Finally Checked Coronary Arteries For Plaque

[Siki]

Found that Bangkok Hospital has a simple scan that can give you a calcium score. This is a direct measure of the plaque build-up rather than a statistical measure like cholesterol numbers and ratios. This scan is the best noninvasive way to see if you are on your way to heart problems and is the procedure that Bill Clinton should have had.

I had a tough time finding out where to get this done in Thailand. This was partly due to the scan not being a mainline way of evaluating risk. Even doctors at the hospital that called themselves heart specialists didn’t know that this scan was offered in their hospital. It is offered at the Cath Lab on the 2nd floor and costs 6,000 baht. The interpretation is first rate.

Internet is awash with info about this method of accessing risk. Sometimes referred to as an EBCT scan (older technology). The calcium score is the important thing to obtain by any scan available. Calcium doesn’t belong in your arteries but is the result of the coating of the plaque build-up.

[ProThaiExpat]

I wonder what your scan results would be if your atherosclerotic plaques were fatty deposits that didn't contain calcium?

[Siki]

I wonder what your scan results would be if your atherosclerotic plaques were fatty deposits that didn't contain calcium?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It's my understanding that the calcium lining on the plaque is the bodies natural reaction to the build up of plaque. I'm not sure about the fatty deposits actually containing calcium.

[IreMark]

I wonder what your scan results would be if your atherosclerotic plaques were fatty deposits that didn't contain calcium?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It's my understanding that the calcium lining on the plaque is the bodies natural reaction to the build up of plaque. I'm not sure about the fatty deposits actually containing calcium.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Out of interest. If you have a build up can that be reduced or moved away with change of diet and stuff? or is it a case of whats there is there?

[chownah]

I wonder what your scan results would be if your atherosclerotic plaques were fatty deposits that didn't contain calcium?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Is there such a thing as an arterial plaque without calcium deposits? I thought that the term 'plaque' was only used when calcium deposits were present.

[ProThaiExpat]

My gratitude to the OP for getting me to review this area again. As a lifetime hypertensive, the potential inevitability of my heart attack or stoke is often of concern to me.

I agree that the scan spoke of in the OP may indeed be an inexpensive initial indicator of the presence of plague in the blood stream, however, the majority of cardiologist prefer the CAT scan and a follow up with an Angiogram, as more precise methods of determining the extent of plaque formation and the degree of athrosclerosis, ie. the reduced size of the lumen or hole of the blood vessel.

Anyone know how much an arterial cat scan goes for these days?

[Siki]

I wonder what your scan results would be if your atherosclerotic plaques were fatty deposits that didn't contain calcium?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It's my understanding that the calcium lining on the plaque is the bodies natural reaction to the build up of plaque. I'm not sure about the fatty deposits actually containing calcium.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Out of interest. If you have a build up can that be reduced or moved away with change of diet and stuff? or is it a case of whats there is there?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

There no way I would get tested for a life threatening condition if I couldn’t do anything about it. I wouldn’t want to know.

The information that I read mentions several strategies to reverse the process.

I did not look into it any further since my calcium score was very low. 3 out of 4 of my coronary arteries had no calcium at all. I was relieved because my cholesterol level is high.

[Gary A]

I had a test that I thought was ultrasound. They video screen showed the arteries pulsing and on this machine the plaque showed up as yellow. I asked the technician if things looked OK. She told me that she wasn't allowed or qualified to tell me anything about the results. She then grinned and told me that we wouldn't be seeing each other anymore because I had no problems.

[MikeWill]

In early 80s I had a sroke, and as a treatment got a procedure/operation of arteries enlargement. To make a long strory short, for several years I didn't have any heart attacks or other problems, and didn't use any medications. But recently I start feeling problems with my legs - walk difficulties, etc. My feet are often swollen, the same as if the blood isn't coming through.

I know that I can't delay a visit to the doctor and checkup any longer.

Found that Bangkok Hospital has a simple scan that can give you a calcium score.  This is a direct measure of the plaque build-up rather than a statistical measure like cholesterol numbers and ratios. This scan is the best noninvasive way to see if you are on your way to heart problems and is the procedure that Bill Clinton should have had.

I had a tough time finding out where to get this done in Thailand.  This was partly due to the scan not being a mainline way of evaluating risk.  Even doctors at the hospital that called themselves heart specialists didn’t know that this scan was offered in their hospital.  It is offered at the Cath Lab on the 2nd floor and costs 6,000 baht.  The interpretation is first rate.

Internet is awash with info about this method of accessing risk.  Sometimes referred to as an EBCT scan (older technology).  The calcium score is the important thing to obtain by any scan available.  Calcium doesn’t belong in your arteries but is the result of the coating of the plaque build-up.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

So, now I'm searching for a doctor/hospital for my heart checkup, and so far, have heard of Prof Keitchai Pooripaniya at Piyavate Hospital.

In light of the above postings, maybe someone could give me some additional recommendations.

Does the Cath Lab test at Bangkok Hospital could be helpful in my case? Who I should contact for this test to be implemented?

Gary A, maybe you can provide some additiona info on the "ultrasound test" you've mentioned. Where did you have it and what is the cost?

Any advise would be much appreciated.

[Siki]

Hey everyone,

I will be in Bangkok in October and would like to get this heart artery scan.  Can someone give me contact info for the office.  I would greatly appreciate it. 

Michael

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Quick suggestion:

Google for Bangkok Hospital and then look for calcium scan on the web site. If that is not enough, get their phone number off of the web site and call them.

This hospital is likely to have a number of well qualified cardiologists. I have no idea if one is better than another. My guess is that they are all good.

Aloha

Siki

[bapak]

Hey everyone,

I will be in Bangkok in October and would like to get this heart artery scan.  Can someone give me contact info for the office.  I would greatly appreciate it. 

Michael

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Bangkok Hospital

2 Soi Soonvijai 7

New Petchburi Road

Bangok 10310

Phone: 2310 3101 2310 3364

www.bangkokhospital.com

Cheers, Bapak

[dr_Pat_Pong]

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