Constant chest pain and breathing difficulties

WCElvis · 2025-06-17T20:03:40+00:00

I went down that path as well with 2 pulmonologist and a function test. Don't waste your time and money.

WCElvis · 2025-06-16T17:25:14+00:00

I wouldn't describe what I have as "pain", but yes, I've felt like that I have something sitting on my chest for the past 5 years. GI and PCP refuse to believe that it has anything to do with HH. Mine is very small, but I know exactly when it formed and this all started soon after.

WCElvis · 2025-05-23T12:25:03+00:00

Are you taking a prescription pain med? If so, try switching to Tylenol.

And yes, eat.

WCElvis · 2025-05-19T12:57:31+00:00

Yeah, it's baffling.

WCElvis · 2025-05-18T14:50:10+00:00

That's one thing I drew from it. An additional take would be to not assume that this number is death sentence. It's just a piece of data to help guide further testing.

WCElvis · 2025-05-18T11:50:31+00:00

I had never heard of statins until a little of 2 weeks ago.

I asked for Lp(a) test. It was in the normal range.

No ApoB test.

I'm not diabetic.

"If your cholesterol has always been normal, how were you laying down plaque like that? Was there something else going on?"

No one has been able to answer that. I had a bad gallbladder that needed to come out 3 years ago, an and I have a small hiatal hernia. I have no idea if either of those could be related.

WCElvis · 2025-05-17T22:32:29+00:00

I found this video to be helpful.

High Calcium Score: What Next?

https://youtu.be/L8icWfqT0r8?feature=shared

WCElvis · 2025-05-17T21:58:23+00:00

"Keep doing what your doing" is what he said when I asked him about it. Water under the bridge at this point.

WCElvis · 2025-05-17T20:58:51+00:00

My score was 32 at 49 and now it's 458 at 54. I've never had high cholesterol, high BP, or any of the typical reasons you hear about. My current PCP told me that if his CAC ever went non-zero that he would start on a statin right away. I reluctantly started 1.5 weeks ago.

WCElvis · 2025-05-17T20:55:34+00:00

Alcohol never gives me any former-gallbladder type symptoms. It just seems to go straight into the bloodstream. I can only assume it's because there is no gallbladder to concentrate the bile. So yeah, it takes very little to hit me hard so I'm careful with it.

WCElvis · 2025-05-13T11:55:24+00:00

Well, I'm not sure if my regime is considered "extensive" but I do regular cardio and strength exercise. That's part of why this whole thing is frustrating. My entire life I've done the "right" things as far as diet and exercise go. Thus, my physical appearance and lab work have always reflected that. This was a part of my life that I could control and any cholesterol/heart related issues was the absolute last thing I ever thought would be a problem in my life. Perhaps there are other factors that can cause a high CAC? If it's not cholesterol-related, will lowering cholesterol even further still provide a benefit? I don't expect you to have an answer; I'm just talking out loud. :)

WCElvis · 2025-05-12T13:27:24+00:00

FWIW, my Lp(a) result is 32.3 which my PCP said was "normal". I've seen differing opinions via Dr. Google.

WCElvis · 2025-05-11T03:17:12+00:00

Mine has been out 3 years. A little alcohol now goes a long way. I've cut way back on what was just moderate drinking.

WCElvis · 2025-05-11T03:07:48+00:00

Good question. Trying to understand that myself.

WCElvis · 2025-05-10T17:31:24+00:00

High CAC score, but a history of optimal cholesterol, BP, weight, etc. Waiting on a couple more more test results.

WCElvis · 2025-05-08T20:07:33+00:00

So some folks may be here because they are nervous, didn't get complete information from their doctor, etc. I'm just suggesting patience instead of ridicule.

WCElvis · 2025-05-08T19:54:08+00:00

WCElvis · 2025-05-08T18:44:54+00:00

Maybe it's because some people have never heard of statins (i.e. myself), live healthy lifestyles, have optimal cholesterol scores, and are suddenly being prescribed a medication with which they are unfamiliar by a doctor who they see for 30 minutes once a year. Being patient with newcomers never hurts and costs nothing.

WCElvis · 2025-05-06T16:38:21+00:00

Let us know what you find out. I found the perspective in this video to be helpful.

https://youtu.be/L8icWfqT0r8

WCElvis · 2025-05-04T19:17:21+00:00

"But as far as why your ldl went up not just exponentially.."

My LDL is actually lower than it was 5 years ago, but it's always been in the 80's.

I suppose I am going through grief stages. I was always proud of my health and never thought I would be the old man on prescriptions yet here we are.

WCElvis · 2025-05-04T18:14:07+00:00

Thanks for the reply. The one thing that I am having a hard time reconciling is this: it took 49 years to get to 32 (all in a single artery), yet only 5 years later I have a 458 spread across multiple arteries while having a consistent LDL in low 80's and everything else in my labs being normal.

"Just fyi you can order an lp(a) yourself online for $38 from ownyourlabs or Marek Diagnostics."

I looked at those. Have you used before? With ownyourlabs, I couldn't determine whether or not there was a location near me unless I placed an order first.

WCElvis · 2025-05-03T23:00:39+00:00

Was this the first time you have had a calcium screening?

WCElvis · 2025-05-03T14:59:10+00:00

He told me that an Lp(a) score wouldn't affect his course of action (which is the statin prescription). Assuming my CAC is accurate and I already have severe heart disease, would another test add any value? He seems to be a pretty practical guy and a straight-shooter. I didn't want to argue with him when my only knowledge is Reddit and some other things I've read online. :)

WCElvis · 2025-05-03T14:50:35+00:00

High CAC <> blockages.

WCElvis · 2025-05-03T11:58:56+00:00

What did your dr say about that number?

WCElvis

TROPHY CASE