Dr. Pham Thi Thanh Tam, Head of the General Internal Medicine Unit at Tam Anh District 7 Polyclinic, reported Ms. Lan is pre-diabetic. Her LDL-C (bad cholesterol) level was 105 mg/dL (normal below 100 mg/dL), and triglycerides were 250 mg/dL. A blood lipid test also revealed a high Apo-B index, indicating atherosclerosis risk.

A coronary computed tomography (CT) scan, using a machine with over 100,000 slices, revealed multiple atherosclerotic coronary branches, some 80-90% blocked. Ms. Lan has a 3-year history of untreated hypertension. Her brother had a myocardial infarction.

The patient underwent a chest screening using the CT Somatom Force VB30 system. *Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital*

Doctors placed a stent at the primary lesion, restoring blood flow. Her condition stabilized after the intervention, and exertion symptoms improved. She is now on medical treatment and adjusting her diet and exercise regimen.

Dr. Tam noted that cardiovascular diseases and stroke progress silently. Patients can maintain normal activities for years. Initial signs, like fatigue, sleep disturbances, and reduced exercise capacity, are often mistaken for age-related issues. Many only seek medical attention when sharp chest pains occur, by which time the disease is often advanced. Comprehensive health check-ups, using high-tech AI-integrated machine systems and advanced medical tests, aid early detection of dangerous underlying health problems.

Nhat Vy

*The patient's name has been changed.