention if I have listen to Isac for over an hour to hear him make his point. I'd honestly rather die than be treated in a hospital, I'm very sceptical of medical science even though I have insurance.

[@Avenger222]

@@eelkeaptroot1393 Yeah, you're personally free to forgo going to the hospital or forgo all modern medicine, it's your choice after all. Would I recommend it? No. There's a reason why our life expectancy has increased so drastically.

[@eelkeaptroot1393]

@@Avenger222 yes, well I'll trust them to fix up my leg when it's broken or get me some antibiotics suppose I come down with bacterial infection. But when it's something vague like a vessel blockage or some tumor, I'd honestly rather die from natural causes than from the treatment.

[@BlissBlessHappiness]

@@Avenger222 He mentions the cardiologist Dr. Bittermen, where does he mention the dermatologist?

[@gbubemia]

Our style of capitalism is destructive. There is greed everywhere! Thanks for this wonderful and enlightening series!!!

[@IRosamelia]

Remember to eat your greens & beans today people 🥗

[@rodee1671]

And ups future premiums.

[@Joseph1NJ]

What exactly is "stable coronary artery disease?" How is that diagnoses differentiated from 'unstable CAD?'

[@soilikasanen]

Stable is asymptomatic. The first symptom might be death, though...

[@Joseph1NJ]

@@soilikasanen OK, so what then is asymptomatic stable CAD?

[@soilikasanen]

@@Joseph1NJ Coronary artery disease - atheroschlerosis - which does not restrict blood flow enough to cause symptoms. Actually, also CAD which causes mild-moderate symptoms in a same expected way with the same level of physical activity, is called stable. When plaques rupture, it turns to unstable, UAP.

[@photomakerman]

This is crazy

[@barbarajames687]

Just subscribe to your channel @Workouts with Coach Remmy send me here

[@80slimshadys]

Wonder what Avi will say about this

[@Avenger222]

They don't disagree with each other. Dr. Greger admitted Dr. Avi was right and even included him in the description of this video. Both agree that stents work and they do reduce things like MI's. Both would agree that, although stents work, it's not a replacement for a healthy lifestyle.

[@margaridarodrigues6693]

Mudam-se os tempos, mudam-se as vontade Mudam-se os tempos, mudam-se as vontades, Muda-se o ser, muda-se a confiança; Todo o mundo é composto de mudança, Tomando sempre novas qualidades. Continuamente vemos novidades, Diferentes em tudo da esperança; Do mal ficam as mágoas na lembrança, E do bem, se algum houve, as saudades. O tempo cobre o chão de verde manto, Que já coberto foi de neve fria, E enfim converte em choro o doce canto. E, afora este mudar-se cada dia, Outra mudança faz de mor espanto: Que não se muda já como soía. Luís Vaz de Camões

[@michaelrch]

Providing healthcare as a for-profit enterprise is just a terrible idea. It's a failed market from the get-go.

[@c-LAW]

3:49 "What's the solution?" The solution is to get rid of 3rd party payers (Insurance). OUTLAW IT -- which forces predatory physicians to respond to the marketplace. Right now, when Medicare or UnitedHealth pays the piper, they call the tune.

[@rodrimora]

Inb4 Dr Avi joins the chat

[@massimocontino6213]

This is a comment

[@robertofilipe8605]

trust the science and the covid vacines LOL

[@Avenger222]

This, but unironically.