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re: Heart Calcium score- Anyone done it?
Posted on 2/20/19 at 1:28 pm to TechDawg2007
Posted on 2/20/19 at 1:28 pm to TechDawg2007
Yes, 43 year old male, 5-8 160.
PCP ordered one. went in initially for heart "flutters", etc. Did, cholesterol test (214), treadmill stress test, and calcium score (zero).
Then I wore an event monitor for a month. It showed I have PVC'S and PAC'S. He said without any other alarming factors, those are not life threatening and do not need treatment.
He wanted to start me on atorvastatin for the 214 cholesterol. I requested giving diet changes and exercise first. I go in today to get it checked. I've lost 12 pounds since my last check.
I believe the arrhythmic contractions, weight gain, and high cholesterol are work related. August to November is a very stressful time for me and I eat like crap and don't exercise during those months as well (other than averaging 20k steps a day)
PCP ordered one. went in initially for heart "flutters", etc. Did, cholesterol test (214), treadmill stress test, and calcium score (zero).
Then I wore an event monitor for a month. It showed I have PVC'S and PAC'S. He said without any other alarming factors, those are not life threatening and do not need treatment.
He wanted to start me on atorvastatin for the 214 cholesterol. I requested giving diet changes and exercise first. I go in today to get it checked. I've lost 12 pounds since my last check.
I believe the arrhythmic contractions, weight gain, and high cholesterol are work related. August to November is a very stressful time for me and I eat like crap and don't exercise during those months as well (other than averaging 20k steps a day)
This post was edited on 2/21/19 at 4:55 pm
0
Posted on 3/8/19 at 1:58 pm to TechDawg2007
Got my results back today and nurse said cardiologist said my score was 0 and I’m good 
I’m kinda surprised since heart disease is in my family with men at young ages, and I’m late 30s. Dad had heart attack early 40s, 5 bypasses. Nurse didn’t give much of an explanation to me just said that and bye. I’m a decent health eater but not great and although “active” as in work active and doing stuff I’m not a workout guy. I don’t know, maybe the cardiologist lied so I wouldn’t come back.
I’m kinda surprised since heart disease is in my family with men at young ages, and I’m late 30s. Dad had heart attack early 40s, 5 bypasses. Nurse didn’t give much of an explanation to me just said that and bye. I’m a decent health eater but not great and although “active” as in work active and doing stuff I’m not a workout guy. I don’t know, maybe the cardiologist lied so I wouldn’t come back. This post was edited on 3/8/19 at 1:59 pm
Posted on 3/8/19 at 2:09 pm to windshieldman
quote:
nurse said cardiologist said my score was 0 and I’m good
A calcium score is just a piece of the puzzle. If you are having any symptoms (I MEAN ANY SYMPTOMS) The cardiologist can order a set of ultrasounds. Insurance will not cover it without symptoms. If you are worried due to family history, ask to have a full cardiovascular ultrasound done.
Posted on 3/8/19 at 2:43 pm to CoachChappy
Haven’t had any symptoms but will check it out, thanks
Posted on 3/8/19 at 5:45 pm to windshieldman
I said all of that to say. Tell your cardiologist you sometimes have shortness of breath or swelling in the legs and that’s a symptom. He has to have something to be able to bill insurance. Just use 1 symptom though. You’ll need the others for later when you want another check in ultra sound
Thanks Obama
Thanks Obama
Posted on 3/8/19 at 5:50 pm to CajunAlum Tiger Fan
quote:
I personally know several people whose lives may have been saved because they signed up for a free calcium score, had a positive result leading to a full CTA and then cath/stenting of significant lesions, sometimes all in one day.
This either never happened or you just happen to know several people who got very unscrupulous, non-guideline based medical care.
Cathing an asymptomatic patient based on a coronary calcium score is the medical equivalent of replacing your transmission because the car made a funny sound one day.
Posted on 3/29/19 at 12:40 pm to TechDawg2007
This scan very well may have saved my dad's life. Nuclear stress test and routine cardiologist visits over the years have indicated no problems. Calcium score came back at 2400 and an angiogram just confirmed 80-90% blockage in the major coronaries, including the widowmaker. Bypass surgery next week.
Posted on 4/4/19 at 10:52 am to lsu777
quote:
I didnt know about the heart calcium score but will be requesting it now.
The most important heart test you could have.
Posted on 3/3/22 at 12:49 pm to TechDawg2007
Sorry for the epic bump, but here's what just happened with me:
I've been eating low carb for about 6 years. The first year I did it, I was really scrupulous (probably less than 30 net g per day). When I did bloodwork after one year, it was very positive. At that time, I actually had an appointment with a Twitter-famous low carb MD who told me something like "you don't need to do this bloodwork all the time, because if you are eating properly, we'll know something is wrong with you without bloodwork".
So, I basically didn't have any more done until December 2021. Those labs showed that my trig/HDL ratio was still admirable (I think 1.2:1 type of thing) and that my diabetes markers were ultra-clean. However, my aggregate cholesterol was up to like 300, causing my GP to panic. When I went back to the low carb MD, he also was disturbingly disturbed himself.
