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cardiac ct scan/calcium score
I had a cardiac CT scan last week b/c of family history and some very minor pains that i couldn't determine if or not were chest related. My father passed away at 61 from heart disease and had hbp since his early 20's. My calcium score was 43.70. I am a 42 yr old female 5'2" /140pds that eats right and exercises regularly. I feel like I have been handed a death sentence and am very concerned. I realize that the score may not sound that high to some but it puts me in the 91% for my age group. I followed up with a cardiologist and she said it was a red flag at my age, and that I should be at 0. She ordered two blood tests which were VAP & PLAC after reviewing those she may either prescribe a statin or niacin. I should also add that my trig's, and all cholesterol numbers are within normal range and I do not smoke or have diabetes. I have a 2yrd old daughter who is the love of my life and did develop pregnancy induced hypertension after her delivery. I have been on bp meds since that time and my bp is well under control -normally averages 115/70. I was reading the ask a doctor forum a few days ago and one of the doctors suggested viewing the "trackyourplaque.com" site. I downloaded a book that goes into great detail about cardiac ct's, and it made me even more alarmed. it said in chapter 3 i believe that with my age & score my chances of a cardiac related event are around 10% and that if nothing is done that I can count on my score going up 30% per year. That scares me to death b/c I have already been practicing a heart healthy lifestyle for several years. I will do anything it takes to be able to raise my beautiful daughter and be there to see her graduate from high school and walk down the aisle. Any ideas? Please help.
hi,
i am 27 years old from the Philippines.
1. I have been diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse. Is it possible to be treated or cured when following Dr. Esselstyn's plant-based diet?
I am experimenting on my diet but still following his basic plant-diet though. It's sad in my part here because though i wish to have a consultation with Dr. Esselstyn but it's too far from here.
2. Does Dr. Esselstyn have associates so i can submit myself for consultation?
i am 27 years old from the Philippines.
1. I have been diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse. Is it possible to be treated or cured when following Dr. Esselstyn's plant-based diet?
I am experimenting on my diet but still following his basic plant-diet though. It's sad in my part here because though i wish to have a consultation with Dr. Esselstyn but it's too far from here.
2. Does Dr. Esselstyn have associates so i can submit myself for consultation?
Check out www.heartattackproof.com and consider:
1. The easiest way to start a war is to proclaim one diet superior to another for overall health or cardiovascular health. Again, all I can share is my experience.
2. My experience is that I discovered Dr. Esselstyn's work shortly before my annual visit to my cardiologist last year. At that visit, he said to me something like "I just returned from a conference at which I heard a fascinating talk given by a gentleman." I interrupted him and said, "Don't tell me--Caldwell Esselstyn". "Yes!" replied my cardiologist. "So I'm preaching to the converted." That was last year. This year at my annual visit (day before yesterday), he asked me if I were interested in participating in an Esselstyn support group sponsored by my HMO, Kaiser Permanente. "Oh, absolutely!" sez I.
3. My cardiologist also indicated that he was trying to follow the Esseltstyn regimen.
The conclusions I draw from these events:
1. That a health care conglomerate like Kaiser, renowned for their dedication to preventive care, would embrace the advice of Dr. Esselstyn, speaks volumes about their faith in his work and their belief in his research.
2. That my own cardiologist would adopt the Esselstyn approach (or any other dietary "solution", given the resistance normally shown by cardiologists to dietary treatments for heart disease) also speaks volumes.
In short, when this kind of stuff starts to go mainstream in institutions that traditionally change treatment protocols slowly and cautiously, that to me says something.
The diet is difficult and most Americans would consider it extreme. The case studies Esselstyn relates are of people who were desperately ill and had pretty much been told by their cardiologists to go home and wait to die. And yet, 20 years later, those who stuck with the program are alive and kicking.
If you can find his book at your local library, check it out and see what he has to say. Can't hurt!
As for me, I began the program, backslid, had a frightening angina episode on my birthday last week (the day after a couple of meals rich in cheese and olive oil), and am now back on the wagon--feeling MUCH better after just 10 days.
Best wishes,
Peter
1. The easiest way to start a war is to proclaim one diet superior to another for overall health or cardiovascular health. Again, all I can share is my experience.
2. My experience is that I discovered Dr. Esselstyn's work shortly before my annual visit to my cardiologist last year. At that visit, he said to me something like "I just returned from a conference at which I heard a fascinating talk given by a gentleman." I interrupted him and said, "Don't tell me--Caldwell Esselstyn". "Yes!" replied my cardiologist. "So I'm preaching to the converted." That was last year. This year at my annual visit (day before yesterday), he asked me if I were interested in participating in an Esselstyn support group sponsored by my HMO, Kaiser Permanente. "Oh, absolutely!" sez I.
