I think I'm ok with this. Not completely sure, though

[missdiane]

As recommended by the previous doctor I had and the current one agreed to (but didn't go to bat to try to get insurance to cover it completely so I had to pony up $99), I went for a coronary artery calcium CT on Thursday morning and got the results on Friday.

On this one, the ideal score is 0 but since I'm on high blood pressure medication and have borderline high cholesterol and am diabetic (controlled with a lower dose of metformin) and also because I have a family history, I didn't expect it to be 0. It turns out my score is 91 all in my Left Circumflex. The text said this:

Interpretation: Calcium Score = 11-100. Definite, at least mild atherosclerotic plaque burden. There are likely
mild or minimal coronary stenoses. The implications for cardiovascular risk are moderate.

and
This patient's Agatston coronary artery calcium score corresponds to the percentile range: 75-90th.
This means that between 10 to 25% of people in this patient's demographic group (women aged 55-59) will have
a higher calcium score.

It doesn't seem super bad, thankfully, and makes me more comfortable for when I need to schedule the hysterectomy. However I should make some other changes. I'm still leery of incorporating statins but I do remember that both parents took the low dose aspirin so I might get some. I also need to continue to improve my eating and also get regular exercise. Right now my exercise consists of cleaning out the old stupid apartment and then I'll get back to the old people pool at the Y.

Anyone else take this test?

Comments

[spiffikins]

If an ideal score is 0 and the highest is 100 - 91 sounds pretty darn serious, no?

oh!


Zero: No plaque. Your risk of heart attack is low.

1 - 10: Small amount of plaque. You have less than a 10 percent chance of having heart disease, and your risk of heart attack is low.

11-100: Some plaque. You have mild heart disease and a moderate chance of heart attack. Your doctor may recommend other treatment in addition to lifestyle changes.

101 - 400: Moderate amount of plaque. You have heart disease and plaque may be blocking an artery. Your chance of having a heart attack is moderate to high. Your health professional may want more tests and may start treatment.

Over 400: Large amount of plaque. You have more than a 90 percent chance that plaque is blocking one of your arteries. Your chance of heart attack is high. Your health professional will want more tests and will start treatment.

Okay - the 11-100 is the range you fall into, 100 is not the max - that's MUCH better :D

I've been on a statin for like 15-20 years - as the doctor yesterday said "It might as well be in the drinking water supply" - EVERYONE is on a statin, LOL

I do think that I might ask my doctor about stopping the statin for a while (not sure how long it takes to get out of your system) and see if it alleviates any of the muscle tightness/cramps that I have in my calves (and maybe my butt!?) I doubt it - the side effects are not super common and I seem to be one of the lucky people who doesn't get weird side effects from most common meds.

[missdiane]

I am the QWEEN of side effects, hence my hesitation to go on statins. I'm sure I'll have to take them eventually but if I can try some other stuff just a little while longer, I'd be more comfortable.

Once I get the dumb apartment cleared out, I want to get back to running around the shallow pool at the Y.

[threecee]

The terms mild and minimal are used a lot. With Spiffikins explaination, I would say it is pretty minor for someone your age.

I've been on a statin for over 20 years and seen my cholestoral levels drop from awful to normal. I'm also pesco-vegetarain (pesco = fish), but on the two occaisions I stopped the statin for a month, my levels looked like I was on a diest of liver, wrapped in fatty hamberger, wrapped in bacon, wrapped in cheese, and deep fried in lard.

Be careful about starting an aspirin regimin on your own, especially before surgery. The reason it is used for heart disease is that it reduces blood clotting, so it can cause internal bleeding.

[missdiane]

I was thinking of doing a VERY conservative plan with the baby aspirin (maybe a couple per week just to see if it helps the ol' cholesterol levels) and stopping taking any several weeks before surgery due to that. I have my next appointment with the GP/Internal doc that I'm not too sure whether I'm keeping in August so I'd be curious as to whether I can continue to improve my overall numbers by then.

That's crazy that stopping the statin made things shoot up so high. I did find a cause and effect with cheese consumption so I have to be careful not to overdo eating it.

[halfmoon_mollie1]

I think considering what your life has been like recently that you SHOULD be okay with this!

[vysila]

Catching up, and this one caught my eye. I have had two calcium coronary artery scans and will have a third one soon, as rec'd by my doc. The first one in 2016 showed a score of 2, the second in 2020 showed an increased score of 35. Both readings were in the LAD (left anterior descending), the other three were 0.

I'll let you know when the upcoming results are in! I do take a statin these days even though I don't want to because of joint pain, but figure the protection is needed due to age and diabetes. I'm about to turn 73, FYI.

[missdiane]

The fact that one of mine is 91 when I'm just 55 is not great. I need to improve my health. I'll keep an eye out for when you post about your test! Thanks!

[vysila]

I understand your concern. Wondering if genetics plays a big part in such things, but definitely being more careful with diet and getting more activity won't hurt!