1. < Heart & Blood Health

Has anyone had the Cleerly test?

Posted by rochelle369 @rochelle369, Jun 25, 2023

Has anyone had the Cleerly test which also shows the soft plaque and uses Artificial Inteligence? It is not covered by insurance and is about $1,500. Here is their website: https://cleerlyhealth.com/
Cleerly’s heart disease technology uses the power of AI and Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography (CCTA)

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Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jun 25, 2023

@rochelle369 there is another discussion where members are discussing the Cleerly test.
--- being cleerly blocked: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/being-cleerly-cock-blocked/

Is your doctor recommending or suggesting you have the Cleerly test?

REPLY
jasper1072 | @jasper1072 | Jun 27, 2023

Hi @rochelle369

I am familiar with it, believe it or not some insurances cover it. I work as the COO of one of the largest Radiology organizations in the US. Their is some gray zones around it, but I think it has some value---just my humble opinion, nothing more. The insurances that do cover it, generally require a stenosis of at lest 40% on CCTA...some argue it can prevent someone going to the cath lab. I work in an organization that offers it free to officers of the company...but I have not had it done.

REPLY
1 reply
bitsygirl | @bitsygirl | Feb 2 12:17pm
In reply to @jasper1072 "Hi @rochelle369 I am familiar with it, believe it or not some insurances cover it. I..." + (show)
@jasper1072

Hi @rochelle369

I am familiar with it, believe it or not some insurances cover it. I work as the COO of one of the largest Radiology organizations in the US. Their is some gray zones around it, but I think it has some value---just my humble opinion, nothing more. The insurances that do cover it, generally require a stenosis of at lest 40% on CCTA...some argue it can prevent someone going to the cath lab. I work in an organization that offers it free to officers of the company...but I have not had it done.

Jump to this post

Hi @jasper1072. What organization do you work for?

REPLY
1 reply
jasper1072 | @jasper1072 | Feb 4 2:37pm
In reply to @bitsygirl "Hi @jasper1072. What organization do you work for?" + (show)
@bitsygirl

Hi @jasper1072. What organization do you work for?

Jump to this post

Hi @bitsygirl -

Well---I will stay anonymous LOL. Let's say I am in a major metropolitan area---one of the largest Radiology/Diagnostic Imaging providers within the domestic US. Yes---we offer CTCA with FFR. As I mentioned before, as an officer, I get all my medical studies completed for free, I never had the FFR--which is actually performed by a 3rd party as you may know.

Here is my personal perspective and my opinion ONLY...NOT MEDICAL ADVICE. I am both a healthcare executive and a clinician in the field about 25 years. I think modern medical therapy is fantastic! I know many Radiologists and Cardiologists and most believe that the non-invasive approach is best when patients present with no symptoms. In the words of my own cardiologists...You don't want to be rushed off to a Cardiac Lab to perform an invasive procedure---there is always risk. You hear people on this forum and others who will say maybe its time for a "peak"....NOPE, not unless you have symptoms IMHO. Having a stent or event bypass does not change the long term outcome of potentially having an "event".

Everyone is different for sure, I do prescribed to the low inflammation theory---I think that is key for not just heart disease, but for many other disease processes such as Cancer. I try to keep my A1C and LDL low---which is 4.9 and 31 as of 2 weeks ago...they have not moved for over a year. I only take 10 mg of Crestor and an aspirin from a prescription point of view, but do take some supplements such as berberine and bergamot. I had my other inflammation markers checked---and they are all low. I have an extremely low saturated fat diet that is high in fruits and vegetables/nuts. Exercise 5x week running 2.5 miles each time and light weights/biking 2x week.

REPLY
1 reply
bitsygirl | @bitsygirl | Feb 5 10:53am
In reply to @jasper1072 "Hi @bitsygirl - Well---I will stay anonymous LOL. Let's say I am in a major metropolitan..." + (show)
@jasper1072

Hi @bitsygirl -

Well---I will stay anonymous LOL. Let's say I am in a major metropolitan area---one of the largest Radiology/Diagnostic Imaging providers within the domestic US. Yes---we offer CTCA with FFR. As I mentioned before, as an officer, I get all my medical studies completed for free, I never had the FFR--which is actually performed by a 3rd party as you may know.

