Whats name and cost of this medical procedure/checkup?

Question

Can they scan my arteries for excess cholesterol buildup? I am a recent college grad and ate alot of greasy 99 cent " Super Value heart attack in a baggers" during college...just curious to see how clogged the arteries are??? being that dental floss for the arteries hasnt been invented yet... :) no though for real whats name od this checkup and is it over 10k if not covered by insurance?

Answer 1

It is an extensive procedure and expensive. A more useful test would be a simple blood test for triglycerides. The former test requires a radioactive dye injected into the arteries and a series of x-rays to visualize the vessels. It works well but it is fairly cost prohibitive. Normally we use it only for heart or brain studies. However, a lot can be done to improve things by modifying your diet, exercise. Health Insurance is ambiguous in knowing what procedures would be covered, but I doubt that you would be covered as this procedure would be strictly prophylactic in nature and not associated with a condition or disease. Watch your blood pressure...there are two numbers i.e. 120/70 is normal....the first number is the systolic pressure (when the heart contracts) but the last number is the diastolic (when the heart relaxes) and the second number is most important...as long as the number stays below 80...you should be fine.

Answer 2

ask your doctor for the name and cost of the medical procedure you are asking but your best alternative is to have a blood test to check your good and bad cholesterol since this is fairly easy to do and cheap. insurance usually covers the cost of treatment for a desease. since what you want is mere a preventive procedure, i doubt if your insurance will cover it. cheers!