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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 am 54 with exact background . Never have been on meds eat well low BP ect I have familial "hardening of the arteries" CAC 856. It is a high score and puts us at higher risk for a cardiac event. I just went to Cleveland Clinic and saw preventive cardiology . He not only has me on statin and an aspirin he put me on Zetia. It's shocking to find out . I was so healthy and no meds and now I have heart disease! I can't wrap my head around it all. . I get it. Best actual research shows statins can help. It is a risk benefit approach . Is the risk of heart attack worse then risk of meds. I guess that is a personal decision at the end of the day.
Thank you very much for the recommendations
I'm a bit confused ... at one point you immediately took the advice and direction of a very well qualified cardiologist for meds related to your condition. But, then you talk about "risk of meds."
Did your cardiologist mention "risk of meds" during your discussion, or is "risk of meds" a personal belief related to statin or other meds?
I'd definitely take statins. I know there's some controversy around them. I've spoken with two cardiologists, one from Mayo, and their thinking is that the progression can be stopped.
My diagnosis is less than a year old. I've had a good lifestyle by most standards, but it was not pristine. Since then I've essentially cut out consumption of animal protein. I cut out beef around 30 years ago, but now I've also cut out lean turkey and chicken except on holidays. It's my treat. After I read "Beat the Heart Attack Gene" I started monitoring my blood sugar and found that I was pre diabetic (by an OGTT). I wore a CGM for a couple of months to get a handle on it so now I move a lot more over the course of the day, rather than exercising and then sitting for long periods. I try to move more after dinner too. I probably ate bread most days and dessert once or twice a week, but now I rarely eat bread, try not to eat dessert more than once every couple of weeks or so, and definitely go for a walk after anything sweet. My A1C dropped a few (3) tenths. I also worked with a cardiac dietician to get my BP down. I had mixed results. I think I've learned that my high BP is either genetic or stress-induced. Dietary changes she predicted would lower it have not (yet). I have osteopenia (apparently somewhat associated with atherosclerosis) so I have also started taking K2 FWIW. I've also added consumption of fermented foods regularly -- just trying everything that seems a little hopeful.
So I think there are things to be done now and I believe that there are things I could have done that were known 10 years ago - if I knew I were at the risk that I apparently was. But who knows. It's all speculation and it's water under the bridge.