My ultrasound did not reveal atherosclerotic plaque/atheroma. What are my next steps?

If your carotid ultrasound did not reveal atherosclerotic arterial disease (shown as “plaque,” or atheroma/inflammation in your artery wall), that provides some peace of mind. However, there may be disease in your coronary (or other) arteries.

The next step in searching for arterial disease is Coronary Artery Calcium Score (CACS). If you’ve already had this test, we would be happy to review your results. Coronary Artery Calcium Score above zero means you have calcified atherosclerotic plaque/atheroma in your coronary arteries. Non calcified or homogeneous plaque/atheroma is not detected by this test.

If you want a CACS, do a Google search for “Coronary Artery Calcium Score near me” online.  We are  happy to help you get scheduled. Call our office at 217-321-1987 or request a Discovery Call with Dr. Backs to get started.

What does a CureScreen with plaque/atheroma vs. no plaque/atheroma look like?

Click here to see a CureScreen with plaque.

Click here to see a CureScreen with no plaque.

My ultrasound revealed atherosclerotic plaque. What now?

If your screening ultrasound revealed atherosclerotic arterial disease (shown as “plaque,” or inflammation in your artery wall), you can reverse it.  

If left untreated, plaque that does not heal can rupture, forming a blood clot to cause stroke, dementia, heart attack, kidney failure, and other debilitating events.  These events are treated by standard late stage rescue care with stents and surgery. While waiting for treatment, you may suffer a fatal or life-altering stroke or cardiac arrest. You could also accumulate small strokes resulting in vascular dementia over time.

These disasters can be avoided.

At the CureCenter, we reverse atherosclerotic arterial disease, achieving remission to the point it is considered cured, and no longer a threat.  

We will work with your current primary care provider and specialists who provide standard care. They probably won’t understand all that we do. Even if they do, the system in which they practice limits their ability to offer it.  We always welcome a conversation, especially if they will study this website or read “Healthy Heart Healthy Brain.” Standard care tends to be reactive to symptoms and with procedural intervention, sometimes doing more harm than good.  

Stents can fail, requiring further treatment and high-risk blood thinners to prevent closure of the arteries. The CureCenter will help you get optimal results by creating a personalized lifestyle and medical CurePlan. We help you make changes you can live with. We support progress, not expecting perfection.

We recommend medication and supplements based on documented need and monitor the effects, adjusting as needed.

What does a CureScreen with plaque vs. no plaque look like?

Click here to see a CureScreen with plaque.

Click here to see a CureScreen with no plaque.

Be resilient. Be safe. Request a complimentary Discovery Call with Dr. Backs to get started.

What is Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM). How is it used at the CureCenter?

At The CureCenter, we understand that dealing with diabetes can be an ongoing struggle that comes with a wide range of issues, including:

• Trying to reach A1C goals

• Experiencing low blood sugar 

• Not being able to control highs after eating

• Wondering how food is affecting your blood glucose

• Find the right medication and dosage

This is why we support Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) for our patients with Type 2 Diabetes, prediabetes and those who exhibit chronic inflammation from insulin resistance.

A CGM is a device that continuously measures the levels of glucose in the blood. It works through a small sensor that is inserted through the skin and is connected to a transmitter which sends glucose readings to a receiver or app. It can provide real-time reporting about an individual’s blood-glucose levels.

Insights from these reports make a real difference in the management of our patients with insulin resistance. They help us learn the impact of everyday decisions about diet and exercise and gain insights into the effects of medication changes.

CGM is a very powerful tool to optimally manage and control insulin resistance, one of the most common root causes for arterial disease.

What type of CGM do you use at the CureCenter?

At the CureCenter, we prescribe the devices most available to you. It is a cost-effective alternative to ketone metering and finger sticks for blood glucose monitoring for those who want to reduce their risk of diabetes and other chronic diseases. 

For about $2 per day for 28 days, you can continuously measure your blood glucose response to your food and other behavior choices with a Freestyle Libre CGM.

You will need a prescription for this CGM. If you do not have a diagnosis of diabetes, your insurance will not cover it. However, it is affordable and the benefits of the data are priceless.

Interested in learning more? Request a complementary Discovery Call with Dr. Backs to get started.