Dr. Colbert’s Broadcast • Heart Health & Prevention • Episode 1
Is Your Heart at Risk? Take This Test Now | Dr. Don Colbert, MD Ep. 1
Heart disease can develop quietly for years before obvious symptoms appear. In this episode of Dr. Colbert’s Broadcast, Dr. Don Colbert, MD, Kyle Colbert, and Mary Colbert explain how coronary plaque develops, why some heart attacks seem to come without warning, what a coronary artery calcium (CAC) score can and cannot tell you, and which blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, inflammation, diet, and lifestyle markers deserve a serious conversation with your healthcare professional.
Heart attack symptoms are an emergency
Call 911 or your local emergency number for new chest pressure, squeezing or pain; shortness of breath; pain or discomfort in the arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach; cold sweat; nausea; unusual weakness or fatigue; lightheadedness; or other symptoms that could represent a heart attack. Do not wait for symptoms to become severe and do not drive yourself if emergency medical services are available.
The dangerous part: heart disease can be silent
The episode opens with a question that gets straight to the point: if your coronary arteries were significantly narrowed, would you necessarily know it? Dr. Colbert’s answer is often no. Kyle and Mary reinforce the reason this subject feels so urgent: a person may feel normal until exertion, plaque rupture, or another event suddenly exposes an underlying problem.
That does not mean every tired afternoon or episode of indigestion is heart disease. It means feeling well is not a complete cardiovascular screening strategy. Atherosclerosis can develop for years without obvious symptoms, which is why family history, blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, tobacco exposure, weight, activity, sleep, and other risk factors matter even when you feel healthy.
Important distinction: The broadcast uses examples of arteries being 60% to 75% blocked without symptoms. The broader medical takeaway is that coronary artery disease can be asymptomatic. The exact relationship between a percentage of narrowing and symptoms varies by the artery involved, plaque characteristics, blood-flow demand, collateral circulation, and the individual patient.
“Most people say, ‘I feel great, so I know I don’t have any heart disease.’ That’s a poor monitor of heart disease.”
— Dr. Don Colbert, MD, in this episode
What actually causes many heart attacks?
Dr. Colbert compares an artery to an aging pipe and then to a highway losing lanes. Both illustrations make the same point: plaque can accumulate gradually, but the event that triggers a heart attack is often more sudden. A plaque can become disrupted or rupture, prompting platelets and clotting activity that can abruptly reduce or block blood flow to heart muscle.
Calcified plaque
A CAC scan detects calcium associated with coronary atherosclerosis. Higher scores generally mean a greater burden of calcified plaque and higher future cardiovascular risk.
Non-calcified plaque
A calcium score does not directly measure every kind of plaque. Coronary CT angiography (CCTA) can provide additional information about the coronary arteries, including non-calcified plaque and narrowing, when clinically appropriate.
Heart attack warning signs people may dismiss
The broadcast emphasizes that the classic “elephant sitting on my chest” presentation is not the only way a heart attack can appear. Symptoms can be intense, mild, unusual, or intermittent.
| Possible warning sign | What it may feel like | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Chest discomfort | Pressure, squeezing, fullness, pain or discomfort in the center of the chest | Treat new or concerning symptoms as urgent |
| Shortness of breath | May occur with or without chest discomfort | Seek emergency evaluation when sudden, unexplained or accompanied by other warning signs |
| Upper-body discomfort | Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach | Do not assume it is only a muscle, reflux or dental problem if the pattern is concerning |
| Unusual fatigue or weakness | A marked or unexplained drop in energy, especially with exertional symptoms | Discuss persistent changes with a clinician; seek urgent help when paired with acute warning signs |
| Nausea, cold sweat or lightheadedness | Symptoms that can be mistaken for a stomach bug, stress or dehydration | Call emergency services when a heart attack is possible |
The test at the center of this episode: coronary artery calcium scoring
A coronary artery calcium test is a non-contrast CT scan that measures calcium in the coronary arteries. It can help refine cardiovascular risk and guide prevention decisions in selected people, especially when the decision about treatment is not already clear.
