1. < Heart & Blood Health

High Coronary Calcium Score: How do others feel emotionally?

Posted by mcphee @mcphee, Dec 14, 2016

I have a calcium score of 1,950 which is extremely high which means I am at a very high risk for a cardiac event,heart attack,stroke or sudden death.

I take a statin and baby aspirin. I have never been sick, have excellent cholesterol, low blood pressure and I am not overweight. I have no other health problems and I have never been sick. But I feel like a walking time bomb which has caused me a lot of stress. I am 70 yrs old.

I wonder how others with this condition feel emotionally?

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george7856 | @george7856 | Jan 25 11:27am
In reply to @njx58 "Found this on one site. I think it gives you a good idea of what to..." + (show)
@njx58

Found this on one site. I think it gives you a good idea of what to expect.

CAC = 0
No identifiable atherosclerotic plaque.
Low risk for cardiovascular disease.
Less than a 5% chance of coronary artery disease.

CAC = 1-10
Minimal plaque burden.
Significant coronary artery disease is unlikely.

CAC =11-100
Mild plaque burden.
Likely mild or minimal coronary stenosis.

CAC = 101-400
Moderate plaque burden.
Moderate non-obstructive coronary artery disease is highly likely.

CAC = Over 400
Extensive plaque burden.
High likelihood of at least one significant coronary stenosis (>50% diameter).

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OK thank you.

REPLY
rtchacko | @rtchacko | Jan 25 11:43am
In reply to @mayoconnectuser1 "Age? Overweight? Lipid numbers? Advanced lipid numbers? Blood pressure? Stress test? Stress test with echo?" + (show)
@mayoconnectuser1

Age?
Overweight?
Lipid numbers?
Advanced lipid numbers?
Blood pressure?
Stress test?
Stress test with echo?

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Age -67, female
Overweight- No. 5'2", 125 lbs
Lipid numbers- On Rosuvastatin 20 mg for the last couple of months since CAC score 613.
Advanced lipid numbers- LDL 51 after rosuvastatin. Before that it was borderline. HDL always high and triglycerides low. Having lots of joint pains and muscle weakness on Rosuvastatin. My cardiologist put me ona low dose of ozempic for cardiac protection. I am pre-diabetic. Started on Metformin as well and I am hoping to discontinue metformin once the effect of ozempic takes over.
Blood pressure- on Amlodipine 5mg daily. BP around 120--130/76-86
Stress test- normal
Stress test with echo- No echo. But CT with chemical stree test- no block
Leads a very cardiac friendly lifestyle (diet and exercises) for years except that I had chronic stress and sleep issues.
Family h/o heart disease, but LPa neg.
I am worried about the soft plaque in my coronary than the 50-69% block range
Any comment is appreciated.

REPLY
1 reply
rtchacko | @rtchacko | Jan 25 11:45am
In reply to @rtchacko "Age -67, female Overweight- No. 5'2", 125 lbs Lipid numbers- On Rosuvastatin 20 mg for the..." + (show)
@rtchacko

Age -67, female
Overweight- No. 5'2", 125 lbs
Lipid numbers- On Rosuvastatin 20 mg for the last couple of months since CAC score 613.
Advanced lipid numbers- LDL 51 after rosuvastatin. Before that it was borderline. HDL always high and triglycerides low. Having lots of joint pains and muscle weakness on Rosuvastatin. My cardiologist put me ona low dose of ozempic for cardiac protection. I am pre-diabetic. Started on Metformin as well and I am hoping to discontinue metformin once the effect of ozempic takes over.
Blood pressure- on Amlodipine 5mg daily. BP around 120--130/76-86
Stress test- normal
Stress test with echo- No echo. But CT with chemical stree test- no block
Leads a very cardiac friendly lifestyle (diet and exercises) for years except that I had chronic stress and sleep issues.
Family h/o heart disease, but LPa neg.
I am worried about the soft plaque in my coronary than the 50-69% block range
Any comment is appreciated.

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"I am worried about the soft plaque in my coronary than the 50-69% block range
Any comment is appreciated"
Correction- I meant soft plaque in my carotid, not coronary! Thank you

REPLY
mayoconnectuser1 | @mayoconnectuser1 | Jan 25 4:10pm

Your basic numbers look pretty good (I'm not a medical professional, but do have a high CAC score).

I have been through the usual tests with high METs on stress test, great ejection fraction on nuclear stress test, take 40 mg atorvastatin without side effects, take Vascepa, telemisartan for BP (well controlled at around 110-120/70-80). LDL 50-55, HDL 52-55, total cholesterol about 100). Basically in wait mode since other than a catheterization for doc to take a look, not much more to be done.

How high is your HDL? Some folks check in with 110 - which is kind of off the charts - some studies indicate this is too high, though.

I am not well read in carotid issues.

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davy75 | @davy75 | Jan 26 7:55am
In reply to @george7856 "I had a kidney stone back at the end of October and I went into the..." + (show)
@george7856

I had a kidney stone back at the end of October and I went into the emergency room at the hospital and I guess because I had a rapid pulse that gave me an EKG as well as a CT the CT found the kidney stone but my EKG came back abnormal. So when I got back into town I got an appointment through my primary care for a cardiologist and I've finally been able to see him. Around Christmas time I had some blood work done and it showed LP a of 101 nmol/L my H my total cholesterol was 191 and my LDL's were 134 but my HDL's were low like at 33. Doctor gave me a calcium CT and it showed the score of 1250. So I have been told I need to take Crestor and metoprolol. I have been on lisinopril for about the last 10 to 15 years. I walk almost every day do yardwork and garden work and I work out with light weight. Try to eat right low fat no sugar.

But my question is does a high calcium score necessarily mean that your arteries are blocked I guess I'm scheduled for a stress test and an echocardiogram next week so I was just wondering I guess that will show blockages or impaired flow.

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A high calcium score does not mean that you have a blockage or where that calcium is. In fact, the calcium is not the problem - the soft plaque that is implied by the high score is.

The only way to be certain is to do a CT angio where a cath allows the DR to view your arteries. Otherwise a CT scan w contrast is sometimes used as a less invasive option. If you’re not experiencing discomfort, chances are a cardiologist will simply treat w medication and lifestyle changes.

I would also add that people live long, normal lives w high CAC. Again, soft plaque is the bigger concern since these can break off and cause MI and stroke. However, statins have a long, proven track record in helping to mitigate this risk.

REPLY
1 reply
george7856 | @george7856 | Jan 26 8:39am
In reply to @davy75 "A high calcium score does not mean that you have a blockage or where that calcium..." + (show)
@davy75

A high calcium score does not mean that you have a blockage or where that calcium is. In fact, the calcium is not the problem - the soft plaque that is implied by the high score is.

The only way to be certain is to do a CT angio where a cath allows the DR to view your arteries. Otherwise a CT scan w contrast is sometimes used as a less invasive option. If you’re not experiencing discomfort, chances are a cardiologist will simply treat w medication and lifestyle changes.

I would also add that people live long, normal lives w high CAC. Again, soft plaque is the bigger concern since these can break off and cause MI and stroke. However, statins have a long, proven track record in helping to mitigate this risk.

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OK thank you

REPLY
mikeis68 | @mikeis68 | Jan 26 8:54am

I am 68 yr old male in excellent physical condition and all lipid numbers are good. I continue to get elevating calcium scores. Now at 1087, was 647 four years ago. I have passed a stress test and actually had a 17 METS score which I was told is very good. Now pondering on having an angiogram to see if there is actual blockage that I need to address. I feel good and continue my physical activities but admit the emotional part of that high score is on my mind always. Some Dr.'s dont really think the score is that relevant, just one indicator , but I do think it is a relatively important indicator if it keeps rising , as mine is. Thoughts??????

REPLY
1 reply
mayoconnectuser1 | @mayoconnectuser1 | 6 days ago
In reply to @mikeis68 "I am 68 yr old male in excellent physical condition and all lipid numbers are good...." + (show)
@mikeis68

I am 68 yr old male in excellent physical condition and all lipid numbers are good. I continue to get elevating calcium scores. Now at 1087, was 647 four years ago. I have passed a stress test and actually had a 17 METS score which I was told is very good. Now pondering on having an angiogram to see if there is actual blockage that I need to address. I feel good and continue my physical activities but admit the emotional part of that high score is on my mind always. Some Dr.'s dont really think the score is that relevant, just one indicator , but I do think it is a relatively important indicator if it keeps rising , as mine is. Thoughts??????

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Some data indicates CAC scores increase about 15% per year, and if one starts statins during this period, that will also increase calcium buildup.

Here's a good summary on tests - badic stresd, stress with echo, nuclear stress (MPI), to angiography.
https://www.ccjm.org/content/88/9/502

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