Connect
I have a very high calcium score. What next?
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.
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Heart & Blood Health Support Group.
Connect
@gchang817 What percentage was your blockage?
@christianzane the blockage in the distal LAD was 80%. The blockage remaining in my rca is about 20%. My latest labs has my ldl at 19 with 10mg rosuvastatin and lifestyle changes.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@gchang817
80% is definitely something to address so that's good you did. Also LDL of 19 seems extremely low, I've heard of neurological issues that low but I guess if your doc says 19 is ok.
I have a client who is a 3D radiology technician. She is the one who told me about calcium scores. My doctor never mentioned it because I am asymptomatic. I requested it and it was done. I am 69 years old with a calc score of 866. I was mortified. I have been on statins for familial hyperlipidemia for years. I had a heart cath done and a stent was not required. Some blockage for a man my age - but yes most of the calc outside of the arteries. Still, an uncertain place to be
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions@bluegelicopter You might want to seriously consider getting a new doctor immediately
@missey
Thanks, have been considering this. Just curious, is your comment about the fact that she never recommended a calc score OR that I have been on statins and still have a high calc score?
@bluegelicopter Both. Did you have an APOB and L PA Blood test which is famliar Genetic problem
@bluegelicopter Did they say anything about having most of the calcium outside the arteries in terms of what that means going forward? I guess its better than needing a whole bunch of procedures and such to fix any damage in the arteries that would obstruct blood flow.
@bluegelicopter
No need to change doctors, statins increase arterial calcification and CAC scores which is a good thing and what you want, your plaque is shifting into a stabilized stage. Heart cath and no stent needed shows proactive approach which is good. There is nothing for you to do but stay on your statin and make all neccessary lifestyle changes, many people in their 90s with CAC scores over 5000 living normal lives.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI (M56) have just had a CT Angiogram which gave a CAC of 474, and been told I am in the 95% percentile for my age. This gave me a fright, but reading through the posts I feel more at ease.
For context, I am fit with a number of long distance triathlons over the last few years (5 weeks since my last), some marathon (10k) swims, eat healthily, don't smoke and drink seldom. So, as you can imagine I was completely caught off guard with this, and it just shows that similar to diet, you cannot out-train your genetics.
I have been scheduled for a cath angiogram in a few weeks, but until then have been put off strenuous exercise, and the possibility, after upcoming angiogram, of stopping endurance events. Maybe it's time to step back and little.
Just wondering if any similar stories out there to put my mind at ease...