Transcription
CLEAN Out Clogged Arteries WITHOUT DRUGS! The At-Home Test That Could Save Your Heart – Are Your Arteries at Risk?
Hello! Did you know that men tend to have heart attacks at age 65, while women have them at 72? And the worst part: most people have no idea how to prevent these heart attacks. Now, stop and think: can you are you ignoring any signs?
Today we're going to talk about how to protect your arteries—and the best and worst foods for them. Are you eating the right things? Or could you be making a dangerous mistake? I'm also going to teach you a simple test you can do right at home—for free—to check if your circulation is good! And at the end, I'll tell you about a RECENT scientific discovery that could revolutionize the treatment of clogged arteries without surgery! —and it's not with stents, either. Curious?
But first: like the video, subscribe to the channel, and hit the notification bell so you don't miss important content like this. And tell me: Have you or someone in your family ever had a heart attack or stroke? Or been told you have plaque? What part of the world are you from? Write it down below! Let's get started!
Have you ever imagined how your body changes over time? Or do you think it's static? One important thing that happens over the years is that the walls of your arteries become stiffer and thicker, which makes it harder for your blood to circulate. And at the same time, fatty plaques begin to form and accumulate silently. By the time you notice, it might be too late – a heart attack or stroke that changes your life forever. The scariest part? You don't feel anything at first.
When does atherosclerosis and plaque formation begin? Well, atherosclerosis doesn't happen overnight. It develops gradually. Sometimes, it starts in childhood. Many people think this is a problem only for the elderly, but the reality is very different. A study in the United States showed that 78% of young people under 35 who were victims of fatal traffic accidents already had plaque in their heart arteries. Almost 80%! People in the prime of their health, with clogged arteries. And what's more shocking: 20% of them already had more than 50% blockage. So, the first point is: atherosclerosis can attack much earlier than you imagine!
And now, pay attention, because very few people know this! How do plaques cause heart attacks and strokes? It's not always the largest plaques that are the most dangerous. Smaller plaques can also be fatal. Because these small plaques can rupture... Let me explain. When a plaque forms, it's covered by a wall. Think of it like the plastic wrap you use to cover food. The problem is that with inflammation, stress, and poor sleep, this wall can rupture. It's like the plastic wrap tearing. At that moment, everything that was trapped inside it — fat, calcium, and other inflammatory substances — spills into the blood. And the platelets, which normally stop bleeding, rush to the site to help. What's the problem? The artery is like a pipe. The platelets form a clot, which was meant to help, but it can completely block the vessel. The blood inside the artery has nowhere to go. The flow is interrupted. And the result can be a heart attack — if this thrombosis occurs in the coronary arteries, or a stroke — if it's in the cerebral vessels. That's why... you probably know someone who was super healthy and died of a sudden, massive heart attack... When you heard the news, you might have wondered: was he really not feeling anything? Sometimes, no! Because small plaques often don't cause symptoms before they rupture. In fact, most heart attacks are due to plaques that are less than 50% blocked.... Did you know that? And that's why taking care of your arteries from an early age is essential.
How do you take care of your arteries? One of the most fundamental ways is through your diet. Avoiding things that are bad for you and consuming foods that are good... but hold on, I'll talk about that in a moment. But right now you must be thinking: how do I find out if I already have fat in my arteries?
How do you find out if you have fat in your arteries? There are several ways to detect problems in the arteries. Your doctor can order a carotid doppler—to see if there are blockages in the arteries leading to your head—and this is one of the easiest ways—or an abdominal aortic doppler, to see if there are plaques or aneurysms in the aorta. A calcium score, which is a CT scan without contrast, quantifies the calcium in the coronary arteries... It can range from zero to over a thousand, two thousand; I think the highest I've seen was 5,000. Now, attention! A score of zero doesn't mean you don't have plaque. Precisely because there are new, soft plaques, which as I said, are dangerous because they can rupture. To get a really good look at the heart's arteries, your doctor might order a or a cardiac catheterization. With those, yes, you can see if you have plaques or not and the percentage of obstruction. And the doctor can also order an arterial doppler to see if the blood is flowing well in your legs... Of course, all of these are expensive and relatively recent exams. How did doctors in the 1950s know you had a blockage? (Ankle-Brachial Index - ABI) How did doctors back in the 1950s know you had a blockage? An EKG could show it. But they also did a simple test with a blood pressure monitor, which you can even do at home, to see if you have peripheral artery disease... which can also predict your cardiovascular risk... Of course, it's not as definitive as a CT angiography or catheterization, but it helps!
This test is the ankle-brachial index—it's a quick test that measures blood flow to check for plaque or hardening in the arteries, key indicators of peripheral artery disease. This exam, besides being simple, can be done in clinics—many doctors still do it today, guided by a doppler, which is much more reliable—or, for a preliminary assessment, even at home with a blood pressure monitor. I must stress that at home, it only serves as an initial check. Now, a quick note: if you've ever had deep vein thrombosis, it's best to skip this test.
