While having my anti-aging health test in America in July 09, I had an ultra-fast CAT scan. This is to test for calcium deposits in the coronary arteries, which is an important indication of heart and artery health.
Although this scan uses radiation, it uses very little – hence the ‘ultra-fast’ in the name. The slight risk of the radiation is outweighed by the knowledge gained about the arteries.
The ‘score’ can be between zero and 400. Terry Grossman, my anti-aging doctor, was looking for a score of zero.
My partner did well – she got a zero. I did less well, having a score of 1. (Yes, 1.)
That is a low score; and means that I am in the lowest 25% of the population for my age. However, it’s not the score Terry G is looking for.
When I speak to him for a telephone consultation in a couple of weeks, he will prescribe a course of supplements to ‘blast’ this calcium away. Then I will need a retest to check it’s worked.
Why the concern over calcium? It is acknowledged to be the first step on the way towards atherosclerosis.
