Cardiac CT for Calcium Scoring Test

**kelkel** · 02-26-2020, 10:51 AM

I posted this in Marcus' Diary but thought it may benefit others here so I'm pasting it over:

Thought you may find this interesting. I've had cholesterol issues for years and have been on a non-statin for maybe a decade. Total cholesterol is good, just my HDL is always low and LDL a little high. Triglycerides are great. Anyway, he still does not see a need for a statin, which is good. So, I asked him what can we do next to make sure all is ok on the inside, what test can be done.

He wrote me a script for a Cardiac CT for Calcium Scoring test. It checks the arteries around the heart for plaque buildup and will help determine if further treatment (meds, etc) is warranted. Doc said insurance doesn't cover it, which makes zero sense as it would save them money long term, but it's a cheap test. I called my local screening facility and made the appointment for tomorrow. Total cost $85 bucks. Look forward to see the results of this. Very interesting imho. Just trying to be proactive.

https://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/inf...=ct_calscoring

Update:

GP called me last night with results. When a doc calls you in the evening on your cell you immediately think problem. Anyway, my calcium score was 62. I was pleasantly surprised as I was expecting much higher due to lifestyle - AAS, no cardio, shit ton of food, etc. Here's a scoring chart:

CAD = coronary artery disease:

Calcium Score Presence of CAD
0 No evidence of CAD
1-10 Minimal evidence of CAD
11-100 Mild evidence of CAD
101-400 Moderate evidence of CAD
Over 400 Extensive evidence of CAD

Doc basically said I'm pretty normal for my age and at my score treatment with a statin would be my choice. His suggestion is to do nothing and retest in a year. After all my recent reading on this I agree with that assessment. I'm also curious what effect the MK-7 (K-2) may have had on this score, but without a baseline I'll never know. I've also read that several Cardiac Associations recommend no treatment until the score is over 100.

The actual report (CT pics/video etc) is not available to me on line until Monday. If there's anything educational that I can post from it I'll try and do so. Anyway, I'm quite happy with this result. I was expecting much worse.

Further breakdown from the Imaging Network which indicates the amount of calcium detected:

Left Main Artery (LMA): 23.1
Left Anterior Descending (LAD): 0
Left Circumflex Artery (LCX): 0
Right Coronary Artery (RCA): 39.3
Posterior Descending Artery (PDA): 0

I'm currently going through the actual heart pics from the Imaging Network. it's like abstract art. Fascinating though.

Anyway, it's a cheap test to get and it may help others here who have cholesterol issues or concerns.

kel

**SampsonandDelilah** · 02-26-2020, 11:10 AM

Very interesting, I’ve had cholesterol issues as well but have avoided statins and am borderline of whether to start therapy or not. Very similar lifestyle.
I’m 45, so it’s close. How young are you KK?

I’m going to look into the test, appreciate the insights

**kelkel** · 02-26-2020, 11:15 AM

Originally Posted by SampsonandDelilah

Very interesting, I’ve had cholesterol issues as well but have avoided statins and am borderline of whether to start therapy or not. Very similar lifestyle.
I’m 45, so it’s close. How young are you KK?

I’m going to look into the test, appreciate the insights

Ask your doc about a Non-Statin such as Welchol. I'd pay to be 45 again.

**SampsonandDelilah** · 02-26-2020, 11:08 PM

Originally Posted by kelkel

Ask your doc about a Non-Statin such as Welchol. I'd pay to be 45 again.

Roger that.

I feel 80 lately, does that count?

**kelkel** · 02-28-2020, 11:45 AM

Bump as more guys should be aware of this and be proactive considering our lifestyle.

**kelkel** · 08-26-2020, 01:05 PM

Good article relative to this thread.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/...4.2006.05210.x

You guys that are getting a little older should be all over a test of this nature.

**flexin-rph** · 08-26-2020, 08:07 PM

I plan on doing this soon.

**beanpo1e** · 08-27-2020, 03:50 PM

Thanks for this, I enjoy seeing the preventative side of things.

**AR's King Silabolin** · 08-27-2020, 09:48 PM

Originally Posted by kelkel

I posted this in Marcus' Diary but thought it may benefit others here so I'm pasting it over:

Thought you may find this interesting. I've had cholesterol issues for years and have been on a non-statin for maybe a decade. Total cholesterol is good, just my HDL is always low and LDL a little high. Triglycerides are great. Anyway, he still does not see a need for a statin, which is good. So, I asked him what can we do next to make sure all is ok on the inside, what test can be done.

