So had my CCTA and results back

[Dshadzz07]

obviously I was so hesitant to get this test and most doctors deemed it pointless for my age at 22 and obviously my continuous worries regarding my heart.

You guys have been a great community in helping me with things too and always so nice, so got my hit of radiation ofc.

The main conclusion the doctor showed in the report. “No evidence of coronary artery disease”, so I assume that means no plaque.

It said LCA and LXA had no plaque but had little mention of the RCA for some reason which I asked about but got told not to worry because of the definitive conclusion. I guess I shouldn’t be fixated on that it didn’t say much about RCA, my brain is going oh what if they didn’t look at it. But then obviously they couldn’t say that conclusion.

[Fanfab1]

hello

That’s a great outcome but from reading your bio I can see you might still find it a challenge to move on from this and accept the diagnosis.

That’s ok.

Take it a day at a time and hopefully you will learn to accept the outcome and it will reduce your concerns in this particular health area in due course.

I hope you can find some way of rationalising/accepting the outcome you have been given.

Good luck and glad you’ve had good news.

👍

[Happyrosie]

I think fanfab1 has said it all, Dshadzz07. You can let go your worries about your heart. I had a look back at your bio when you said you were overweight, so that’s something within your control which you can do something about if you want.

[Yumz199725]

This is a great result, hope this can help put your mind at rest ❤️.

[Coffeelover2]

Most heart attacks (but not all) are caused by plaque - you are right that CAD is basically plaque in your arteries. What other tests have they done? If they have done an MRI, echo and an ECG, you’ve pretty much had them all as they wouldn’t go invasive unless they had to.

I can understand health anxiety and it is always worth checking in with doctors but your CT scan shows no plaque. You would only have this at 22 if you were genetically predisposed to cholesterol.

[MarmiteB]

Hi!

I see imaging and cardiac imaging all the time in my work. I can say categorically that when you look at a CCTA that it is REALLY OBVIOUS if there is plaque/calcium in an artery. It shines in the image like a little white lightbulb and there is absolutely no missing it, even to an untrained eye. The fact that they didn’t specifically mention your RCA is not an indication of it being missed, there was just no reason to mention it as it is healthy. Also, you would have had a cardiac radiologist look at the results…this is a type of specialised doctor (not nurse or radiographer) who analyses and reports on images like yours for a living. They are experts and excellent at what they do, as they do it day in and day out. They would then right a report and send it to your GP, who goes through it to you.

Take it from me, someone whose arteries needed immediate attention and spends her days in cath labs, they will absolutely JUMP to action if they see a result that they are not happy with. I promise.

I hope this helps xx

[Dshadzz07 in reply to MarmiteB]

Ah thank you for this, makes a lot of sense like there would be no need at the bottom to mention no evidence of it wasn’t true same with 0 CAD RADS. Obviously I read I have a small myocardial bridge it seems I don’t know if I should ask or worry about that.

Like I’m very thankful for no plaque or narrowing I was very afraid but I feel it’s time to work on bigger parts of my life.

[MarmiteB in reply to Dshadzz07]

A small myocardial bridge just means that one of your coronary arteries goes through your heart muscle slightly rather than sitting on top of your heart muscle. It’s harmless and the majority of people with them don’t even know about it as they rarely have symptoms.

We would only “worry” about/ treat a bridge if it was severely impacting you due to chest pains and angina. If this was the case you would not have a small bridge, it would be described as a severe bridge.

I hope this helps! X

[Dshadzz07 in reply to MarmiteB]

Ah ok so as mine is small it’s not really a worry like I’ve been here a while and do get chest pain symptoms like angina like but I’m guessing knowing it’s small and not severe it’s most likely a different cause. My cardiologist said that it’s benign and couldn’t be causing my symptoms anyways I’ll trust him.

Time for the lifestyle changes already lost a good amount of weight time for more and slowly building the exercise up.

