Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Is A Cholesterol Level Of 6.7 A Cause For Concern?
Question: My family all suffer with Cardio issues.. my brother had a stent put in at 52 so i decided to ask for a check..my cholesterol is 6.7..the doctor ordered a cardio angigram ct scan which was injected with XXXXXXX to see the state of the arteries.. any reason for this
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome on HCM!
Regarding your concern, I would like to explain that a fasting blood cholesterol level of 6.7 mmol/L is an abnormally high value (3.37-4.12 mmol/L is borderline high).
As you have a strong family history of premature coronary disease (your brother was treated with coronary stents at 52) and also an evidence of dyslipidemia (high blood cholesterol level) it is necessary for a thorough investigation of possible coronary artery lesions.
This is why your doctor has recommended you undergoing a coronary angio CT scan, which is a rationale diagnostic tool in patients with an intermediate likelihood for coronary artery stenosis (individuals with several coronary risk factors [dyslipidemia, heredity for CAD, hypertension, diabetes, etc.] and suspicious clinical symptomatology).
Coronary angio CT is an appropriate test for predicting also 5 to 10 years risk of possible future adverse coronary events.
So, it will provide useful information for the ongoing strategy of preventing ischemic heard disease in the future (life-style, healthy diet, frequent daily physical activity, etc).
Hope to have been helpful!
In case of any further uncertainties, feel free to ask me again.
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome on HCM!
Regarding your concern, I would like to explain that a fasting blood cholesterol level of 6.7 mmol/L is an abnormally high value (3.37-4.12 mmol/L is borderline high).
As you have a strong family history of premature coronary disease (your brother was treated with coronary stents at 52) and also an evidence of dyslipidemia (high blood cholesterol level) it is necessary for a thorough investigation of possible coronary artery lesions.
This is why your doctor has recommended you undergoing a coronary angio CT scan, which is a rationale diagnostic tool in patients with an intermediate likelihood for coronary artery stenosis (individuals with several coronary risk factors [dyslipidemia, heredity for CAD, hypertension, diabetes, etc.] and suspicious clinical symptomatology).
Coronary angio CT is an appropriate test for predicting also 5 to 10 years risk of possible future adverse coronary events.
So, it will provide useful information for the ongoing strategy of preventing ischemic heard disease in the future (life-style, healthy diet, frequent daily physical activity, etc).
Hope to have been helpful!
In case of any further uncertainties, feel free to ask me again.
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Many thanks for your help. The results have come back and I as indeed veryshocked.
in summarythe report L-
moderae mixed placque in the proximal segment LAD extending into the distal left mainit a plaque wotj serveral high risk CT features including spoty calcilifcation and positive emmoddelling. It is nonobstrucice at this state.
No significatn coronary argery stensosis was notified IVvolumetrics and function have been calaulated by BSA and effect
No
in summarythe report L-
moderae mixed placque in the proximal segment LAD extending into the distal left mainit a plaque wotj serveral high risk CT features including spoty calcilifcation and positive emmoddelling. It is nonobstrucice at this state.
No significatn coronary argery stensosis was notified IVvolumetrics and function have been calaulated by BSA and effect
No
Brief Answer:
Opinion as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX!
I would like to directly review your coronary angio CT if it is possible.
Could you upload it here?
Meanwhile, as no severe coronary artery stenosis is found, no immediate risk for any ischemic event is likely.
The best strategy for avoiding further coronary stenosis progression, is prevention and treatment of coronary risk factor through a healthy diet and life style.
Also lipid-lowering therapy is recommended (any statin drug).
In addition, you should discuss with your attending doctor on a possible coronary angiography, which is the best diagnostic test for investigating coronary artery disease.
Wishing you a pleasant weekend!
Regards,
Dr. Iliri
Opinion as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX!
I would like to directly review your coronary angio CT if it is possible.
Could you upload it here?
Meanwhile, as no severe coronary artery stenosis is found, no immediate risk for any ischemic event is likely.
The best strategy for avoiding further coronary stenosis progression, is prevention and treatment of coronary risk factor through a healthy diet and life style.
Also lipid-lowering therapy is recommended (any statin drug).
