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Need advice after receiving results of my CAC score
I'm a 73 year old retired male living in the Pacific Northwest. My wife (of 47 years) and I are retired and living comfortably and have, up until now, considered ourselves relatively healthy. Most recent BP was 118/68, my lipid panel shows:
Total Cholesterol = 166;
HDL = 58;
Triglycerides = 46;
LDL = 94
On my own initiative I decided to get a Coronary Artery Calcium scan and was shocked to get a result of 4975, putting me in the 98th percentile of high risk. I don't appear to be symptomatic in any way and have (recently) been on an aggressive lifestyle regimen that has included active exercise (cardio/resistance), nutritious diet, and working on my sleep. Nothing prompted this behavior other than general interest in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. My other markers have been excellent so this comes as quite a shock, but reflects a lifetime of poor eating and weight habits. At my heaviest I was at 320 lbs, and as of 2022 made it down to 200. I'm currently at 220 and working my way back down to a decent weight. We don't smoke or drink.
My primary has referred me to a cardiologist who I will see later this month. Until then, I'm just trying to deal with this news and wondering how to formulate meaningful questions for that visit, while gathering up as much additional research and advice as possible.
My primary is recommending I start 20mg Rosuvastatin and I await my pharmacy. I assume a cardiologist will endorse this and update as needed.
Meanwhile, I'm eager to learn more about what I should expect, what can be done, and how others are coping with this, or suggestions from the health community.
Thank you,
Bob in Seattle
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@njx58 also the LDL and HDL levels are also important. Please review those results.
@manofheart thank you, That's a good point!
My husband is 67, no symptoms, not overweight. His CAC is 5,185 which shocked us. His stress test was totally normal. Coronary angiogram showed one most blocked coronary artery was 24-49%. Other 2 were less than 24% blocked. Cardiologist increased atorvastin from 20mg to 80mg and added Aspirin 81mg daily. We went on a heart healthy diet ( and lost 20 lbs) and he started exercising more. His LDL went to 35 and cardiologist wants it there.
I decided to get my CAC and an angiogram because of his surprise results. I have no symptoms.
I’m 65 and have been on Rosuvastatin 10mg for about 3 months. I’m not overweight and LDL was 211 before starting rosuvastatin 10mg daily and 3 mo after starting rosuvastatin LDL was 108. The observed Agatston Calcium Score is 128 AU. The Agatston score for each vessel is as follows: Left main: 48; Left anterior descending artery: 79 ;Left circumflex coronary artery 0; Right coronary artery 0. PLAQUE BURDEN. P2 - Moderate (Calcium score of 101 - 300 , Segment involvement score of 3 -4, 1-2 vessels with moderate amount of plaque, 3 vessels with a mild amount of plaque.
Cardiologist was going to add ezetimibe, but I asked if we could try increasing the rosuvastatin to 20mg which we did. He recommended starting ASA81mg daily, but I declined that for now. I have a Follow up with the cardiologist on 3/24. )
Trying to stay on Heart healthy diet. Not much else I can do.
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1 Reaction@manofheart Why would you not listen to the patient if their request was reasonable?
A request or multiple requests I would be happy to accomidate them. It was when they were agressive and demanding a test that was not indicated.
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1 Reaction@manofheart Perhaps you misunderstood my post re. requesting a CCTA when at the cardiologist. Not a demand but, rather, a point to be reasonably discussed. I appreciate physicians who are willing to have a dialog rather than simply ordering a treatment plan.
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2 ReactionsHi…I am in a similar situation to you…I am 69 and have also been married for 47 years. We are very active and healthy..at least I thought. I knew I had heart issue in my family…my 91 year old dad has 22 stents. I had been told we make excess cholesterol…Luckily when I turned 50 my doctor put me on statins because of my dad’s history. I thought because I ate well and exercised that I would not have the same issues. I took a CAC test two years ago and my score was 220….my doctor said that wasn’t bad for a woman my age. I also had a stress test and no problem there. I was shocked when I had a massive heart attack In October and had 5 blockages..I got two stents. In the hospital they tested my LPa and APO b….my LPa was very high. I had never heard of this test…it is a total genetic trait and lifestyle, diet and exercise do not affect it. It is a special lipoprotein in your blood that makes your blood extra sticky and creates plaque. My suggestion to you is to ask for this test. Some insurance companies don’t pay for the test but I understand it’s only a couple of hundred dollars. It will definitely tell you if you will have episodes in the future. Good luck!
@manofheart It is not easy to find a lot of info about HDL. Mine is low. Even my doctor commented on how low it is. I have no idea how to raise it. I eat avocados, nuts, and take lethicine.
@alana924
My and my husband’s cardiologist ordered LPa for us. I was surprised mine wasn’t positive because my father and paternal grandfather died of heart disease. My dad was only 61. My husband’s was also negative. He doesn’t have family history of heart disease.
@iceblue mine imptoved when my doctor added ezetamibe to my statin