This Was My Wake-Up Call

I recently had some routine blood work done and… the results were startling. It turns out, my cholesterol was through the roof. Specifically, my LDL cholesterol had reached a dangerously high level, that if left untreated, could quickly get worse and put me at serious risk for cardiovascular issues such as a heart attack by age 40. I hope to keep battling medical misinformation and reacting to medical memes and dramas well beyond 40, folks, so it was time for a change. Over the last month I have done a complete overhaul of my entire diet to reduce my LDL cholesterol, but it hasn’t been easy. The most difficult part of the diet was not cutting out foods high in saturated fats that clog your arteries, but rather finding foods allowing me to consume upwards of 60 grams of fiber a day. I got some new blood work done and review the results at the end of the video. Let me know down below if there are any dietary changes you’re looking to make before the end of the year!

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* Select photos/videos provided by Getty Images *

** The information in this video is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this video is for general information purposes only and does not replace a consultation with your own doctor/health professional **

[localidiot]

I love how he always admits doctors are the worst patients-

[mushauribahimana]

" doctors are notoriously bad patients". I always thought it was a joke. I'm glad you're sharing your health status with us. This is so beneficial for me. Stay healthy and happy 😀

[CassWhoTV]

Also important to note that stress can contribute to increased cholesterol, and since the pandemic healthcare workers have all felt the strain. If you're waking up at 0630 and still working until 2200-midnight, you might consider addressing stress as well. Stay healthy doc x

[eatzsandwich]

Dr. Mike: "This was my wake-up call"
Me: How bad can it be? You're a doctor. I'm sure you're good.
Dr. Mike: *unenthusiastic peewoop*
Me: *Panic intensifies*

[VarsVerum]

Mike why are you giving us all existential paranoia? Now I feel this overwhelming need to get a checkup and bloodwork myself 😂

[hannahe]

my mom was telling me bout how as a nurse she was always preaching healthy lifestyles but in reality she moved out at 16, drank a lot, smoked, worked three jobs and got about 4 hours sleep, ate whatever cheap food she could get last minute and lived in a cheap apartment that was not a good a good environment.

lots of health care professionals don't have the time and resources to be healthy and look after themselves, this is a very real issue

[deltanovember-wxqr]

I'm so grateful to you for sharing this, Dr. Mike. My dad, who was very active and had a very physical job, passed away at 63 last July from a heart attack (completely unexpected, no symptoms beforehand), and I've been struggling with full-on health anxiety since then, worrying that I might have an undiagnosed heart problem or something. I went to a cardiologist, and they did an echo and didn't find anything "of concern", but I've still been really anxious, because I turned 30 in November, and I know I haven't been taking the best care of myself for the past couple of years.

After watching your video, I realized I didn't recall ever having bloodwork done, so I recently had a full lipid profile, and I found out that my total cholesterol is elevated and my LDL is 130. I'm not sure it would have occurred to me (and apparently it didn't occur to any of my doctors) to think about my cholesterol levels yet if you hadn't posted this video...but now I can move forward with a specific plan to eat healthier and take better care of myself.

Also, I just want to say thank you for all that you do in general. You've played a big part in inspiring me to go back to school for another degree--this time in Nursing. I'm almost done with my prerequisities, and I hope to start clinical courses in the fall. I want to be the kind of nurse that you are a doctor--approachable, knowledgable, holistic, and most of all deeply caring about patients.

Thank you again, and God bless!

[devinhiatt]

When she listed the things that raise your LDL my heart sank ...that's literally my whole diet. I've known I was high risk for a while but man it hurts to look at.

[Gruxx]

It's good to see a real doctor being open and honest about their health. This just goes to show that doctors are real people too and they do make mistakes. I hope the new diet is working for you.

[memphisacosta]

Bruh, that was one of the smoothest transitions into an ad I've seen in a while

[dearcole]

I am also a medical provider and I’ve had the last year and half take a toll on my personal health. Sometimes life gets in the way of making the best choices. But that is no excuse. Glad to see you sharing your real life problems with your viewers.

[Natalie-efep]

Hello Dr. Mike. I just wanted to say... Thank you soooo much 🙏 I've been struggling so hard to break my bad habits amd beat myself up for doing a bad job at it. When someone like you who we all look up to, and feels like somebody who has everything put together (that's what our brain does right), actually comes out and says that they too have a difficulty with discipline and Laziness, it put so much weight of the shoulder.

Thank you so much. Feels inspiring to know that we all are the same and can improve step by step to build a healthier lifestyle. ❤️

[balmany]

As a guy almost your age with higher cholesterol this video really hit home for me. Thanks Dr. Mike!

[havox]

Doc, you haven't even touched about the link between high cholesterol and stress. My dad is an anesthesiologist, my uncle a cardiologist, my cousin a family physician. All have high LDL's not just due to diet but due to stress. Yes, doctors do make bad patients. I've lived with them and worked for them in their offices and clinics. The primary problem I see among all of them is stress first and next comes bad eating habits. There are countless research papers and textbook chapters that describe this link. Please make a note about this if you ever decided to read my comment and make a video about reducing stress and cholesterol.

[pamyuhnke]

Thank you so much for posting this. As a soon to be FNP and a nurse for 20+ years, it’s so important that we share our struggles with health so people know they aren’t alone with their struggles. 💚

[MagnusRocco]

It's really cool seeing just how much better people feel when their getting the care they need. I lived with undiagnosed fibromyalgia for decades thought I'd always be in pain. The first time I mentioned my pain to my current family medicine doctor she started me on treatment for it and I feel 10 years younger. I finally feel good enough grow the garden I always wanted and I'm gonna plant some black beans for you Doc Mike!

[allisonmb]

I’m really glad you drive home the point that weight is not the be all, end all of health. It’s so important, for “thin” people to hear too. My family member who runs marathons just got a similar cholesterol reality check. We were all
shocked bc she’s in such great shape.

[rachelfishbein]

My dad is a cardiologist, and he has a similar lifestyle. He works out early, doesn't eat much of a breakfast, gets whatever salad he can in the hospital cafeteria, and eats a large not super nutritious dinner especially when he and my mom go out. I imagine it's hard to maintain a healthy lifestyle when you're a doctor, especially one who deals with emergencies.

[carriejaworski]

I’m 33 years old and I received the same news from my latest blood work. You’re absolutely right when you say weight doesn’t always determine your health status. I’ve always weighed 100-115 pounds but my diet has been poor due to working in the health care field as well. There’s little time to cook a decent meal and when you’re STARVING you want something NOW and most of the time fried foods or red meat is your number one go to. I haven’t had my blood drawn since I got this news but I think I’m making progress. Keep up the hard work!!! I know you can do it!

[deidrehaye]

Thank you so much for doing this, Dr. Mike! I'm on this journey, too, as my total cholesterol was over 200! I'm trying to make these same changes so I appreciate someone as yourself being open and honest. I'm glad to see that all the changes can worked for you!!