In addition, you should discuss with your attending doctor on a possible coronary angiography, which is the best diagnostic test for investigating coronary artery disease.
Wishing you a pleasant weekend!
Regards,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
hi
Many thanks.. i will have to get it scanned and i will send it to you..basically the results that i have sent you were the CT Cardiac Angiogram..is a coronary angiography a different type of test..the results i sent to you were a summary of impressions:-
Moderate mixed plaque in the proximal segment LAQ extending into the istall left main, it is a plaque with several high risk CT features including spotty calcification and positive remodelling. It is non obstructive at this stage
No significant coronary artery stenosis was identified
LV volumetrics and function have been calculated by BSA and are available on the syngo imaging..what does this mean
N
Many thanks.. i will have to get it scanned and i will send it to you..basically the results that i have sent you were the CT Cardiac Angiogram..is a coronary angiography a different type of test..the results i sent to you were a summary of impressions:-
Moderate mixed plaque in the proximal segment LAQ extending into the istall left main, it is a plaque with several high risk CT features including spotty calcification and positive remodelling. It is non obstructive at this stage
No significant coronary artery stenosis was identified
LV volumetrics and function have been calculated by BSA and are available on the syngo imaging..what does this mean
N
Brief Answer:
I would explain:
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
It seems that actually there are clinically non-significant coronary artery stenoses.
So, besides the preventive measurements I mentioned above, nothing else is required.
Also, left ventricle volumes (diastolic and systolic) are measured and indexed by BSA (body surface area), but they are stored in an electronic database (and accessible in syngo imagining format, which is a Siemens company software provided for viewing CT imagines).
Careful periodic follow ups by your cardiologist will be necessary for preventing possible future coronary lesions complications.
Lipid-lowering therapy, a healthy diet (I would recommend Mediterranean diet), and frequent daily physical activity are the clues for a healthy life-style.
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
I would explain:
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
It seems that actually there are clinically non-significant coronary artery stenoses.
So, besides the preventive measurements I mentioned above, nothing else is required.
Also, left ventricle volumes (diastolic and systolic) are measured and indexed by BSA (body surface area), but they are stored in an electronic database (and accessible in syngo imagining format, which is a Siemens company software provided for viewing CT imagines).
Careful periodic follow ups by your cardiologist will be necessary for preventing possible future coronary lesions complications.
Lipid-lowering therapy, a healthy diet (I would recommend Mediterranean diet), and frequent daily physical activity are the clues for a healthy life-style.
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
many thanks..
my cholesterol is quite high..6.7.. any suggetions on how i could get this down..do you have any examples of a mediterr diet..my doctor has put me on kalcipos forte and aspirin.. do you think i should do a coronary angiogram
my cholesterol is quite high..6.7.. any suggetions on how i could get this down..do you have any examples of a mediterr diet..my doctor has put me on kalcipos forte and aspirin.. do you think i should do a coronary angiogram
Brief Answer:
Advice as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hi again, dear XXXXXXX
Regarding your abnormally increased cholesterol level, you should discuss with your doctor on the possibility of starting a lipid-lowering therapy.
For example, a statin like: Atorvastatin 20 mg/day, Simvastatin 40 mg/day, or Rosuvastatin 10 mg/day.
In addition, an active daily life-style (walking at least 4 km/day; exerting yoga, aerobics, etc.) would help in reducing your blood cholesterol levels.
Also, a healthy diet is fundamental in keeping your lipid levels low and promoting a good well being.
Regarding coronary artery lesion, I would explain that coronary angiography is the most reliable diagnostic tool for properly vizualising coronary stenoses.
I recommend discussing with your attending doctor for planing such a cardiac exam in the near future.
Below, there is a link, where you can read an example of Mediterranean diet meal plam:
http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/diet-nutrition/advice/a15255/mediterranean-meal-plan-w1/
Wishing you a good health!
Regards,
Dr. Iliri
Advice as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hi again, dear XXXXXXX
Regarding your abnormally increased cholesterol level, you should discuss with your doctor on the possibility of starting a lipid-lowering therapy.
For example, a statin like: Atorvastatin 20 mg/day, Simvastatin 40 mg/day, or Rosuvastatin 10 mg/day.
