Q: Who should get a CT angiogram?
A: Since these tests expose you to about 160 Chest XRY radiation and are more expensive than Carrie Bradshaw's shoe collection, they're not a medical no-brainer. Consider a CT angiogram if it would inspire you to make a change. Ask yourself these questions: Do you have a reversible risk factor for heart disease, like smoking, poor diet, hypertension, high cholesterol, being overweight, a sedentary lifestyle, or poorly controlled diabetes? If the result of the CT angiogram were to show some plaque, would you be willing to make changes by yourself (and possibly with the help of more aggressive medical attention in the case of high LDL cholesterol or low HDL cholesterol)? If you answer yes to both, then a CT angiogram may be well worth it to you.
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