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High Coronary Calcium Score: How do others feel emotionally?
I have a calcium score of 1,950 which is extremely high which means I am at a very high risk for a cardiac event,heart attack,stroke or sudden death.
I take a statin and baby aspirin. I have never been sick, have excellent cholesterol, low blood pressure and I am not overweight. I have no other health problems and I have never been sick. But I feel like a walking time bomb which has caused me a lot of stress. I am 70 yrs old.
I wonder how others with this condition feel emotionally?
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@peggystephenson - I think one of these may be the same video by Dr. Brott but I'm not sure.
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3 ReactionsI believe that the primary function of the CAC test is to diagnose CAD. Once diagnosed it is redundant to retest. Once diagnosed other tests (i.e. cath, stress test, or CTA with FFR) are more informative as to the extent of the disease. Another CAC test will just confirm the first and possibly reflect an increase but is of little value regarding what medical treatment is best going forward.
keith,
I believe this is correct - once you have a baseline indicating treatment, the only thing a new CAC will do is show increases in most people.
I have not heard of studies showing calcium scores going down due to lifestyle changes or even medicines - the medical scientists are continuing to work towards this, though.
In addition to statins, I have been taking Vascepa since my first CAC three years ago, but my second still indicated growth of about 10% per year - it has been shown to reduce plaque in one study, but jury is still out on calcium reduction. My LDL and Triglycerides are very low so there is not much else to be done.
My initial CAC score was 1014 in 2018 and I had a CTA with FFR a few weeks ago (not to get a new CAC score but that is part of the test) and I had a modest increase to 1185. No crazy diets or supplements, just a balanced diet and moderate exercise in addition to my rosuvastatin and zetia (LDL is 50). Unfortunately, the FFR in my LAD is down to 0.76 and my cardiologist said it is most likely unstentable. I just have to keep on doing what I'm doing and he'll continue to monitor me.
Also, if you have high CAC you may have the same mechanism affecting your cerebral arteries. I have been diagnosed with chronic microvascular ischemia in my brain and MRI's show areas of brain cell death as well as lacunar strokes. You also might want to have your carotids checked, I have up to 39% blockage there as of 2018 as well.
Good luck!
It is, John. Thank you for finding it. I was coming up empty-handed. You are an internet sleuth.
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2 ReactionsI disagree. You can see changes and gauge whether actions taken are working.
YouTube, for example -Pat Theut and Ivor Cummins before you subscribe to the FDA. Just saying….
I respect your opinion, but believe that these YouTube shamans are no better than the old snake oil salesman. Unless they have peer reviewed independent double blind trials with significant cohorts and no financial interest in their promotions I give them no credence. There are no proven methods to reduce CAC, and the fact that I have only a 15% increase in just less than 5 years without any of the sham cures doesn't cause me to chase after any rainbows.
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1 Reactionpeggy,
Please provide links or citations to actual studies on reversing coronary calcium.
“https://youtu.be/OtyMr1WpPaI”
I think a high calcium score is a wake up call. Dr Dean Ornish and Dr Caldwell Esselstyn were able to show you can reverse heart disease. program dr Ornish showed randomized controlled trials to reverse the progression of even severe coronary heart disease by lifestyle changes, without drugs or surgery.