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High calcium score: I'm in shock
Hi everyone... just wanted to share my last few days - I'm scared and lost and was just hoping to hear from some people who have been in my place. Long story short - I went in for a "routine" checkup at age 50 to make sure my heart was okay. I had a stress test two years ago that was fine. But I do have a family history, and somewhat high LDL and blood pressure so the doctor sent me for a cardiac calcium score. It came back at 407 at age 50!!! That's like the 98th percentile for my age, which is shocking. I do Crossfit and have done half marathons so it was totally unexpected. Now I'm going for another stress test in two weeks to make sure no blockages are over 70%, and I'm not sure of the steps after that.... I'm terrified of needing open heart surgery - I've gotten myself into a place of being okay with a stent if needed. I know it's better to know than not know, but I just feel like my life was suddenly ripped out from under me and to be honest I'm spinning right now... every waking second I feel like I'm going to drop over..
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Knowing something is wrong can be scary.
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asked for a routine stress test which led to a calcium scoring test. score was 1975. Further tests shows a left atrial enlargement. Right-sided aortic arch with similar size of the left subclavian artery diverticulum of Kommerall. Similar ectasia of the ascending aorta measuring 4.4 cm. Now he has discovered esophagus issues as well. He is scheduled for CT scans to further evaluate. I don’t know which is worse…knowing and dealing with it or peaceful ignorance in not knowing
All,
So, a quick update ... had QuestDiagnostics complete a Advanced Lipid panel/CardioIQ. Results were interesting:
Total cholesterol - 94
HDL - 45
LDL-37
Triglycerides - 42
non HDL Cholesterol - 49
LDL particle - 883
LDL Small - 159
LDL Medium - 154
LDL Pattern - A
LDL Peak size - 218.7
HDL large - 6235
Apolipoprote in B - 43
Lipoprotein (a) - 28
Generally good numbers, yes?
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1 ReactionHave you been tested for parathyroidism? High calcium level is a major symptom. Parathyroids are behind your thyroid but are entirely unrelated to the thyroid. Until I was tested due to my calcium level I had never heard of the parathyroids. It would be worth asking your doctor.
anncgirl,
Did you have abnormal lipid panel or other effects - other than high CAC?
Hi Guys, I'm new to the thread. I'm 56 and workout every day, having done major triathlons and crossfit, now just a gym rat with low body fat, eat well and hardly drink. Just had a CT scan yesterday and a 2,854 CAC score plus a 4.3cm Ascending Aortic Thoracic Aneurysm (AATA). I do have pectus excavatum (indenting of the chest) a birth defect that I've always considered a badge of honor but it does affect normal heart function / circulatory function. But f**k them if they can't take a joke. Dr. ordered a stress test and an echo. I'm thinking the CAC score is helpful but doesn't tell the whole picture. CAC with AATA is a bit disconcerting but I'm also hoping it can all just be managed. PS, I love weight lifting and running high intensity, both blood pressure inducing. Wondering if anyone feels the same.
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1 ReactionHistory of high calcium score here and lots of looking at Marfan with family members. My son has pectus excavatum repair. Is yours getting worse? My understanding is the heart will take the space it needs and shortchange the lungs. IDK? Have you had your heart tests yet? I hope they provide you with more information that will help you understand your calcium number. So glad you are active, and now are able to pin something down to help you deal with potential situations and make them non-events!
Hi jharsh Pectus seems to be the same as it always was, pretty severe but I treat it like a badge of honor, like my other scars.
Yes, the heart figure out how to make room, hence my lung capacity is a bit lower but that's why I have to train harder and decided to do a full ironman a few years back.
Heart tests are next week with a stress pressure MRI. Results soon and I'll report back. Hopefully, we can see that the calcium has not impeded the flow of blood ot the heart and I can go about living life to its fullest like I do every day.
Thanks for the note.
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1 ReactionHi All, I found all these posts to be very informative and valuable. So thanks for all the posts. My situation ... 62 y/o very active male (hiking, cycling, high intensity interval training at least 4x per week). Feel great after each workout and am asymptomatic. Last physical LDL was 147, HDL 56, and Triglycerides 59. Since the LDL was at the same level for the last 3 years my primary recommended a statin. Asked that he do a CT calcium score first. Results came back with a total score of 1326. Breakdown as follows: LAD was 410, left circumflex was 256, and right coronary artery was 660. So I started freaking out!
Met with cardiologist and he immediately put me on 80 mg Lipitor, 81 mg aspirin, and told me to stop the high intensity training for the time being. Because I was asymptomatic he wanted to a nuclear stress test and a cardiac hw echcardiogram. If I was symptomatic he would have done a cardiac catheterization. The results of each test were perfect! The nuclear stress showed good blood flow. I thought it would show the blood flow in each artery but apparently it doesn't.
Spoke to cardiologist this morning and he said its ok to resume the high intensity interval training and to keep taking the statin and aspiring. I told him I was still freaking out and was afraid of just dropping over one day soon. He wants to do Coronary CTA scan next but apparently the results of the coronary CTA scan tend to be higher than what's actually there. So if the scan shows there is a 90% blockage it may only be a 60% blockage. Scheduling out the scan is 6 weeks out.
Asked about doing a catheterization instead but he said because I am asymptomatic that the insurance companies may not cover it. So I don't if I should tell him that I am symptomatic now.
Is there anymore that I can do or I have I been handed a death sentence?