Very high calcium score. Looks like my PED use days are over...

[gungalunga]

Had a echo 2D test with contrast today. Looks kike my left ventricle isn't too happy with me:
FINDINGS:LEFT VENTRICLE:The left ventricle is severely dilated.Left ventricular systolic function is moderately to severely decreased. EF = 23% (2D biplane)Left ventricular diastolic function is indeterminate. Mitral annular lateral e': 4.5 cm/s. Mitral annular lateral E/e': 11.9. Mitral annular septal e': 4.4 cm/s. Mitral annular septal E/e': 12.0. The average Mitral E/e' ratio is 11.9.LV Wall Motion:There is global hypokinesis. There is severe global hypokinesis with regional variations.RIGHT VENTRICLE:The right ventricle is mildly dilated. Right ventricular systolic function is moderately decreased.The estimated right ventricular systolic pressure is 18 mmHg. The right atrial pressure is 3 mmHg. Finding is consistent with normal pulmonary artery pressures.LEFT ATRIUM:The left atrial size is mildly enlarged. The LA volume is 77.6 ml, 40.5 ml/m² when indexed. There is a color flow jet seen at the level of the atrial septum, cannot completely exclude possible PFO/ ASD. Consider bubble study if clinically indicated.RIGHT ATRIUM:The right atrial cavity is mildly dilated.MITRAL VALVE:There is mild posterior mitral annular calcification. There is no mitral stenosis. There is trivial to mild mitral valve regurgitation.TRICUSPID VALVE:The tricuspid valve appears structurally normal but not well visualized. There is no tricuspid stenosis. There is mild tricuspid valve regurgitation.AORTIC VALVE:The aortic valve is tricuspid. There is mild calcification of the non coronary aortic cusp. There is no aortic valve stenosis. There is mild to moderate aortic valve regurgitation.PULMONIC VALVEThe pulmonic valve cusps are structurally normal. There is no pulmonic stenosis. There is mild pulmonic valve regurgitation.AORTA:The visualized aorta is dilated.Measurements - Sinus 3.9 cm. Sinotubular junction 3.3 cm. Proximal ascending aorta 3.4 cm.PERICARDIUM:There is no pericardial effusion.CONCLUSIONS:--Study quality: The images were of adequate diagnostic quality.-Two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography was performed using standard views & projections with M-mode and Doppler (continuous, pulsed wave, spectral & color flow).1. The left ventricle is severely dilated. Left ventricular systolic function is moderately to severely decreased. There is severe global hypokinesis with regional variations. EF = 23% (2D biplane) Left ventricular diastolic function is indeterminate.2. The right ventricle is mildly dilated. Right ventricular systolic function is moderately decreased. The estimated right ventricular systolic pressure is 18 mmHg. The right atrial pressure is 3 mmHg. Finding is consistent with normal pulmonary artery pressures.3. The left atrial size is mildly enlarged. There is a color flow jet seen at the level of the atrial septum, cannot completely exclude possible PFO/ ASD. Consider bubble study if clinically indicated.4. There is mild tricuspid valve regurgitation.5. There is mild to moderate aortic valve regurgitation.6. Sinus of Valsalva 3.9 cm. Sinotubular junction 3.3 cm. Proximal ascending aorta 3.4 cm. The visualized aorta is dilated.

 

[gungalunga]

I have another scan with contrast on March 24. This will tell me how much plaque there is, and if there are any blockages. Even with this recent news, I am In a pretty good mood. Whatever it takes to get through this....I'll get through it.

 

[Swifto]

