I'm 79. Been mostly healthy my whole life, meaning I have rarely needed medical care - not including three births. My blood pressure has always been on the low side. On the rare occasions when I needed doctor care the nurse or PA would take my pressure twice because the first number seemed too low.
In January 25 I fell and broke my left femur - had my first ambulance ride and the next day surgery. I was advised to have my general doc do a follow up. My bp was a bit high (maybe still dealing with the trauma?) He prescribed Losartan Potassium 50 mg. Two weeks later I had my annual eye exam. Eye doc nearly had a heart attack. My good eye - the left - pressure was 5. Shou;d be 11. Lost my right eye to glaucoma but had the surgery to save my left eye in 2022. Eye doc looked up side effects of bp med - lowers eye pressure.
I stopped taking the med and did not look back. Recently had to go back to general doc and my bp was good enough so he didn't even ask if I was taking the med.
Conclusion - we have to be proactive for our own health and well being.
Does Pharma not know all of the downside of the drugs they produce? The drugs they pay the writers of journals to approve and praise? The drugs they pay the fda to approve?
Or does the new drug they’re producing make the difference from the CEO’s of these companies having a mansion in Alpine New Jersey and a new mansion in Star Island in Miami.
Mankind lived thousands of years without the medical Industry's drugs. 95% of mankind's problems begins with what enters the bloodstream via digestion or injection! In order to heal one has to eliminate the cause. Taking.a drug to solve a problem is adding more stress. There is not one drug that doesn't have one or more side effects. Even a simple aspirin can cause macular degeneration and bleeding in the intestines.
The primary contributor to humans living longer in the past two centuries is sanitation and hygiene. Not meds. But those are rapidly being overpowered by meds and fake non nutrition food.
The government's promotion of money-creating industries, particularly the Medical Industry and the Food Industry...has lowered the health of every American.
Excellent discussion on how the numbers are massaged to maximize profitability of prescription drugs. Much is now codified into physician performance and they are monitored for prescribing by the numbers. And speaking of numbers, the CDC has produced a study that the deathrate from RNA injections was .3%. Translation: about 866,000 Americans died from the injections since about 260 million Americans were injected. VAERS captures less than 5%. How about a deep dive into the root cause of expanding liver transplants, kidney transplants and kidney dialysis. Root causes? NSAIDS? Dehydration? Chronic use? I cover the CDC study at thomasabraunrph@substack.com
I have said before when you hear normal vs average beware. Temp of 10 health people may turn out to be 98.6 but likely will not be the actual temp measured of any of them.
Good article, Dr Malone. Thanks for sharing it. I was taught as a young nurse that older folks require a higher blood pressure because of arteriosclerosis. Arteries harden as we age which causes the blood pressure to increase. Otherwise, these elderly people can suffer dizziness and falls. By lowering the blood pressure with drugs, falls may increase. We’ve seen a lot of guideline values decreasing, so this article is important.
I think one of the best decisions I have made for my health is to not be measured for anything unless it's an emergency. As I got more confident about managing my health, I stopped pap smears, breast exams, and blood work. No colonoscopies either. Blood pressure always freaks the doctors out, I avoid it being taken when possible. I'm simply not going to take the drugs, there are many other options without the harmful side effects. I don't recommend this approach for everyone, it just has worked for me.
I have not had a complete physical exam, since my last child was born in 1976...and found a rapidly growing tumor at the six week check-up. I said a.prayer and the answer came in a health book ..I eliminated a specific food..and the tumor disappeared.
Thank you for this interesting essay. You suggest we discuss. So first, where I'm coming from.
AP: F Internist specializing in geriatrics. Recommends vaxing.
Me: Senior from the age when you seek care when you have a problem. Your MD knows and cares about you. Hates "Wellness Exams." Have INR, BP, BO2 monitors. No advocate. Dr has never actively pursued discussion of blood panel results in last 2 yrs, has not offered them. Making sounds about it for this year. Basically agree with article.
BP: On lisoprinivil. Perkier when inadvertently off it. Very rarely check BP. Psyched into need for it. Doesn't seem to be creating an issue. Go along to get along.
