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GaRebelRunner
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Joined: 26 Sep 2003
Posts: 1097
Location: Tucker, GA
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 Posted: 12/29/03 - 21:15 Post subject: And now, the waiting game
Because of a history of heart attacks and strokes by males in their 50s in my family as well as me having high blood pressure I had a heart scan today ($300.00 since my insurance will not cover it) to determine whether I have any calcified plaque in the artiers of my heart. A score will be assigned based on the amount of calcified plaque in relation to my sex (male) and age (50) and sent back to my doctor with a risk assessment from 10% to 90%. He should have the results back in two or three days so I'll give him until Friday before I call.
I guess as long as I don't see an ambulance pull up outside my office I shouldn't worry too much. But I hate waiting for test results, whether on a college course final or a medical checkup.
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christa0120
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Joined: 27 Sep 2003
Posts: 183
Location: Phoenix, Arizona, USA
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Posted: 12/29/03 - 21:51 Post subject:
Hate to burst you bubble...but...
I work in a cardiac cath lab and the test you had is not accurate. All it is is one hell of a great marketing tool. Granted it has found some disease is people, but it has also created undo stress in others and relief in some that it should not have.
A stress test, a nuclear stress test from your physician should be sufficient and if you have chest pain then perhaps a cath by a cardiologist.
How much do you run? any chest pain or shortness of breath? smoker? diabetic? Family history is usually a good flag to watch but let me tell you, I can tell a smoker and diabetic just from 1 picture of their heart arteries. Usually family history alone is not a huge factor.
Best of luck with the results but dont consider them gospel.
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GaRebelRunner
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Joined: 26 Sep 2003
Posts: 1097
Location: Tucker, GA
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Posted: 12/29/03 - 21:58 Post subject:
My doctor and I ruled out the stress test after some discussion as to what it would show me. I think the scan will be more beneficial than the stress test.
6 of 7 males on my father's side have died between the ages of 53-58 from heart attacks. Like me they all had high blood pressure. They also drank and smoke which I do neither. Nor do I have diabetes. And I run 25-40 miles/week. But since I haven't been able to beat back the high blood pressure even with medication, I'm working on trying to stave off any heart problems as long as possible. Hopefully this scan will at least give me some clue as to where I stand. Although no medical test is perfect in predicting results 100%.
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airehead
Oompa Loofah
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Joined: 12 Nov 2002
Posts: 18788
Location: Between here and eternity...
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Posted: 12/30/03 - 15:33 Post subject:
Good luck. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for good results!!
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sonnylax
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Joined: 30 Sep 2003
Posts: 2942
Location: Living in a lollipop and unicorn world
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Posted: 12/30/03 - 15:35 Post subject:
| airehead wrote: | | Good luck. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for good results!! |
Me too GRR... 
P.S. I hope to get back into the running groove again and join up with the Tuesday evening group at Fleet Feet in Duluth.
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crazyfrog
Kermitologist
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Joined: 31 May 2003
Posts: 7610
Location: atlanta
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Posted: 01/01/04 - 22:58 Post subject:
| airehead wrote: | | Good luck. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for good results!! |
1
g'luck... im waiting for test results too, for my thyroid scan... gosh, waiting sucks!
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jrjo
Gone Fishin
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Joined: 15 May 2002
Posts: 16451
Location: Lake Wobegon, MN
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Posted: 01/02/04 - 11:22 Post subject:
I've gotta believe running puts you on the low end of that 10-90% risk scale. Here's hopin' you've beat back the odds!
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rolling rock
The Pinball
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Joined: 15 May 2002
Posts: 16218
Location: unknown zone
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Posted: 01/02/04 - 12:37 Post subject:
you didn't say whether your cholesterol is high/low. i would insist on a lipid profile and a thallium stress test to see what is going on in heart arteries. i'm surprised your cardio didn't push you more for that test.
husband is a cardio patient and gets a thallium stress test every year.. we're not thrilled with the "accuracy" but feel it's really all that's available. he's had two caths which is the absolute best way to see inside those cardiac arteries.
family history is strong for him. his first MI was at 37.
good luck. PM me if you want more info.
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Noley
AZhat
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Joined: 16 Aug 2003
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Posted: 01/02/04 - 12:38 Post subject:
Good Luck GRR!
The wait must be awful!
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shelee
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Joined: 23 Oct 2002
Posts: 2409
Location: IN
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Posted: 01/02/04 - 17:25 Post subject:
| nolefan85 wrote: | Good Luck GRR!
The wait must be awful! |
ditto that. hang in there.
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