I have a very high calcium score. What next?

Posted by dpframing @dpframing, Aug 24, 2018

Just joined the site and I'm looking to share with others who have had a high calcium score. I found out today that mine is 2996 and I am scared by this. I am 61 and I am totally asymptomatic. Now I feel like a walking time bomb. I am thinking of requesting an angiogram to see if there's any narrowing anywhere and if it can be corrected with a stent. After a second heart doctor told me that the plaque buildup might be uniform over the course of years with no big problem areas, I am encouraged. But the score still freaks me out, specifically my LAD at 1333. I don't smoke or drink but I have to lose 40 lbs.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Heart & Blood Health Support Group.

HomeAgainLA | @llynch17056 | Dec 3 2:28pm

In reply to @njx58 "At least the expense will be limited to $2000 in 2025 thanks to the changes to..." + (show)

Agree, but too much for me.

keithl56 | @keithl56 | Dec 3 7:39pm

In reply to @llynch17056 "Agree, but too much for me." + (show)

Could be worse! My neurologist thinks I may have ALS (next appointment in a week) and the only drug that might slow it down (only give another 4-6 months of delayed symptoms) is $145,000/yr and no indication whether insurance will cover it since it is an orphan drug. I might try a clinical trial at Jefferson since that won't cost anything, but there is a 50/50 chance that I'll actually get a placebo.

HomeAgainLA | @llynch17056 | Dec 3 7:43pm

In reply to @keithl56 "Could be worse! My neurologist thinks I may have ALS (next appointment in a week) and..." + (show)

I’m so sorry you are facing that, Keith. I hope it works in your favor

Cindy Winger | @cindywinger | Dec 4 7:44am

In reply to @leaddogy2k "Good morning, I would absolutely demand an angiogram and I'll give you my reason. I am..." + (show)

I TRIED for 6 years to get them to do an angiogram after a calcium score of 1100+ and extreme family history of CAD. I was much like you - tests were perfect, I exercise and eat decently. they wouldn't do it because I had no symptoms. I had Covid in Feb 2023 and then was short of breath doing the smallest of things after I felt covid had resolved. THANKFULLY, they decided at that time to do the angiogram, and I had 3 major blockage and had CABG in April of 2023. Very frustrating, but I guess I am glad the "big one" wasn't my first symptom!

leaddogy2k | @leaddogy2k | Dec 4 8:10am

In reply to @cindywinger "I TRIED for 6 years to get them to do an angiogram after a calcium score..." + (show)

Good for you!
When my mom was going through cancer treatments, I learned something.
That YOU have to be the most ferocious advocate for your health.
My doctor at first did not want to order an angiogram. I insisted.
Doctors may have the best intentions, but they are not all-knowing. And they have bad days too. And maybe some of them don't really care. I don't know. All I know is you have to be on the front line, fighting for your health. And the health of your loved ones.

missey | @missey | Dec 4 5:12pm

In reply to @dejones270 "I started taking two 500 mg. doses of slow release niacin daily and my Lp(a) went..." + (show)

I hope you have gone to the mayo clinic.com website and done your research on niacin! It is very dangerous, which is why doctors don’t use it as a medication! You were playing mortality roulette.

mayoconnectuser1 | @mayoconnectuser1 | Dec 5 11:11am

In reply to @missey "I hope you have gone to the mayo clinic.com website and done your research on niacin!..." + (show)

Glad you posted about this, Missey!

Self service medicating comes with risks for those not educated.

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