Coronary Calcium Scoring Test

WoodChuckDad · May 20, 2016

I am 49. One year ago, a coworker who is 40, in robust health, worked out regularly, and did MMA fighting and training several times a week started feeling bad at work. That weekend, he felt extremely bad but didn't go to the hospital because he had his two kids and didn't want to "ruin the weekend". Monday morning, another coworker saw him first thing in the morning and drove him to the hospital. He had suffered a heart attack. There was a blockage. They did a stint and drugs, etc. I immediately scheduled a ct test to check my heart. I was happy to find out that I have no calcium buildup....a little surprised too. I work out hard the last few years but I had about 5-6 years of eating poorly and sitting in front of the TV before that.
I say get the test.

MarkF48 · May 20, 2016

Ran across the movie "Widowmaker" that was available on Netflix (may be available elsewhere). About 1 1/2 hr and well worth watching and also lends some insight on how doctors and insurance companies operate ($$$$)
The Widowmaker Movie Review & Film Summary (215) | Roger Ebert

Likely going to have it done.

MarkF48 · Jul 21, 2016

Resurrecting a thread I started a while back. I decided to get the coronary calcium scoring test and I got the results back from my cardiologist the other day which turned out to be good news. He said the number I hit on a scale of 0-400 was 55.9 and for my age (68) this was really good and he didn't want to see me unless I thought I had a problem. I had really expected a higher number as both my parents had heart disease and I had lost them when they were each 68 years of age.

The test was out of pocket, as insurance wouldn't cover it, but it was well worth the $99 to have some peace of mind that the primary piece of plumbing wasn't getting clogged up

lt190b · Jul 21, 2016

MarkF48, good news for you. I also took this test about a month ago, my score was fairly hi. As it turns out, they can't tell from this test if the calcium is on the inside or the outside. More tests soon.

Pirate · Jul 21, 2016

I had a test done, in fact been having them done about every 4-5 years. This year was first time I had a positive result. My score was real low but doc says go get stress test anyway. That came back fine. I think I wasted my money on that. Went to follow up with cardiologist and he wasn't that impressed with calcium scoring. His opinion was that I should just lose weight and that any "gunk" would be absorbed back into my body. True enough I am overweight but losing it is easier said than done. Since my score was so low I can't see rising a cath. I will however get another scan in another 5 years and if the score goes up, I will seek a different doc that perhaps is more aggressive. My idea of waiting too see is not what I want to do with my heart. The doc is right though, he says lose the weight, exercise, and eat right and you won't have to worry about these scans and all the useless follow-on testing. I just don't like it when they are right.

WoodChuckDad · Jul 21, 2016

Pirate, how old are you and what kind of weight is he telling you to lose? Is it based on BMI or body fat?

Pirate · Jul 22, 2016

WoodChuckDad said:
Pirate, how old are you and what kind of weight is he telling you to lose? Is it based on BMI or body fat?

I am 6' 250lbs. Yes, overweight a lot. He was blunt, staring at my belly, telling me that first the knees and hips go, then the heart. He is right after all, I am overweight. His point was, as you exercise and start eating right again, the possible globs of artery clogging junk can be reabsorbed by the body and won't become a problem. Seems after than having them snake a tube up your veins looking for problems. I am 56 years old.

WoodChuckDad · Jul 22, 2016

You are not beyond the point of no return. Not even close. 4 years ago I was almost 240. I call myself 6'2". But I'm probably gifting myself half an inch. I started hammering the weights and doing spinning classes at the Y. Running and anything else I could think of. Set some goals for a spartan race. I dropped 30 lbs and I've kept it off. Got married since then and have built crossfit workouts into our schedule. I take the stairs 7 stories at work at least 2 times a day. I eat better. You change a few things and it makes a huge difference. I tore my acl getting out of the truck one year ago. Recovery was very hard. Still struggling. But we are building our dream farm anyway. Life happens. You have to push back against it. As my brother in law says " this place want founded by vegetarians. "