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MRI Suggests Presence Of Soft Plaque. Angiography Came Clear. Advise

Posted on Thu, 2 May 2013

Question: I HAVE HAD AN ANGIOGRAM AND APPARENTLY IT WAS ALL CLEAR WHICH IS SURPRISING AS I AM A 68 YEAR OLD XXXXXX WHO ARE PRONE TO PLAQUE BUILDUP ETC.. IN A M R I IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT I HAVE SOFT PLAQUE? AND IT IS IN THE 40 % TO 60 % RANGE .THEY COULD NOT BE SURE OF THE SOFT PLAQUE % AS THE REPORT STATES THAT MY BODY MOVED BUT THEY GUESSTIMATE IT TO BE IN THAT RANGE. .HOW XXXXXXX IS THE SOFT PLAQUE BUILD UP NO ONE CAN PROVIDE A SATISFACTORY ANSWER AND MY CARDIOLOGIST IS TOO BUSY TO EVEN TALK TO ME...thank you

Answered by Dr. Anantharamakrishnan (3 hours later)

Hi friend,
Welcome to Health Care Magic

Why was the investigation done?
If you are symptomatic, go for cardiac catheterisation ad coronary angiography, with a view for possible intervention...That is the gold standard...

A soft plaque is prone for rupture / and hence the risk even at lower ranges....
When calcified, it becomes hard and is obstructive at 70 % and beyond...

Life style changes - diet and exercise - help.
Aggressive reduction of Lipids helps. Statins are especially useful - they have actions beyond cholesterol reduction...
Blood thinners help - may be you are on? - after valve replacement / if not start on anti-platelet agent like aspirin.

Take care
Wishing speedy recovery
God bless
Good luck

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar