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Extremely high calcium score at 42 - is there any positive here??

Heart & Blood Health | Last Active: May 8 3:53pm | Replies (209)
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@midnewyork83

Any updates? I am 42 and just found out I have a score of 18. I had an echo recently done and everything was fine. I’ve been seeing a cardiologist for years because I have health anxiety, he never suggested this test because I didn’t fit the profile (I’m young, great blood pressure, no family history, etc). I realize my CAC score of 18 is not nearly as bad as yours was at 42, but nonetheless, it’s not zero - and I have been just as freaked out.

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Replies to "Any updates? I am 42 and just found out I have a score of 18. I..."
njx58 | @njx58 | May 4 5:46am

You have a little calcified plaque in your artery walls. Many people do, even if they don't know it. The blood is still flowing, and calcified plaque is stable (as opposed to soft plaque which is more likely to break off and cause a clot.)

Tests like EKG and echo won't necessarily show anything if your heart is peforming normally, so that should make you feel better. My score is over 200, and I go jogging every other day.

Your goal is to prevent further buildup. That means getting your LDL cholesterol way down (under 70), which probably means taking a statin. That is usually the recommendation once you have a non-zero calcium score, but let your cardiologist decide. You also need to watch your diet to reduce saturated fats. Exercise is important because it improves blood flow.

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