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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@jimk849

Had nuclear stress test last Thurs. Nurse called yesterday results normal. Doctors note on results was keep exercise up and keep weight down. See doc. again in one year continue atorvastatin and lisinopril.

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@jimk849 good to hear this is the key to good health

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@tim1028

I am a new member. I recently had a calcium score CT test that resulted in a score of over 1500. I am 69 and am asymptomatic with no risk factors except a low HDL. This test result is a complete surprise and my anxiety index is high and I have no idea what this means for future treatment. I have a stress echocardiogram scheduled next week. What can I expect on the road ahead? I feel a bit like there is a cardiac bomb ticking . Most of the calcium is concentrated in two arteries

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This is a follow-up post. I have been formulating some questions to ask a cardiologist on an upcoming first consultation visit and would like to see if anyone has any suggestions for additional questions I should ask. In summary, I have NO cardiac risk factors or symptoms, am 70 years old and have a calcium score over 1,600, almost all of it concentrated in two arteries, the right circumflex and the LAD. I had a stress/echo test and the results were normal My PCP started me on 40 mg of Lipitor.I am a life-long exerciser. Here is my current list of questions for the cardiologist:

(1) Is plaque in the coronary arteries representative of the plaque burden throughout the body and brain, putting me at higher risk for stroke?
(2) Current thinking is that the LDL cholesterol should be as low as possible? Should I be taking a higher dose of statin to accomplish that or is the goal to get LDL below 70 and leave it at that?
(3) What do we know for certain based on the the high calcium score and the normal stress/echo test?
(4) Do you recommend any specific supplements to help with heart health, for example ,Vitamin K2?
(5) What is the significance of two coronary arteries having a high calcium score and two coronary arteries at almost zero?
(6) My PCP mentioned that my coronary blood supply may be good, despite the high calcium burden, because of collateral circulation. What does that mean?
(7) How is coronary artery disease monitored and how frequently? EKG? Stress Test? Symptoms?
(8) Should I be taking any other medications other than a statin, for example, a platelet inhibitor?

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@tim1028

This is a follow-up post. I have been formulating some questions to ask a cardiologist on an upcoming first consultation visit and would like to see if anyone has any suggestions for additional questions I should ask. In summary, I have NO cardiac risk factors or symptoms, am 70 years old and have a calcium score over 1,600, almost all of it concentrated in two arteries, the right circumflex and the LAD. I had a stress/echo test and the results were normal My PCP started me on 40 mg of Lipitor.I am a life-long exerciser. Here is my current list of questions for the cardiologist:

(1) Is plaque in the coronary arteries representative of the plaque burden throughout the body and brain, putting me at higher risk for stroke?
(2) Current thinking is that the LDL cholesterol should be as low as possible? Should I be taking a higher dose of statin to accomplish that or is the goal to get LDL below 70 and leave it at that?
(3) What do we know for certain based on the the high calcium score and the normal stress/echo test?
(4) Do you recommend any specific supplements to help with heart health, for example ,Vitamin K2?
(5) What is the significance of two coronary arteries having a high calcium score and two coronary arteries at almost zero?
(6) My PCP mentioned that my coronary blood supply may be good, despite the high calcium burden, because of collateral circulation. What does that mean?
(7) How is coronary artery disease monitored and how frequently? EKG? Stress Test? Symptoms?
(8) Should I be taking any other medications other than a statin, for example, a platelet inhibitor?

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@tim1028- That's a great list to start with. The one thing I would ask about is when it comes to lowering your LDL below 70 I had been trying to accomplish that for years by both food choices as well as being on statins (atorvastin, simistatin) both at 40mg w/o any success. All my numbers were much better but my LDL was stuck at about 78. When I went to the Scottsdale Mayo last April for a 2nd opinion on my EF (injection fraction) being so low after a heart attack I had back in 2014, this subject came up and my cardiologist there suggested I try the statin Rosuvastatin at 20mg to start. After taking it for 6 months I had a lipid work-up and my LDL had dropped down to 67.
Both my GP and cardiologist here wanted me to be on 40 mg of it, but I resisted until getting the results. I was pleasantly pleased with the results and not so much comments from my Drs. here? Best of luck to you! Jim@thankful

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@ochip

Hello. New to group. 58 year old male. My primary Dr. had me take the CT heart scan because my cholesterol was high. Actually my bad was high but my good and triglycerides were very good. In other words, my ratios were excellent. I do eat a lot of dairy up till two days ago. Other than that, I eat pretty well. I've worked out most of my life and keep my weight and waist at high school levels. I'm 5'9" and weigh 157. Father had heart issues including two valve transplants and passed away at 75 when we believe a stent may have dislodged a few days after surgery. Expected to see a score of 0, but shocked to see a score of 510. Also, according to Dr. most of the calcium is in the artery they call the window maker and I've been advised to get a nuclear stress test to pin point it. I went on 10mg of Crestor and a baby aspirin yesterday. Something I said I would never do.
What I'm reading here that is very concerning is that everyone seems to be saying the same thing. That even though they are doing everything possible including exercise (which, by the way, most people in this country rarely do) , diet and statins, it's not changing anything with regard to the calcium score. In fact, it almost seems the opposite. All the scores seemed to have only increased doing the right thing. Has anyone had any positive results at all from the treatment and lifestyle changes? Has anyone actually seen there score at least stay the same? Like everyone else, I feel like a walking time bomb. One more note, blood pressure 105/77. EKG always fine. No symptoms at all. Thanks for your anticipated input.

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For some people their calcium score actually increases due to the statins. This is explained by the fact that it's the calcium that is a stabilizing factor in plaque. It is the unstable plaque that can cause a sudden heart attack. There is still so much that is unknown about the complicated process of atherosclerosis.

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@lioness

@tim1028 In the 90,s Ihad triple by pass at that time after surgery Dr put me on Aspirin 81mg it acts as a blood thinner to prevent clots Its been 23 yrs now Ive taken the aspirin every night and still here Long before this the Dr told me my calcium level was good so Not to take calcium as you get it done n food greens in particular.You also need magnesium for your heart and other organs .I went through 3heart catheterization,stress test before surgery then echocardiogram none of it is worth worrying about ,anxiety and panicking can do more harm to you emotions play on these. Good luck

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I think your right, I certainly feel that hypertension was a contributing factor to my high CAC score.

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@pcspetpro

For some people their calcium score actually increases due to the statins. This is explained by the fact that it's the calcium that is a stabilizing factor in plaque. It is the unstable plaque that can cause a sudden heart attack. There is still so much that is unknown about the complicated process of atherosclerosis.

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@pcspetpro Thank you for the reply. I've since taken a nuclear stress test, and was told everything is normal. The cardiologist monitoring the test did told me that I probably don't want to take the CT scan again for that reason....

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I am 67 male from south east asia .I take medicines to control my BP and Cholesterol and a blood thinner tablet also .My lipid profile is fine and BP is in normal range .My echocardiogram was fine also .My thyroid tests (T3,T4 and TSH) are normal.I am 84 kg with a height of 5 feet 8 inches .Still working and very active .My CT calcium score done last week was 1824 ..
Can the Group members provide some guidance to me on my high score of calcium I am on a strict diet control and starting some exercise also .Liaquat

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How high was your cholesterol/lipid profile before taking cholesterol lowering medication? What diet were you on and how have you changed your diet? Do you have any insights into why your CAC score is so high? Have you taken a stress test?

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@liaquat

I am 67 male from south east asia .I take medicines to control my BP and Cholesterol and a blood thinner tablet also .My lipid profile is fine and BP is in normal range .My echocardiogram was fine also .My thyroid tests (T3,T4 and TSH) are normal.I am 84 kg with a height of 5 feet 8 inches .Still working and very active .My CT calcium score done last week was 1824 ..
Can the Group members provide some guidance to me on my high score of calcium I am on a strict diet control and starting some exercise also .Liaquat

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@liaquat I just read on http://www.WebMD that a high Vit D level could be a cause have your lab work done on Vit D level ,hope this helps

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@lioness

@liaquat I just read on http://www.WebMD that a high Vit D level could be a cause have your lab work done on Vit D level ,hope this helps

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i had Vitamin D deficiency and took some capsules and injections .Now my vitamin D level is within normal limit .

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