In May 08, I had an ultrasound and an ERCP and there was nothing abnormal. Blood tests are also normal. My Gastro has recommended that I have a CT Scan of my abdomen to rule out Diverticulosis and then thinks we should stop there as it doesn't seem to be bowel related. My worry is that I had RAI Uptake Scan and RAI 131 for Graves Disease in 2005. X-rays for gallbladder in 2001, a mammogram in 2007 and two other CT Scans over 10yrs ago.
I started having heart palpitations/rapid rate about 5 months ago. My regular Dr had me wear a Holter monitor on May 10-11 and then referred me to a heart specialist. I have very low cholesterol/triglicerides, am a dailly walker and work out with weights 2-3 times a week. I am 5'4" and weigh 120. I had an echo cardiogram and it was good, but I took an echo stress test and they took me off the treadmill after 3 minutes because my heart rate was at 200.
Hi, I had a ct angiogram Dec 21 and my calcium score is 694. My cholesterol is 242. My doctor put me on crestor 10 mg per day. I just got the hard copy report today and my dr. is away for the holidays.... what does that score mean? I have chest pain frequently but they thought it was all in my head....
The CT scan indicates there is substanital soft plaque buildup within the linings of the vessels. A couple of years ago, my total CT score was/is over 1000 and that is supposed to indicate a high probability for a heart event within a year....waiting for the other shoe to drop!...no problems, feel fine.
A CT angiogram is more sensitive than a straight forward angiogram. They both rely on a radioactive substance being injected into your blood stream and it's this which the scanners pick up. If a CT angiogram doesn't reveal a vessel, then no way will an angiogram.
I had a vein that was closed after a bypass procedure and they looked for 30 minutes in a standard angiogram procedure to try and find it.
I had a 64 slice corornary angiogram ct. It revealed a 100% blockage of my RCA with good collaterols - so my cardio is doing nothing. All the other arteries were clear. If I am not mistaken, the 64 slice ct also shows soft plaque, and a regular angiogram does NOT show that. Most heart attacks are caused by soft plaque. My calcium score in my LAD was 3 - all the rest were 0 - so I guess that gave me some piece of mind. It is much less invasive that a regluar angiogram.
Also, you refer to process in discussion is a CT scan. It is a CT angiogram and involves the anatomy of vessels (cross section) and is as good as a cath angiogram and a CT scan (256 slice is 3D) is much more inclusive and can include respiratory system, the heart, aorta (ascending, arch, and descending), etc.
I believe that the amount of radiation exposure is much higher with ct over a standard angiogram. Everyone talks about risks, but if you want clear results, an angiogram is the best option. If your CT shows a blockage, you will have to go for an angiogram anyway. The risks are very small indeed with an angiogram.
Can you have a CT done every month? Of course not. A CT--even with the very slight risk of cancer--is safer than an angiogram. Angiograms are very safe, but not without risk.
The CT is noninvasive, and it would give you either information that you are developing heart disease, or it would give you piece of mind that you are not. Either answer would be useful to you.
I had a nuclear stress test that may have showed an issue in my right coronary artery. I have no angina and excellent exercise ability. My cardio suggested to get an angiogram to see if it really blocked or just a false positive. I'm scared of the angiogram. Isn't the new 64 slice CT scan just as good to detect blockages as the invasive angiogram?
the conclution was gold standard angiogram or the new 64 slice ct scan. im thinking of going for the 64 slice ct scan but in the past i remember my old cardiologist didnt like to order this test and said its not gold standard. ill be paying for this out of pocket and its more affordable than conventional angiogram.
s father had had a CT angiogram and now the doctor wanted to do a cath angiogram. I meant to say and said the cath angiogram was unnecessary unless it was agreed and understood that there would in all probablity be angioplasty (stent, balloon) with a cath angiogram. there is a higher than expected probability there would be a stent implanted with a cath angiogram ...there are statistics available).
I saw a new cardiologist at a different hospital and he thinks I should have a CT Angiogram.. A CT Angiogram is a none invasive procedure, it takes 3d pictures of the heart using a ct scane 64 slice method. The scane can pic up blocked blood flow and narrow blood vessels.. But I would like to know witch one of the two is more reliable test.. Considering I had a negative nuclear stress test.. Will the ct angiogram be a more persised test at pinpointing and finding a possible problem..
I have a history of high cholesterol and am currently on a cholesterol reducing medication as well as a medication to reduce blood pressure. I was offered several options as the next step and opted for a CT angiogram. Given my other results, should I have gone directly to the more conventional angiogram in spite of the slightly greater risk? If there is a good chance that I will need an angiogram anyway, am I not putting myself at risk by going through another step?
i know this might be the right forum for my question, but i know many in here have implants that requier ongoing ct scans. Is 4 ct scans to many? i agree this ct angiogram is needed because my symptoms are not tolerable anymore. ill be paying for this ct angiogrm out of pocket because my health imsurance wont cover, and also i had a heated argument with the cardiologist from my inssurance. is 4 ct scans excesive?
You had a CT angiogram and included is a separate procedure a calcium score. The CT angiogram views the channel (lumen) of the vessels for any hard plaque buildup that would cause a narrowing of the vessel for blood flow and if serious could cause symptoms of chest pain, etc. Soft plaque resides between the layers of the vessel
To add what others have said.
Hi, a CT angiogram is noninvasive as compared to the traditional angiogram and is usually the preferred mode of investigation. CT angiograms will expose you to a small amount of radiation. If you have known coronary artery disease, a traditional coronary angiogram may be a better option, since you can also receive treatment for your artery blockages during a traditional coronary angiogram.
If there are blockages, a stent implant (usually done at time of angiogram) will increase the diameter of the occlusion/occlusions permitting more blood to the deficit area. Sometimes the area of blockage can not be stented because of location, tortuous segment, too long, etc...then a bypass surgical operation may be the only remedy.
Alternatively, some people find relief from chest pain with medication.
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