CT Angiogram

I woke up early on Friday to get ready and go to an appointment for a CT Angiogram. I had slept poorly that night, so I was up really early. I’m not normally a morning person, but I was anxious about this test. Not the test itself, really, but what the results might show.

Once I was called back to the prep area, I undressed from the waist up, put on my hospital gown, which gapped at the breasts. They always seem to refuse to close in inappropriate places. The very nice nurse, Kristin, came in and inserted my IV for the contrast dye. She did a good job, and was careful to select a smaller needle because my veins are narrow. I felt it go in, but she didn’t have to try more than once. Thank you Kristin.

Then another nurse wheeled me over to the CT machine, where I met Justin, the CT technician. He had me lie down on the (very hard) bed for the CT machine. I raised my arms over my head per his instructions, and the hospital gown fell open immediately. Ah well, they’ve seen it all before, right? He hooked my IV up to the pump with the dye.

It turned out he had to hook up a four lead ECG monitor to my chest as part of the test, so he was going to see it all anyway. He was respectful, and surprisingly, managed to do that while keeping my breasts mostly covered. Now, I was ready for the actual test. That was an automated process, with a recorded voice telling me when to hold my breath, and when to resume breathing. It took about five minutes.

The test covered the entirety of my chest, abdomen, and pelvis. Basically the full length of all the major arteries. When it was done, Justin told me it might be Tuesday before I got the results because of the New Years holiday. I thanked him, and he wheeled me back to the prep area. I got dressed, and headed home.

The big surprise of the day? I got a call at 2pm with the results. Yes, I have some minor plaques in some of the arteries. But the good news is, there was nothing of any major concern, and no interventions would be required. I’m to keep taking the Lipitor I was previously prescribed by the cardiologist, and to get re-scanned every two to four years.

The anxiety was unnecessary, as is usually the case. The witch in me says that’s how I build up the energy to manifest the outcome I want. Perhaps, or perhaps not. But I did get the outcome I wanted, so I’ll take it.

Tags: Cardiac Health, CT Angiogram