calcification of arteries

[5-9-6-a]

Hi all

I’m fairly new to this but have a question which I hope some of you can give me some advice

I have had pneumonia and a high resolution CT scan on my lungs has also shown severe calcification of the arteries.

I saw a cardiologist before my CT results and he said I was absolutely fine, my chest pain was nothing to do with my heart more likely to do with my lungs.

Once my results came in my GP requested a follow up appointment with the cardiologist.

Unbeknown to me, the cardiologist has written back in July to say he doesn’t believe he needs to see me and still believes my chest pain is down to the damage to my lungs.

This has only come to light when I went for some blood tests at my GPs and was asked if I’d seen the letter from the cardiologist

I’m confused about what to do,

If the chest pain is because of the pneumonia we’ll I suppose that’s a good thing!!!! But it’s left me with the knowledge that I have calcification in my arteries and have no idea how severe

I have spoken to the GP to say I still get chest pain it’s mainly central chest area and after exertion, it’s reasonably mild and goes after rest

I’m wondering if I should push to see the cardiologist, I often feel like I’m a nuisance to the GPs, I’ve been a lot lately, pneumonia is very unpleasant!!! And have had to have a lot of meds, they seem to be happy with the cardiologist’s decision, but I’ve lots of unanswered questions

How do I deal with this knowledge when I don’t know the severity

Should they not be looking into this a bit more??

Any help or suggestions

Thanks

[Hidden]

Hello sorry to hear you have been suffering. Now welcome to the world of searching for answers and needing to be be persistent in getting answers. It can be two steps forward and three back, I’m not being pessimistic nor trying to scare you just trying to share my experience so far. This can take some time. But do push as it will keep playing on your mind and that in itself can affect your health. The good news is you feel your pain is mild, but totally understand that feeling of wanting clarity / answers so you can move forward appropriately. Your not a nuisance. You could request your reports you may not fully understand but might give you something to talk to GP and cardiologist about. If it’s the lungs, then they should clarify why they think it is and what on scan indicates that or if not they should clarify why they don’t feel any need to investigate calcified arteries any further. Good luck, you may be lucky but it needs persistence.

[5-9-6-a in reply to Hidden]

Thank you I have never thought about that, I will ask to see them

Probably won’t understand them 😂 but it’s better than being kept in the dark

[nilmonisikdar40 in reply to Hidden]

Like you, no one need to suffer from any pain which is caused by some non psychological reasons. Even long term pain can cause some psychological trauma. Cardiologist may easily do certain tests to determine if there is any pulmonary lesion causing pain. After all the pair of lungs almost seem to protect the heart because of its close proximity. Wish you better things to come.

[5-9-6-a in reply to nilmonisikdar40]

Many thanks 😊

[Hidden]

Talk to your GP about your situation. He/she should be able to better interpret the outcome of any tests and reports that have been carried out and written up and then explain them to you if you are unclear about the outcome. If he/she is convinced that further investigations are required he/she will be able to request them and/or make a referral.

[5-9-6-a in reply to Hidden]

Thanks I think I need to speak with my regular GP, get him to explain things a little better

I’m afraid I don’t really understand what all this means

[Hidden in reply to 5-9-6-a]

That will be a wise move. And before you go perhaps prepare a list of questions to ask your GP.

[5-9-6-a in reply to Hidden]

May be a long one!!!!But definitely something I need to do, this is all very new and I’m not very good at expressing how I feel or how to describe how I feel

Steep learning curve

Thanks

[Newcastle53]

Hi i would certainly speak to the gp to gain some clarification. I would want an explanation if you have had a CT scan that has shown up severe calcification of your arteries how can the cardiologist be so adamant that your chest pain is not cardiac in nature. If the gp cannot give an appropriate answer i would ask for a second opinion from another cardiologist. If it is feasible to see a cardiologist privately, a couple of hundred pounds for that appt, i would ask for a copy of the CT scan written report to take with you and ask for this to be reviewed. Good luck getting the right answers.

[5-9-6-a in reply to Newcastle53]

I think maybe when I saw the cardiologist and I hadn’t had the results of the scan, he didn’t think what I described was heart related My pain is very central and can be slightly to the right side, but not exclusively!!!!

I don’t fit with the classic symptoms.

But we are all different that’s what makes us, us

Thanks for your input

I’m finding all this really helpful 😊

[Sljp0000]

Hi

I think you DEFINITELY need some clarification of what's going on. My story might help . Of course we are all different and you might be nothing like me but I think it's important, for your own peace of mind, to get some clarity.

Im a 56 year old female, reasonably fit and I've been getting very mild chest and throat pain for 12 years on exertion. I have been told after Treadmill test, 2 perfusion scans, ecgs etc there's nothing wrong. I pushed and pushed. Eventually I had a CT Angiogram which showed severe calcification. Because of that I had an Catheter Angiogram 2 weeks ago which showed 3 severely narrowed arteries. I am now waiting for triple bypass surgery.

