Can one exercise despite a soft plaque in the artery?
Patient: Hi, I am a 37 year old male, formerly heavy smoker (10-25 cigarettes per day for 15 years). Alcohol consumption: 35 units per week. Diet: generally healthy. BMI: 22.8.  Some weeks ago I was admitted to hospital with chest pain. The presentation of the pain was a generalised tightness across my chest accompanied by episodes of stabbing pain in the centre of my chest, the latter usually of very short duration (<1 second). The chest pain was also accompanied by a pain in one of my top teeth. I was also experiencing sensations of impending doom. ECG and blood tests were conducted which were all normal. Blood pressure and cholesterol readings also within normal healthy limits (blood pressure: 112/74, Cholesterol: total: 3.62, LDL: 1.66, HDL: 1.72, Triglycerides: 0.53). Stress test was conducted and the readings were normal to stage 4 (12 mins) of the Bruce Protocol.    However, a CT coronary angiogram found soft plaque on one artery (less than 20% narrowing of artery) and as a result I was prescribed baby aspirin and Lipitor 20mg. I have not had chest pain in recent weeks and can exercise without symptoms (jogging for 20 minutes a few times a week.) My question is,  is it safe to increase the intensity of my training regime? I wish to exercise each day and at a greater intensity and duration. Doctor: hinoted all your details your ct angiogram is perfectly normalyour stress test timing was perfect  you reached stage 4you cardiac enzymes were normalconsidering these facts its highly unlikely that the pain is cardiac in origin cardiac pain is mimicked by many sorts of ailments like acid peptic disorders or anxiety or gastritis,even muscular sprain can also present with same symptomradiation of cardiac pain is restricted to lower jaw ,it cannot migrate to upper jawso my answer is yes even 45 minutes of strenous exercises  6 days a week atleast is indicated in every medical literaturedont worry