My dr wants me to get a calcium score study, should I?

Posted by countrymom0110 @countrymom0110, Jul 8 1:20pm

My heart dr is not happy with my cholesterol totals. I have not been taking my 20 mg of atorvastatin as i should have been. He wanted to put me on injectables and do a calcium score study /CT of my heart. I am almost 55, dont smoke, am not overweight, exercise about average. Im trying to eat better and avoid cheese and dairy. My question: is it a good idea to know my risk with the calcium and do the test? or should i just take my meds and eat right and hope nothing bad happens? On one hand i want to know but also dont want more meds/testing /etc

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bitsygirl | @bitsygirl | Jul 14 9:48am

In reply to @grands08 "Do you mind sharing which IPhone you purchased?" + (show)

I got the most recent -- iPhone 16. All the iPhones after 14 came with Emergency SOS I think. No additional subscription is currently required. I'm not sure if it matters whether you buy it new or used. I'd guess not, but it's something to confirm.

happilyalive | @happilyalive | Jul 14 10:28am

Hi, In response to mayoconnectuser1 - - yes, I take Atorvastatin 20 mg daily and Cholestyramine. I'm also taking Jardiance which is supposed to help the kidneys and five blood pressure pills daily. I work out daily, eat extremely healthy and take medications as prescribed. Yet, nothing seems to bring the cholesterol and triglyceride numbers down. Hopefully the cardiologist can help in two weeks that I'm scheduled to see. If you have any advice or solid information then I'm always open to hearing it and learning. Thank you for your response and have a very blessed day.

csrb7007 | @csrb7007 | Jul 18 1:36pm

I cannot think of any reason not to get the scan. I’ve had 2 and my wife had one. She found out she had an 85% blockage in her LAD and required stinting. Probably saved her life. I’ve had several doctors say that the heart scan should be part of every physical after the age of 50.

swilkins1974 | @swilkins1974 | Jul 19 7:53am

In reply to @csrb7007 "I cannot think of any reason not to get the scan. I’ve had 2 and my..." + (show)

The only thing I do worry about is the radiation from the scan. The results outweigh the risk but…..

grrranny | @grrranny | Jul 19 11:02pm

In reply to @csrb7007 "I cannot think of any reason not to get the scan. I’ve had 2 and my..." + (show)

I wish my doc had told me to get one. It might have prevented the stroke I had 2 months ago.

markdeegan | @markdeegan | Jul 20 5:30am

Yes, but make sure you have enough life ins first. If you have a high score, it may be Very high$ to get

writer418 | @writer418 | Jul 21 6:05am

Repatha and Praulent are the injectables that will make your LDL drop like a stone. At least mine did. Get the scan but don’t be shocked if it’s high. A lot of us go thru that and feel like it’s a death sentence. It’s not but it does play on your mind. A heart doc had to talk me off the ledge. If it is high, there is nothing you can do to bring it down. I’ve read all the literature and your score only goes up over time. But it can be managed AND I know people like my wife who have 0 scores. Mine was 640.

scpatient24 | @scpatient24 | Jul 21 9:01am

In reply to @swilkins1974 "The only thing I do worry about is the radiation from the scan. The results outweigh..." + (show)

It is very, very fast….unlike any other scan that I received. So the time is not significant.

countrymom0110 | @countrymom0110 | Jul 21 12:45pm

So Im happy to say I had the calcium score test done. I got the results this morning and they said it was zero or normal so I am definitely relieved and will continue to work on lowering my cholesterol and taking my lipitor until my next recheck in a couple months. Great way to start the week. And I just turned 55 yesterday. Guess I can be grateful my heart is working fine.