Calcium Score Test

[Gym Rat]

Did he have any underlying issues - obesity, family history, etc.? Or did he just have a “widow-maker” heart attack out of nowhere?

No family history, no drug use, no alcohol, etc. The point is, calcium scoring only see's calcium, so ZERO doesn't mean clean bill of health.
Need all the tests. Stress-echo (visual), nuclear stress, etc...

[Gym Rat]

Nat, any thoughts on using red yeast rice daily. Same risks as a statin? I understand it contains what statin drugs contain in a natural form. I have a Calcium test done every 10yrs, always has been zero.

The stuff sold in the USA is mostly junk. Contains no monacolin-K (which is very safe and used in Asia for a million years, with very little heart disease).
A low-dose of 5-10 mg a day can be helpful for those who truly might need it. It can be bought from other countries if you look for it...

If you have no need (great numbers) then ignore it. If Trig's and LDL is very high and jacked-up, it "may" help things.

Way over-prescribed in the US (statins) a money grab...

[OlympiaGym]

Why bother having a calcium test then?

Need another 10-15 years.

[IroNat]

Nat, any thoughts on using red yeast rice daily. Same risks as a statin? I understand it contains what statin drugs contain in a natural form. I have a Calcium test done every 10yrs, always has been zero.

No idea about red yeast, deadz.

[loco]

I like it and will add to my labs.

Thank you!

"1"

You are welcome!  May you enjoy many more decades of life and good health!

[GymnJuice]

I think a regular treadmill stress EKG will be more useful to you than a calcium score.

If you are already dead set against a statin then you should ask yourself what you would do differently if your calcium score was elevated.

[loco]

Nat, any thoughts on using red yeast rice daily. Same risks as a statin? I understand it contains what statin drugs contain in a natural form. I have a Calcium test done every 10yrs, always has been zero.

Artificially lowering LDL is a mistake.  People with high LDL tend to live longer.  What you want to do is increase your large, buoyant LDL particles and decrease your small, dense LDL particles.  You want to decrease Triglycerides and increase HDL too.

You can accomplish all of the above by eating low-carb, or very low calorie, or practicing intermittent fasting.

Low Triglycerides–High High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and Risk of Ischemic Heart Disease
"A high level of LDL-C is not associated with the metabolic syndrome per se,32 and when a high LDL-C level is present with a low TG–high HDL-C level, the LDL particle is larger, more buoyant,22,33 and less easily oxidized24 and thus much less atherogenic."
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/647239

Effect of carbohydrate-restricted dietary interventions on LDL particle size and number in adults in the context of weight loss or weight maintenance: a systematic review and meta-analysis
"The available evidence indicates that dietary interventions restricted in carbohydrates increase LDL peak particle size and decrease the numbers of total and small LDL particles."
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34159352/

[loco]

Only fools take statins nowadays.  Do some research.

Evaluating the Association Between Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Reduction and Relative and Absolute Effects of Statin Treatment

"The study results suggest that the absolute benefits of statins are modest, may not be strongly mediated through the degree of LDL-C reduction, and should be communicated to patients as part of informed clinical decision-making as well as to inform clinical guidelines and policy."

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/article-abstract/2790055


The effect of statins on average survival in randomised trials, an analysis of end point postponement

"The median postponement of death for primary and secondary prevention trials were 3.2 and 4.1 days, respectively.

Statin treatment results in a surprisingly small average gain in overall survival within the trials' running time. For patients whose life expectancy is limited or who have adverse effects of treatment, withholding statin therapy should be considered."

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26408281/

[Humble Narcissist]

Nat, any thoughts on using red yeast rice daily. Same risks as a statin? I understand it contains what statin drugs contain in a natural form. I have a Calcium test done every 10yrs, always has been zero.

Red Yeast is good if you can stomach it. Gives most people major gas.

[deadz]

Red Yeast is good if you can stomach it. Gives most people major gas.

I've been using the Jarrow brand for years, never noticed any gas, works fairly well at keeping lipids in check. I don't notice the typical sides associate with statins, hopefully not as toxic as a statin. Currently use 2400mg daily as I use Test and lipids would be way off without it.

[Humble Narcissist]

I've been using the Jarrow brand for years, never noticed any gas, works fairly well at keeping lipids in check. I don't notice the typical sides associate with statins, hopefully not as toxic as a statin. Currently use 2400mg daily as I use Test and lipids would be way off without it.

I may try that brand.

[IroNat]

Red Yeast is good if you can stomach it. Gives most people major gas.

Gas in your turds makes them float.

Just some useful trivia for the next garden party.

[MajorDomo]

My great aunt just passed away at 95. No tests. She told me  in one of the last conversations that she just exercised regularly, ate in moderation and read a lot. Mind was sharp till the very end.

Let's not overthink this  longevity shit, lol

[deadz]

Gas in your turds makes them float.

Just some useful trivia for the next garden party.

Can’t wait until my next garden party.

[IroNat]

Can’t wait until my next garden party.

[Humble Narcissist]

Gas in your turds makes them float.

Just some useful trivia for the next garden party.

I need that to stop clogging the toilet.

[loco]

Gas in your turds makes them float.

Just some useful trivia for the next garden party.

[loco]

I like it and will add to my labs.

Thank you!

"1"

A CT Angiogram (CTA) is better than a calcium score test, and I'm sure you can afford it out of pocket.  It's $500 to $800.

"While the calcium score is a risk assessment tool, CTCA is a diagnostic test that uses contrast dye to evaluate blood flow and identify narrowing or blockages in the coronary arteries."
https://heartcare.sydney/what-is-coronary-artery-calcium-score-and-when-is-it-indicated

[ProudVirgin69]

A CT Angiogram (CTA) is better than a calcium score test, and I'm sure you can afford it out of pocket.  It's $500 to $800.

"While the calcium score is a risk assessment tool, CTCA is a diagnostic test that uses contrast dye to evaluate blood flow and identify narrowing or blockages in the coronary arteries."
https://heartcare.sydney/what-is-coronary-artery-calcium-score-and-when-is-it-indicated

What’s the evidence that this is beneficial to someone without significant risk factors and/or symptoms of advanced cardiac disease? Or is this something you’re recommending based on a hunch?

[loco]

What’s the evidence that this is beneficial to someone without significant risk factors and/or symptoms of advanced cardiac disease? Or is this something you’re recommending based on a hunch?

None, and I'm not recommending it.  I simply said this test provides much more information than the calcium score test, which a couple of people on this thread said they've done or do periodically.  It's up to each individual what and how much they want to test.

[GymnJuice]

None, and I'm not recommending it.  I simply said this test provides much more information than the calcium score test, which a couple of people on this thread said they've done or do periodically.  It's up to each individual what and how much they want to test.

It does provide more information than the Ca score. It also exposes you to more radiation and requires dye that could affect the kidneys. I don't think it is as accurate or as useful as they portray it either. The accuracy may improve as the technology gets better but I still think they're years away from what they're selling it as right now in that video. Just my opinion as an anonymous nobody.

[loco]

It does provide more information than the Ca score. It also exposes you to more radiation and requires dye that could affect the kidneys. I don't think it is as accurate or as useful as they portray it either. The accuracy may improve as the technology gets better but I still think they're years away from what they're selling it as right now in that video. Just my opinion as an anonymous nobody.

I myself wouldn't be eager to do it because of the radiation, the dye, the cost, and the value I'd get from it.

But it may have value for someone who has all of the risk factors or symptoms of atherosclerosis.