High Coronary Calcium Score: How do others feel emotionally?

At 2600+, I'd be thrilled with 706. I'm 72 with NO exercise intolerance and normal flow studies to date, short of angiography (which I won't have unless in an immediately life threatening state as I'm highly allergic [delayed systemic hypersensitivity reaction] to contrast). On one hand I feel like a walking time bomb. On the other, I'm pretty good at just getting on with my life as it is (I work, play lead guitar in a band, work out, etc). We're not gettin' out of here alive, so, as my cardiologist says, 'carpe diem'. jon

Do you have any idea why your CAC Score is so high? Do you have elevated LDL cholesterol or LP(a)?

I had the basic non-contrast CAC done, with high scores in two coronary arteries (total score 1500) and close to zero in two others. Can they tell from this CT scan where in the arteries the plaque is located? Or if it is concentrated or spread out?

My total cholesterol is 185. LDL is 130. My cardiologist said the new rules on LDL are 190! I was surprised. Thanks for all the feedback. I didn't sleep well last night. I feel a little better now.

I don't have any exercise intolerance either. I'm not a body builder(you look great by the way) but I lift light weights and use my elliptical trainer 2-3 days a week for 25-30 minutes with no problem. Also play golf twice a week and train racehorses in the morning(I don't get on them anymore but I do a lot of walking). Thanks for your reply

I didn't get that info but I have a score of 4 in the widow maker(Left main) and 0 in the Circumflex, 266 in the right coronary and 436 in the left anterior descending. May I ask what treatment you are undergoing?

Always heard the opposite with LDL. My Doc said to get below 100 is standard but in my case with the high calcium score below 80.

I have been on a moderately high dose statin, 40 mg of Atorvastatin and 81 mg aspirin for three months. I have none of the standard risk factors and have been physically active my whole life (I'm 70). Thankfully, I have experienced no side effects from the statin and hope to change to a high-dose 80 mg dose of Atorvastatin at my next medical appointment. The 2018 AHA/ACC cholesterol guidelines suggest lowering LDL cholesterol as much as possible
("In patients with clinical ASCVD, reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) with high-intensity statins or maximally tolerated statins to decrease ASCVD risk. Greater LDL-C reductions on statin therapy, leading to lower LDL-C levels, lower significant risk. Use a maximally tolerated statin to reduce LDL-C levels by ≥50%")

My genetic profile from 23andme shows a slightly increased risk for increased Lipoprotein A (SNP rs3798220 = normal; SNP 10455872 = likely elevated LpA.) I haven't had a test for Lp(A) because the horse is already out of the barn. Like others here, I have no exercise intolerance and am asymptomatic. My plan is to eat a more heart healthy diet (Mediterranean), continue to maintain physical activity levels, and address stress.

@tim1028- Tim, I had been on 40 mg. of Atorvastatin for about a year and began experiencing numbness in my feet when I walked. Went to the Scottsdale Mayo for a 2nd opinion on sevral heart issues and when discussing statins my cardiologist suggested moving to Rosuvastatin because in his opinion worked best on LDL. My LDL was at 78 at the time and he wanted me to get below 70. After 6 months of 20 mg. of Rosuvastatin, all my levels got much better including my LDL dropped to 64. Since than that continued 20 mg dose has maintained those numbers and the numbness is gone best of all!

That score may be high for a 37 year old,but understand that not all is known about calcium scores. I am 75 and my score is 2500 and I have no symptoms. Had nuclear stress test and had Mets score of 13 which is equivalent performance of a 24 year old. Further test showed my three arteries to the heart were 90%,88% cand 88% open with good blood flow. Talk to your Dr. I would try to eat a dash diet,and if he says ok,hit the gym and exercise using aerobics and weights. I go 7 days a week for 80 minutes/ visit. Try not to worry and good luck.