Heart scan - testing for problems
Hi everyone
My family has a history of heart disease and breast cancer. I've already had the cancer, and now I'm thinking that it might be a good idea to have my heart checked out. I've not had the wls surgery yet, so I'm still carrying around about 90 more pounds than I should. I don't have symptons of heart disease except that I am out of breath more often than I would like. It could be from my obesity or from a heart that is having problems. I have found out about a way of scanning the heart and I was wondering if anyone else has heard of it or knows if it is valued by other doctors.
It's called the EBT heart scan and its web page says that it is the only proven method to detect early coronary disease at a time when treatment can be most successful. The cost is about $350.00, and I will pay for it - seems cheap to me if I find out that I have any issues with my heart. It's non-invasive, takes ten minutes and the results are interpreted by and given to the testee by a radiologist,
So... I'm wondering what my friends here on OFF know or think about this test.
Here's a link to the site if you would like to take a look at it.
http://www.ebtheartandbody.com/
Thanks. Margaret
My family has a history of heart disease and breast cancer. I've already had the cancer, and now I'm thinking that it might be a good idea to have my heart checked out. I've not had the wls surgery yet, so I'm still carrying around about 90 more pounds than I should. I don't have symptons of heart disease except that I am out of breath more often than I would like. It could be from my obesity or from a heart that is having problems. I have found out about a way of scanning the heart and I was wondering if anyone else has heard of it or knows if it is valued by other doctors.
It's called the EBT heart scan and its web page says that it is the only proven method to detect early coronary disease at a time when treatment can be most successful. The cost is about $350.00, and I will pay for it - seems cheap to me if I find out that I have any issues with my heart. It's non-invasive, takes ten minutes and the results are interpreted by and given to the testee by a radiologist,
So... I'm wondering what my friends here on OFF know or think about this test.
Here's a link to the site if you would like to take a look at it.
http://www.ebtheartandbody.com/
Thanks. Margaret
Bonsoir Mireille
I think that the test exists in Ontario, but I am trying to get more information about it. No doctor's referral is needed to go to the clinic in Southfield, Michigan, and the cost is around $350 US. I'm sorry to hear about your health problems. I read your posts when you went to New York for the surgery and after you returned home. Here's hoping for a better and healthier new year for you. Bonne année
Margaret
HI Margaret
It is worth the money for sure! I was doing my preoperative testing for WLS in February. On December 2, I had a stress echo test. This is when they put you on a treadmill and have you walk fast, then do an echocardiogram on your heart.
I too was out of breath now and then, but nothing terrible. Or so I thought.
What I found out that day was I had a 95% blockage in my left anterior descending coronary artery. I had procedure within hours to open the blockage and I am feeling great. This procedure, however, has caused me to have to postpone my WLS for up to one year.
This is not good news (the WLS being postponded) but without getting my heart fixed, I'd not be here to have it anyway!
Tell your doctor you're out of breath at times and see what he/she says. You may get to have this test and put your mind to rest. (I too have a family history of cardiac issues, but always believed it would skip over me. It didn't.) Good luck and let us know how you do!
Linda
It is worth the money for sure! I was doing my preoperative testing for WLS in February. On December 2, I had a stress echo test. This is when they put you on a treadmill and have you walk fast, then do an echocardiogram on your heart.
I too was out of breath now and then, but nothing terrible. Or so I thought.
What I found out that day was I had a 95% blockage in my left anterior descending coronary artery. I had procedure within hours to open the blockage and I am feeling great. This procedure, however, has caused me to have to postpone my WLS for up to one year.
This is not good news (the WLS being postponded) but without getting my heart fixed, I'd not be here to have it anyway!
Tell your doctor you're out of breath at times and see what he/she says. You may get to have this test and put your mind to rest. (I too have a family history of cardiac issues, but always believed it would skip over me. It didn't.) Good luck and let us know how you do!
Linda
Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel
that you, too, can become great." ..... MarkTwain
This looks like the same test that the cardiologists at my hospital do. It is kind of like a CT but picks up calcium deposits in the coronary arteries. I had one done which gave me peace of mind. I take care of patients after open heart surgery and occasionally we get a patient that was totally symptom free and had this scan done. When the scan showed problems they investigated further and they ended up with bypass surgery. Much better to have surgery before you have a heart attack. We actually do two different tests and I can't tell for sure which one this is. One we call a cardioscan and it gives you a calcium score of the calcium deposits. This is helpful but doesn't show blockages that aren't calcium. The other one is CT tomography and it shows more. I think this is the more sensative one but can't be for sure. I think it is a good investment either way.
By the way, here in the US most insurance companies don't pay for this screening test. I paid out of pocket.
By the way, here in the US most insurance companies don't pay for this screening test. I paid out of pocket.
Hi
Thanks for your information. I think that this is the test that checks for calcium deposits. It's good to know that it's being done elsewhere as that gives me some idea that it's legitimate. I didn't know that there are blockages other than calcium - something to think about and to discuss with the doctor. I would have this done in Detroit since I am a long way from a major city in Ontario, so I would have to pay out of pocket.
Thanks again. Your information was just what I was looking for.
Margaret
Thanks for your information. I think that this is the test that checks for calcium deposits. It's good to know that it's being done elsewhere as that gives me some idea that it's legitimate. I didn't know that there are blockages other than calcium - something to think about and to discuss with the doctor. I would have this done in Detroit since I am a long way from a major city in Ontario, so I would have to pay out of pocket.
Thanks again. Your information was just what I was looking for.
Margaret
I have not heard of the test you're talking about but unless it's experimental your insurance should cover it as long as you have some symptom that may be heart related, i.e. shortness of breath. I have thallium scans and I have another one scheduled for Jan 19th. I had bypass surgery 15 years ago and they do this scan every couple of years and if anything looks suspicious then I have a heart catherazation. I had no symptoms prior to my heart attack so if you are able to get a test that could detect early heart disease then go for it. It could save your life. But have the drs ofc submit it to insurance before you pay for it, just make sure he puts down some kind of diagnosis that would warrent the exam. Lots of time they won't pay if they think its routine. Good luck with it.
Barbara D.
Hi Margaret
I had two scares this past summer with heart problems. I never knew I had a problem, anyway I ended up in intensive care, for A-Fib, couldn't controle my heart rate or blood pressure, I was released and returned to hospital again in August, same thing also heart rythem was off, ended up with angiogram also all heart tests, they finally got me in a regulat rythum, I am now on my heart med's..Amieodorone, and I am well. My cardiologist approved my RNY.
SO I say maybe the test is a good idea, worth the effort and hope for a good result, also it will give you the confidence to go ahead with the surgery. Actually if you have any symptoms of short of breath, etc. The test's are free if recommended by your doctor. Good Luck in your decision, and all the best in this New Year we have been gifted with. May 2009 Be great for you! Lola
I had two scares this past summer with heart problems. I never knew I had a problem, anyway I ended up in intensive care, for A-Fib, couldn't controle my heart rate or blood pressure, I was released and returned to hospital again in August, same thing also heart rythem was off, ended up with angiogram also all heart tests, they finally got me in a regulat rythum, I am now on my heart med's..Amieodorone, and I am well. My cardiologist approved my RNY.
SO I say maybe the test is a good idea, worth the effort and hope for a good result, also it will give you the confidence to go ahead with the surgery. Actually if you have any symptoms of short of breath, etc. The test's are free if recommended by your doctor. Good Luck in your decision, and all the best in this New Year we have been gifted with. May 2009 Be great for you! Lola
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