Checking your heart for blockages?

[Frimley111R]

I've had an ECG or two in the past couple of years but it doesn't show your arteries. However i have also been wired up to a machine with about 20 wires that they stick on your body. What does this do? I think it checks bloody flow or something through the main areas of your body but is that correct? The only other way I have seen is to inject some sort of metallic dye into you and then scan you so the dye and any blockages show up.

[vtechead]

CAC test is the one:

Coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring, also called a coronary calcium scan, is a test that measures the amount of calcium in the walls of the heart’s arteries.

Most of the calcium in our body is found in our bones and teeth. It helps keep them strong and healthy. But calcium in the arteries that supply the heart with oxygen and nutrients can spell trouble for our heart health.

That’s because deposits of calcium in the coronary arteries are a sign that there may also be a buildup of plaque — a waxy substance that can harden over time and narrow or block the arteries (called atherosclerosis). When this happens, it makes a heart attack or stroke more likely.

So a coronary calcium scan is one way to estimate someone’s risk of developing heart disease or having a heart attack or stroke.

[Frimley111R]

Thanks, interesting.

[Badda]

Frimley111R said:

I've had an ECG or two in the past couple of years but it doesn't show your arteries. However i have also been wired up to a machine with about 20 wires that they stick on your body. What does this do? I think it checks bloody flow or something through the main areas of your body but is that correct? The only other way I have seen is to inject some sort of metallic dye into you and then scan you so the dye and any blockages show up.

The CACS is done using CT. Your 20 wire machine is probably just a 12 lead ECG (10 actual wires) and looks for changes caused by either poor oxygenation of heart muscle (angina) or actual blockages (heart attack) among other things.

The definitive method of investigating blockages is angiography, via radial or femoral vessels. I would not want this done without a good reason though as it comes with its own risks.

[Frimley111R]

Badda said:

Your 20 wire machine is probably just a 12 lead ECG (10 actual wires) and looks for changes caused by either poor oxygenation of heart muscle (angina) or actual blockages (heart attack) among other things.

Ah, ok, that's the one.

If that is an ECG what is the one they do with a scanning thing, like the ones the use for babies called? I thought that was an ECG?

[Badda]

Frimley111R said:

Badda said:

Your 20 wire machine is probably just a 12 lead ECG (10 actual wires) and looks for changes caused by either poor oxygenation of heart muscle (angina) or actual blockages (heart attack) among other things.

Ah, ok, that's the one.

If that is an ECG what is the one they do with a scanning thing, like the ones the use for babies called? I thought that was an ECG?

Echocardiogram (rather than electrocardiogram).

[pidsy]

Been going through this over the past year. Started with ECG’s, then 24 hour ECG, calcium CT with contrast and finally a cardiac stress MRI.

I have a hereditary issue surrounding cholesterol so they were very interested in the level of furring or clogging in my coronary arteries. My calcium score was 0 so everyone was happy.

The contrast CT is what you need OP - it’ll give you the answer you want - your Consultant will get you booked in if they’re at all concerned.

[Frimley111R]

Badda said:

Echocardiogram (rather than electrocardiogram).

Ah, i see, thanks

[Frimley111R]

pidsy said:

The contrast CT is what you need OP - it’ll give you the answer you want - your Consultant will get you booked in if they’re at all concerned.

Thanks. Just lost my BiL (40 yrs old) and had another mate narrowly miss out on a major heart attack, both of them were slim and not obvious candidates for it (although BiL did smoke way too much). Just makes you a bit paranoid....

I have had the heart ECG and the Electro ones at least twice last year (prep for unrelated op) and so am probably worrying unnecessarily.

[Skyedriver]

I know it's the more you know the more you worry but:

A friend had OK blood pressure when checked "at rest" which is the usual check. He went for a medical and on the treadmill, his BP rocketted. Nothing he knew about, he's usually pretty active, ended up with a tripe heart bypass.

Now my BP is fine at rest. I know I get the occasional chest pain which I put down to anxiety or heartburn and my running isn't as good as it used to be which I blame on breathing probs, but it makes you wonder if there isn't something there you don't know about.....

[numtumfutunch]

Skyedriver said:

I know it's the more you know the more you worry but:

A friend had OK blood pressure when checked "at rest" which is the usual check. He went for a medical and on the treadmill, his BP rocketted. Nothing he knew about, he's usually pretty active, ended up with a tripe heart bypass.

Now my BP is fine at rest. I know I get the occasional chest pain which I put down to anxiety or heartburn and my running isn't as good as it used to be which I blame on breathing probs, but it makes you wonder if there isn't something there you don't know about.....