Dr. Colbert walks through practical score ranges during the broadcast. Current professional guidance also emphasizes that the score should be interpreted alongside age, sex, family history, cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes status, smoking, symptoms, and the rest of the clinical picture.
| CAC result | General interpretation | Conversation to have with your clinician |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | No detectable coronary calcium; generally reassuring but not a guarantee of zero cardiovascular risk | How do my other risk factors affect what I should do next? |
| 1–99 | Coronary calcium is present; preventive treatment may be favored depending on age and overall risk | Should this change my LDL-lowering plan or other risk-reduction priorities? |
| 100+ | Associated with meaningfully higher cardiovascular risk and often supports more active prevention | What treatment intensity is appropriate for me? |
| 300+ | Represents a high plaque burden and higher event risk | How aggressively should we address LDL, blood pressure, blood sugar, smoking, weight, exercise and other modifiable risks? |
Do not self-order a test based only on age. CAC scanning is most useful in selected patients. People with chest pain or other concerning symptoms need a symptom-focused medical evaluation, not simply a screening calcium score.
What about CCTA and AI plaque analysis?
Later in the episode, Dr. Colbert discusses coronary CT angiography (CCTA) and AI-assisted plaque analysis such as Cleerly. Unlike a standard calcium scan, CCTA uses contrast and can show coronary anatomy, narrowing and plaque characteristics in greater detail. AI-enabled analysis can help quantify and characterize plaque from CCTA images.
This is not automatically the “next test” for every person with a positive calcium score. Whether CCTA, a stress test, additional blood testing or another evaluation is appropriate depends on symptoms, kidney function, known coronary disease, baseline risk and the clinical question being asked.
The heart-health numbers worth knowing
Dr. Colbert repeatedly returns to a simple prevention principle: know your numbers before a crisis forces you to learn them. The episode focuses on the following areas.
Blood pressure
Track your trend, not just one office reading. Optimal blood pressure is generally below 120/80 mm Hg, while diagnosis and treatment decisions require the full clinical context.
Hemoglobin A1C & glucose
Elevated blood sugar and diabetes materially increase cardiovascular risk. Know whether you are in a normal, prediabetes or diabetes range and what your personal target should be.
Lipid panel
Total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C and triglycerides are the starting point. People with established atherosclerotic disease or very high risk may need substantially lower LDL-C targets than lower-risk patients.
Risk-enhancing markers
Depending on your history, a clinician may consider markers such as high-sensitivity CRP, lipoprotein(a) and apolipoprotein B to refine risk.
A useful appointment question: “Based on my age, family history, blood pressure, A1C, LDL-C, triglycerides, smoking history and symptoms, would a CAC score or another test actually change my treatment?” That is a much better question than simply asking for every available scan.
Fiber, blood sugar and the Keto Zone approach
One of the strongest nutrition themes in the show is Dr. Colbert’s defense of fiber. He specifically discusses soluble fiber, legumes and Fiber Zone while pushing back on the idea that a heart-conscious low-carbohydrate diet should be built around meat alone.
That fits the broader Keto Zone philosophy: a low-carbohydrate plan can still prioritize non-starchy vegetables, avocados, nuts, seeds, olive oil, fish and adequate fiber. The goal is not “zero plants.” It is a nutrient-dense eating pattern that also helps control excess added sugar and highly refined carbohydrates.
Current American Heart Association dietary guidance likewise emphasizes an overall heart-healthy pattern rich in vegetables and fruits, healthy protein sources, unsaturated fats, minimally processed foods and fiber while minimizing added sugars and excess sodium.
A practical heart-risk action plan
- 1Know your baseline. Blood pressure, lipid panel, A1C/glucose, weight or waist trend, tobacco exposure and family history are the starting point.
- 2Ask whether a CAC score would change management. Screening is most useful when the result could change a real prevention decision.
- 3Build meals around whole foods. Prioritize vegetables, fiber, healthy fats, fish and other quality proteins while cutting back on added sugar, refined carbohydrates and ultra-processed foods.
- 4Move consistently. For most adults, work toward at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity weekly, plus strength work as appropriate for your health and ability.
- 5Take prescribed treatment seriously. Lifestyle and supplements can support a wellness plan, but they are not reasons to stop statins, blood-pressure medication, diabetes medication, aspirin or other prescribed therapies without your clinician.
- 6Know the emergency signs. Prevention matters, but speed matters too. If a heart attack is possible, call emergency services immediately.
Divine Health products and resources discussed in this episode
The broadcast names several Divine Health products or nutrient categories. These are best presented as supportive wellness tools, not as treatments for coronary artery disease or replacements for medical care.
Fiber Zone
Discussed directly by Dr. Colbert while explaining the importance of soluble fiber. Each serving provides a blend of soluble and insoluble fiber, including psyllium and prebiotic inulin.
Wild Alaskan Salmon Omega-3
The episode discusses fish oil in the context of triglycerides and cardiovascular wellness. Divine Health’s formula provides omega-3 fatty acids from wild Alaskan salmon oil.
Super K2
Vitamin K2 is discussed repeatedly in the broadcast. Research into vitamin K supplementation and vascular calcification continues to evolve, so use it as part of an individualized plan rather than as a substitute for proven cardiovascular risk reduction.
Nano Glutathione Spray
Dr. Colbert mentions Nano Glutathione while discussing CT contrast and his own kidney history. Divine Health markets the spray for antioxidant and cellular support. It should not be described as proven to prevent contrast-associated kidney injury.
Live Long and Strong
Mary highlights Dr. Colbert’s book during the show as a practical reference for health markers and longevity. It is a natural companion resource for viewers who want to go deeper on the numbers discussed in the episode.
Omega-3 safety note: Do not use an over-the-counter fish-oil supplement as a substitute for aspirin, antiplatelet medication, statin therapy or other prescribed cardiovascular treatment. If you take blood thinners or have a bleeding disorder, discuss supplements with your healthcare professional.
Keto Zone takeaway: low carb does not have to mean low fiber
A common mistake is turning a low-carbohydrate diet into an all-meat diet. Dr. Colbert argues against that approach in this episode. Keto Zone can include abundant non-starchy vegetables, avocado, chia, flax, nuts, seeds, olive oil and other whole-food sources of fiber and unsaturated fats.
Questions to take to your next appointment
- ✓What is my overall 10-year cardiovascular risk, and what are the biggest modifiable drivers?
- ✓Would a coronary artery calcium score meaningfully change my treatment plan?
- ✓What LDL-C, blood-pressure and A1C targets make sense for my personal risk level?
- ✓Should I be tested for lipoprotein(a), apoB or hs-CRP based on my family history or current results?
- ✓If I have symptoms, is a CAC score the right test, or do I need a different evaluation such as ECG, blood tests, CCTA, stress testing or cardiology referral?
Watch, share, and know your numbers
The central message of Episode 1 is not to live in fear of a heart attack. It is to stop assuming that “I feel fine” is the same thing as “my cardiovascular risk is low.” Know your numbers, understand your family history, build a sustainable lifestyle, and use the right testing when it can change what you do next.
Sources and further reading
- American Heart Association: Coronary Artery Calcium Test
- American Heart Association: Warning Signs of a Heart Attack
- American College of Cardiology: CAC Scoring for ASCVD Prevention
- American Heart Association: 2026 Dietary Guidance to Improve Cardiovascular Health
- American Heart Association: Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Hypertriglyceridemia
- Cleerly: AI-Enabled CCTA Plaque Analysis Overview
