Knife Down
"Knife Down" is what a surgeon says in the OR when she puts her scalpel down so no one gets hurt — and it’s the mission here: put the knife down, long before anyone needs to use it.
Knife Down is a podcast about how to actually invest in your health so you can live longer, stronger, and with less time in doctors’ offices. The core focus is the world’s leading cause of death—cardiovascular disease—and what to do about it before it shows up as a catastrophe.
Hosted by a vascular surgeon on a mission to put herself out of business, the show translates cutting-edge science on prevention, metabolic health, and longevity into real-world strategies you can use in clinic or at your kitchen table. Expect evidence, nuance, and zero wellness hype—plus the occasional dark joke about the state of modern medicine.
Knife Down
The Scan That Reveals Heart Disease Years Before Symptoms
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In this video, I break down CAC (coronary artery calcium score), CIMT (carotid intima–media thickness), and CCTA (coronary CT angiography) — the three imaging tests that reveal your real cardiovascular risk. If you’ve ever been told your cholesterol is “fine” or “high” and you still don’t know what that means for you, this is the missing link.
Most people think cholesterol numbers (LDL, HDL, triglycerides) can predict heart attacks and strokes. They can’t — not on their own. What actually matters is whether you’re building plaque in your arteries. And the only way to know that is through imaging.
What we cover:
• What a CAC score really measures and why a calcium score of zero isn't always reassuring
• How CIMT ultrasound detects early soft plaque long before calcification
• Why CCTA (coronary CT angiography) is the gold-standard for spotting dangerous non-calcified plaque, and why I don't recommend it for everyone
• CAC vs CIMT vs CCTA: which test is right for you, and how much they cost
• Why some people with “normal cholesterol” still develop plaque
• How we currently assess cardiovascular disease risk and why it's not enough
• Why detecting disease early saves lives
If you want to understand your true heart attack and stroke risk — not just a lab number — these scans are the roadmap.
I’m Dr. Lily Johnston, a vascular surgeon who treats the end stage of this debate every week. My goal is to help you prevent the heart attacks, strokes, and amputations I see in the OR. You deserve clarity, not confusion.
Take good care — and if this helped, share it with someone who needs to know their real risk.
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🧬 About Dr. Lily Johnston
Dr. Johnston is a double board-certified vascular and general surgeon in San Diego, specializing in metabolic and cardiovascular prevention. She’s the founder of CorSight Health and a passionate advocate for reimagining how medicine approaches chronic disease.
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