So, they ordered me the calcium test, which I just got back 2 days ago. My score was basically 0.
So does this prove that the conventional wisdom around top-level cholesterol numbers is way off (like we always talk about on this board)?
Does it mean I am a so-called "super-responder"?
Would appreciate any thoughts.
I've been eating low carb for about 6 years. The first year I did it, I was really scrupulous (probably less than 30 net g per day). When I did bloodwork after one year, it was very positive. At that time, I actually had an appointment with a Twitter-famous low carb MD who told me something like "you don't need to do this bloodwork all the time, because if you are eating properly, we'll know something is wrong with you without bloodwork".
So, I basically didn't have any more done until December 2021. Those labs showed that my trig/HDL ratio was still admirable (I think 1.2:1 type of thing) and that my diabetes markers were ultra-clean. However, my aggregate cholesterol was up to like 300, causing my GP to panic. When I went back to the low carb MD, he also was disturbingly disturbed himself.
So, they ordered me the calcium test, which I just got back 2 days ago. My score was basically 0.
So does this prove that the conventional wisdom around top-level cholesterol numbers is way off (like we always talk about on this board)?
Does it mean I am a so-called "super-responder"?
Would appreciate any thoughts.
Posted on 3/3/22 at 10:26 pm to Roger Klarvin
in the absence of angina, studies show no reduction of mace when treating lesions with medicine vs stenting. So no point in any cardiology work up without SOB or CP. those meds just reduce cholesterol.
CAC score is just good for outliers. You can still have a heart attack with a zero score. Most acute heart attacks are from lesions that were less than 10% months, days, and maybe minutes before.
CAC score is just good for outliers. You can still have a heart attack with a zero score. Most acute heart attacks are from lesions that were less than 10% months, days, and maybe minutes before.
Posted on 3/4/22 at 7:42 am to Rust Cohle
Had one a couple of months ago too. All the men on my dad’s side died of heart disease and died early. My score was zero. Cardiologist told me to come back in a decade. I run a lot and try to eat well. Probably need to cut the beer back……. 
Posted on 3/4/22 at 9:29 am to TechDawg2007
I had a score of 49 total with a score of 22 in my widow maker. This was last year at age 40.
I’m glad I read this thread, time to get back to better eating and exercise habits.
I’m glad I read this thread, time to get back to better eating and exercise habits.
Posted on 3/4/22 at 10:00 am to Rust Cohle
quote:Would you make this a little less lingo-y, please?
in the absence of angina, studies show no reduction of mace when treating lesions with medicine vs stenting. So no point in any cardiology work up without SOB or CP. those meds just reduce cholesterol.
CAC score is just good for outliers. You can still have a heart attack with a zero score. Most acute heart attacks are from lesions that were less than 10% months, days, and maybe minutes before.
Posted on 3/4/22 at 11:36 am to Roger Klarvin
quote:
Cathing an asymptomatic patient based on a coronary calcium score is the medical equivalent of replacing your transmission because the car made a funny sound one day.
I’m not disagreeing with you, but I know of several instances where the patient went straight from CT to the cath lab based on a calcium score.
Posted on 3/5/22 at 8:41 am to Big Scrub TX
Ischemia trial
Ischemia trial showed no benefit in outcomes for stable angina (which is chest pain on exertion, not at rest.) when comparing stenting versus just taking medicines. The criticism of the study is that outliers were thrown out.
Ischemia trial showed no benefit in outcomes for stable angina (which is chest pain on exertion, not at rest.) when comparing stenting versus just taking medicines. The criticism of the study is that outliers were thrown out.
Posted on 3/5/22 at 8:44 am to EA6B
quote:
straight from CT to the cath lab based on a calcium score.
This is fine if they were having chest pain. There are things that we used to do that we don’t do anymore. We used to do heart caths for surgical clearance all the time, and we don’t anymore. We know there’s no benefit in stenting lesions that aren’t ischemic.
Posted on 3/5/22 at 1:04 pm to Aubie Spr96
quote:
Had one a couple of months ago too. All the men on my dad’s side died of heart disease and died early. My score was zero. Cardiologist told me to come back in a decade. I run a lot and try to eat well. Probably need to cut the beer back…….
Same situation I was in. I was having some chest tightness so I mentioned it to my PCP at my yearly appointment and he ordered a calcium score since my family has a history. Score came back 0, doc said "tell your mother in law to stop stressing you out"
Posted on 3/5/22 at 9:53 pm to Rust Cohle
quote:Is this related to calcium scores or just heart-health-adjacent in general?
Ischemia trial showed no benefit in outcomes for stable angina (which is chest pain on exertion, not at rest.) when comparing stenting versus just taking medicines. The criticism of the study is that outliers were thrown out.
Posted on 3/6/22 at 9:00 am to LSUA 75
quote:
I can’t understand how keto diet is healthy unless they are a subset of people with genetic makeup that the diet agrees with them.
Oh boy. Here we go.
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