He wrote me a script for a Cardiac CT for Calcium Scoring test. It checks the arteries around the heart for plaque buildup and will help determine if further treatment (meds, etc) is warranted. Doc said insurance doesn't cover it, which makes zero sense as it would save them money long term, but it's a cheap test. I called my local screening facility and made the appointment for tomorrow. Total cost $85 bucks. Look forward to see the results of this. Very interesting imho. Just trying to be proactive.

https://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/inf...=ct_calscoring

Update:

GP called me last night with results. When a doc calls you in the evening on your cell you immediately think problem. Anyway, my calcium score was 62. I was pleasantly surprised as I was expecting much higher due to lifestyle - AAS, no cardio, shit ton of food, etc. Here's a scoring chart:

CAD = coronary artery disease:

Calcium Score Presence of CAD
0 No evidence of CAD
1-10 Minimal evidence of CAD
11-100 Mild evidence of CAD
101-400 Moderate evidence of CAD
Over 400 Extensive evidence of CAD

Doc basically said I'm pretty normal for my age and at my score treatment with a statin would be my choice. His suggestion is to do nothing and retest in a year. After all my recent reading on this I agree with that assessment. I'm also curious what effect the MK-7 (K-2) may have had on this score, but without a baseline I'll never know. I've also read that several Cardiac Associations recommend no treatment until the score is over 100.

The actual report (CT pics/video etc) is not available to me on line until Monday. If there's anything educational that I can post from it I'll try and do so. Anyway, I'm quite happy with this result. I was expecting much worse.

Further breakdown from the Imaging Network which indicates the amount of calcium detected:

Left Main Artery (LMA): 23.1
Left Anterior Descending (LAD): 0
Left Circumflex Artery (LCX): 0
Right Coronary Artery (RCA): 39.3
Posterior Descending Artery (PDA): 0

I'm currently going through the actual heart pics from the Imaging Network. it's like abstract art. Fascinating though.

Anyway, it's a cheap test to get and it may help others here who have cholesterol issues or concerns.

kel

I have talked about this for ages, but u wont listen. There is no such ting as bad and good cholestrol. Cholestrol levels got nothing to do with plaque build up. Even Pianas arteries were ok. He had ruined cholestrol levels for 30 years. James Tiny Wests arteries were like a Virgin. Stil big and cycling at the age of 58.
BP, bad immunsystem and DNA determinds plaque build up.

Case closed, ey kel??
Please dont listen to the billion dollar statinindustry and docs who are in their pockets.

Sent fra min BLA-L29 via Tapatalk

**kelkel** · 01-07-2021, 12:18 PM

Bump as more should read this and take advantage of a cheap test that can help them greatly.
Finally talked my older brother into getting this done. Scan revealed a 62 % blockage in one artery. Odds are he'll be getting a stent.

Be proactive with your health.

**OdinsOtherSon** · 01-07-2021, 12:49 PM

Originally Posted by kelkel

Bump as more should read this and take advantage of a cheap test that can help them greatly.
Finally talked my older brother into getting this done. Scan revealed a 62 % blockage in one artery. Odds are he'll be getting a stent.

Be proactive with your health.

Thanks kelkel. I’m in a similar situation you described in the opening post. Appreciate you bumping this!

**Chark** · 01-08-2021, 07:36 AM

Hey Kel, how often should we get this test? IIRC I heard that it shouldn’t be too frequent. Something like one every 5 years at most, due to the damage the test itself causes to the body.

Please forgive if not accurate. I don’t know anything about it and only made note of it recommended, but not yearly, because I had learned from a post of yours awhile back that it was a smart test for BBers to get.

**kelkel** · 01-08-2021, 09:31 AM

Originally Posted by OdinsOtherSon

Thanks kelkel. I’m in a similar situation you described in the opening post. Appreciate you bumping this!

Get it done. Post it here. Things like this can literally save a life.

Originally Posted by Chark

Hey Kel, how often should we get this test? IIRC I heard that it shouldn’t be too frequent. Something like one every 5 years at most, due to the damage the test itself causes to the body.

Please forgive if not accurate. I don’t know anything about it and only made note of it recommended, but not yearly, because I had learned from a post of yours awhile back that it was a smart test for BBers to get.

It would depend on your results. My doc said I'm good and he would not consider a statin until the score was over 100. He recommended getting it done on a yearly basis and keeping an eye on it. Made no mention of issues with yearly testing but I'll ask next time I see him.

**Chark** · 01-08-2021, 09:43 AM

Originally Posted by kelkel

It would depend on your results. My doc said I'm good and he would not consider a statin until the score was over 100. He recommended getting it done on a yearly basis and keeping an eye on it. Made no mention of issues with yearly testing but I'll ask next time I see him.

Found where I got the info.

https://youtu.be/VlFD7HArgCc

16:10

**Meloncap78** · 01-08-2021, 04:26 PM

That is awesome news man! Looks like you have a long life ahead of you. I may be interested in mentioning this to my doc. I ate a boatload of pepperoni and drank heavily for a good 2 decades of my life before getting healthy. I’ve only been pining gear for about 5 years so I’m probably good there.

**kelkel** · 01-10-2021, 01:20 PM

Originally Posted by Meloncap78

That is awesome news man! Looks like you have a long life ahead of you. I may be interested in mentioning this to my doc. I ate a boatload of pepperoni and drank heavily for a good 2 decades of my life before getting healthy. I’ve only been pining gear for about 5 years so I’m probably good there.

Definitly talk to your doc. Cheap test and may be worth it to you.