How to do the test (Ankle-Brachial Index)? Get your blood pressure monitor and a pen and paper ready to take notes. Basically, this test compares the pressure in your ankle with the pressure in your arm. And you have to do it on both sides of your body. Let's go step-by-step:
1. —for example, the right arm… Of course, you have to measure the pressure the right way… Once you've measured the right arm, write down the systolic pressure, the top number, the first one that appeared on your monitor. Mine here is 115.
2. Next, lie down in a comfortable place for a few minutes. Let your body relax a bit.
3. Measure the pressure at your ankle. You can place the cuff where the two ankle arteries are located—here. (You can feel for the artery first… or here. You can measure both too.) Again, write down the top numbers.
4. Immediately after, measure the pressure on your other ankle and write that down as well (left ankle).
5. Now measure the blood pressure of the arm you haven't measured yet. Is there a difference in pressure between the two sides? Usually, there is.
6. If you measured more than once on each limb (which is recommended), choose the highest value among the systolic pressures of the arteries.
7. Divide this highest ankle pressure by the higher of the systolic pressures from your two arms. The result is the ABI for each leg. Example of the formula: Right ABI = Highest Pressure in Right Ankle / Highest Systolic Pressure between both Arms.
8. Interpreting the results:
* A normal ABI ranges from 1.0 to 1.4.
* Values below 0.9 indicate peripheral artery disease (PAD).
* Values above 1.4 may indicate hardened vessels due to calcification.
If your numbers fall outside this 0.9-1.4 range, it could be an indication of advanced atherosclerosis or arterial stiffness, which affects both the heart and the brain. Go ahead, do the test. I'll wait… It's so reliable that it has a sensitivity of 95% and a specificity of 100% in detecting serious arterial problems in the limbs. Write down what your result was in the comments below!
If the results are not within the normal range, it's time to see a doctor for more complete exams. And what's interesting is that, after some time, you can track whether your arteries are improving. For example—you started walking, you quit smoking. The results can be different! So, start monitoring your arteries now! And teach others how to do it. And if you haven't shared the video yet, share it now! I bet your friends will do the test today!
WHAT IF THE RESULT WAS TOO HIGH OR TOO LOW? Calm down, it doesn't mean all is lost. Now, let me tell you a story that will inspire you. I had a patient who believed he was in perfect health. He was active, ran marathons, followed a balanced diet… He did a stress test every year… Always normal. He thought everything was fine. But when we did some more in-depth exams, I discovered something worrying: he had a lot of plaque in his arteries His arteries were like those of a 73-year-old man, even though he was only 57! At first, he was shocked. Man, he was taking care of himself. He felt as if all his years of effort had been in vain… but this was the turning point. After this discovery, he made a radical change. He started taking medication, adjusted his diet and lifestyle even more, and even changed his training. And guess what? In just one year, he managed to reverse 20 years of plaque buildup in his arteries!
You might be wondering: But wait a minute, didn't you say he was already doing everything right? What was wrong then? Well, the risk factors for atherosclerotic disease don't just depend on exercise and diet. They include:
* High blood pressure: Even active people can have hypertension, which overloads the arteries over time.
* High cholesterol: Just because you're an athlete doesn't mean your cholesterol is perfect.
* Diabetes: It can affect even those with a balanced diet.
* Smoking: Even those who quit smoking long ago can have lasting damage to their arteries.
* Stress: Which ages the arteries.
* Family history: Even with a healthy lifestyle, genetics can significantly increase the risk.
In his case, he had all the factors except diabetes. He had quit smoking 15 years ago… and he had a brother, also an athlete, who passed away at just 50 years old due to a heart attack. That's what made me look beyond the basics, which is why I didn't stop at just the stress test. I ordered a coronary CT angiography, which revealed the true state of his arteries. As I said, they were the arteries of a 73-year-old; he had several plaques that were nearly 60% blocked. But he was lucky. Because we discovered it in time. The exam saved his life. And with intensive treatment, a year later he had no plaque over 40%. A victory!
Does diet matter? Of course, it does! What are the worst foods for your arteries? Some foods act like true bombs for your arteries, accelerating plaque buildup and increasing inflammation. Here are the 6 biggest villains you should avoid!
1. Ultra-Processed Foods
These are the champions of sabotaging your arteries. You know those cream-filled cookies, chips, sodas, and good old instant noodles? That's right, all full of preservatives, unhealthy fats, and salt. Basically, everything your health doesn't need. And worse, they replace homemade food and natural ingredients and increase inflammation and cholesterol. Think twice before grabbing that microwave lasagna at the supermarket!
