1. < Heart & Blood Health

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.

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george7856 | @george7856 | Jan 29 3:13pm
In reply to @dejones270 "I started taking two 500 mg. doses of slow release niacin daily and my Lp(a) went..." + (show)
@dejones270

I started taking two 500 mg. doses of slow release niacin daily and my Lp(a) went down dramatically.

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what was your LP a before niacin and after and how long did it take to get it down?

REPLY
missey | @missey | Jan 30 9:09am
In reply to @dejones270 "I started taking two 500 mg. doses of slow release niacin daily and my Lp(a) went..." + (show)
@dejones270

I started taking two 500 mg. doses of slow release niacin daily and my Lp(a) went down dramatically.

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Niacin is a very dangerous supplement to take! Please consult with your doctor.

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agb | @agb | Jan 31 11:50am
In reply to @sherrylaverty "I too have a high CAC score. I have lost 120 lbs put the plaque will..." + (show)
@sherrylaverty

I too have a high CAC score. I have lost 120 lbs put the plaque will never go away. My cardiologist bumped up my statin to 40mg of Atorvastation and a year later my CAC score rose 47 points. I too am scared and scared to travel on an airplane due to the fact of having an event. I also have heart arrthymias which I frequently feel… it’s no fun and really destroys living life to the fullest.,

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One of the side effects (thought to be good) from taking a statin is that it will convert soft plaque into hard. It's the soft plaque breaking away that causes the most heart attacks and strokes, so yes, you should expect the CAC score to rise, but at a lower risk. Ask your doctor at your next appointment

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