Cardiac Calcium Scores Anyone

Hello and Happy New Year to All,
I learned of my sleep apnea about 5-6 months ago and went to the Cardiologist to have everything checked out. I asked if I could have a cardiac calcium score done and was told that if I did and it came back bad I would never be able to get insurance. Now I read this in the news and think I might want to go back and insist on this test being done? I have severe sleep apnea and the cpap is terrible. I got a TAP device made at the dentist but I dont think that is going to do the trick. My sister is a dentist and suggested having me jaw broken, they think it would work great in my case, very painful though, but effective
Here is the article:
http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/300/24/2859

I'm sorry, but any procedure that requires ones jaw to be broken shouldn't be the first choice. What was so terrible about CPAP? Almost everyone has difficulties of some kind, but there are solutions to practically all problems associated with CPAP therapy, and this site which you have found is an outstanding resource. CPAP therapy remains the gold standard for treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Faced with having my jaw broken, I know that I would want to give CPAP another try first!

And a Happy New Year to you, as well!

dnaonejax wrote: I asked if I could have a cardiac calcium score done and was told that if I did and it came back bad I would never be able to get insurance.

They are correct. It is impossible to get life insurance, and unless you are in an employer plan, health insurance that will cover any cardiac issues once you are diagnosed with any type of Coronary Artery Disease or tendencies towards it. Even those with "no physical" that will exclude pre-existing conditions for a number of years will decline you based on the questionaire.

BTW, are you in Jax FL?

What a sad state of affairs that one has to forgo such a valuable test (calcium score) because of worries of future insurability.

What are you risk factors for wanting a calcium score? Overweight? Smoke? Drink? Family history? Cholesterol high? Why did you ask for one? I have apnea but have only been on CPAP for a year. My calcium score from 4 years ago is zero. My score from last year is zero.

You know those are hardly covered by insurance. My local diagnostic center has a "heart card" you can give as a gift ($250.00). The recipient goes in, gets the calcium score CT, gets the results, without having to go through their normal doctor.

I believe you could get one done using John Doe as your name and then you bypass your official records.

That being said, if the results come back high and you need further care, you need to decide which is more important, croaking over from a cardiac event or keeping your record clean until you get insurance.

dnaonejax wrote:......... I asked if I could have a cardiac calcium score done and was told that if I did and it came back bad I would never be able to get insurance. ......

WebMD is not keen on this test. See http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/card ... um-scoring