LDL: Above acceptable measure. Rxed with substantial leg pain and deteriorating depression. Steeped in argument all cholesterals are needed and for brain health. Refusing to further address. Advised MD. She looked irritated, but did not further pursue. We have agreed to disagree on vaxing as well. So, agree beyond argument posed here.
A1c: I'm not sure whether its taken. We've never discussed it. I'm borderline. That's how I qualified for the trial. Very rarely do any sugar. Mostly good diet. Diabetes is dangerous. Don't oppose checking, particularly as relates to vulnerable.
BMI: I'm not aware its ever been checked. I'm not convinced its generally relevant or persuasive absent obesity and other related concerns.
Bottom Line: I'll start with the attending physician and their pursuation as to the need for these measures. I'm not a physician trying to get my patient to address issues. I would suspect there are cases where supporting evidence is helpful in pursuadeing. As a patient I'd likely go along with my Doc absent having gotten conversant with healthful living and utility of these measures. As long as these studies are free and recommended, I suspect most patients would not take issue including re the import of the findings .
Would agree the better answer is knowing the FACTS and focusing resources and consideration on studies and norms that ARE Meaningful!
Great article! LDL and BMI are a waste of time for screening. Doctors and engineers have demonstrated how to change the LDL...eat oreos only. We can look at a patient and tell if the extra weight is likely to be a problem (abdominal fat). Waist to height ratio is much more useful. I used to do a1c for screening but I have found it not to be helpful. HOMA IR with a fasting glucose and insulin is much better for screening. People on keto who exercise regularly will often have a high A1C (according to the guidelines).
Many young podcasters are advertizing these 'numbers' monitoring devices. After reading this article, I think this practice could go sideways. Being chubby and vital is better than being a svelte corpse.
Dr. Malone as always I appreciate your expertise and fair analysis of all topics you discuss! I’m very thankful my Dr. isn’t a drug pusher and Grateful I trust Jesus to guide me in all things! God Bless you Dr. Malone! 🙏
I’m going through this right now. At 62, I’m 6-02, 200 lbs. I’m athletic and not fat (despite my 25.7 BMI). My NP (apparently there aren’t enough doctors in the Spokane-area) has been drilling me to start a Statin because my LDL was “high” at 135 and my apolipoprotein B was high at 100.
That was in May of this year. I modified my diet, started the gym 3x per week and rode my bike 2x per week. I paid for my own coronary artery calcification test and got a score of 78. In August, I got my labs again and had lowered my LDL to 115 and I lost 14 pounds.
Last week I received a call from my NP’s assistant that “the cardiologist” who reviewed my labs recommended I start a Statin, solely based on my apolipoprotein score of 100. I explained to the assistant that I have never met nor spoken to said cardiologist, and I questioned whether my losing weight and improving my cholesterol numbers had been considered in his/her decision.
I suspect, as many do, that cholesterol targets were lowered simply to broaden the customer base. I’m also disappointed with our current medical insurance industry that I spend $23k per year for, and can’t even speak with a cardiologist who doesn’t know me but sees s number and issues a prescription.
Why would I want to take a statin that could negatively impact my health in ways that would impact my physical fitness training and therefore my health?
Excellent article. Being a dentist, most would probably assume I see a physician regularly, but I don't. At 54, I feel my odds for longevity are better by reducing doctor visits. The reason is exactly what you mentioned in this article. Doctors place far too much emphasis on numbers that may have little bearing on actual health. The drugs they prescribe to treat numbers have side effects which are often minimized or ignored. The cornerstone of informed consent is a discussion of advantages, disadvantages, risks and alternatives of treatment, which few physicians can articulate.
Question: Does anyone have any thoughts on this question?
If you get your BP down to 120/80 by taking BP medicine, is that health benefit just as good as naturally having a BP of 120/80 without taking BP medicine.
I'm 79. Been mostly healthy my whole life, meaning I have rarely needed medical care - not including three births. My blood pressure has always been on the low side. On the rare occasions when I needed doctor care the nurse or PA would take my pressure twice because the first number seemed too low.
