Do I need A Stess Echo?

[Truck24hr]

I've got a stress test scheduled for next week. Not really sure I need it, but the cardiologist says so. They're saying I have a moderately high calcification score. 305 IIRC

I'm not sure what all one of these shows, and I'm questioning the need. It's not super expensive, but still, I have no insurance and pay everything OOP.

I'm fairly fit, not way overweight, and get lots of cardio. Is there something it might discern that I couldn't or wouldn't have noticed in my training?

 

[n816kc]

An Echocardiogram can help detect both valve and/or blood flow issues in the heart (high CAC may be indicative of calcium buildup within your arteries leading to obstruction, possibly). Much cheaper than the nuclear exercise stress test and angiogram they ran me through for a slightly higher CAC score. Its a good way to obtain more information about your cardiac health status so you can identify any serious issue for treatment, make any needed changes in diet/activity or just relax and go on about your business.

I've spent 4 years reading/researching about CAC, atherosclerosis, diet etc - its a deep hole with lots of information - good and bad. Best of luck with your echo.

 

[abilliott]

What was done to determine your calcium score? A CT Angiogram?

 

[yogru]

It's something I'd do for the piece of mind.
For reference, at the age of 37, and after being in a hiking club for years and being in good shape, I had one done after a regular echo showed nothing but I kept having issues being out of breath and a bit woozy after short inclines. It showed I had lost one artery and had 90% blockages on two others. Soon after I was sporting 3 new stents, but it could have been very bad.
Everyone's situation is different, but it's not something I'd ever skip knowing what I know now. After my surgeries, my father went to his doctor and basically forced them to test him. He also ended up needed 3 stents.

 

[Truck24hr]

What was done to determine your calcium score? A CT Angiogram?

I believe so. It was a CT scan.

 

[abilliott]

From my understanding those show more about actual blockages and with greater accuracy than the stress tests. However, I think the stress test gives them a better idea about how your heart ramps up and down as it deals with exercise and if it does so appropriately.