Had a echo 2D test with contrast today. Looks kike my left ventricle isn't too happy with me:
FINDINGS:LEFT VENTRICLE:The left ventricle is severely dilated.Left ventricular systolic function is moderately to severely decreased. EF = 23% (2D biplane)Left ventricular diastolic function is indeterminate. Mitral annular lateral e': 4.5 cm/s. Mitral annular lateral E/e': 11.9. Mitral annular septal e': 4.4 cm/s. Mitral annular septal E/e': 12.0. The average Mitral E/e' ratio is 11.9.LV Wall Motion:There is global hypokinesis. There is severe global hypokinesis with regional variations.RIGHT VENTRICLE:The right ventricle is mildly dilated. Right ventricular systolic function is moderately decreased.The estimated right ventricular systolic pressure is 18 mmHg. The right atrial pressure is 3 mmHg. Finding is consistent with normal pulmonary artery pressures.LEFT ATRIUM:The left atrial size is mildly enlarged. The LA volume is 77.6 ml, 40.5 ml/m² when indexed. There is a color flow jet seen at the level of the atrial septum, cannot completely exclude possible PFO/ ASD. Consider bubble study if clinically indicated.RIGHT ATRIUM:The right atrial cavity is mildly dilated.MITRAL VALVE:There is mild posterior mitral annular calcification. There is no mitral stenosis. There is trivial to mild mitral valve regurgitation.TRICUSPID VALVE:The tricuspid valve appears structurally normal but not well visualized. There is no tricuspid stenosis. There is mild tricuspid valve regurgitation.AORTIC VALVE:The aortic valve is tricuspid. There is mild calcification of the non coronary aortic cusp. There is no aortic valve stenosis. There is mild to moderate aortic valve regurgitation.PULMONIC VALVEThe pulmonic valve cusps are structurally normal. There is no pulmonic stenosis. There is mild pulmonic valve regurgitation.AORTA:The visualized aorta is dilated.Measurements - Sinus 3.9 cm. Sinotubular junction 3.3 cm. Proximal ascending aorta 3.4 cm.PERICARDIUM:There is no pericardial effusion.CONCLUSIONS:--Study quality: The images were of adequate diagnostic quality.-Two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography was performed using standard views & projections with M-mode and Doppler (continuous, pulsed wave, spectral & color flow).1. The left ventricle is severely dilated. Left ventricular systolic function is moderately to severely decreased. There is severe global hypokinesis with regional variations. EF = 23% (2D biplane) Left ventricular diastolic function is indeterminate.2. The right ventricle is mildly dilated. Right ventricular systolic function is moderately decreased. The estimated right ventricular systolic pressure is 18 mmHg. The right atrial pressure is 3 mmHg. Finding is consistent with normal pulmonary artery pressures.3. The left atrial size is mildly enlarged. There is a color flow jet seen at the level of the atrial septum, cannot completely exclude possible PFO/ ASD. Consider bubble study if clinically indicated.4. There is mild tricuspid valve regurgitation.5. There is mild to moderate aortic valve regurgitation.6. Sinus of Valsalva 3.9 cm. Sinotubular junction 3.3 cm. Proximal ascending aorta 3.4 cm. The visualized aorta is dilated.

What is your current drug use (AAS/HGH)?

What has your cardiologist said about this latest test?

An EF of 23% is severe dysfunction.

Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf

 

[gungalunga]

My use is 100mg of test per week and thats it. If I went on nothing I would be extremely lethargic and tired. I informed her of this at my last visit, but we didn't know I had an EF of 23%. I just missed her call today but spoke to her assistant and she will be calling tomorrow. Wants to start me on Entresto along with already being on atorvastatin, metropolol, and Xarelto.

 

[Alzadosghost]

I Just got a calcium score of zero. The cardiologist told me anything but a zero score is not good. At least to him it isn’t. Also had a 190 total cholesterol. He didn’t seem concerned at all about it. He referred to bloodwork from me at 22 long before steroids and the number is literally identical. Even blood pressure was 114/71. No aas at all for over 6 months no yet. Test level came back 590. 20 years of abuse and I don’t need trt. Yet. I knew I felt just as good or better without the trt.

 

[buck]

I Just got a calcium score of zero. The cardiologist told me anything but a zero score is not good. At least to him it isn’t.

Yes a score of over 0 is considered be on the way to heart disease. That is the medical societies perspective. If you are not perfect you have heart disease it seems. I think the average score for a guy in their 40's is around 50. Which would point to most every person by middle age and even before has heart disease. Seems you are a lucky one or it is that immaculate way you have lived your life! I am far from lucky.

Coronary Artery Calcium and the Age-Specific Competing Risk of Cardiovascular Versus Cancer Mortality: The Coronary Artery Calcium Consortium - PMC

Coronary artery calcium (CAC) is a guideline recommended cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk stratification tool that increases with age and is associated with non-cardiovascular disease outcomes including cancer. We sought to define the age-specific ...

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

 

[j2048b]

Yes a score of over 0 is considered be on the way to heart disease. That is the medical societies perspective. If you are not perfect you have heart disease it seems. I think the average score for a guy in their 40's is around 50. Which would point to most every person by middle age and even before has heart disease. Seems you are a lucky one or it is that immaculate way you have lived your life! I am far from lucky.

Coronary Artery Calcium and the Age-Specific Competing Risk of Cardiovascular Versus Cancer Mortality: The Coronary Artery Calcium Consortium - PMC

Coronary artery calcium (CAC) is a guideline recommended cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk stratification tool that increases with age and is associated with non-cardiovascular disease outcomes including cancer. We sought to define the age-specific ...

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

So how would this one look in terms of calcium score? Be worried?

 

[Swifto]

So how would this one look in terms of calcium score? Be worried?

Is that via CT scan or angiogram?

That would concern me a little, but such a low score can be reversed.

I would make sure LDL and ApoB are kept in range (at the low end preferably) and adjust my drug use accordingly.

Some here have reversed CAC scores in the hundreds. I believe ChaseIrons was 100-150 and reversed to 0 with some statin use and Koncentrated K supplement and cardio.

 

[buck]

So how would this one look in terms of calcium score? Be worried?

From a quick look i would not worry. The rate that it accumulates as time goes by would be more of what i would try to avoid. But we all have our own comfort zones.

I have seen some reports of calcium scores being lowered through supplementation. But no good studies to report it that i have seen. Seems very subjective and one offs for the most part. I have had my numbers change over 100 points in just a couple months. But i assume that is just fluctuation in the testing from place to place. I am implementing some of the protocols that have been recommended from nattokinase, K2(MK-7) but studies are mixed at best showing any benefit. I will get my scores redone in the future to see where i am at. But my pulse pressure has not gone down so i am guessing the stiffness remains so the calcium is likley still there..

 

[j2048b]

Is that via CT scan or angiogram?

That would concern me a little, but such a low score can be reversed.

I would make sure LDL and ApoB are kept in range (at the low end preferably) and adjust my drug use accordingly.

Some here have reversed CAC scores in the hundreds. I believe ChaseIrons was 100-150 and reversed to 0 with some statin use and Koncentrated K supplement and cardio.

It was a ct scan for cac score, and my ldl has been a steady 177 for the past 20 yrs… cant take a statin, got repatha but scared to death to use it tbh…

May try zetia and the acid one they combine with to lower it…

 

[NEMSZ]

It was a ct scan for cac score, and my ldl has been a steady 177 for the past 20 yrs… cant take a statin, got repatha but scared to death to use it tbh…

May try zetia and the acid one they combine with to lower it…

How old are you?

Curious why you’d be scared to use Repatha?

I just recently got scripted Praluent, which is basically the same thing, just currently fighting my insurance to approve it..

For what it’s worth, I’m 35, had a wild lifestyle in my 20’s so I’m 100% confident my situation stems from those days (lots of partying and what comes along with it).

Been clean going on 8 years now.

I did a Calcium score and came back at 17, went to a sports cardiologist and told him everything, he’s a fairly younger guy in his early 40’s so very up to date on what’s new in the field.

We did a CT Angiogram just to make sure, showed calcium score of 25 this time, showed possibility of tiny amount of soft plaque (wasn’t 100% definitive) next to the calcified plaque but looks like it could just be shading from the imaging, looked at the other images in 360° around that artery and showed perfectly open artery with perfect flow.. All other arteries were clean and clear with perfect flow..

He said he saw no risk, especially with how healthy I am now with my lifestyle (very active, BJJ, cardio and eat healthy, no alcohol for years, no drugs, nothing c just TRT and a little GH), that everything looked stable, that of course, for 35 having any plaque at all isn’t “good” but with where I’m at and my lifestyle change, and my blood work (Lp(a) is 12 and ApoB of 60 with no meds, just supps, diet and cardio/exercise) he saw no reason to worry, that it could even be reversible.

He told me about Repatha/Praluent to help crush ApoB as low as possible, as by doing that it’s damn near impossible to build plaque and progress any CVD and even reverse it.

I did talk to him about Test/GH use, but that’s a whole other conversation. But to keep it short, he said, even in moderate dosages (we talked about upwards of 600mg and 6iu) with athletes, you don’t see any cardiac issues with just those 2 PEDs, so long as things are being mitigated and monitored, it’s when athletes start to push the limits (other types of AAS, high dosages, Bodyweight, Bad Food and their combination etc) that you start to run into problems..

 

[j2048b]

How old are you?

Curious why you’d be scared to use Repatha?

I just recently got scripted Praluent, which is basically the same thing, just currently fighting my insurance to approve it..

For what it’s worth, I’m 35, had a wild lifestyle in my 20’s so I’m 100% confident my situation stems from those days (lots of partying and what comes along with it).

Been clean going on 8 years now.

I did a Calcium score and came back at 17, went to a sports cardiologist and told him everything, he’s a fairly younger guy in his early 40’s so very up to date on what’s new in the field.

We did a CT Angiogram just to make sure, showed calcium score of 25 this time, showed possibility of tiny amount of soft plaque (wasn’t 100% definitive) next to the calcified plaque but looks like it could just be shading from the imaging, looked at the other images in 360° around that artery and showed perfectly open artery with perfect flow.. All other arteries were clean and clear with perfect flow..

He said he saw no risk, especially with how healthy I am now with my lifestyle (very active, BJJ, cardio and eat healthy, no alcohol for years, no drugs, nothing c just TRT and a little GH), that everything looked stable, that of course, for 35 having any plaque at all isn’t “good” but with where I’m at and my lifestyle change, and my blood work (Lp(a) is 12 and ApoB of 60 with no meds, just supps, diet and cardio/exercise) he saw no reason to worry, that it could even be reversible.

He told me about Repatha/Praluent to help crush ApoB as low as possible, as by doing that it’s damn near impossible to build plaque and progress any CVD and even reverse it.

I did talk to him about Test/GH use, but that’s a whole other conversation. But to keep it short, he said, even in moderate dosages (we talked about upwards of 600mg and 6iu) with athletes, you don’t see any cardiac issues with just those 2 PEDs, so long as things are being mitigated and monitored, it’s when athletes start to push the limits (other types of AAS, high dosages, Bodyweight, Bad Food and their combination etc) that you start to run into problems..

Im close to 50… only ever did trt… need to see about a soft plaque view of my insides…familai cholestoralimia (spelling is off i know )

Repatha and others side effects have me very hesitant and i cannot take a statin, so zetia, maybe the next best item for me to try

 

[Reno911]

Im close to 50… only ever did trt… need to see about a soft plaque view of my insides…familai cholestoralimia (spelling is off i know )

Repatha and others side effects have me very hesitant and i cannot take a statin, so zetia, maybe the next best item for me to try

What side effects of Repatha are you worried about?

The most common side effects of Repatha® include: runny nose, sore throat, symptoms of the common cold, flu or flu-like symptoms, back pain, high blood sugar levels (diabetes) and redness, pain, or bruising at the injection site.

If your'e concerned about diabetes:

According to clinical trials, about 1% of patients taking Repatha experienced an increase in blood sugar levels that led to diabetes. This risk is higher in patients who already have a history of diabetes or prediabetes.

 

[bbxtreme]

What side effects of Repatha are you worried about?

The most common side effects of Repatha® include: runny nose, sore throat, symptoms of the common cold, flu or flu-like symptoms, back pain, high blood sugar levels (diabetes) and redness, pain, or bruising at the injection site.

If your'e concerned about diabetes:

According to clinical trials, about 1% of patients taking Repatha experienced an increase in blood sugar levels that led to diabetes. This risk is higher in patients who already have a history of diabetes or prediabetes.

I have not met one person who has had side effects from Repatha. It’s just extremely hard to get approved by insurance.

