A couple of years ago I had an EBT done, mainly because of family history of CAD and High cholesterol. To my surprise, my cardiologist was dumb- founded why I would have such a test... My score came out to a 10 on a scale of 0-300. Not too bad for a 40 year-old. Why do cardiologists get defensive about these EBT tests? I realize soft plaque can kill as well, but does it hurt to know your calcium scores???? I'm ready to go for a three year follow-up, any reasons I shouldn't? Are the results bogus?
A couple of years ago I had an EBT done, mainly because of family history of CAD and High cholesterol. To my surprise, my cardiologist was dumb- founded why I would have such a test... My score came out to a 10 on a scale of 0-300. Not too bad for a 40 year-old. Why do cardiologists get defensive about these EBT tests? I realize soft plaque can kill as well, but does it hurt to know your calcium scores???? I'm ready to go for a three year follow-up, any reasons I shouldn't? Are the results bogus?
Imho, they are a waste of money as are CIMT measurements.
From: Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD ([email hidden]) Newsgroups: sci.med.cardiology Date: 2003-11-09 19:17:01 PST
Atherosclerosis is an adult-onset problem. The smallest atherosclerotic plaque in a coronary artery probably has the potential for causing an MI (heart attack). The youngest male victim that I've seen was 19 yo (he's deceased). The youngest female victim just turned 23 when she had her first heart attack (she is still alive in my care after surviving open heart surgery and same-day redo). So ime, atherosclerosis in the U.S. starts after someone stops growing vertically.
I have made the assumption that for these young unfortunates, it was God's will that they have heart attacks as soon as they had atherosclerosis. God only knows when their atherosclerosis truly started. Humbly, Andrew -- Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD Board-Certified Cardiologist heartmdphd.comheartmdphd.comOpen ↗
Have you ever given consideration Andrew, that when you assume God's will, it is quite possible that you may have become a lost lamb, including one in your own profession?
Within the past 5 years there has been a profound paradigm shift in not only the understanding of atherosclerosis but in the treatment of it.
-- Patrick Blanchard, M.D. Board Certified in Family Medicine
A couple of years ago I had an EBT done, mainly because of family history of CAD and High cholesterol. To my surprise, my cardiologist was dumb- founded why I would have such a test... My score came out to a 10 on a scale of 0-300. Not too bad for a 40 year-old.
anything above zero means you have cardiovascular disease, correct?
From: Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD ([email hidden]) Newsgroups: sci.med.cardiology Date: 2003-11-09 19:17:01 PST
Atherosclerosis is an adult-onset problem. The smallest atherosclerotic plaque in a coronary artery probably has the potential for causing an MI (heart attack). The youngest male victim that I've seen was 19 yo (he's deceased). The youngest female victim just turned 23 when she had her first heart attack (she is still alive in my care after surviving open heart surgery and same-day redo). So ime, atherosclerosis in the U.S. starts after someone stops growing vertically.
I have made the assumption that for these young unfortunates, it was God's will that they have heart attacks as soon as they had atherosclerosis. God only knows when their atherosclerosis truly started. Humbly, Andrew -- Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD Board-Certified Cardiologist heartmdphd.comheartmdphd.comOpen ↗
Have you ever given consideration Andrew, that when you assume God's will, it is quite possible that you may have become a lost lamb, including one in your own profession?
No.
Quoted message said:
Within the past 5 years there has been a profound paradigm shift in not only the understanding of atherosclerosis but in the treatment of it.
That paradigm shift includes the recognition of metabolic syndrome as a major predictor of atherosclerosis and the central role of adiposity in causing MetS.
Have you ever given consideration Patrick, that when you ignore adiposity, it is quite possible that you have missed the boat on preventing cardiovascular disease ?
May you accept Christ as your Lord and Savior in 2004, Patrick.
Have you ever given consideration Patrick, that when you ignore adiposity, it is quite possible that you have missed the boat on preventing cardiovascular disease ?
Dr. Chung, how do you approach treatment for a patient with normal lipid profiles, normal blood pressure, normal hsCRP, normal lipoprotein A & B, normal homocysteine, a BMI of 23 and a history of a 90+% blocked (and stented) right coronary artery - along with a father who died at 48 from MI?
I certainly hope you wouldn't tell me that the only treatment is to lose 20 pounds (go from 172 to 150 = 20 BMI) and that it must be God's will for my situation.
Dr Chaos <[email hidden]> wrote in :"]news:[email hidden]:
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
Frank C said:
"Patrick Blanchard MD" <blanchard@sonoscore_nospam.com> wrote in :"]news:[email hidden]:
> Posted: Jan 3 2004, 07:49 AM > > Very nice article with good arguments on both sides. > > Attached File can be found at sonoscore.comsonoscore.comOpen ↗ HeartScans.pdf >
A couple of years ago I had an EBT done, mainly because of family history of CAD and High cholesterol. To my surprise, my cardiologist was dumb- founded why I would have such a test... My score came out to a 10 on a scale of 0-300. Not too bad for a 40 year-old.
anything above zero means you have cardiovascular disease, correct?
Not sure if you're answering my question indirectly, but, that is correct from my understanding any score above zero indicates calcium buildup. I belive most 40 year olds will indicate with some degree of CAD. The question was whether it was worth knowing you have a score of 10 vs. 150? Does the relative insignificance of the score the reason cardiologists shy away from these tests? Or is it other reasons?
Dr Chaos <[email hidden]> wrote in :"]news:[email hidden]:
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
Frank C wrote:
> "Patrick Blanchard MD" <blanchard@sonoscore_nospam.com> wrote in > :"]news:[email hidden]: > > > Posted: Jan 3 2004, 07:49 AM > > > > Very nice article with good arguments on both sides. > > > > Attached File can be found at sonoscore.comsonoscore.comOpen ↗ HeartScans.pdf > > > > A couple of years ago I had an EBT done, mainly because of family history of CAD and High > cholesterol. To my surprise, my cardiologist was dumb- founded why I would have such a test... > My score came out to a 10 on a scale of 0-300. Not too bad for a 40 year-old.
anything above zero means you have cardiovascular disease, correct?
Not sure if you're answering my question indirectly, but, that is correct from my understanding any score above zero indicates calcium buildup. I belive most 40 year olds will indicate with some degree of CAD. The question was whether it was worth knowing you have a score of 10 vs. 150? Does the relative insignificance of the score the reason cardiologists shy away from these tests? Or is it other reasons?
The vulnerable plaque which is lipid-laden (invisible to EBCT) rather than calcium-laden causes heart attacks.
In article <[email hidden]>, "Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD"
Quoted message said:
Have you ever given consideration Patrick, that when you ignore adiposity, it is quite possible that you have missed the boat on preventing cardiovascular disease ?
Dr. Chung, how do you approach treatment for a patient with normal lipid profiles, normal blood pressure, normal hsCRP, normal lipoprotein A & B, normal homocysteine, a BMI of 23 and a history of a 90+% blocked (and stented) right coronary artery - along with a father who died at 48 from MI?
I certainly hope you wouldn't tell me that the only treatment is to lose 20 pounds (go from 172 to 150 = 20 BMI) and that it must be God's will for my situation.
You will have to visit me in my office for us to learn together what is the optimal course of action specific for you, Owen.
But know that I will not ignore your weight when I examine you unlike what some doctors (ie Dr. Blanchard it seems) would do.