Calcium Scoring Test

I was sent to see a cardiologist once my CAC score was given to me. The whole reason I even had the my GP send me for a CAC score is my colleague noticed I have what is called the "Frank sign" which can be associated with heart attacks.

This was a month ago approximately. It has just been steamrolling on me from there!

So much is so confusing. I have a EF of 71%, which states my blood flow is not restricted. I have a resting heartbeat of approximately 45-50 due to my intense cardio routine since I was 25. I get my heartrate up to 190 during cardio at times even today. I know this is unusual, given my target rate is 144 associated to my age, but I have been hitting in the 190's for over 20 years now.

My Cholesterol is 117. My LDL is 59, my HDL is 44, my trig is 68. My GP say those are good scores. My blood pressure on meds most days is 125/80. I just don't understand why my stress test is saying the language it is saying I guess.

I must caveat I have gained weight the last 10yrs, over 30lbs. My bloodwork was not as favorable (still in ranges accepted) until I started watching what I eat a month ago, and started the statin, baby aspirin. I still exercised (not as frequently however) during this weight gain. Also, my grandma passed away of a heart attack at 49. So there is that (this is the only relative I'm aware of)

It is just really, really stressful (of which your told to manage :)) right now while I wait to hear what the cardiologist tells me, and my next steps I am to take.

Jaxson,

It's good for you to know your stats - gives you targets for action.

Like many of us, me included, weight is a potential issue and within our control ... so, let's all get busy and reduce the weight!

Given the readout, does your cardiologist want to "take a peek" (a surgeon friend of mine uses this term)? Catheterization to examine and, if necessary, place a stent?

I will let you know. Still have not heard from cardiologist. I had my stress test Monday morning. Tuesday morning my evaluation results were posted online for me. Now I am waiting for my doctor to call me and explain my situation in layman terms!

Hopefully today! I'll keep in touch.

@jaxson123

Stay positive, as noted before, at least you know something may not be right and have the opportunity to fix it or get it under control. As this forum has expressed, hopefully no significant issue and no need to do anything other than to stay on meds, be vigilant like we all are, exercise, eat right etc.
Testing is the high-anxiety part, with fear of the unknown. Stay strong---when will you speak with your Cardiologist? I am assuming you read your report on a patient portal of sorts.

Hey Jasper,

Yeah, on a patient portal. My GP anticipates an angiogram next to scope the two problematic areas I'm losing blood flow.

I am hopeful my cardiologist contacts me soon on my results, and next steps. My expectations is no later then weeks end, being I took the stress test early this Monday morning.

@hikerguy62

Yup...showing off indeed. Just happy that it was normal. In "theory" a normal nuclear stress test with no symptoms is optimistic for about 3-5 years depending on the literature you read, I oversee 50 locations for Radiology and know our Radiologists and some Cardiologists well-even a CTA that is normal I hear is about 2 year warranty period...again, so much literature out their---everyone is different as we see on this forum...crazy high CAC and Normal tests and then lower CAC and abnormal tests.. Things can change quickly as everyone knows---no one gets out alive in the end, so embrace every day without issues.

@jasper1072

Given what you stated, how often should a nuclear stress test be repeated if someone has a CAC score in the thousands but normal results on the stress test?

@hikerguy62

Obviously I am not dispensing medical advice, all my comments are my opinions and comments made to me by several physicians---nothing more. My brother and I have two different cardiologists, he is about 10 years older than me and had a very minor event a decade ago but he also was a heavy smoker and very poor eater from a nutrition point of view--he is terrific now. He gets a stress test every 5 years, his Cardiologist says unless you experience pain or other symptoms they will stay that course. My cardiologist actually said the same thing---he said he may not do a Nuclear on me again next time, just a regular one in 3-5 years. Here is "my opinion"....value against risk again based on your age. I am going to be 51 this year and otherwise healthy...I hope to have many years before me and don't want to exposure myself to unnecessary radiation or procedures which could bring me down the rabbit hole! I don't want to sound morbid, but from an actuary point of view, one needs to think about what statistically is one's longevity. Meaning....if you look up basic life expectancy tables provided by the social security administion and life insurance plans based on age/sex, a 50 year old has 28.3 years to go until you are statistically on borrowed time. If you make it to 70 you have 13.5 years to go....again its playing the odds. Most of my family who have had heart issues live in to their late 80's and for the most part early 90's. My fathers brother who passed away about 1 year ago smoked 2 cigars a day and had at least 1 Martini a day---a regular George Burns AND died at age 92 with only 1 week in the hospital. So...I don't want to endure exposing myself to unnecessary radiation where 10 years down the line caused Cancer. Again, this is my humble opinion. Imagine worrying for several decades about dying of the chest clenching big one----only to die from cancer. =:)

BTW my bro had a stent, not sure what artery.