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Should I worry about a high Calcium score
Should I be worried about my 600 CAC score, which apparently means I’ve arteries of an 85 year old yet I feel 35. I’m 60, very fit, always kept fit (triathlete), eat very well, avoid processed foods, low carb (target 100g/day), avoid sugar & grains, quality beef, salmon, organic veggies etc. BMI is good, Not diabetic, not on any
meds, my RHR is in the 40’s and 5 days a week I’ll push it into the 150’s during training sessions, had a stress test a year ago, passed with flying colors.
I took the CAC test as I’ve always had slightly high LDL 150, but low TG 70 and high HDL 70 & my doc has been trying to convince me to take statins for a few years, so I agreed with the test.
I now read about the statin paradox (statins cause increase in calcification in blood vessels, but lower plaque, however it seems the jury is out on if statins are a good idea or not, hence the paradox). So not sure whether to take a statin.
Dr says its genetic, my father had a triple bypass at 75.
I do have an appt to see a cardiologist in the fall.
I have decided to hold off on the statin until after I see the cardiologist, hoping he can offer other options perhaps to assess the arteries in 3D to check for build up.
Are high CAC scores really something to be overly concerned about?
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I asked him, he drew a hole and explain to me that if plaque is build up inside of it then he will have to put a stent and if it is outside then he would send me home. That was it. I started asking my 2nd question and he said :I will explain it later" and went to his cubicle. Next thing i am being sedated. He is "that kind" of surgeon. I would never recommend him even to my worst enemy (which I don't have).
I am a 59-year-old female with atrial fibrillation who just had a CAC score of 815! I have an electrophysiologist for my a-fib and saw a second cardiologist for the high CAC score yesterday. The a-fib has been present for 7 years and is currently fairly well controlled, but the high CAC score has me extremely scared! The cardiologist did not offer much in the way of information and just said I had to have a Lexiscan and then possible catheterization based on those results. Researching the Lexiscan makes this test sound horrific and full of risks. Should I proceed straight to heart catheterization? Incidentally, I have already been placed on a statin and aspirin and I am asymptomatic, having never had any angina. My cholesterol was also totally normal prior to being placed on the statin at 163, and I had a normal coronary CT scan and Myoview stress test 3 1/2 years ago prior to having cardiac ablation for my a-fib. I am very over overweight (although have lost 28 pounds in the last few weeks) and not very physically active, having always had sedentary jobs most of my life. I also have type 2 DM, but my A1c has never been over 7, I do not require insulin, and my blood pressure is well controlled. I have also never smoked and there is no history of heart disease in either of my parents or my sibling. I have a medical background, but I find all of this quite confusing and don’t know how best to proceed.
Hello @rmhinkle16, I combined your discussion with an existing discussion titled "Should I worry about a high Calcium score" - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/should-i-worry-about-a-high-calcium-score/. I wanted you to meet @paul63 who posted an experience very similar to yours.
Had you been taking statins prior to the CAC scoring? If so, for how long?
Absent other factors and symptoms, it would be unusual for a cardiologist to cath you - at least from what I have read, plus my own experience.
Take 20 mg of Rosuvastatin
Get a CT-A. It will give you a good idea if any blockages
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1 ReactionI like many others here got my test results today 1218 CAC score with my Left anterior descending artery the highest at 451. I have a few questions I hope others could answer. I’ve read nearly every post here and know there has been some discussions around these topics. First, I’m 57 y/o male, total cholesterol 164 HDL 49 LDL< 70.
1. I have been on lipitor (Atorvastatin) for nearly 25 years most of it at 20 mg and the past 10 years at 40 mg. Will this cause the CAC scores to be inflated or when they score do they take statin use into consideration.
2. There’s some discussion around CAC’s that are around 200-40 as being potentially worse than a CAC of >1000 due to the stability or density of plaque - could someone verify if they have heard this as well.
3. I think this is pretty common but now I feel like I could have a heart attack at any moment because of this result, but my reading indicates most feel like that but many people have had theses scores for 10+ years and still doing fine after life modification changes, etc.
Thank you - any help would be appreciated.
Don't panic. See cardiologist and get nuclear stress test, echocardiogram along with doppler artery tests.
Can you walk/jog/run without losing breath - turning purple? Those are signs for immediate concern.
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2 Reactionswagbert1,
Lots of us out there!
So, for you to have been on atorvastatin for so long, you must have had other heart issues?
And, my understanding (not a medical professional) is that statins will cause CAC scores to be higher - because the statin is doing exactly what the medical scientists want it to do - reduce LDL and calcify the softer plaques to prevent then from breaking off.
You could get your LDL lower, and your total cholesterol lower - it all might help, but your numbers are pretty good, I think.
You don't mention taking meds for hypertension - do you?
You don't mention having stress tests - you should have had a few, by now. Please post your stress test numbers if you have them.
Consider getting an advanced cholesterol test - one lab calls is "Cardio IQ" - this will provide more info on your types of cholesterol and other factors.
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2 ReactionsCrestor 40 mg
Fasting intermittent