Lifeline Scan

[Seahorse]

I have booked myself a Lifeline Scan in August which amongst other things will check the state of my arteries. Has anyone else had one of these? I am now terrified in case they find I'm furred up like an old kettle!!

[Aliwally]

Hi Seahorse,

You may have heard this story, but when I went to my second NHS lipid clinic because they could offer genetic testing for FH they also did IMT scanning of the carotid arteries as routine. I would call this the "gold standard" !

They told me that people with FH are typically in the highest percentile of the population so don't be alarmed if they tell you this.

The only slight concern I would have is how accurate these Lifeline scan people are and how well trained their staff are..but I don't speak from experience.

A carotid artery scan is totally non invasive..like an ultrasound. The other alternative would be to go to a private hospital, consultant told me about £400.

Again, I don't know why lipid clinics vary so much in what they offer.

Good luck, let us know how you get on.

[2squirrels]

I haven't heard of this but will be very interested to here how you find it. If you find you are furred up at least your doctor will have chance to do do something for you but it will mean more medication.

[silken]

hi

yes i have had a scan with lifescan and i was lucky to be told i have a calcium score of zero. The higher your score the more likely you are to need some intervention ie statins, angiagram stents, bypass. The scan is is very accurate.

The problem with the nhs is there are not enough scan machines or trained staff to read the results, so, you are only offered the stress ( treadmill ) test . My partner had several stress tests and nothing was found, so paid for the scan, had a very high score, needed a quadruple by pass!! Fortunately is now doing ok.

[Aliwally]

And there are different types of " atrery scans" aren't there. you can get the calcium deposit one which tells you how much calcium in the arteries. I don't know much about that one.

I had the IMT scan (intima media thickness) which measures the thickness of the arteries and shows any narrowing due to plaque. This is meant to be a good indication of the state of the coronary arteries, particularly in women, I was told by consultant.

The problem with scans on the NHS as I see it, is there has to be a extremely good medical reason for doing one, as (and I hate this phrase) "resources are limited".

[tastevens]

If you have a problem or think you have go to your GP. DO NOT PAY a private firm to do the same job and probably frighten you, they don't have a back up service unless you pay? It your money and your life take control of yourself, do not let these people control you,. cancel this and go to your GP

[tastevens]

well said chris, i had a heart transplant and without the NHS wouldn't be here today, they are marvelous

[Aliwally]

I think that's true to a certain extent, however I think I'm right in saying that some lipid clinics do not offer these sort of scans routinely for patients who are not presenting any symptoms.

I was lucky enough to get one on the NHS only when I asked for a second opinion. Actually my result, in retrospect, told me I had no narrowing which was really re-assuring although I was very nervous about it all.

[Seahorse]

I asked my consultant if I could have these scans on the NHS but he said no as there is no funding for it and especially as I am not showing any symptoms.