Heart Scan Q. - not sure where to ask
 

I recently had a CT scan of my heart and lungs; because of relatives, also with heart probs., who have died rather young, my cardio. doc wanted the test done. I received the results yesterday.

It clearly states that my calcium score is 0 (zero). Seems to me that that's good news, but then I came across sites that state that "soft plaque" can still be a prob./killer.

What is soft plaque? and what leads to it? and how is its build-up prevented?

(I cancelled my appointment with my cardiologist today because I didn't want to pass my cold onto him or to other patients. I'm sure he'll be able to explain it all in a couple of weeks, yet would really like to be able to rest a bit easier knowing more about it.)

I found some info at this site

http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/g...artery-disease


sorry I am not real familiar with plaque, Bobbi, I hope this is something easy to correct

I have read
 

that the CT scans for calcium in the coronary vessels is not really an accurate measure to predict
heart attacks.

For females, the other risks are larger. Most people do not know that you can have a spasm in a coronary vessel that kills, without plaque. Females can have this...but usually they have unstable angina symptoms before the event. These spasms can be triggered by severe stress.

I cannot comment on your question completely. But I think the soft plaque is deep in the layers of the vessel walls, instead of directly inside the lumen itself.

Arrhythmias are more common. Some are induced by drugs, and are called QT events. Some are genetic and some mixtures of both. Low potassium and low magnesium are serious causes of these as well.

Once damage occurs to the heart, conduction can be affected.
Also high homocysteine levels damage blood vessels, so taking folate/B12 and B6 can help. Viruses damage heart muscles and also high blood pressure that is untreated.
Some people have genetic errors in folate chemistry (there are 25 known polymorphisms for this) and using special folate called methylfolate can correct this. It is a silent killer.

I don't know if I've any soft plaque prob. The testing that was done didn't seem to encompass ruling in v. ruling out that potential :(. I think that the benefit, from a cardiologist's standpoint, in wanting the CT, is that its results are viewed in light of and in conjunction with additional cardio testing that's been done.

Before arranging the test, he (my cardio doc) had told me that he's not worried that I have cardio./artery plaque yet wants to be sure that I won't suddenly drop dead. I think that that relates to what you've stated about QTs, MrsD - which loop back monitoring definitely discerned. Knowing that my doc said that mine can worsen with stress (lovely :(), I'm sure that I'll be able to come up with better questions to ask him when I see him.

I got myself excited, and it seems that was probably premature, over the results of my calcium score :(.

One of the doctor's comments, by the doctor who interpreted the CT stuff, stated that I should "exercise." Well, might be helpful if he had my med. records because his expert opinion differs vastly from that of my rheumatologist, which even my PCP had to have verified. He told me "no exercise" and confirmed that I had not misunderstood him.

Generally, I can understand how exercise is beneficial. For me? It will cause even more damage.

BTW: I was kinda disappointed. There are only 6 facilities in the region that do the CT heart scan. The policy of the scanning center is not to accept insurance, and that even goes for my cardiologist who is having the same test. Because of family history and related deaths, my insurance is covering the scan. But... I feel for people who cannot afford the testing out-of-pocket when it could help determine whether they've anything to worry about and whether they can make lifestyle changes. It needs to change.

Hey, Bobbi, here's a nice article that talks about the basics of the soft plaque issues. I'm sure that if your doc was even remotely concerned in any urgent way, you'd have been called in, cold or not.

http://ihealthbulletin.com/blog/2008...nary-arteries/

One exercise that is a surprisingly good workout is singing. It doesn't matter if you can't carry a tune in a bucket, working your vocal and respiratory system works an amazing amount of energy through you. Shoot, even playing a wind instrument is good exercise with zero physical impact on your joints, etc. I recommend the harmonica. :)

Cindy, good idea :D. I betcha he meant physical exercise, though :winky:. (But, I do have harmonica - from my grandfather.)

Just read the article, on the site you linked twice, Cindy; I'm going to print it out and take it with me to my next appointment. Maybe, soon, the new testing will be available in more areas.

The report I got yesterday does suggest repeat testing in no more than 3 years. Could be, that timeframe will lead to the advanced testing.

... saw my cardiologist yesterday :D.Do I remember everything he said? No, but that's okay. I'm sure that he does :cool:.

He said that, in preparation for my appointment, he went through all of the tests I've had done once again. He whipped out the plethora of reports and went over everything page-by-page.

He explained the diff. between hard and soft plaque. Looking at everything, recordings, scans, labwork, in sum...

His opinion is: I'm not going to suddenly drop dead. He's not concerned about any type of plaque killing me. He told me: "Go celebrate. If all of my patients came back with scores like yours, I'd be happy. You have bragging rights.":D

The heart/lung scan and monitoring picked up my PVCs (premature ventricular contractions) and PACs (premature atrial contractions). Generally, not a prob. for most, yet he said that because mine are so symptomatic, along with my mitral valve prob., the beta blocker (I've been on) should continue to help.

My PACs, he suspects, are caused by stress (excitement, etc. - considering I don't consume caffiene, etc.). He also said that my pain medications could be contributing but that he prefers that I not be in pain, so stay with the medications.

Two things not looking so good are my glucose and HDL (good cholesterol) levels. And, he differs from my PCP in that he said Niacin is what I should be taking, not Omega3 - to get the HDL level up.

The glucose? Not sure what to do about that other than doctors keeping an eye on it; my maternal grandfather was diabetic.

I did exactly as the doc suggested: I celebrated. I bought myself two bouquets: pink and purple carnations. (Luv 'em.)

Woo hoooo!!!! :yahoo: That's great news, Bobbi!!! Good for you, enjoy those flowers! :)

Bobbi :hug::hug:..that is great news!

Be sure to check with Mrsd on the niacin.

In terms of the glucose she would have some good reco's as well. I do a couple things on that front since I am both insulin resistant and glucose impairment. Diabetes runs in my family too.

You might want to ask your internal doc just to be safe to do a 2 hour blood draw for both glucose and insulin.

So I do a couple of things for mine. 1. Cinammon capsules. I use New Chapter Cinnamn Force but there are several brands out there that ou can get at Walmart or order from I herb. I do a couple a day with my two largest meals.

I think there may be a cinnamon thread in the vitamin forum.

I also use R-lipoic acid. Supposed to help with the insulsin side of things. I know there are some threads out there on it so I will try to find you some links.

COngrats and :hug::hug: