Living with high calcium score

I have been on statins since they first came out over 30 years ago (mevacor, zocor, lipitor, and now rosuvastin). Before that my cardiologist had me on niacin and questor. I have had no problems with statins, other than some losing their efficacy and requiring increased dosage until changing to a newer one. I have been on the same 20mg of rosuvastatin for several years now.

I have always passed my stress tests and have been mostly asymptomatic. My last two visits my cardiologist has offered to do a cath and I have refused. I have a FFR of only 0.71 in part of my LAD but my cardio said it is non stentable, so I am afraid that a cath will end up turning into a CABG. I have an irrational fear of invasive heart surgery after watching my father go through it twice and dying within weeks of his second at 55 yo.

Was his pth tested?

ative1207,

If you were passing out after exercise, even with a satisfactory stress test (you don’t say what the metrics) then a cath is probably appropriate.

Sure, a high CAC score is extra, but not nearly as meaningful as passing out repeatedly.

My CAC Score went from 378 to 798 in 4 years. I am 79 but no heart symptoms, am active and overall very healthy. Passed two stress tests with flying colors. Then had them test me for Lipoprotein (a) [Lp a] and it was over the roof high at 283 nmol/L. Luckily, my high sensitive CRP is very low which says low inflammation so that is helpful to lower my risks. I take a lot of supplements and have a strong immune system. You might want to get your Lp a tested. The two together is very high risks but there are diet and lifestyle changes that look attractive until an FDA approved medicine is available; probably not until 2026.

Cardiologist recommend Mediterranean diet and 150 min of cardio per week .

I was thinking the same...those high scores scream parathyroid.

In mid- to long-term follow-up, statin therapy increases the CAC score as documented by serial non-contrast cardiac CT, suggesting that the plaque-stabilizing effect of statins may be reflected in a higher CAC score [8,9].

I agree with your cardiologist, no need for angiogram.
Don’t go for calcium score test again , statins increase calcium score .

Thank you for that .

Many have said why wouldn’t they do an angiogram . It’s a diagnostic peace of mind

Angiogram has risk including blood clot.
Following is a response I found here from a cardiologist.
“ I am a cardiologist and got my calcium score just casually as I was giving a seminar on it to local drs some four years ago. It came 746! No symptoms, no risk factors, marathoner. Got stress nuclear tested. Just on statins/ aspirin. As an interventional cardiologist myself, I see most patients of heart attack have soft non calcified lesions. Moreover statins tend to increase the calcium score. So you know that it’s not as simple!
I don’t think it needs to be ever repeated. Just avoid over thinking and over treatment. “

I hope this will give a piece of mind.

Thank you so much for that