Arghhhh

Not an expert but chest pains would definitely have me talking to the Doc

The "work triathlete" recently had a massive heart attack with lots of stents

Turns out hes the oldest ever male in his family and that whatever you decide to do with beer, fags and fast women/men you cant beat your genetics

Good luck - and go and see the Doc ( your GP not the one on here who is a knee guru I think)

Cheers

[Riley Blue]

I had all the above after a heart problem was detected during a pre-op assessment for prostate surgery. A spike on an ECG raised the alarm and various scans revealed 99% and 75% narrowed arteries.

I was told by my original cardiologist that I'd had a heart attack though I had never had any heart issues at all, no pain, nothing, ever but he was very insistent, prescribing a few pills as the way forward. Thankfully he retired and my new cardiologist reckoned he could 'deal with it'. I had an angioplasty and have three stents fitted. Life continues just as before.

[pidsy]

Frimley111R said:

pidsy said:

The contrast CT is what you need OP - it’ll give you the answer you want - your Consultant will get you booked in if they’re at all concerned.

Thanks. Just lost my BiL (40 yrs old) and had another mate narrowly miss out on a major heart attack, both of them were slim and not obvious candidates for it (although BiL did smoke way too much). Just makes you a bit paranoid....

I have had the heart ECG and the Electro ones at least twice last year (prep for unrelated op) and so am probably worrying unnecessarily.

Honestly, I know exactly how you feel.

My dad died of a heart attack at 42 (fireman, active, non smoker, non drinker)
I was tested for all sorts of stuff when I was 11 - diagnosed with FH.
promptly buried my head in the sand and got to 37 - started to panic as I was getting to the age my dad died, got checked out and turns out I have quite a lot wrong - there was a point last year when every time I had a test for one thing, they were finding something else (which then needed testing). Really caused me issues with anxiety, admission to a&e with chest pains but my trop score was 12 - they put that Down to anxiety too.
Absolute st to go through but it would have all been easier if I hadn’t buried my head in the sand for all those years.
If anyone has to have a cardiac stress test - try to get out of it - without doubt one of the worst experiences of my life.

[Frimley111R]

The NHS stats are going show a big increase in people checking the heart now

[Badda]

The big 5 in terms of risk:

Diabetes
High cholesterol
High blood pressure
Family History
Smoking.

[Frimley111R]

Badda said:

The big 5 in terms of risk:

Diabetes
High cholesterol
High blood pressure
Family History
Smoking.

Interesting, for me:

No issue
Not sure
Only slightly
None
Never

[Pvapour]

Getting mine checked after getting a full,body check done 3 yrs ago, was warned i had high calcium resulting in arterial build up (widow maker heart attack arteries, the rear?)

Anyway, getting another check done now to measure progress after upping my magnesium for last 3 years (most people are deficient in this anyway and it counteracts calcium)

Defo get it checked

[Frimley111R]

off to see the doc at 4.30. Have some minor chest pains which may be nothing but she's going to check me over just in case.

EDIT: Checked me over but said doubtful it's anything heart related but booked me in for an ECG next week as a precaution. Went home and did a fairly quick 5K. Good to have doc's opinion for a bit of peace of mind. Had to lie to Mrs 111R about why I was going so she didn't worry

Edited by Frimley111R on Friday 9th August 10:47

[andygo]

I went to the docs in April with wildly varying heart rate and blood pressure readings. I also had no energy and always felt tired.

Was quickly sent to the rapid access cheart clinic at MK Hospital and over the space of a few weeks had various tests. ECG, Angioplasty, X ray, and just this week a heart MRI.

I have 1 completely blocked artery and two pretty clogged up.


I haven't seen a consultant yet and my next 'thing' is on October 15th for more tests and a meeting with the consultant. I think I'm having a heart bypass, but not sure yet, depends on the viability of my heart wall fed (or not) by the blocked artery.

My life is pretty much on hold, I have no idea how at risk of a heart attack I am and I certainly am not going to physically push myself to find out!

Nobody is monitoring my cholesterol levels, BP etc. My GP is useless, and I can't get any sense out of the docs at the hospital.

I'm going to have a private consultation with a consultant to find out where I am at - the wait is literally killing me. The NHS is not very good IMHO. I'm sure it will get there if I can cling on long enough, lol.

[throt]

Guys,
Can arteries un clog themselves or only get worse with time.

We have someone in the family with 60% blocking on first angiogram ( is that what it is called ) but on the second check, via angiogram, they said it was all okay and clear.

Sounds iffy to me.

Tia.