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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CT ANGIOGRAM scheduled for Mid August 2026
After correcting the notes that the NP made in my file that had a few errors. I sent a message to the cardiologist, reminding him of my CAC score, family history, correcting the part that the NP said I was having chest pressure over Memorial Day weekend but not while working in the yard or playing pickleball. That was incorrect. He also messed up the statin info he posted, he said I was on 5mg and we cancelled the HUGE increase my PCP put in (40MG) but he forget after we spoke we agreed on 10mg and he put that prescription in.
He also ordered an ECHO combination stress test.
I then asked in the message with the information would I be better off with an CT Angiogram?
My cardiologist ordered a CT Angiogram and cancelled the echo/stress combo
Anyway, they called and set an appt for the Angiogram. Interestingly, all the NP notes were deleted.
This is part of being pro-active. I was skeptical about the delay that the visit notes did no show up in "my chart" for days. I cant figure that out and then the notes were wrong. I always read the notes after a visit. "My Chart" is great for that.
After correcting the notes that the NP made in my file that had a few errors. I sent a message to the cardiologist, reminding him of my CAC score, family history, correcting the part that the NP said I was having chest pressure over Memorial Day weekend but not while working in the yard or playing pickleball. That was incorrect. He also messed up the statin info he posted, he said I was on 5mg and we cancelled the HUGE increase my PCP put in (40MG) but he forget after we spoke we agreed on 10mg and he put that prescription in.
He also ordered an ECHO combination stress test.
I then asked in the message with the information would I be better off with an CT Angiogram?
My cardiologist ordered a CT Angiogram and cancelled the echo/stress combo
Anyway, they called and set an appt for the Angiogram. Interestingly, all the NP notes were deleted.
This is part of being pro-active. I was skeptical about the delay that the visit notes did no show up in "my chart" for days. I cant figure that out and then the notes were wrong. I always read the notes after a visit. "My Chart" is great for that.
@Pablo
@alarmguy
Order Blood Test Online - *SALE* July 4th Only
pay for it today then go to the lab whenever you want.
I notice the following on the FB LMHR page this am.
"Happy 4th of July, everyone!
Just a heads up https://ownyourlabs.com/ is running a one day only sale. They wanted to do something special for the 250th US birthday, so it's a full 25% off, which can be combined with the Citizen Science Discount for a total of 35% off.
The sale is TODAY ONLY and ends at midnight Eastern Time (Sorry, no exceptions if you order past that point -- this really is a one day only thing)."
@alarmguy
Order Blood Test Online - *SALE* July 4th Only
pay for it today then go to the lab whenever you want.
I notice the following on the FB LMHR page this am.
"Happy 4th of July, everyone!
Just a heads up https://ownyourlabs.com/ is running a one day only sale. They wanted to do something special for the 250th US birthday, so it's a full 25% off, which can be combined with the Citizen Science Discount for a total of 35% off.
The sale is TODAY ONLY and ends at midnight Eastern Time (Sorry, no exceptions if you order past that point -- this really is a one day only thing)."
I might have said this but I got the results of my 45 xrays after my Watchman procedure. I thought the results were good but they talket about minor seepage.
I plugged the entire verbiage into CHAT. And it carefully explained exactly what the department that did the procedure explained to me a few days later. They did not contact m e before that bc the results were reviewed by Watchmen. Even so CHAT was spor on BEFORE the results were transmitted toi my heart group.
I am sorry about your brother but he did it to himself. I can't imagine why he delayed. I certainly would not have. Perhaps he wanted to defer "bad news". It happens.
and put in discount code "USA250"
I hope you get the following? I didn't. Maybe next time?
Enhanced Coronary CT Angiogram Plaque Analysis
Enhanced coronary CT angiography (CCTA) plaque analysis goes beyond simple stenosis detection to noninvasively characterize atherosclerotic plaque composition, burden, and risk profile. It identifies both hard (calcified) and soft (vulnerable) plaque — including lipid-rich cores and thin-cap fibroatheromas — which are more likely to rupture and cause acute events www.cardionow.org.
Why It’s Enhanced
Recent technological advances have significantly improved CCTA’s ability to assess plaque:- Photon-counting detector CT (PCD-CT): Offers ultra-high spatial resolution and spectral imaging, enabling better detection of high-risk plaque features and reducing artifacts pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
- Dual-layer spectral CT & dual-energy CT: Improve tissue differentiation and allow virtual monoenergetic imaging for better contrast MDPI+1.
- CT-derived fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR): Integrates hemodynamic assessment with morphological data to estimate functional impact of plaque MDPI.
- Artificial intelligence (AI) & radiomics: Automate plaque detection, quantify burden, classify subtypes, and refine risk prediction MDPI+2.
What It Measures
Enhanced plaque analysis can:- Quantify plaque burden (total plaque volume, % of vessel wall) American College of Cardiology.
- Characterize plaque type: lipid-rich core, calcification, positive remodeling, spotty calcification, pericoronary fat attenuation index MDPI.
- Track progression/regression over time to guide therapy www.cardionow.org.
- Integrate with CAD-RADS 2.0: Every CCTA report now includes an estimate of overall plaque burden for clinical decision-making American College of Cardiology.
Clinical Applications
- Risk stratification: Identifies high-risk plaques before symptoms appear MDPI+1.
- Personalized therapy: Guides cholesterol-lowering, anti-inflammatory, or antiplatelet strategies www.cardionow.org.
- Monitoring treatment response: Assesses regression of plaque in patients on lifestyle or pharmacologic interventions American College of Cardiology.
- Guiding interventions: In some cases, informs revascularization decisions.
Technical Considerations
- High-quality acquisition: Optimized spatial/temporal resolution, low noise, and minimal motion artifacts are essential for accurate analysis American College of Cardiology.
- Standardization: Ongoing work by SCCT and ESC to harmonize acquisition, analysis, and reporting American College of Cardiology+1.
- AI integration: Improves reproducibility and speeds analysis, but challenges remain in subtype detection and reporting American College of Cardiology.
My results:
Calcium Score
LMA: 0
LAD: 0
LCX: 0
RCA: 0
Total calcium score: 0
I dunno how I tested out so well after 40 years of shift work and a less than stellar diet... I actually question the accuracy of it a bit...
Calcium Score
LMA: 0
LAD: 0
LCX: 0
RCA: 0
Total calcium score: 0
I dunno how I tested out so well after 40 years of shift work and a less than stellar diet... I actually question the accuracy of it a bit...
Perfect timing!
I am seeing a new cardiologist tomorrow, July 8 in a completely different medical center.
Meantime, I kept the CT angiogram scheduled with the past practice medical Center. The scan is to take place in Wilmington, North Carolina, which is just over an hour one-way trip from my house.
The reason for the new practice it is much closer to my home (less than 20 minutes one way) and they made a big move into this area with new hospital building, new medical center building, recent new cancer center building, and recent new Cardiology building. With that said the medical center itself is not a new organization. They just made a new push into this part of the state.
Best part is I like at least what I read about the cardiologist that I made an appointment with at least what he said about preventive medicine.
We shall see because I was going to approach the conversation with him with complete honesty and if he feels he could get me in sooner for a CT angiogram as part of some type of urgency and possibly might promote some aspects that you just brought up
how old are you?