In addition, an active daily life-style (walking at least 4 km/day; exerting yoga, aerobics, etc.) would help in reducing your blood cholesterol levels.
Also, a healthy diet is fundamental in keeping your lipid levels low and promoting a good well being.
Regarding coronary artery lesion, I would explain that coronary angiography is the most reliable diagnostic tool for properly vizualising coronary stenoses.
I recommend discussing with your attending doctor for planing such a cardiac exam in the near future.
Below, there is a link, where you can read an example of Mediterranean diet meal plam:
http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/diet-nutrition/advice/a15255/mediterranean-meal-plan-w1/
Wishing you a good health!
Regards,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
should i go for the other test you recommended..thnaks
Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
As l already mentioned the best treatment strategy now is to modify your lifestyle and control your cardio-vascular risk factors such as dyslipidemia.
A coronary angiography is the golden standard test to examine better the blood flow in your coronary arteries and exclude possible vessel narrowing.
I would recommend you to discuss with your cardiologist to plan this exam in a near future, to have a better idea of your coronary arteries and possible stenosis.
Hope to have been helpful!
Greetings!
Dr. Iliri
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
As l already mentioned the best treatment strategy now is to modify your lifestyle and control your cardio-vascular risk factors such as dyslipidemia.
A coronary angiography is the golden standard test to examine better the blood flow in your coronary arteries and exclude possible vessel narrowing.
I would recommend you to discuss with your cardiologist to plan this exam in a near future, to have a better idea of your coronary arteries and possible stenosis.
Hope to have been helpful!
Greetings!
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
do you think that there coud be any chance of the coronary arteries narrowing..would i be at risk of a stroke
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
I understand your concern and would explain that atherosclerosis is a diffuse and generalized process which involves all the arteries in the body.
The presence of coronary artery disease (if confirmed in coronary arteriography) could indicate a chronic atherosclerosis. This would mean that also your cerebral arteries could be affected by this process, increasing the risk of possible stroke.
These disorders are treated in the same way: by controlling your cardiovascular risk factors like blood pressure, dyslipidemia and having a healthy lifestyle.
I would also recommend a Doppler ultrasound of the cervical vessels to examine the blood flow to the brain and exclude possible narrowing of the carotid or vertebral arteries.
You should discuss with your doctor on the above test.
If you have any other questions do not hesitate to ask me.
Regards,
Dr. Iliri
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
I understand your concern and would explain that atherosclerosis is a diffuse and generalized process which involves all the arteries in the body.
The presence of coronary artery disease (if confirmed in coronary arteriography) could indicate a chronic atherosclerosis. This would mean that also your cerebral arteries could be affected by this process, increasing the risk of possible stroke.
These disorders are treated in the same way: by controlling your cardiovascular risk factors like blood pressure, dyslipidemia and having a healthy lifestyle.
I would also recommend a Doppler ultrasound of the cervical vessels to examine the blood flow to the brain and exclude possible narrowing of the carotid or vertebral arteries.
You should discuss with your doctor on the above test.
If you have any other questions do not hesitate to ask me.
Regards,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
do you think this is urgent.. also i have a very bad disc degeneration issue in my neck.. is this dangerous
Brief Answer:
This is not an urgent test.
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
This is not an urgent test to be done, as long as you have no other symptoms (like limb numbness, dizziness, etc.).
You can plan this test in the future. It is a routine non invasive test which can help exclude possible atherosclerotic plaques in the carotid or vertebral arteries.
Even if these plaques are found, they are usually treated conservatively with medications (like aspirin and statins) in the first stages.
Hope to have clarified some of your uncertainties!
Greetings!
Dr. Iliri
This is not an urgent test.
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
This is not an urgent test to be done, as long as you have no other symptoms (like limb numbness, dizziness, etc.).
You can plan this test in the future. It is a routine non invasive test which can help exclude possible atherosclerotic plaques in the carotid or vertebral arteries.
Even if these plaques are found, they are usually treated conservatively with medications (like aspirin and statins) in the first stages.
Hope to have clarified some of your uncertainties!
Greetings!
Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
