Smarter Heart Scan?

[meld]

I've read that Cedars-Sinai in LA has found that CALCIUM SCANS are much more effective than ECG in detecting blood vessel blockages.  I've been getting stress-echo tests which I think combine ECG and ultrasound equipment;  Could calcium scans be a better diagnostic tool?

[CCF-M.D.-MJM]

Hi Meld,

This is a common clinic question.  Calcium scans are good for diagnosing coronary calcium, which is correlated with coronary artery disease.  Calcium scans lend important information about prognosis, but does little to assess for ischemic disease (blockages causing significant deficiencies in coronary blood supply).  I have heard of some physicians ordering calcium scans to diagnosis coronary disease and help encourage medical compliance through being able to show patients that they have significant disease.

If you know you have coronary disease, exercise echocardiography will give similar prognostic information as well as evaluate for ischemic disease.  For this reason, I use exercise echocardiography and have actually never ordered a calcium scan.

I hope this helps answer your question.  Good luck.

[jan]

If I am getting chest pains in just a small area directly under my left breast and it hurts to breathe, that is just costochondritis, right?  It doesn't last long, it comes and goes.  If any of you could answer me, I would appreciate it.  It woke me up this time and I guess that made it unnerving.

Thanks

[HAMMERHEAD]

I HOPE SOMEONE ANSWERS YOU I HAVE THE SAME THING.NOTHING SHOWS UP ON ANY TEST I'VE HAD

[MaryRoe]

I have this too...