Here is my personal perspective and my opinion ONLY...NOT MEDICAL ADVICE. I am both a healthcare executive and a clinician in the field about 25 years. I think modern medical therapy is fantastic! I know many Radiologists and Cardiologists and most believe that the non-invasive approach is best when patients present with no symptoms. In the words of my own cardiologists...You don't want to be rushed off to a Cardiac Lab to perform an invasive procedure---there is always risk. You hear people on this forum and others who will say maybe its time for a "peak"....NOPE, not unless you have symptoms IMHO. Having a stent or event bypass does not change the long term outcome of potentially having an "event".

Everyone is different for sure, I do prescribed to the low inflammation theory---I think that is key for not just heart disease, but for many other disease processes such as Cancer. I try to keep my A1C and LDL low---which is 4.9 and 31 as of 2 weeks ago...they have not moved for over a year. I only take 10 mg of Crestor and an aspirin from a prescription point of view, but do take some supplements such as berberine and bergamot. I had my other inflammation markers checked---and they are all low. I have an extremely low saturated fat diet that is high in fruits and vegetables/nuts. Exercise 5x week running 2.5 miles each time and light weights/biking 2x week.

Jump to this post

Thanks for the info. It occurred to me awhile after I asked about your company that it's a little "personal" for the web. It's helpful to get your perspective since you are closer to the industry than most.

BTW, I've been trying to understand the difference between Calcium CT, CCTA, CCTA with contrast and CCTA with FFR -- not from the perspective of what they measure, but what the technology is. Is CCTA just a Calcium CT with contrast injected? Is FFR additional analysis of a CCTA with contrast? I gather the Cleerly test is some additional AI on the CCTA with contrast. If you have a good source or know the answer, that would be very helpful. In language for the lay person, I can only find descriptions of what each test measures.

FWIW, the thing that motivated my question was the fact that officers of the company get the test for free.

REPLY
1 reply
jasper1072 | @jasper1072 | Feb 7 10:16am
In reply to @bitsygirl "Thanks for the info. It occurred to me awhile after I asked about your company that..." + (show)
@bitsygirl

Thanks for the info. It occurred to me awhile after I asked about your company that it's a little "personal" for the web. It's helpful to get your perspective since you are closer to the industry than most.

BTW, I've been trying to understand the difference between Calcium CT, CCTA, CCTA with contrast and CCTA with FFR -- not from the perspective of what they measure, but what the technology is. Is CCTA just a Calcium CT with contrast injected? Is FFR additional analysis of a CCTA with contrast? I gather the Cleerly test is some additional AI on the CCTA with contrast. If you have a good source or know the answer, that would be very helpful. In language for the lay person, I can only find descriptions of what each test measures.

FWIW, the thing that motivated my question was the fact that officers of the company get the test for free.

Jump to this post

Hi @bitsygirl

No worries! Calcium CT---is just a limited CT of the heart that looks to see any calcium buildup in the heart vasculature---can't see the non-calcified plaque. CCTA is the acronym for Coronary computed tomography angiography, it is performed with contrast that is injected during the exam. Generally speaking patients are giving a medication to lower their heart rate in order to get a better image. It can show more of the vasculature of the heart including if their is a blockage. You are correct---FFR is an add on software that can be ordered that takes additional measurements. Generally speaking--if the radiologist reads the CCTA and their is no indication of a blockage 40% or greater---it will not get a FFR. FFR takes it a step further in those cases to see what the blood flow is to the heart itself...your coronary arteries are the main blood supply to the heart itself.
As a few of my cardiologist friends will say...Calcium scoring is but one of several tools---everyone is a bit different. I have a friend who received the same exact CAC score at the same age as me---15 years ago and he is doing great with no "events", exercises 3x week and takes his 10mg of Crestor and eats a well balanced low saturated fat diet. Good Luck!

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