My wife sees it daily
that's why we don't have advantage.
My CCTA Score = CAD-RADS 1% Stenosis
- Thread starter jetman
- Start date
that's why we don't have advantage.
I dont understand
"sees it daily" ( I think we are misinterpreting our words) Anyway, if following my story. My cardiologist NP which is the only one who could see me so soon (weeks later) after some chest discomfort Memorial Day weekend. Spent at least 1/2 hour with me, came into the room well informed of my heart procedures (invasive angiogram, cardiac ablation etc) from past medical centers in our old house/state. SO that was impressive, family history too.
However I suspect he was not in a position to order a CT Angiogram. Before he did come in the nurse told me once he see's me, they will determine if this needs to go up to my regular cardiologist or not, I think if needed to that would have been the extra step. I suspect that I was put one stop short, though I did not insist on the angiogram I brought it up, maybe I should have insisted but I listened to him explain his thought process, which also made sense. Long story short, even though I was in a recently new center with a beautiful hospital that I regularly go to for imaging. He wants me to go into the main city (Wilmington) heart center for a combination ECHO/STRESS test. Where I was he explained they can to a stress test and they can do an echo separately but not a combination stress/echo which he explained why he thought it made more sense for me to undergo, I was starting to "zone out" and forgot the explanation. He did take notice of my 2026 CAC 474 score too. I think he thought ST Angiogram would be a certain thing to get IF I was still having chest discomfort and implied that for some reason this other test will tell more of the story for now.
IN the meantime He acknowledged my stupid low lipids for most my life and commented unfortunately even though that helps greatly genetics (family history) is controlling the agenda here and I have done good compared to the males in my family train wreck. My current total is 107 - latest LDL was 59, I wanted it in the 20-30 range, not going to happen. IN the past with my regular cardiologist we discussed going from 5mg statin to 10mg statin. I agreed then backed off. I bought this up, he was good with the 5mg but saw in the notes the back and forth. I said I was worried about my total (107)to be too low, he said that is not a concern here. So I told him let's go to 10mg. See if I can get LDL to the 40's I am positive I can. Might be a stretch. He thought in his mind 55 or under is great. My cardiologist thought 20 wasnt too low but statins are not going to achieve that.
BTW- In my previous notes I mentioned my primary DR two weeks prior when I told him about the heart discomfort, freaked out and said with my family history I have to go up to 40mg rosuvastatin. (which is the equal of 80mg avorstatin cant spell it) I never picked up the prescription, was not going to have a primary DR over rule a cardiologist. I did the right thing, cardiologist ANP thought that was nuts (by the look on his face and deleted it from my file.) However I told him let's go to 10MG, more than safe for my risk group.
Ok, so moving forward, I havent had chest pressure, Playing pickleball, landscaping, working on the boat. IT was just that weekend. I dont know what it was, maybe mental but hopefully this test will reveal something, not expecting much, he even said with the way I "workout" telling him I routinely work my heart rate into and above 150 that is a stress test in itself. But something still makes him uncomfortable and why I will have to drive over an hour into the city for this test.
He also for now prescribed Nitroglycerin 0.4 and told me to carry it around, if any discomfort like what happens or more serious. Sit down and put one under the tongue, wait 5 minutes and then another until it stops then call them right away to come in. I dont see this happening, just a precaution, maybe what I described is concerning and why he ordered the test.
Once they contact me to schedule, I am hoping it is after July 8th below incase I like what this new cardiologist tells me.
I have an appt on July 8th with a new to me cardiologist practice in a new medical center for a new patient interview. So felt less urgent all the above, though I am confident in the above, I plan on moving my health care to this newer MUCH more close medical center and hospital based on my meeting with this doctor. If I like it, I will then finally also get rid of my primary DR and move to one in this new center.
Reflux or hiatal hernia can cause severe chest pain. I thought I was having a heart attack a couple years ago. Pain was unbearable. It had subsided by the time the rescue squad arrived( rural area) Went to the hospital anyway and the Troponin tests were negative.
My brother, a few years back, he was a heart by pass patient 20 years earlier. Went to his PCP and was complaining about chest pain symptoms. The PCP used the following words "I am positive this is acid reflux" He went on to prescribe a medication.
Thing is a month later it was just as bad. Sadly, my brother who plays doctor did not go back to his doctor and complain the medication isnt working. He went on the internet and for a YEAR tried all these home remedies for acid reflux.
Long story short, he destroyed his heart, all the time he was having heart attacks. It climaxed when he went to visit family and to a ball game, he couldnt walk back to the car. Lucky he was in NY at the time and back to his old heart by-pass hospital the respected St Francis heart hospital in Rosyln, NY
Stents were placed where they could, some of the bypass veins are now 100% blocked and nothing they could do.
Currently is still lives an ok active life but its starting to get worse. Now an EF score of 25 If that isnt enough to scare someone google- EF score 25
MOTO, deep inside, someone always knows something is wrong. GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM, Ive been there too with the Troponin tests. Two times, once was after my cardiac ablation. It turned out the slightly higher troponin level was normal as the procedure irritates the heart. ANY TIME I ever went to the ER the staff will always tell you that you did the right thing. No one should ever feel funny. They will tell you not enough people do come in, even though the odds are it is not an heart attack there is no way to know but go in. Sadly the ones that ignore the signs, then never make it.
BTW- some time later my brother went back to his PCP and told him that he nearly killed him. PCP responded he was so sorry, he was so sure it wasnt his heart. 2nd MOTO you know your body, if unsure go to the ER or get another opinion. Dont play doctor. That my his last visit to his doctor even though, part of this whole disaster was my brother did not go back and complain the medicine isnt working, so some shared blame there. But you would think I Dr with a heart bypass patient would have known better. Assuming he read his file to begin with. YOU have to stay proactive.
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