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Calcium score

Heart & Blood Health | Last Active: Apr 8 6:56pm | Replies (29)
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@cindycossen

So the narrowing cannot cause a heart attack

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Replies to "So the narrowing cannot cause a heart attack"
mayoconnectuser1 | @mayoconnectuser1 | Apr 8 8:40am

Perhaps just start taking a statin so the plaque will calcify?

CAC number will increase, but chance of plaque breaking off will decrease.

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njx58 | @njx58 | Apr 8 5:16pm

Heart attacks happen when blood supply to the heart is interrupted, causing damage to the muscle. The main way this happens is if plaque breaks off and causes a blood clot.

Narrowing of the arteries itself isn't the issue as long as blood is flowing, but narrowing is a result of plaque, so that can be a problem if nothing is done.

Aerobic exercise helps expand the arteries and strengthen the heart.

Besides statins, baby aspirin (or blood thinners) help prevent clots.

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