My question to your GP/cardiologist would be: You've seen severe calcification, what does this mean? What percentage is it (my Agatston score was 968) (by the way, calcification is not a particularly good indicator of plaque). Can I have some more investigations because I'm not happy?

I hope this helps. And I really hope I've not scared you but it's your body and I think sometimes we have to call the shots. Push for your own wellbeing.

Love Susie xx

[5-9-6-a in reply to Sljp0000]

Many thanks for the info I’m writing a list of questions to take to my GP

I’m not happy.

Never thought it would be so difficult to get a straight answer and feel like you’re a nuisance for asking questions

If I get nowhere fairly soon I’ll pay to see someone privately

Can’t afford much but can stretch to see a cardiologist

I need peace of mind and I have no idea what an agatston score is!!!!

After reading the replies from everyone I definitely feel left out of the loop and information has not been forthcoming

And yes I need to have further investigation whatever the outcome

[Sljp0000 in reply to 5-9-6-a]

I went to see a cardiologist privately because I was left wondering what a high calcification score meant. He put ky mind at rest saying I wasn't in an immediate danger but agree u needed an Angiogram. Let us know how you get on xx

[5-9-6-a in reply to Sljp0000]

Can I ask how did you get the score and do you need a referral from your GP to go private??

[Sljp0000 in reply to 5-9-6-a]

The score was on the copy letter I got from the Cardiologist to my gp. (Patient knows best) My GP didnt know what it meant so i googled it. I just rang the private arm of my local hospital and asked to see a Cardiologist. I saw him within 2 days for 30 mins and it cost £210. I think most NHS hospitals deal with provate patients too. Do you have any Bupa or Nuffiled hospitals locally if that's not an option? X

[5-9-6-a in reply to Sljp0000]

I’ve not actually seen the report I use the NHS app linked with my GP and patients know best, funnily I can’t find any of the reports, the CT scan results were on there but seem to have disappeared!!!!

Made an appointment with GP, will discuss with them and see where I get to

Couple of private hospitals around here but I didn’t know you can request to see someone privately at an NHS hospital

Hey you learn something new everyday

Thanks x

[Sljp0000 in reply to 5-9-6-a]

Good luck, let me know how you get on. I've just had a letter saying my URGENT bypass first cardiologist appointment is in January! #can'twaitthatlong 🙄 xx

[5-9-6-a in reply to Sljp0000]

OMG 😱 I’ll keep you updated

Take care x

[Qualipop]

Demand a second opinion from a different cardiologist at a different hospital. Your GP cannot refuse.

[5-9-6-a in reply to Qualipop]

Wasn’t aware you could do that Thanks

[Qualipop]

I'm in the process of getting a second opinion from a spinal surgeon because the report from the first one was a pack of lies. It was suggested by my GP- I didn't have to even ask.

[KingChanterel]

Similar to you my cardiologist did not and still does not think that the chest pain I was getting is cardiac related, although the CT scan showed calcification; however, he could not have got me in quick enough to have the angiogram as he stated the CT scan only shows that there is calcification but it is not good enough to show how bad.

I am so glad he got me in for the angiogram (as he is too), as I had two stents fitted due to two smaller arteries being nearly blocked, there was talk of bypasses due to calcification I have in the LAD but a multi-disciplinary decided it was not needed at this point . I did go private as I have medical cover through work.

As others have said, I would push for a second referral, I have been told by two different cardiologist's that the angiogram is really the only way they can tell how good/bad things really are.

[5-9-6-a in reply to KingChanterel]

HiThanks for that

Can I ask you why he thought your chest pain wasn’t cardiac??

Can you describe how the pain felt

[KingChanterel in reply to 5-9-6-a]

The pain I got was more like heart burn, but would come on more often when sitting and last on and off for a reasonable time. There were no signs when I was exerting myself. Also it did not spread and was not the 'typical' gripping/crushing pain you typically associate with the heart.

I did get it after the stents, and raised with the cardiac nurses when doing rehab, but they also dismissed it, saying it would have shown when you were exercising and you were pushing hard!

They think it was possibly gastric related and funnily enough when I came off pantoprazole it lessened greatly.

[5-9-6-a in reply to KingChanterel]

Thanks for the info Mine often feels like heartburn also but I get quite sharp stabbing pain as well and not always after exertion

After hassling my GP, the cardiologist has agreed to see me again

And after reading all the posts and especially yours I will make sure this time he takes appropriate action

[talipia]

Hi I get an intermittent pain just off centre in the chest and put it down to gastric irritation caused by daily low dose aspirin. Reason I say this is that on occasion when I have to take a heavyweight painkiller for back spasms the discomfort is harsher but in the same place.