Posted on 06/07/2018 2:14:13 PM PDT by CodeToad
No, this is not a boo-hoo thread.
This is a thread to provide a little advice that may save your life.
My brother died suddenly of a massive heart attack yesterday at age 65. He had no known heart issues and was under doctor's care at the time. He thought he had taken care of himself. He obviously hadn't.
Two things that anyone should try to obtain: An EKG, and most importantly, a heart image scan. The heart scan is also known as a Calcium Heart Score and costs about $99.
The heart scan takes about 5 minutes and produces 64 highly accurate photographs of the heart and arteries. It will show arterial blockages from their calcium content. You will immediately know if you have arterial blockages and if you need intervention of some sort.
Combined with the EKG, you will have an exceptional view of your cardiac health.
My brother didn't have such a scan and his EKG didn't demonstrate any blockages, but he had them, and he died from them.
If you are in the Colorado area, South Denver Cardiology in Littleton performs the scan for $99. Check in your State or area for such a service.
South Denver Cardiology Associates Heart Scan
Thanks for paying attention.
P.S. The wife and I did the heart scan last year. ZERO blockages!
It’s an amazing peace of mind to know that at our age we have low risks for heart attack from arterial blockages, and our EKGs came back clean too.
If your scan shows a problem, at least a cardiac specialist can do something about it before you die from it.
Thank you. It’s very kind of you to provide such information even as you’re grieving.
You have my deepest condolences.
Yes, these scans are very affordable. I’m 56 and at 52 I had a scan and my calcium score was zero. My primary care doctor and my cardiologist were very happy. Just get one. You won’t regret it.
Sorry for your loss. Good advice.
Also a carotid artery scan.
Sorry about your brother and especially for those he left behind so suddenly.
I had 2 HA’s in quick order a few years ago. I didn’t even know I had them until my kids forced me to the ER. I was 63, in good shape and hadn’t seen a doctor in 15 years. Now I’m back to feeling good, but I take some amount of drugs and see thee different doc a few times a year.
I am so sorry about your sudden terrible loss! God bless you.
I have to ask though, how this scan is done. CAT or MRI? If it is radiation doctors may not want to put one through that unless it seems warranted.
My condolences and prayers to you and your family on your loss. May your brother rest in peace.
This is an image from the head looking down through the chest cavity, and the white areas shows calcification on an artery that feeds the heart, which is a pretty much a 1:1 ratio of calcium to plaque. Plaque cannot be measured but the calcium involved in plaque can be, so measuring the calcium provides an accurate picture of any plaque that is causing a blockage.
CT scan.
Our condolences for your loss. Than you for your advice.
Was diagnosed with AFIB 5 years ago, so my doctor sent me to a cardiologist to have a stress test.
After the test he said, “You’re good - the tests came back - all with less than 65% blockage”
WHAAAAT!?!
Turns out that’s the benchmark they use, and under 65% is ok.
I could be 0%, I could be 64%. No idea.
You’d think in this day and age they could be a little more precise!
Sorry for your loss. But it’s nice of you to put out the word to others. I have not had the scan to which you refer. Is it a CT Scan? I had an echocardiogram last year, and I’ve done a nuclear stress test.
Thank you for being willing to speak up at a time that must be very difficult for you.
As a former open-heart ICU nurse, I read the title of your post with some skepticism. However, my days working in open-heart were quite a while ago, and I realize the times have changed. I did some independent research on this topic, and you are exactly right.
I learned something very valuable from you today, and only wish this test had been helpful for your brother. I will definitely pass this information forward to my current patients. Thank you again, and know that many people will benefit from your graciousness in sharing this information. Prayers for your family....
Sorry for your loss.........
Sorry for your loss and thank you for the information!
“If it is radiation doctors may not want to put one through that unless it seems warranted.”
Since plaque is not been predictable with any accuracy using the normal medical predictors, such as family health or EKG results or cholesterol counts, it is always warranted. There simply is not a current predictor of plaque. None.
Measurement by heart scan is currently the only means to measure arterial plaque.
I have had 240 Cholesterol since I was 18. According to medical predictors, I should have major blockages by now. I don’t. Clean as a whistle.
Another EXCELLENT BYPRODUCT of the heart scan is a discontinuation of statins. If a person has high cholesterol, they are usually prescribed statins. Statins have nasty side effects. If there are no blockages, statins may be doctor ordered to be discontinued.
I was never on statins, but at my age the doc thought maybe I should start, but not after the heart scan showed my arteries as clear. My doc recommend the scan for me every 5 years. For others, it might be a longer or shorter period time based on health and risk factors.
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