I have a very high calcium score. What next?

A stress test can reveal if there are arterial blockages greater than 70%. A CT Angiogram is even more accurate at locating blockages.

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A calcium score can increase as much as 30% per year. Lifestyle changes can dramatically lower the rate of progression.

Any updates? I just learned my score 2267. Having nuclear stress test in 5 days. Just wondered what I am getting into and what your process has been. Thanks Phil

I passed a stress test with imaging, but I don't know if I have any blockages that are more than 50%. I have increased my exercise regimen, and I'm experimenting with diet and exercise. The goal is to stabilize plaque and keep plaque progression to a minimum. I plan on taking another CAC Test in about 18 months. Let me know how your nuclear stress test goes, they should be able to accurately tell you the blockage percentage . Phil

Yes, the stress test will only "show" blockages of more then 70%. "I plan on taking another CAC Test in about 18 months." Be careful of the repeated short term (18 mo) radiation exposure!

Hi @pcspetpro. Glad @kanaazpereira invited me into this discussion again. I share your confusion about whether statins are reliable responses to calcification of arteries or not. I'm particularly interested in "Statins Promote Coronary Calcification? Study Says Yes . . ." It looks to me as though this is a common case of a bad misleading headline.

In the first paragraph of the story under the headline, you'll see that "In the analysis, statins, specifically high-intensity statin therapy, actually promoted coronary calcification despite regressing the volume of coronary atheroma." Notice that the headline gives no attention or credence to "high-intensity statin therapy" as a major factor in calcium contents of debris deposits on the internal lining of an artery. As you suggest, there was some mysterious capability of statins to affect changes in calcium and low-density lipids and doing so in contrasting directions under differing conditions. Unfortunately, the mystery was reported for this study four years ago and might have been solved more recently, but if so, I didn't find that information. Even so, give that report a good read and see if you get a different impression of how calcium deposits in arteries are affected by statins. As Kanaaz says, that's a matter of long-term controversy.

Hi everyone,

I thought you might be interested in seeing this Video Q&A that took place a few days ago – Mayo Clinic’s Dr. Gayatri Acharya and Dr. Stephen Kopecky, talk about statins:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/webinar/video-qa-about-statins/

Many things can contribute to athrosclorosis, what is your diet?

I have a calcium score of 131.45. Presently taking blood pressure med, and just started med for cholesterol even though my numbers were good on my present blood work. I have started a statin, but am scared. My weight is 134 pounds with my height being 5 4.5 inches. All of my life I have been slim but now this pops up. What the heck. I am walking, almost on a daily basis and trying to cut my weight down. My doctor says I am OK, because I have never smoked, not overweight, no diabetes, and blood pressure is under control. Should I be scared?