Lifeline Screening

Lifeline Screening offers access to carotid artery ultrasound screening for arterial disease. It is a good service because it calls attention to arterial disease and other signs of cardiometabolic disease.   

But their common recommendation to monitor annually misses the best opportunity to reverse arterial disease when it is “mild.”   

Calling arterial disease “mild” is about as logical as referring to “mild cancer.”   

Even if the disease is advanced and they suggest referral to an interventional specialist, you should consider the option of The CureCenter. 

If you have a Lifeline Screening report, register at CureCoach.App, scan and upload the report to the message thread. Or fax it to 866-594-7830 or mail a copy to The CureCenter for Chronic Disease, 2131 W. White Oaks Dr. Suite A, Springfield, IL 62704. Include contact information (mobile phone and email) so we can reach out to you. Or register for a Discovery Call.

We will review it and use it to advise you how it can support efforts to reverse your disease and get rid of the threat of stroke and heart attack by finding and addressing your specific root causes with a CurePlan. 

What is Cardiometabolic Disease?

Cardiometabolic disease, also known as atherosclerosis (arterial disease) dyslipidemia and metabolic syndrome, refers to a cluster of conditions that increase the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes. It is characterized by a combination of risk factors that affect the metabolism and cardiovascular system. These risk factors include obesity, high blood pressure (hypertension), high blood sugar levels (insulin resistance or diabetes), and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels. 

The exact cause of cardiometabolic disease is not fully understood, but it is believed to result from a combination of genetic factors, poor lifestyle choices, and environmental influences. Sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy diet (high in processed foods, starch and sugars), smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and chronic stress are among the contributing factors. 

When a person has cardiometabolic disease, they are at a higher risk of developing serious health complications, such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. These conditions can lead to significant disability and mortality rates if not properly treated. 

The diagnosis of cardiometabolic disease is typically based on the presence of specific criteria, including abdominal obesity (measured by body composition or waist circumference), elevated blood pressure, high blood sugar levels, elevated triglycerides, and low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. 

Treatment and management of cardiometabolic disease includes lifestyle modifications, such as adopting a healthy diet, regular physical activity, weight loss, and smoking cessation. Medications may also be prescribed to control blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and cholesterol. Supplements are recommended to treat identified deficiencies like vitamin D and folic acid to reduce homocysteine.

Preventing or reversing cardiometabolic disease requires a comprehensive approach that addresses the underlying risk factors. It is important to promote a healthy lifestyle, educate individuals about the risks associated with cardiometabolic disease, and provide appropriate medical interventions to reduce the impact of this condition on individuals' health and well-being by putting it into remission. 

For more information, and to begin the process of reducing your threat from cardiometabolic disease, request a complimentary discovery call with Dr. Backs.

Don’t let the cardiologist or coroner be the first to tell you about your disease.

by Dr. Craig Backs

I once met with a man in his 60’s who I cared for years ago. He was interested in reconnecting because his current physician had retired. After speaking with him, I offered to develop a custom CurePlan. He declined and stated, “I eat right, I exercise, and my doctor says my cholesterol is good.” I decided to not push the issue because it rarely if ever works to change beliefs. 

A few weeks later, I received a call from a local hospital. The caller was the man’s wife. She informed me that he had suffered cardiac arrest at the YMCA while exercising the prior morning. He had been successfully resuscitated and was recovering without apparent residual effects.

He now wanted to discuss a CurePlan because his catheterization had demonstrated three vessel coronary artery disease and he was recommended for coronary bypass surgery. He asked: “What should I do?”   

Sadly, I had little choice but to offer to pray for him and urge him to follow the advice he had gotten for standard care. I had no influence on his hospital care other than as a “friend.” 

I could have suggested he go home, come see me to discuss the details, and then decide if surgery, with all its risks, is the correct option. However, I didn’t believe it was worth the risk of him going into cardiac arrest again outside the hospital after following my advice. I did not have all of the details of his diagnosis and he had previously declined my offer for a custom CurePlan and advice for preventative measures.

So, he and his family went through the pain and suffering of a life altering operation on the heels of a life altering cardiac arrest. All of this would likely have been avoided if he had known of his arterial disease early and treated the missed root causes proactively. 

Although I can’t correct his situation, I hope that someone who reads this story will act in their own interest and for the benefit of their loved ones. Identify the disease that lurks within and could take you out in a moment without warning.