CT angiogram

[Starwish]

I am meant to be having a CT scan with a dye to check calcium.But... I am really really scared of the radiation levels. I have enough health problems without raising anymore.

I was ok with having it but I have had to have a full abdomen scan today and a mammogram next week then the heart scan.

The heart scan is exploritary I do not have serious symptoms.

Apparently it is 4 yrs equivalent of background radiation. It's the combination of all 3 scans I am worried about.

I know this is very small compared to some of you lovely people, it's really affecting my mental health the worry. I am not coping

[Chappychap]

Those are two different things.

The "CT angiogram" in your headline is not the same thing as the "calcium check CT" in your post. They each have very different radiation levels, I can't remember the exact figures but the angiogram CT is much higher, that's the one that's about three years worth of background radiation.

I've been thinking about a private CT to monitor the condition of my arteries following bypass surgery a few years ago. So I'm wrestling with exactly the same issue that you're concerned about.

However, in my case the information that the CT scan would deliver is unlikely to change my medical outcome. I've pretty much optimised both my medication and life style changes, so there's little else the doctors or I could do, no matter what the CT results. In other words it's more about my curiosity than any clinical need. That's why I've (so far!) resisted the urge to have a CT scan, strip out the emotion and the equation says it's a small risk but, for m,e it would provide an even smaller benefit.

Your case however is different. Your CT scan will provide your doctors with a huge amount of fresh information, information that might materially improve their treatment plans.

Doctors today are super cautious about exposing patients to excessive radiation. If they recommend this scan then it's because they really need the results. In any case, check what kind of scan it is, because you might be worrying yourself unnecessarily.

Good luck!

[Etzel]

The way I like to look at it is they don't spend hundreds if not thousands scanning you for fun, and as I like to repeat once you are done you are in a better place than people with no issues as they know exactly what is wrong with you and how to treat it. Joe public could be a ticking time bomb of issues.

I'm booked for a PET-CT scan in 10 days, i'll take 4 years radiation every time to get a detailed 3D of my heart for the surgeons.

According to webmd a calcium/cardiac scan is 3 mSv which is only 1 years background radiation, so you have just dropped 75% in one post 😀

[Hidden]

Your medical team would have thought that it was necessary to give you a heart scan or you wouldn't be having one. That's pretty much certain. The minute risk of any radiation damage is far far outweighed by the risk you may have from heart issues that are currently undetected. If you don't go ahead these heart related risks will continue. Look to the positive in that you are being given the opportunity to find out something about yourself that may perhaps need attention and that is a good thing. And as far as background radiation is concerned it really is nothing compared to other risks that life throws at us.

[Starwish]

Follow up, my abdominal scan led on to numerous other scans and a stay in hospital all ok now.I had to cancel the CT angiogram as I was still in hospital...

I got a new appointment but it caused me so much anxiety the thought of having another scan on top of the others I had in hospital I cancelled.

I know it's pathetic but I am scared if more radiation. The CT angiogram is because I have eptopic beats and high lipo a