Coronary Artery Calcium Scan (CAC)

[oxo1947]

Has anyone (or Sheryl) had this procedure? Is this as good as Injecting Dye through the main artery then scanning?

Is Calcium the same as plaque?

 

I am due to have this (Injecting Dye method) in about 6 weeks. My Daughter (Australia) tells me that most people there now have the CAC which is a lot less intrusive.

I see that Bumrungrad and the Bangkok hospital group all do this procedure.

 

I live in Issan an area which is not known to be the leader in medical practice. So, I just wondered if they are a little behind with this practice. 

[Sheryl]

59 minutes ago, oxo1947 said:

Has anyone (or Sheryl) had this procedure? Is this as good as Injecting Dye through the main artery then scanning?

Is Calcium the same as plaque?

 

I am due to have this (Injecting Dye method) in about 6 weeks. My Daughter (Australia) tells me that most people there now have the CAC which is a lot less intrusive.

I see that Bumrungrad and the Bangkok hospital group all do this procedure.

 

I live in Issan an area which is not known to be the leader in medical practice. So, I just wondered if they are a little behind with this practice. 

A CAC and coronary angiogram (what you are scheduled for) are not at all equivalent.

 

The angiogram is never done for simple screening. It is done when there are significant symptoms of coronary artery disease (e.g. chest pains, changes on EKG), and if significant blockage is found  a stent can be inserted during the same procedure. 

 

CAC on the other hand is done to estimate a person's risk of developing coronary artery disease in the future. It is suitable for screening of asymptomatic people.  (And it is available in some places in Issan). 

 

What exactly led to you being scheduled for an angiogram? And where will it be performed?