My Plaque Protocol, and Why I Started a PCSK9 Inhibitor | Simon Hill, MSc

A few weeks ago I published my own heart scans, and one number travelled further than the rest: a 48% drop in plaque over 16 and a half months. The question underneath that video was the obvious one. How? This episode is the answer, and it is also the part I could easily have left out. Three companies analysed the same two scans. HeartFlow found a 48% reduction, Cleerly found a 20% increase, and QAngio found essentially no change at all. Same heart, same images, and a sixfold spread in the absolute amount of plaque they measured. I walk through my full protocol, explain which analysis I anchor to and why, and tell you why, despite that headline, I have started a PCSK9 inhibitor. What We Cover: Why cumulative ApoB exposure matters more than the cholesterol reading you have today My nutrition, training, and sleep protocol, and the supplements I deliberately avoided Why three platforms measuring the same heart came back with 11.5, 60, and 74 cubic millimetres The published concern about AI overestimation of plaque, and which analysis Dr Matthew Budoff trusts How my percentile swings 25 points depending on the reference database Why I started a PCSK9 inhibitor, and how I chose it over a statin Why you should be sceptical of dramatic short-interval scan results, including mine All three analyses agreed on the thing that matters: the plaque burden is low, and it is not progressing rapidly. That agreement is worth far more than the headline. Enjoyed this episode? A rating and review on the Apple Podcast app helps more people find the show. Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also support the show by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and sharing your favourite episodes with friends and family. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. 38Tera ships to the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Eight Sleep Upgrade your sleep with the Pod 6 by Eight Sleep. Clinically validated to deliver up to 1 extra hour of quality sleep per night through temperature control and biometric tracking. Use code THEPROOF at eightsleep.com/theproof for up to $200 off. You get 30 days to try it at home and return it if you don't love it. Eight Sleep ships to the U.S. (excluding Alaska, Hawaii, and territories), Canada, Mexico, most of the EU, the U.K., Australia, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Switzerland. IM8 With 92 nutrients, including Vitamin B12, Iodine, Selenium and Vitamin D, in highly absorbable forms, IM8 Daily Essentials is the perfect all-in-one daily multi-vitamin to ensure you meet your daily micronutrient needs. IM8 is offering an exclusive 10% off your first order with a free welcome kit when you enter the promo code SIMON at checkout on im8health.com. IM8 ships to 27 countries including the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, and many regions across Europe, Asia, and South America. Upwork Post your job for free at Upwork.com and connect with top talent ready to help your business grow. Find the right talent to support your business and bring your projects to life. SwimClub SwimClub is a science-backed supplement designed to support male fertility, sperm health, and reproductive wellness. Head to swimclub.co to get 25% off your first order with code THEPROOF. WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Whoop ships to 56+ international markets, including the US, Canada, most of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, UAE, Singapore, and parts of Asia. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide and download my Two-Week Meal Plan.