Peri Infarction Ischemia

[wilgalvez]

I am now a 61 yr old male. Three years ago my resting EKG showed a possible old anterior infarct so I was referred to a Cardiologist who did a cardiolite stress test.  He said it showed no significant blockages and no anterior infarct. The last 3 years too, I have been on medication to control diabetes, hypertension, and cholesterol and as of last month blood tests showed they are all under control. It even showed my Cardio CRP to be 0.3 mg/L which I understand to be a very good score as far as predicting a cardio event. I have no symptoms but Ive been regularly seeing my doctor every 6 months for check ups . In my last visit Decmber 2010, he recommended an echocardiogram and a new Cardiolite stress. The Echo results were normal but the Spect Cardiolite scan reported  "positive for moderate peri infarction ischemia of lateral wall".  My doctor recommended a CT Angiogram to evaluate further.
I was all for it but my insurance denied coverage.  At the moment I am unemployed but I could try and raise the money. Because of the financial hardship, I want to know just how urgent is it for me to have this Angiogram done?
I have researched the internet and found a cheaper procedure called a Coronary Calcium Scan . Can this be a good alternative?   Lastly, in addition to my medications, I am doing all I can to stick to a heart healthy lifestyle and diet; can doing all this reverse arterial blockage?


This discussion is related to exertional dyspnea and.

[calcium539]

I think blockages cannot be reversed. They say that lipid lowering drugs such as Lipitor may have some effect on plaque, but I am not sure. I have a blockage of 35% in my LAD. I am on some meds and life style changes.
Here in Australia most tests are subsidised by our government and we only pay very little. Our doctors love tests.
  

[vienna13]

Well I don’t know, how much it can reverse (Others might answer you more correctly) but all I can say: you MUST stick with heart healthy lifestyle, also do not smoke, but sure you know that, because simply you have no other way, also don’t forget the most important is that how you feel? Not some test, that you cannot afford.  So I would not worry at all not having an expensive test. Also you should google, I’ve seen how huge different the price can be in different hospitals.
Here in Canada all free for us and I always wish to you Americans the same when I read posts like yours.  But you know the  thing is that our doctors do not suggest so many tests as you have been advised., because it won’t go from  our own pocket  but from the  tax payers dollars  . But I hope and wish  you to get that test eventually somehow it look very neat and interesting.
Take care!