3. My cardiologist also indicated that he was trying to follow the Esseltstyn regimen.
The conclusions I draw from these events:
1. That a health care conglomerate like Kaiser, renowned for their dedication to preventive care, would embrace the advice of Dr. Esselstyn, speaks volumes about their faith in his work and their belief in his research.
2. That my own cardiologist would adopt the Esselstyn approach (or any other dietary "solution", given the resistance normally shown by cardiologists to dietary treatments for heart disease) also speaks volumes.
In short, when this kind of stuff starts to go mainstream in institutions that traditionally change treatment protocols slowly and cautiously, that to me says something.
The diet is difficult and most Americans would consider it extreme. The case studies Esselstyn relates are of people who were desperately ill and had pretty much been told by their cardiologists to go home and wait to die. And yet, 20 years later, those who stuck with the program are alive and kicking.
If you can find his book at your local library, check it out and see what he has to say. Can't hurt!
As for me, I began the program, backslid, had a frightening angina episode on my birthday last week (the day after a couple of meals rich in cheese and olive oil), and am now back on the wagon--feeling MUCH better after just 10 days.
Best wishes,
Peter
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I agree that you may be at increased risk, but nowhere near 10% per year. I think more like 1 % per year of any coronary events including chest pain or unstable angina. I would then suggest that you take a baby aspirin daily and a statin to lower your cholesterol to the level prescribed to heart patients ( LDL of 70). Additionally I would suggest modest amount of weight loss ( at 52 inches your ideal body weight is 120 pounds), maintain a good cardiovascular fitness level with routine aerobic exercise. If you do that you will minimize the risk of having a coronary event to less than that of the general population.
thanks so much for replying. i will look into the diet you speak of by Dean Ornish and others. i am already on a low fat diet but do use only olive oil because i had read about its nutritional benefits. i am using it with lemon juice as a salad dressing. if you have more info on the diet you are speaking of i would love to hear about. i love your attitude and may God continue to bless you.
A CAC score tells you you probably have coronary artery disease. It doesn't tell you
a) the precise location of the plaques
b) the degree of narrowing in your arteries due to the plaques
c) the relative stability of the plaques (younger, less stable plaques are more likely to rupture and cause heart attacks; older more stable plaques are less likely to rupture and, I believe, contain more calcium)
At your age I had my first coronary CBT scan and my score was 112. Several years later it was >700. It was only at that point that I even got in to see a cardiologist. I asked him how sick I was. He said "not very", given that I had high exercise tolerance, and no exertional symptoms (although I do have family history, to be sure, and have been obese much of my adult life).
Having said that, I am now a great believer in the nutritional philosophies of people like Dean Ornish, John McDougall, and Caldwell Esselstyn. One can become virtually heart attack proof, even with a CAC score of 700--provided one adopts a plant-based very lowfat diet and avoids all oils. Plus meds as needed.
I continue, at 54, to ride my bike, try to lose weight and aggressively pursue a dietary solution---one I might add that has been endorsed by my cardiologist and the entire cardiology department of my HMO. They're even setting up Esselstyn support groups to help patients adapt to that program.
So as this layman sees it, while your calcium score is certainly a wakeup call,it need not be a "death sentence". Understand the limits of the CAC test, investigate nutritional and medication solutions, communicate with your medical care team, live long and love your child.
Disclaimer: I'm just some guy on the internet. Don't believe a word I say. Find out for yourself. Good luck.
a) the precise location of the plaques
b) the degree of narrowing in your arteries due to the plaques
c) the relative stability of the plaques (younger, less stable plaques are more likely to rupture and cause heart attacks; older more stable plaques are less likely to rupture and, I believe, contain more calcium)
At your age I had my first coronary CBT scan and my score was 112. Several years later it was >700. It was only at that point that I even got in to see a cardiologist. I asked him how sick I was. He said "not very", given that I had high exercise tolerance, and no exertional symptoms (although I do have family history, to be sure, and have been obese much of my adult life).
Having said that, I am now a great believer in the nutritional philosophies of people like Dean Ornish, John McDougall, and Caldwell Esselstyn. One can become virtually heart attack proof, even with a CAC score of 700--provided one adopts a plant-based very lowfat diet and avoids all oils. Plus meds as needed.
I continue, at 54, to ride my bike, try to lose weight and aggressively pursue a dietary solution---one I might add that has been endorsed by my cardiologist and the entire cardiology department of my HMO. They're even setting up Esselstyn support groups to help patients adapt to that program.
So as this layman sees it, while your calcium score is certainly a wakeup call,it need not be a "death sentence". Understand the limits of the CAC test, investigate nutritional and medication solutions, communicate with your medical care team, live long and love your child.
Disclaimer: I'm just some guy on the internet. Don't believe a word I say. Find out for yourself. Good luck.
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