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I've been reading here quite a bit and have posted a couple times.
I'm curious if anyone has had a CT angiogram and has lowered their calcium score on a follow up test.
I had the above test 2 years ago with a calcium score of 327
which caused me to change my diet. I was told at the time the plaque in my arteries did not obstruct blood flow and most of it was calcified meaning it had been there for a long time.
After following a very strict way of eating the past two years I had a follow up test yesterday and expected my score to either remain the same or maybe even drop. The calcium score from my test yesterday was 380. The Dr who read the scan informed me the both scores are basically identical as the scoring/scan can be off 10-20% and not to get hung up on the number. Needless to say
I'm hung up on the number

My bloods are pretty good
Total Choeesterol 119
HDL 57
LDL 49
Triglycerides 64
LDL/HDL ratio 0.86
So I'm curios if any of you have had follow up CT angiograms that resulted a lower calcium score
Thanks!View Thread

amishere
I've found it pretty easy to stay away animal products, processed foods and oils. The hardest part was the beginning couple months. Eating out can still be a bit tough but it's getting easier for me. Now I'm always looking for ways to improve my diet.
The key for me was finding 10-15 stock recipes many of which I found here. http://fatfreevegan.com/
My wife has been kind enough to cook special meals for me.
And I spend much more time on food now than I ever did before. Unhealthy food is easy! The healthy stuff takes a bit more work.
If any of the recipes call for oil and or animal products I skip that ingredient.
I hope you stay the course. No matter what happens down the road with my calcium/plaque build up or regression, I will say I have never felt better. Since I've adapted this new way of eating I have tons of energy. I have not had more than a sniffle in a couple years(when all around me are sick) and my weight is down to what it was when I was 21.
Good luck to you!View Thread

I decided after reading books by the above.
No meat, no processed foods, no dairy,no oil only veggies, beans, fruit and whole grains. I do allow myself a piece of steamed salmon once in a while.
As I understand the CT angi gram reads the amount of calcium in the plaque. You also are shown images of the scan and you see will see for yourself what is in you arteries. Those images scared the SH** out of me. Hence the radical change in my diet. Is there a better test??
My bloodwork on my plant based diet is pretty good
[br>Total Choeesterol 119[br>HDL 57[br>LDL 49[br>Triglycerides 64[br>LDL/HDL ratio 0.86[br>
According to my cardiologist based on years of studies folks with these type of numbers had a better chance of being run over by a bus when they are 90 then having a heart attack.
I cannot really do any more that I am doing. I most likely will have another CT scan some day but It may be a decade or so from now,
View Thread

In my case it showed me I had a problem that I was not aware of. I was a walking time bomb. The test made me realize I had to change my lifestyle. The second test was taken as a baseline to see how much if any the problem was progressing.
I credit the test with saving my life!View Thread

What my Dr told me was that
a CT angiogram will show exactly what is going on in your arteries and is a much better barometer than a stress test.
I found this which indicates a ct angio gram can help predict coronary events
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1985311,00.html
Not sure how accurate it isView Thread

It makes sense it may takes years to reverse what I've spent a lifetime building. I do have my Vitamin D levels checked as well as B12 Levels are D-36.7 B12-538 So I'm OK there.
BestView Thread

Thanks for the advice. My diet is pretty good and I get a good cardio workout 4-5X a week and I walk more than two miles daily on top of that. Climb stairs every day too.
My motto is never ride if you can walk.
Like I stated my Dr's have indicated the test can vary and that my score is considered no change which I have accepted.
No one one any board has come forth with the fact that they have actually lowered their calcium score which is leading me to believe it is not possible
Best
UFatView Thread


Yes I did have two CT angiograms with dye. First was 2 years ago. 2nd on Monday. I am following Ornish/Fuhrman/Mcdougal kind of plan 95 % vegan, no dairy, no oil, no meat, no processed foods. My only cheats are steamed salmon once or twice a month and a small handful of a raw almonds daily. When away on vacation once a year I may venture off the plan a bit for the week but not with meat , dairy or fried foods.
So I assume my numbers did not drop due to the cheats above.
Like I said the Dr who read the scan said he would consider this the same amount as the first scan.
All I can do is try to improve and keep moving on!
I'm looking to see if anyone has had the same test and lowered their numbers. To date know one has said they have.
Take careView Thread

I asked as I'm going to Argentina for 10 days in the fall and wonder if I'll be able to stick to the plan. I'll end up eating what I want which could mean sticking to the plan or maybe going off it for some Argentinian grass fed beef. It's going to be a by the moment thing for me
I guess I'm lucky I was never big on deserts!View Thread
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