I have a very high calcium score. What next?

Posted by dpframing @dpframing, Aug 24, 2018

Just joined the site and I'm looking to share with others who have had a high calcium score. I found out today that mine is 2996 and I am scared by this. I am 61 and I am totally asymptomatic. Now I feel like a walking time bomb. I am thinking of requesting an angiogram to see if there's any narrowing anywhere and if it can be corrected with a stent. After a second heart doctor told me that the plaque buildup might be uniform over the course of years with no big problem areas, I am encouraged. But the score still freaks me out, specifically my LAD at 1333. I don't smoke or drink but I have to lose 40 lbs.

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Profile picture for bmcel @bmcel

I had a calcium score around 800
Angiogram- no stent needed
Hear that calcium score can be misleading

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@bmcel the picture shows where the calcium is which is hardening of the arteries.

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Profile picture for bmcel @bmcel

I had a calcium score around 800
Angiogram- no stent needed
Hear that calcium score can be misleading

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@bmcel
i have a calcium score over 6000.
Angiogram showed no need for stent.
My Dr. did not was not
concerned about the high score.

Rob

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Profile picture for robmtk @robmtk

@bmcel
i have a calcium score over 6000.
Angiogram showed no need for stent.
My Dr. did not was not
concerned about the high score.

Rob

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@robmtk my husband’s is 5,185. No need for stents either. He’s on a heart healthy diet and exercise. He loved red meat but has made big diet changes. His most blocked coronary arteryis 25-49%. I understand stents aren’t needed unless 70% blocked. He has no symptoms and no risk factors. His atorvastatin was increased from 10mg to 80mg.

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Profile picture for riflemanz64 @riflemanz64

I’m having sob and palpitations and I have to wait until late November for my echo. My stress test is October 14. They’re really booked for appointments. They don’t get you in fast unless you’re having major problems.

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@riflemanz64 so true. My husbands score is 5185 and he had to wait too. He had no symptoms so they were not rushing either!

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Profile picture for kswartz @kswartz

@robmtk my husband’s is 5,185. No need for stents either. He’s on a heart healthy diet and exercise. He loved red meat but has made big diet changes. His most blocked coronary arteryis 25-49%. I understand stents aren’t needed unless 70% blocked. He has no symptoms and no risk factors. His atorvastatin was increased from 10mg to 80mg.

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@kswartz
that makes me feel better that someone else has similar issue and diagnosis. My most blocked artery is about the same. I was put on 5mg statin a few months ago. After the angiogram i was also told to take 1 baby aspirin a day.

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Profile picture for robmtk @robmtk

@kswartz
that makes me feel better that someone else has similar issue and diagnosis. My most blocked artery is about the same. I was put on 5mg statin a few months ago. After the angiogram i was also told to take 1 baby aspirin a day.

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@robmtk my husband is also on Aspirin 81mg daily also, but I suggested it to the cardiologist and she agreed. ( I’m a retired pharmacist who reviewed medical charts for years). His atorvastatin was increased from 10 mg to 80 mg immediately. The cardiologist wants his LDL 40-50. We return to cardio 3 months post the dose increase to reassess.

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Profile picture for kswartz @kswartz

@robmtk my husband’s is 5,185. No need for stents either. He’s on a heart healthy diet and exercise. He loved red meat but has made big diet changes. His most blocked coronary arteryis 25-49%. I understand stents aren’t needed unless 70% blocked. He has no symptoms and no risk factors. His atorvastatin was increased from 10mg to 80mg.

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@kswartz keep us posted. I have been trying to figure out what to do with a 2500 score with uniform blocking I guess you would say. Doctor wants me to continue mowing the yard and doing treadmill and physical workout. Seems odd

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Profile picture for tlclimo @tlclimo

@kswartz keep us posted. I have been trying to figure out what to do with a 2500 score with uniform blocking I guess you would say. Doctor wants me to continue mowing the yard and doing treadmill and physical workout. Seems odd

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@tlclimo same with my husbands score of 5185. As long as no symptoms, he’s mowing and doing everything he has been doing. He’s actually making a point to walk daily now….ususally 4 miles. He’s much more conscious of what he eats now and makes sure he exercises regularly.

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Profile picture for kswartz @kswartz

@tlclimo same with my husbands score of 5185. As long as no symptoms, he’s mowing and doing everything he has been doing. He’s actually making a point to walk daily now….ususally 4 miles. He’s much more conscious of what he eats now and makes sure he exercises regularly.

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@kswartz awesome. Keep posting. I feel the same way. Just kind of scared but all is good

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Profile picture for kswartz @kswartz

@robmtk my husband is also on Aspirin 81mg daily also, but I suggested it to the cardiologist and she agreed. ( I’m a retired pharmacist who reviewed medical charts for years). His atorvastatin was increased from 10 mg to 80 mg immediately. The cardiologist wants his LDL 40-50. We return to cardio 3 months post the dose increase to reassess.

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@kswartz
I'm on 5mg of rosuvastatin which i started beginning of year. My LDL is 57. My Dr. never told me a number he wanted me at.

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