[Fanfab1 in reply to Dshadzz07]

Hello

I’m that rare case (or that rare case where a cardiologist didn’t make an assumption it was benign but referred me for investigation as my arteries are not blocked) with a bridge that is causing angina, mine has been measured and would be considered deep per research and it’s on my LAD - a common place to find them.

All I’d like to say is many cardiologists assume a bridge is benign because that is what they have even taught and in the absence of any other issue with the heart still rarely investigate it.

Research is still very limited but bridges are described as being either superficial or deep more than “small” or “big”. Someone could have a superficial one but it could be long. Someone could have a short one but very deep.

It’s all about how the bridge of muscle impacts on the artery and how then the artery operates / affects blood flow hence angina. People get other symptoms like microvascular, vasospasms, arrhythmias which can coexist or be caused by the bridge. Recently learnt endothelial dysfunction too.

Without causing any negative impact on your health anxiety, if you continue to have symptoms and are given no other explanation for them then maybe keep an open mind about the bridge. Please don’t let people make assumptions.

How did your cardiologist determine it was benign? The only way to know for sure is to test (angiogram with dobutamine).

Good luck

👍

[Dshadzz07 in reply to Fanfab1]

Well the assumption from the cardiologist is that the bridge is benign because in most people it and that it’s only in the fatty layer not the muscular which can cause more issues and that it’s short.

Realistically the only fix would be medication such as a beta blocker, but the cardiologist won’t investigate further anyways as the risks involved in a angiogram on a 22 year old out weight any benefit. But I get the points that are made.

The reason it’s obviously considered benign is because the heart pumps harder when releasing meaning it’s not an issue for most not saying people don’t get pain in which I do but there isn’t anything else I can do like I’ve advocated for myself to the limit.

[Fanfab1 in reply to Dshadzz07]

Thanks for explaining 👍

[Dshadzz07 in reply to Fanfab1]

Sorry if I sounded rude or anything just wanted to kinda explain I guess what I think is the point of view right now, the good thing is I have no plaque or narrowing so I’ll stay positive about that like you said above.

Thank you

[Fanfab1 in reply to Dshadzz07]

No problem, staying positive is the best thing one can do when it comes to health. Good Luck.

[devonian186]

Looking at your cv it clear you need to do two things.

Combat your anxieties. You have been told numerous times that you are basically healthy. Perhaps yoga might help, or therapy?

However, what shines out is that you are very overweight and always say you intend to do something about it but don't appear to take much action.

In a previous post you said you need to lose 40kg. That is a huge amount. Losing that and taking some exercise will likely make you feel very much better.

Whether that amount of weight loss needs to be medically supervised is beyond my expertise but clearly you need to work out a plan of action that starts immediately, instead of putting it off.

At 22 you have your whole life ahead of you. Please don't waste it. This needs to start now. Good luck and please keep us all informed of your progress.

[Qualipop]

You have been told there are NO signs of heart disease. NONE..ZILCH. They would never say that if they weren't certain. I suggest instead of constantly thinking something's wrong when it obviously isn't, you ask your doctor to arrange CBT for you to help your anxiety

[Okash]

you are just 22!!

Your results are ok.

You need to do adjustments to your lifestyle which can take you out of your depression and can improve your overall condition.

Just be positive and stay strong.

Best

[Dshadzz07 in reply to Okash]

Yeah I know the results are fine they show nothing at all need to be better mentally

[A246]

Hi, I am female 58 , I am new heart failure patient. I was over weight still am. Lost two and bit stone already feeling like a new person buddy. You can do this mate. Glad your heart is healthy. You are still very young and have a long healthy life ahead of you. The sky is the limit my friend, so please I urge you to right advice and support to lose your wight. You will feel like a new person and be so much happier. I wish you well. Please try, it will also give you confidence, as it has given me. God bless you. Sorry if I go on I am just so passionate about getting healthy now and try to inspire others.

[Redheart1943]

What is a CCTA test please?