 

[NEMSZ]

Im close to 50… only ever did trt… need to see about a soft plaque view of my insides…familai cholestoralimia (spelling is off i know )

Repatha and others side effects have me very hesitant and i cannot take a statin, so zetia, maybe the next best item for me to try

As @Reno911 already pointed out, the side effects are ridiculously mild, and it’s usually only at the beginning as you adapt to the medication if you even experience any side effects at all..

I’m not one to be big on medications when diet, exercise, lifestyle and supplements can mitigate or prevent something. I don’t advocate for throwing a medication at every little thing wrong with you or to counteract something else you might be doing etc..

But the benefits of these PCSK9 Inhibitors are pretty damn amazing.. The insane benefit to any mild/temporary side effect ratio is a no brainer..

Considering that CVD is the #1 killer of humans, it really doesn’t get much better than this right now..

 

[TODouble2]

My use is 100mg of test per week and thats it. If I went on nothing I would be extremely lethargic and tired. I informed her of this at my last visit, but we didn't know I had an EF of 23%. I just missed her call today but spoke to her assistant and she will be calling tomorrow. Wants to start me on Entresto along with already being on atorvastatin, metropolol, and Xarelto.

Your echo is very similar to where mine was.. in 3 months time I was back to pretty much normal size and function. Started with severely dilated left ventricle and EF 20-25. Now it’s baseline normal size and EF 50-55.
Only difference is I didn’t have plaque buildup.

Hopefully you can bounce back as well. My
meds are Entresto, carvedilol, amlodipine, pravastatin, and ezetimibe.

Also, I too stayed on 100mg test per week and it wasn’t an issue in my recovery. Good luck brother

 

[Bio]

I Just got a calcium score of zero. The cardiologist told me anything but a zero score is not good. At least to him it isn’t. Also had a 190 total cholesterol. He didn’t seem concerned at all about it. He referred to bloodwork from me at 22 long before steroids and the number is literally identical. Even blood pressure was 114/71. No aas at all for over 6 months no yet. Test level came back 590. 20 years of abuse and I don’t need trt. Yet. I knew I felt just as good or better without the trt.

Just remember that is for calcified plaque, not soft plaque. Someone could have a score of 0 for calcified plaque and drop dead the next day due to soft plaque being an issue! This would be the next step https://cleerlyhealth.com/

 

[BamaCrazy]

I went in January to get my CAC score. Insurance doesn’t cover it but it was only around $130. I’m over 50 and heart disease is prevalent in the men in my family. My score was zero which was a little shocking considering my age and dietary mistakes I have made over the years. I am on 20mg of Rosuvastatin and 10mg Zetia and my total cholesterol is around 80 which is on the low side according to LabCorp but I cannot find any data that suggests there are risks of having too low cholesterol. I feel like I am in a good place health wise.

 

[buck]

I went in January to get my CAC score. Insurance doesn’t cover it but it was only around $130. I’m over 50 and heart disease is prevalent in the men in my family. My score was zero which was a little shocking considering my age and dietary mistakes I have made over the years. I am on 20mg of Rosuvastatin and 10mg Zetia and my total cholesterol is around 80 which is on the low side according to LabCorp but I cannot find any data that suggests there are risks of having too low cholesterol. I feel like I am in a good place health wise.

There are many studies showing those with low cholesterol have shorter life spans then those over 200(which is recommended). This study with 12.8 million people show levels of 215-220 live the longest on the average. Most studies in the US just look at the heart and lower heart attack risks. But cholesterol is used in many functions in the body.

Total cholesterol and all-cause mortality by sex and age: a prospective cohort study among 12.8 million adults - PubMed

It is unclear whether associations between total cholesterol (TC) levels and all-cause mortality and the optimal TC ranges for lowest mortality vary by sex and age. 12,815,006 Korean adults underwent routine health examinations during 2001-2004, and were followed until 2013. During follow-up...

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

 

[j2048b]

I have not met one person who has had side effects from Repatha. It’s just extremely hard to get approved by insurance.

I got it approved… i went thru a telehealth and the pharmacy reached out thru my insurance and told them i couldnt take statins and had high cholesterol for the past 20 yrs…