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Need help with results of CT Scan

nesschap
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I had a CT scan for my lungs last week. In 2006 had a massive heart attack and flat lined 5 times...since then 8 cardiac stents....also have CHF...

Well..I got called back for results with in a few days. The concern was a cyst in my right breast. (that has been watched very closely for years)....but something else that more concerns me and that I did not see because I did not have report in my had at the time of doctor visit is this line "Calcified atherosclerotic plaque is present along the left anterior descending artery. Can anyone explain that to me? Do I have a blockage again?

Thanks so much,
Vanessa

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Heart attack

5 replies

martzj

The other ladies are right....."Calcified atherosclerotic plaque is present along the left anterior descending artery".....think of it as a kind of calcium buildup lining water pipes. And also follow their suggestions to quiz your cardio about this and how it looks in your case specifically. Only your dr can tell you the size and location significance. People have lived to 100 with calcified plaque lesions!

take care,
Jaynie

Kennarina

Oh, thank you Sherrie - EXCELLENT reminder about stable plaque. It's the soft or 'vulnerable' plaque that can rupture and cause us many problems!
XOXOXO

Ecksunbeam

Dear Ness,

Calcified plaque is STABLE plaque. As bad as it sounds, it's not generally dangerous. It does not necessarily mean a blockage--just that you have plaque.

All of us, by a certain age, have a certain amount of plaque in our arteries. You should receive a score of 0 to 100. The higher the score, the more likely your doctor will take another look--order a different kind of test, like an angio, or be sure you are on blood thinners so you don't develop a blockage.

May the blessings Be!

Sherrie

nesschap

Thank you, and that is exactly what I was doing yesterday (driving myself to the point of distraction). The office was closed after reading it unfortunately. I will have to wait until Monday but Tuesday I have an appt. with my cardiac surgeon as I have been feeling strange for more than a month anyway.

Thank you for your reply, calmness, and kindness.

Hugs,
Nessa

Kennarina

Hi Vanessa
I don't think any of us here can accurately answer your question, since none of us knows how much plaque is present, nor in which location of the LAD it lives, nor have we seen the scan results, nor do we have the letters M.D. after our names....

However, with your significant cardiac history, I'd say it would be unusual for you not to have atherosclerotic plaque.

Call your doctor back! Don't be second-guessing test results (and driving yourself to distraction) before a comprehensive interpretation by somebody who knows what they are talking about!

Good luck - please keep us posted!
XOXOXOXO

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