Calcium Score 1384 how did drs address it?

tkeys:

A few thoughts to discuss with your doctor.

We can be our own worst enemy. There are steps we can follow to improve our risk of heart disease and other there are risks we can’t control. A high calcium score is a sign of past arterial inflammation. Controlling inflammation is the key to reducing risk of a heart attack.

Controllable Risks
1. Blood sugar and Insulin levels - High blood sugar results in high insulin levels and both cause arterial inflammation that damages the arteries
2. Inflammation - Inflammation damages the endothelial layer of arteries. Calcified plaque is there to heal the damaged endothelium.
3. Blood pressure - High blood pressure causes damage to arteries
4. BMI - Higher BMI’s and visceral fat also cause inflammation that damages arteries and other organs
5. Lipids - Lower is better for LDL and Triglycerides. These can be controlled somewhat with diet and medications will improve the levels much better. High Inflammation can oxidize LDL making it very atherogenic.
6. Diet - The Mediterranean lifestyle never hurt anyone - it only helps. The Mediterranean diet is by nature anti-inflammatory.
7. Exercise - Moderate aerobic and resistance reduces BMI, blood sugar and blood pressure, thereby lowering inflammation. High intensity exercise can actually increase inflammation.
8. Stop smoking if a person smokes

Uncontrollable Risks
1. Age - Older males generally will typically have higher calcium scores than younger males or women of all ages.
2. Male gender - Women can be at higher risk even with lower calcium scores
3. Genetics - Family history can have a strong bearing. Obviously we can’t changes our genetic code.
4. Lipoprotein(a) - (Lp(a) - A modified form of LDL

Goals
1. Modify all controllable risks which can stabilize plaque and prevent its progression

The previous post is comprehensive and gives food for thought. Here is a post from our hosts:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hypercalcemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355523

Has your current PCP not referred you to a cardiologist or other specialist? As you know, your score is high. I would have thought your PCP would refer you to someone with more in-depth knowledge.

I was diagnosed with a calcium score in the 98th percentile for my age. The absolute score is far less than yours (600). I have calcium everywhere (coronary, iliac, carotid, abdominal aorta), but no blockages more than 50%. I have an ascending aortic aneurysm, but it is not directly related to atherosclerosis — no calcium in the ascending aorta. I was shocked when I got the diagnosis because I have been a regular exerciser for decades, haven’t eaten red meat for decades, have always had a normal BMI, and tried to eat relatively low fat. For myself, I think the high score is largely genetic. I have high lipoprotein(a). Yet I smoked for about 5 years about 30 years ago. I also suspect that the kind of fat I ate was bad. I also wonder if I did damage when I was young (birth - 20s) when I really just ate junk food. So perhaps for no good reason, I suspect that most of the damage was done when I was much younger and now I am paying the price. If I hadn’t been an exerciser and kept a normal BMI, I think I’d be in much worse shape.

I saw a couple of cardiologists. They did a treadmill test, a coronary CT angiogram and put me on statins. I also am monitoring my BP more regularly and aiming for systolic < 120 and diastolic < 80. I get a lipid profile a couple of times a year now. (My diagnosis is only one year old so I am still trying to get the lipids sorted.).

I really suggest that you see a cardiologist or someone with more experience than a general practitioner. I see a PA and I suspect my calcium could/should have been caught earlier given my family history (mother had quadruple bypass around 60 yrs old, which is young for a female) so I think you want all the expertise you can get helping you to combat this.

Many people apparently live with very high scores without ever having blockages that require treatment. If you look through old posts for high calcium scores, you’ll find some of the stories.

Can I ask what makes you think it’s your pituitary gland?

So, tkeys, high CAC is a hot topic.

I posted my story so you should be able to find it easily.

What are your basic lipid numbers? Advanced lipid numbers? BMI? Blood pressure? I am assuming you are on statins based on your age ... when did you start statins (they increase CAC score because they calcify cholesterol). History of familial heart disease?