CT Cardiac Calcium Scoring Test...

[babylonsister]

Hi, all. My PCP recommended I get one of these scans to check for blockages in my heart arteries due to my higher-than-normal cholesterol numbers and age, I suspect. $100 out-of-pocket, but I suppose worth it to find out if I have any blockages that I could then get treated.
Has anyone ever had this scan? Was it worth it? I'm scheduled for next month.
Thanks for any replies.

[Polly Hennessey]

1. I've had it. Gives a certain peace of mind. It is

an easy test and worth the dollars.

[Irish_Dem]

2. I just had it done.

$99 out of pocket, yes.

Mine was valuable in that it showed virtually no blockage in my heart.
And a low probability of cardiac problems.

The cardiologist did it along with a heart ultrasound, because I have had abnormal EKGs and he wanted to rule out
serious problems. Both tests did rule out problems.

[LetsGetSmartAboutIt]

3. Consider radiation exposure vs benefit

Just want to throw out that CAT scans are multiple X-rays and I'd check on the validity of the results to make sure the exposure is worth it to you.

One quick example that discusses pros and cons of the procedure:
https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2019/1215/p734.html

There are others out there as well.

Better to check it all out before you go ahead with it and make an informed decision.

Best of luck and good health !

[mitch96]

7. I'm an ex CT tech and most scans are done with a "Lo Dose". Very minimal exposure FYI.

I've gotten cardiac CT scans every couple of years with no problems.. .
One breath hold and your done. quick and easy.
.............Accept the horn growing out of my head😜
Here in Florida you can get a "combo" deal of Calcium score, carotid ultrasound and abd ultrasound (looking for aneurysm) for less than $200 with reading.. WITH READIING is the thing. The scan can be cheap but the reading by a radiologist can be pricy. Check around.
Another option is a Cardiac CT angiogram. More complex and a bit more dificult with an injection of Iodine. I've had that done also. No big deal if your heart is rhythmic. If you have an erratic heart beat it messes up the test..
No white stuff in the heart is better. That's coronary calcium
Good luck with the test..

?

[wackadoo wabbit]

8. Thanks for including the image!

It was very informative to see what a blockage looks like.

[mitch96]

9. If you google "coronary calcium images" you will see a bunch more "white stuff". I did a scan on a

gent who had mild chest pain. His doc told him to get the scan just as a precaution.
It was dramatic. Normally back then a score of less than 500 was considered good.
HIs was a whopping !10,000!
Every and I mean every artery in his heart was casted in plaque. I was surprised he was still alive.
Even his main artery, the aorta coming off his heart has plaque in it..
Needless to say he had a quadruple bypass the next day..He should have bought a Lottery ticket the same day...
m

[JohnSJ]

4. It is a non-invasive test, and provides a data point

[vapor2]

5. ONLY about 15 minutes

BUT.......my heart rate was 101 and had to have a beta blocker to bring it down to 60ish so they can get good pictures. NO REGRETS for this test.

[Cheezoholic]

6. I survived a massive heart attack at 60 which has probably cut my chances to live until 70 by a lot

The CT is probably the cheapest scan you can get. It would've saved me a lot of "heartache" I'd do it.