In January 25 I fell and broke my left femur - had my first ambulance ride and the next day surgery. I was advised to have my general doc do a follow up. My bp was a bit high (maybe still dealing with the trauma?) He prescribed Losartan Potassium 50 mg. Two weeks later I had my annual eye exam. Eye doc nearly had a heart attack. My good eye - the left - pressure was 5. Shou;d be 11. Lost my right eye to glaucoma but had the surgery to save my left eye in 2022. Eye doc looked up side effects of bp med - lowers eye pressure.
I stopped taking the med and did not look back. Recently had to go back to general doc and my bp was good enough so he didn't even ask if I was taking the med.
Conclusion - we have to be proactive for our own health and well being.
Does Pharma not know all of the downside of the drugs they produce? The drugs they pay the writers of journals to approve and praise? The drugs they pay the fda to approve?
Or does the new drug they’re producing make the difference from the CEO’s of these companies having a mansion in Alpine New Jersey and a new mansion in Star Island in Miami.
Is it all just about the money?
Accentuate the positive and ignore the negative!
Mankind lived thousands of years without the medical Industry's drugs. 95% of mankind's problems begins with what enters the bloodstream via digestion or injection! In order to heal one has to eliminate the cause. Taking.a drug to solve a problem is adding more stress. There is not one drug that doesn't have one or more side effects. Even a simple aspirin can cause macular degeneration and bleeding in the intestines.
The primary contributor to humans living longer in the past two centuries is sanitation and hygiene. Not meds. But those are rapidly being overpowered by meds and fake non nutrition food.
The government's promotion of money-creating industries, particularly the Medical Industry and the Food Industry...has lowered the health of every American.
Classic cause and effect.
yup
Excellent discussion on how the numbers are massaged to maximize profitability of prescription drugs. Much is now codified into physician performance and they are monitored for prescribing by the numbers. And speaking of numbers, the CDC has produced a study that the deathrate from RNA injections was .3%. Translation: about 866,000 Americans died from the injections since about 260 million Americans were injected. VAERS captures less than 5%. How about a deep dive into the root cause of expanding liver transplants, kidney transplants and kidney dialysis. Root causes? NSAIDS? Dehydration? Chronic use? I cover the CDC study at thomasabraunrph@substack.com
I have said before when you hear normal vs average beware. Temp of 10 health people may turn out to be 98.6 but likely will not be the actual temp measured of any of them.
Good article, Dr Malone. Thanks for sharing it. I was taught as a young nurse that older folks require a higher blood pressure because of arteriosclerosis. Arteries harden as we age which causes the blood pressure to increase. Otherwise, these elderly people can suffer dizziness and falls. By lowering the blood pressure with drugs, falls may increase. We’ve seen a lot of guideline values decreasing, so this article is important.
I think one of the best decisions I have made for my health is to not be measured for anything unless it's an emergency. As I got more confident about managing my health, I stopped pap smears, breast exams, and blood work. No colonoscopies either. Blood pressure always freaks the doctors out, I avoid it being taken when possible. I'm simply not going to take the drugs, there are many other options without the harmful side effects. I don't recommend this approach for everyone, it just has worked for me.
I have not had a complete physical exam, since my last child was born in 1976...and found a rapidly growing tumor at the six week check-up. I said a.prayer and the answer came in a health book ..I eliminated a specific food..and the tumor disappeared.
This is Goodhart’s Law:
When a measure becomes a target, it ceases to be a good measure.
Thank you for this interesting essay. You suggest we discuss. So first, where I'm coming from.
AP: F Internist specializing in geriatrics. Recommends vaxing.
Me: Senior from the age when you seek care when you have a problem. Your MD knows and cares about you. Hates "Wellness Exams." Have INR, BP, BO2 monitors. No advocate. Dr has never actively pursued discussion of blood panel results in last 2 yrs, has not offered them. Making sounds about it for this year. Basically agree with article.
BP: On lisoprinivil. Perkier when inadvertently off it. Very rarely check BP. Psyched into need for it. Doesn't seem to be creating an issue. Go along to get along.
