I have a very high calcium score. What next?

I have been reading all the posts on calcium scan. May I ask what prompted the scans? Was it at the suggestions of cardiologists?

A calcium score gives a good indication of plaque burden in the coronary arteries. In my case it was initiated by my PCP at age 70, and the high result determined that I should be on a statin. It also caused me to redouble my efforts to reduce my risk thru a heart-healthy diet and exercise. Cleveland Clinic publishes an informative 80-page report on Coronary Artery Disease which was helpful for me in understanding this disease. 877-300-0253 to order. Mayo Clinic has not published anything similar to my knowledge.

Primary care Doctor was the initial drive, and the high score got the attention of my Cardiologist who followed up with a trip to the cath lab.

Bruce
Texas

@tim1028. Did you have high cholesterol before the calcium scan? Is this why your PCP ordered it? I eat a very clean diet, with alot of vegetables and very little animal protein, yet my cholesterol is on the borderline. My PCP said it could be genetics since my family has a history of high cholesterol and high blood pressure. My vegan friend's cholesterol is not that much better and he is very surprised.

My only cholesterol risk factor was a low HDL, in the high 20s. My PCP gave me the option of getting a CAC scan to see if I needed to be on a statin. The rest is history. Cholesterol numbers are influenced by genetics as well as lifestyle.

Hello - I’m a 40 y/o male that just received a calcium score of close to 1100 taken during a CT angiogram. 4 years ago my score was 330 at which time my crestor was doubled the 40 and 4g of vascepa daily along with an aspirin. I’ve had no symptoms, don’t smoke, eat very healthy, LDL regularly in the 40s-50s, and exercise very regularly. I’m at a loss on how my score still increased exponentially despite me taking every effort to reduce it over the past 4 years. Has anyone experienced anything similar with the score rising steeply even though you are taking all precautions to address it?

Have you been taking calcium supplements? After having similar issues I began researching my every evening before bed TUMS habit (I love very spicy food and kept getting heartburn at night). I found multiple articles re a study that proved that calcium from diet was readily absorbed into the body but calcium supplements were not and could build up in your arteries. Ive since stopped my spicy food at night and all TUMS and will recheck my calcium score after a year.

I have not been taking any calcium supplements or high calcium foods. I routinely get blood work done and my calcium levels have been 9.0-9.5 which is within normal range, Additionally my LP(a) levels which I was told is independent of LDL cholesterol levels and my c- reactive protein levels are both very good. The ct angio did not reveal any blockages but I’m terrified of my calcification continuing to accumulate despite me doing everything I can from a medication and lifestyle perspective.

If your lp(a) is good then you have large cholesterol particles which is very good news.
Have your thyroid AND parathyroid checked. If parathyroid (no relationship to thyroid) is malfunctioning it can make your calcium levels freak out. Had a friend who had this issue and she had her parathyroid glands (multiple small) removed till her level s became normalized.
It’s hell to get old

I am on 40 mg Crestor. I started Zetia, 2 months later my Liver enzymes high. May be more related to Zetia. High cac may be related to Statin. Statins increase Calcium score a lot.