Going in for calcium scoring test

[Nocturne]

Going in for my calcium scoring test to see if the rest of my heart is as trashed as my aortic valve is. Very, very nervous about this -- the last two times I had medical tests done to check things out revealed weird bad news anomalies that no one expected to find. My lipids were awful -- what are the odds that my valve got trashed but the rest of my heart is doing OK?

Anyway, just asking for positive thoughts and (if you're so inclined) prayer. I feel like I need all the advantage I can scrape together on this. Thanks!

 

[Paleowoman]

Sending you positive thoughts Nocturne !

I've had two CT angiograms, one just prior to heart surgery but the first one a few years ago to check my coronary arteries simply because my cholesterol numbers were/are high. My calcium scores on both CTs were 0. My cholesterol is very high - total is usually between 300 and 350. My HDL is always arond 140 and my triglycerides around 44 which I reckon is what protects me, though many doctors now say that cholesterol is nothing to do with athersclerosis - it's inflammation which causes the damage.

Let us know how it goes !

 

[Nocturne]

Hey. Mentioned this in another thread, but my results came in and score was 136. Just noticed my doc said that was indicitave of "subclinical" heart disease with a "moderate" risk. I know it's not a good score for my age (42).

My wife pointed out that it's possible that a lot of the calcium on the scan is actually on the aortic valve, and it makes sense that at least some of it would have to be, but I don't know what that would mean other than that the rest of the heart might not be so bad. Will really have to talk to a cardiologist about it.

HDL of 150! Good Lord! I engage in brisk walking for 30-45 minutes a day now, and after close to a year of that my HDL is only 39! Are you crushing it at the gym or do you just have good genes?

Edit: My triglycerides are also 44! Weird coincidence!

 

[Paleowoman]

HDL of 150! Good Lord! I engage in brisk walking for 30-45 minutes a day now, and after close to a year of that my HDL is only 39! Are you crushing it at the gym or do you just have good genes?

(Not quite 150, around 140 !) Nohing to do with my genes as my HDL used to be a more usual 70 nine years ago and earlier, still good but not outstanding. HDL started rising due partly to exercise, but I'm not crushing it at the gym - can't afford to go to the gym anymore so do weight lifting at home three times a week for 20 mins or so a time, and walking every day. I think the rise must be be due to the paleo or very low carb way of eating I adopted nine years ago when I was diagnosed with atypical diabetes (I'm thin and not insulin resistant). The only carbs I eat are those in leafy greeen veggies and nuts. I eat a lot of oily fish, meat, eggs, nuts, some dairy like milk in tea and coffee and occasionaly a small bi of cheese, but lots of healthy fats, usually coconut oil which I cook the veggies in - cooked green veggies three times a day with the fish, meat or eggs. Nuts are snacks. I also have a glass of red wine with dinner. My HDL, and total cholesterol, rose steadily each year since eating this way - and trigs lowered !

 

[Nocturne]

I've got to add weightlifting to my routine. 20 minutes three days a week -- I could do that. I already walk every day for 30-45 minutes.

I've heard good and bad things about Paleo. Not sure it is for me. I don't know what my "diet" would be called, but I did lose 55 pounds on it:

* Most breakfasts are a piece of fruit or a bowl of heart friendlier cereal like Kashi's "Heart to Heart" and skim milk
* Most workday lunches are wheat pita bread with hummus, water, and some fruit or yogurt (leaning towards Siggy's or anything with more protein than sugar)
* Aim for salmon twice a week (I have always loved it) and eating far less red meat than I used to, exploring vegetarian options but still eating SOME meat
* Trying for a salad for dinner several days a week, with some leftover salmon or imitation crab meat on top.
* Handful of nuts (unsalted) every day as a snack
* Glass of pomegranate juice every day
* Olive oil on whole grain bread when I get bread, maybe once a week
* Occasional "bad stuff" like half a soda or a piece of pizza, maybe once a week

I suspect I am getting too many fats. I was just getting into various lower-fat baked or "popped" chips as snacks when the stenosis diagnosis came, and I haven't been eating them much since.