LDL: Above acceptable measure. Rxed with substantial leg pain and deteriorating depression. Steeped in argument all cholesterals are needed and for brain health. Refusing to further address. Advised MD. She looked irritated, but did not further pursue. We have agreed to disagree on vaxing as well. So, agree beyond argument posed here.
A1c: I'm not sure whether its taken. We've never discussed it. I'm borderline. That's how I qualified for the trial. Very rarely do any sugar. Mostly good diet. Diabetes is dangerous. Don't oppose checking, particularly as relates to vulnerable.
BMI: I'm not aware its ever been checked. I'm not convinced its generally relevant or persuasive absent obesity and other related concerns.
Bottom Line: I'll start with the attending physician and their pursuation as to the need for these measures. I'm not a physician trying to get my patient to address issues. I would suspect there are cases where supporting evidence is helpful in pursuadeing. As a patient I'd likely go along with my Doc absent having gotten conversant with healthful living and utility of these measures. As long as these studies are free and recommended, I suspect most patients would not take issue including re the import of the findings .
Would agree the better answer is knowing the FACTS and focusing resources and consideration on studies and norms that ARE Meaningful!
Great article! LDL and BMI are a waste of time for screening. Doctors and engineers have demonstrated how to change the LDL...eat oreos only. We can look at a patient and tell if the extra weight is likely to be a problem (abdominal fat). Waist to height ratio is much more useful. I used to do a1c for screening but I have found it not to be helpful. HOMA IR with a fasting glucose and insulin is much better for screening. People on keto who exercise regularly will often have a high A1C (according to the guidelines).
Many young podcasters are advertizing these 'numbers' monitoring devices. After reading this article, I think this practice could go sideways. Being chubby and vital is better than being a svelte corpse.
Dr. Malone as always I appreciate your expertise and fair analysis of all topics you discuss! I’m very thankful my Dr. isn’t a drug pusher and Grateful I trust Jesus to guide me in all things! God Bless you Dr. Malone! 🙏
I’m going through this right now. At 62, I’m 6-02, 200 lbs. I’m athletic and not fat (despite my 25.7 BMI). My NP (apparently there aren’t enough doctors in the Spokane-area) has been drilling me to start a Statin because my LDL was “high” at 135 and my apolipoprotein B was high at 100.
That was in May of this year. I modified my diet, started the gym 3x per week and rode my bike 2x per week. I paid for my own coronary artery calcification test and got a score of 78. In August, I got my labs again and had lowered my LDL to 115 and I lost 14 pounds.
Last week I received a call from my NP’s assistant that “the cardiologist” who reviewed my labs recommended I start a Statin, solely based on my apolipoprotein score of 100. I explained to the assistant that I have never met nor spoken to said cardiologist, and I questioned whether my losing weight and improving my cholesterol numbers had been considered in his/her decision.
I suspect, as many do, that cholesterol targets were lowered simply to broaden the customer base. I’m also disappointed with our current medical insurance industry that I spend $23k per year for, and can’t even speak with a cardiologist who doesn’t know me but sees s number and issues a prescription.
Why would I want to take a statin that could negatively impact my health in ways that would impact my physical fitness training and therefore my health?
Excellent article. Being a dentist, most would probably assume I see a physician regularly, but I don't. At 54, I feel my odds for longevity are better by reducing doctor visits. The reason is exactly what you mentioned in this article. Doctors place far too much emphasis on numbers that may have little bearing on actual health. The drugs they prescribe to treat numbers have side effects which are often minimized or ignored. The cornerstone of informed consent is a discussion of advantages, disadvantages, risks and alternatives of treatment, which few physicians can articulate.
82 and a little outside all those numbers, had some chest pain - turns out it was muscles.
ER doc said why are you watching and taking your BP all the time - STOP
oh, because the clinic keeps calling - I have white collar and it was 170/80 in the office
NOT at home ! I take NO meds - many vitamins
Question: Does anyone have any thoughts on this question?
If you get your BP down to 120/80 by taking BP medicine, is that health benefit just as good as naturally having a BP of 120/80 without taking BP medicine.