2. Sugar and High-Fructose Corn Syrup
You know that boxed juice, store-bought sauces, and even those "healthy" granola bars that seem harmless? They are loaded with sugar and corn syrup! These ingredients inflame your body, increase belly fat, and are a true catastrophe for your arteries.
3. Trans Fats
Margarines, ice creams, Big Macs, french fries, and those tempting processed desserts are packed with trans fats. They are a triple nightmare: they raise bad cholesterol (LDL), lower good cholesterol (HDL), and also cause inflammation in the arteries. Run away from them!
4. Saturated Fats
These fats raise bad cholesterol and accelerate plaque formation. Of course, you don't have to become an enemy of barbecue, but moderation is key. Even worse are processed meats like sausages, hot dogs, ham, and bacon, which are rich in preservatives and sodium that contribute to the hardening of arteries and plaque formation.
5. Refined Carbohydrates
White bread, white rice, and that basic pasta... of course, you don't need to cut everything out, but it's better to reduce them because, in excess, they cause insulin spikes, obesity, and inflammation. You can eat them, but not so often.
6. Fried Foods
You already knew this one, so I don't even need to beat this drum any harder. Of course, you don't have to live under a military regime of restrictions, but you can start gradually by swapping them for foods that are good for you!
What should you put more of on your plate? (The best foods for your arteries)
1. Legumes: Like beans, lentils, and chickpeas—they are rich in fiber and help keep cholesterol and glucose levels under control. And, as a bonus, they provide plant-based protein for your muscles.
2. Oats: One of my favorites for breakfast! It has soluble fibers, like beta-glucan, which naturally lowers LDL cholesterol and reduces belly fat.
3. Beets: I made a recent video about this. Beets are powerful, full of nitrates that contribute to circulation and help dilate blood vessels.
4. Greens like Arugula and Spinach: Just like beets, they increase nitric oxide levels in the body, improving blood flow and helping to keep arteries clear.
5. Seeds like Chia and Flaxseed: Rich in fiber that helps with cholesterol and blood sugar, antioxidants, and omega-3s that reduce inflammation in the vessels.
6. Fruits: The two main types are avocado, which is rich in monounsaturated fats that increase HDL and reduce LDL, and berries, like strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries, which are rich in anthocyanins that help with circulation.
7. Nuts: Nuts like almonds and walnuts. I know they're not cheap, but even a small amount brings incredible benefits to the heart.
8. Fish Rich in Omega-3s (Salmon, Sardines): They help reduce triglycerides and increase good cholesterol.
9. Extra Virgin Olive Oil: It's also expensive, but it's cheaper than many medications.
10. Dark Chocolate (above 70%): The flavonoids help relax the arteries and improve blood flow, reducing blood pressure.
I know what you're thinking. It's not easy to change your diet. Yes, the journey requires effort. But with the right changes, you can take better care of your heart, reducing risks and living a healthier, fuller life. That's what this channel is for. I'm here to help you, to show you, and sometimes to remind you. So, let's do it: take care of your arteries, adjust your diet, move more, and, if necessary, seek appropriate medical treatment. You can do it!
And now for the final bonus, I'll tell you about a major discovery that could, literally, revolutionize medicine. What is the great discovery that may, in the future, reverse plaque without drugs, stents, or surgery? Imagine removing fatty plaques from your arteries without surgery, without stents, and without lifelong medication. It sounds like science fiction, but new research is making this possible, and it has already been successfully tested in animals with atherosclerosis! Let me explain. Using nanoparticles smaller than a strand of hair, scientists were able to reactivate a natural body process called efferocytosis. This process helps to clear out the cells that accumulate in the arteries and form plaques. In other words, these particles can clean the arteries from the inside! Normally, the body tries to do this on its own when we do the right things for a long time, giving the arteries space to regenerate. But when the plaques grow too large, the body can't keep up. With nanoparticles, this process comes back with full force, removing even the most dangerous plaques. Incredible, right? This therapy has already been tested in animals and the results are promising. Now, researchers are preparing to test it in humans. Just imagine: if you have plaque, you could benefit from a future where cleaning your arteries would be quick and effective! Many people dream of taking a detergent that cleans the arteries—this is along those lines. Actually, it's better! In tests so far, no serious side effects have been detected! This means the nanoparticles are extremely precise and safe, targeting only what needs to be removed—without causing damage to healthy cells. This image on the side is of a real artery from a pig. Have you thought about the impact this could have on the lives of millions of people? Of course, this research is still in its early stages. But does it offer a glimmer of hope? The only question is whether the industry will let this happen… What do you think?
I hope you enjoyed the video. Like it, share it! Also, watch my video on how to avoid a stroke in the morning. You'll be surprised. And what to do if you are having a heart attack alone. My name is André Wambier, cardiologist, and you're watching Dr. Dre Health Tips. Thank you very much!