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Dr-- 1. I Have Heart Disease In My Family &
Question: Dr--
1. I have heart disease in my family & my LDL is 119 & HDL is 38; my BP is normal & my A1C is 5.7
2. Most of my other blood work is normal
3. I am considering undergoing a CT Coronary Calcium Scan - but I am concerned about the radiation risks of that procedure.
4. do you have any advice? Do you think its worth the [radiation exposure] risk & undergo the test? or should I refrain? Thank you.
1. I have heart disease in my family & my LDL is 119 & HDL is 38; my BP is normal & my A1C is 5.7
2. Most of my other blood work is normal
3. I am considering undergoing a CT Coronary Calcium Scan - but I am concerned about the radiation risks of that procedure.
4. do you have any advice? Do you think its worth the [radiation exposure] risk & undergo the test? or should I refrain? Thank you.
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome back on -Ask a Doctor- service!
I passed carefully through your medical history and would explain that your blood lipid profile doesn't seem so concerning.
Your HDL cholesterol is slightly borderline and LDL level is not bad.
Your HbA1C level is borderline too, and indicates an increased risk of getting into a diabetic condition.
You have a family history of CAD, but you have not specified whether your father's disease onset is premature (under the age of 50).
From the other hand, you have not declared a history of hypertension or any smoking habit.
Considering the above information, you may be considered at low up to a moderate risk for future (10 years) cardiovascular events.
Considering the SCORE chart definitions, you are advised to modify your lifestyle like your diet, follow a physically active daily profile, control your body weight, avoid any close smoking contact and frequently check your blood pressure values.
Only in case your LDL cholesterol level is not lowered to around 100 mg/dl, but instead tends to increase after a period of around three to four months of lifestyle modification, it may be necessary switching to drugs therapy (statins).
Actually, it is not recommended to perform additional tests including a coronary angio CT, as it would not change the management strategy.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
In case of any further questions, feel free to ask me again.
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome back on -Ask a Doctor- service!
I passed carefully through your medical history and would explain that your blood lipid profile doesn't seem so concerning.
Your HDL cholesterol is slightly borderline and LDL level is not bad.
Your HbA1C level is borderline too, and indicates an increased risk of getting into a diabetic condition.
You have a family history of CAD, but you have not specified whether your father's disease onset is premature (under the age of 50).
From the other hand, you have not declared a history of hypertension or any smoking habit.
Considering the above information, you may be considered at low up to a moderate risk for future (10 years) cardiovascular events.
Considering the SCORE chart definitions, you are advised to modify your lifestyle like your diet, follow a physically active daily profile, control your body weight, avoid any close smoking contact and frequently check your blood pressure values.
Only in case your LDL cholesterol level is not lowered to around 100 mg/dl, but instead tends to increase after a period of around three to four months of lifestyle modification, it may be necessary switching to drugs therapy (statins).
Actually, it is not recommended to perform additional tests including a coronary angio CT, as it would not change the management strategy.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
In case of any further questions, feel free to ask me again.
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Note: click here to Consult a cardiac surgeon online. to know the best treatment option for your heart-related issues
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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