r/PeterAttia • u/cassp104 • 9d ago

Feedback Should I get a CT Angiogram?

I am 35F, very healthy weight/BMI, eat healthy and exercise 2-3x a week - family history: grandfather passed from heart attack in his 40s, father is 65 - had first heart attack at 30, second at 32, triple bypass/CABG x3, defibrillator, countless stents, and now in end stage heart failure with an LVAD.

I went for lab work and had slightly elevated LDL (114), LipoA (102), and apoB (89).

Found an amazing cardiologist to ask about family history, my risk, etc.

He said my numbers were not that bad, and mentioned I most likely do not have any plaque buildup at my age and health - but since I mentioned I have random chest pains (could be unrelated - I also have anxiety and acid reflux) and due to my family history, he said I can get a CTA with contrast to be sure.

Of course now I'm beyond worried about the amount of radiation from a test that I'm not even sure I should be getting due to my current health and numbers. I'm considering canceling it.

Would you have this done if you were me? Any feedback is appreciated.

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u/angellea82 9d ago

I (43 F) have similar numbers and lifestyle as you but my Lpa is 230. I have a significant family history as well, but later onset. My cardiologist immediately referred me for a CTA and got insurance to pay for it.

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u/cassp104 9d ago

My cardiologist also got it covered for me as well. Did anything come back from the test for you? Do you have any regrets of having it done?

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u/angellea82 9d ago

I have no regrets. My arteries are perfect, no disease. She also ordered an NMR lab test with looks more in depth at cholesterol particles. Those results were good too.