CT Scan Result

[Lawrence78]

Hello. I had my CT scan for possible angina a few months back and was told I didn't have angina. But looking back I just have a few questions. In my results it did mention that my aortic valve had minor calcification, is that an issue or maybe more of just a bit of natural build up so to speak? All the other areas had ''no coronary plaque identified'', so does that mean everywhere else is completely normal, clean as a whistle?

Another part said ''no significant aortic or mitral valve calcification''. Does that mean there is some build up but obviously not enough to worry about? Would that be normal? Normal build up?

Lastly, when it comes to angina, if you have it, does it go away with a healthy lifestyle? In other words, if you have angina, could it not show up in a CT scan if you ate well for a few months? Does it act like Blood pressure where you can effect the results?

[Chinkoflight]

Hi Lawrence78, I see from previous posts over the last few months this is an ongoing concern for you.It's clear that you have had a battery of tests and checks for heart and circulatory issues.

You refer back to some details from the reports asking for comment. I thinks you would need to provide a little more information about yourself for anyone to offer a shared experience that would be helpful. For example most of the observations have been determined as not an issue ie they might be normal for your age, they might be in a normal range of observation. Clearly the medics are happy to not offer any treatment options or to identify an observable problem.

The symptoms you describe that led to your concerns, some tightness in your chest, may be a symptom for many other conditions, and it's perhaps not helpful to only consider angina, not least when cardiology staff are not supporting that diagnosis.

My view is you should probably arrange to see your GP, ask them to explain your report, and hopefully respond to your concerns in a helpful way.

[Lawrence78 in reply to Chinkoflight]

I'm 45 years old, very slim, relatively fit. The chest tightness I was having pretty much stopped after my tests which led me to think much of it might have been psychological, but I do sometimes have some issues after exercising.

The results also said, image portions of lungs do not reveal any significant abnormality, same with aorta, and a slightly patulous oesophagus.

[Chinkoflight in reply to Lawrence78]

Hi again, I really do understand your concern and it's helpful providing the extra info. I'm loathe to send you off in another direction but as I said symptoms can point in different directions. After my stroke, very occasionally I had a slight pain right in the centre of my chest, lower sternum, which given my health checks etc following the stroke I took to be indigestion, of sorts but slightly unusual. My GP saw some blood results that slightly concerned him, regarding my liver, so he sent me off for a scan. I didn't think to mention my occasional discomfort. At the scan I was told, not a liver or kidney problem but you are full of gallstones the largest being 15mm, but also lots of small ones that can cause problems. GP referred me to general surgery as there was a risk of a small stone moving and causing a block. He was surprised as was the specialist that I wasn't in more pain and of course the pain I did have was not typical of a gall bladder problem.Because of the number and nature of the stones I was prioritised for surgery, in/out keyhole, day patient, and was seen within 4 weeks (amazing). On the slab, the keyhole showed severe inflammation of the gallbladder, sepsis imminent, and they abandoned the keyholes(4) and opened me up with complications, never explained what they were except to say it was helpful your fitness was good. Needless to say the operation was lengthy, and the surgeon wasn't happy because he lost his list! No doubt a few patients weren't happy either.

So as I said, symptoms can point in completely different directions, I think Drs are good at keeping an open mind, and keep looking even if they don't seem overly concerned. The blood tests could also point to a gall bladder problem but in the absence of normal symptoms he referred me for a liver scan.

I'm not saying you have a gall bladder problem, I am saying your chest pain symptoms might be something else. I wouldn't necessarily think you should accept a psychological self diagnosis. Log the pains carefully, perhaps record BP and HR if possible at the time you experience the pain. Use this info to help your GP. Keep 'pestering' your GP for an explanation?

[Lawrence78 in reply to Chinkoflight]

Thanks. Pestering the doc is a problem because I already think they're fed up with me and you feel like a nuisance. I was also surprised the hospital just discharged me straight away after my results and didn't offer any possible follow ups for other possible checks.

Honesty when I saw I had a slightly patulous oesophagus, and read about that, it seemed to offer a possible reason for many issues I've had over the yrs including throat clearing, wind etc...Unsure how much that could also factor into the chest issues.

[Chinkoflight in reply to Lawrence78]

I think a diary is the key. But also record when you feel great for balance!

[JaninS]

Hi. Just because there was nothing found on your CT scan doesnt mean you havent got Angina, it just means that they havent found the cause-as its not the main arteries leading to you heart. My results ( and a follow up angiogram) all said the same as yours, but I still experience chest pain whenever I do too much ie faster walking, even slow walking uphill ( not mountains, just inclines!). My treatment via G.P. is meds. Have a look at BHF info on micro vascular angina. That might ring a bell. But also, as Chinkoflight says, your chest pain could be from other causes too. Definitely I suggest persisting with G.P.

[Lawrence78 in reply to JaninS]

The chest tightness I was having pretty much stopped after my tests which led me to think much of it might have been psychological, but I do sometimes have some issues after exercising.

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

I have unobstructed coronary arteries, I can exercise, my small coronary blood vessels can dilate in response to extra demands like exercise.However my coronary arteries go into transient contrictions, coronary vasospasms causing vasospastic angina.

I experience my chest pain at rest especially during the night.

Microvascular and vasospastic angina are types of ischaemia/ angina non obstructive coronary arteries INOCA/ANOCA.

These types of angina are difficult to diagnose, under recognised, under researched, poorly understood and treated.

I had a specialised functional angiogram to diagnose my vasospastic angina.

The BHF website has this information about microvascular and vasospastic angina.

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

I take lots of medications and have to manage my triggers of angina which are the cold, emotional, mental and physical stress.

[Mopsey1897]

Might you have something like COPD? That can cause chest tightness or pain