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Crazy high calcium score of 3,000+

Heart & Blood Health | Last Active: 1 day ago | Replies (71)

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@sdbonniea123 As I understand it, those high numbers MIGHT mean something significant, but they also might not. That there may be a correlation between high numbers and a blockage, but there is not causation. We already know this because plenty of people here and in similar groups did the additional gold standard testing I haven't done and were found to be free of blockages. They simply didn't have blockages, regardless of what number they got on a calcium score test.

As was explained to me, the score indicates how much calcium you have. But the more important thing is WHERE the calcium is. You can have a high score in the thousands and be fine, and you can have score of 50 and have a problem because of where it's located. I'm trying to think of a good analogy, and the best I can come up with this flawed one: You can have 20 gunshots fired at you or 1 gunshot fired at you. Now, 20 gunshots sounds much worse than 1 gunshot, right? But what if the 20 gunshots all miss, and the one gunshot hits you?

All that said, the high number is still a cause of concern to my doctors, and something that needs to be watched more closely than if one had a low score and requires more aggressive treatment. But it doesn't mean there is a blockage now, or that there definitely will ever be one if I understand things right.

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Replies to "@sdbonniea123 As I understand it, those high numbers MIGHT mean something significant, but they also might..."

Thank you so much for your thoughtful and informative response! I understand the analogy and appreciate it. This arms me with some more questions to ask at the cardiologist at my appt tomorrow. I may come back and share what I’ve learned. Thanks again and all the best to you!

Thank you so much for your insights. Based on a strong family history, I had a heart calcium scan done in May. Scored in the 1600’s. Received a call from a cardiologist (never seen one before) telling me to come in sooner rather than later. Saw him within 10 days and he’s using terms like widow maker, open heart surgery or stents. Did an EKG in the office same visit, scheduled me for an echocardiogram which took 4 weeks to get in. Then a heart catherization which took another 4 weeks. For those 2 months, I am terrified to do anything thinking I’m going to keel over at any time. Results of the heart cath showed 30% blockage.

I’m delighted with those results, but was surprised I never received any helpful info from the cardiologist. I had to do the research myself to see if this was a common thing. I looked on the Mayo Clinic website and found people who have experienced similar results. That has been very helpful. Thanks to all who shared similar experiences.