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Discover why two CT scores painted different pictures of heart health, and how you can take charge of your own well-being starting today!
My Story
I have had high cholesterol for most of my adult life. I cannot take statins because of negative reactions. So I need to just focus on diet and a healthy lifestyle, which I do for the most part.
A few months ago, I had my cardiac CT for calcium score, which revealed that I had the most desired score of 0. Phew!!
What is the Cardiac Calcium CT test?
In case you are not familiar with this test, your calcium heart score measures the amount of plaque buildup in the walls of the arteries in your heart. It is a good way to predict the likelihood of a future heart attack.
And, BTW, If you have not had your Cardiac Calcium CT done, I would highly recommend it.
My husband’s story
So, continuing with my story; my husband had his Cardiac CT recently, and although he has been on statins for several years, his score said his risk for a cardiac event (such as a heart attack) was moderately high for his age and gender group.
Why, you may ask?
We eat pretty much the same food.
Possible reasons for his score
Well, for sure our differing genetic makeup plays an important part.
In addition, he has a stressful job with not great work/life balance.
Working long hours, even from home prevents him from:
- Getting enough sleep
- Exercising regularly
- Being able to enjoy his hobby of playing his bass guitar
- Being able to relax and forget about work
So what’s next for my husband?
A visit to the doctor for sure, which might mean some more medications in addition to his statin, getting more sleep, having less stress, working out regularly, etc.
Intentionally taking time off from work every day….that’s a sticking point if you are a busy professional with a lot of responsibilities. You know that’s hard. So many people count on you, etc. etc.!
And to you, I say, you are your own advocate. Your employer will generally not tell you to take time off, work out or sleep more.
You need to know your own boundaries and hold to them.
This will help you actually thrive more in life and at work.
Thrive and not just Survive
Recently, I was led to the word ‘Thrive’. Yes, to thrive, not just survive.
And I want the same for you as I do for myself!
But is thriving something you aspire to? Or are you just in survival mode?
Working from dawn to dusk or even later?
Burning the midnight oil.
Finding that the emails are never ending.
The tasks and projects take up all your time and energy.
You are worn out by the time you get home.
You are barely able to spend a bit of time with your family, if any.
And then, you are back at it for several hours before bedtime. It’s a never ending vicious circle that you don’t think you can get out of.
You want to eat healthy, exercise, have fun, but don’t know where to start.
Is that you?
What can you change?
Let me know in the comments or send me a message at priya@journeytohealthwithpriya.com
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“Journey to Health with Priya” provides general educational information on various topics on this website as a public service, which should not be construed as professional medical advice.