1. < Heart & Blood Health

I have a very high calcium score. What next?

Posted by dpframing @dpframing, Aug 24, 2018

Just joined the site and I'm looking to share with others who have had a high calcium score. I found out today that mine is 2996 and I am scared by this. I am 61 and I am totally asymptomatic. Now I feel like a walking time bomb. I am thinking of requesting an angiogram to see if there's any narrowing anywhere and if it can be corrected with a stent. After a second heart doctor told me that the plaque buildup might be uniform over the course of years with no big problem areas, I am encouraged. But the score still freaks me out, specifically my LAD at 1333. I don't smoke or drink but I have to lose 40 lbs.

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markdeegan | @markdeegan | Feb 8, 2023

Also try Zetia. The Statins try and lower the LDL from the Liver. The Zetia helps with the food you eat. But remember you need some cholesterol to cover your nerve lines

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floppingsets | @floppingsets | Feb 8, 2023
In reply to @jdyment "My score is 2,854. Tons of tests, yadda yadda yadda, and 2 cardiologists said 5 years..." + (show)
@jdyment

My score is 2,854. Tons of tests, yadda yadda yadda, and 2 cardiologists said 5 years ago, we would have rushed to stent you. Today, your blood flow looks perfect so we'll put you on some statin drug and monitor every year. I also have an aortic aneurysm that they will monitor. So relax my friend. Just manage your cholesterol and everything will be find.

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what age range are you if you don't mind me asking?

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jdyment | @jdyment | Feb 8, 2023

I'm 56 and it amazing shape.

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jdyment | @jdyment | Feb 8, 2023

If we die all of a sudden, we die all of a sudden. No biggie. I've lived a good life and really hope I stick around to see my kids weddings, children, etc. but whenever He decides it's time, it's time. It was a fluke I even found out about my score. As the doctors said, it could be a 20 year/ 30 year progression but blood flow looks perfect. Keep doing what you are doing but take this white pill every day to control your cholesterol.

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markdeegan | @markdeegan | Feb 8, 2023
In reply to @floppingsets "hey there, would love to chat. I'm basically in full freak out mode at moment. Just..." + (show)
@floppingsets

hey there, would love to chat. I'm basically in full freak out mode at moment. Just received score and it's 430. I am 46. Non-smoker, not overweight, exercise and total lipid profile as seen attached. He suggested a 5 mg statin to start out. Didn't think a nuclear stress test was needed but I demanded it, so going in 10 days but have to pay out of pocket over $3k for it. According to the charts I'm in the 99th percentile and have the arteries of a 90 year old. Something isn't right. I've completely overhauled my lifestyle in the last week and plan on continuing. Cut out alcohol, and eating like a rabbit basically with some protein. Have lost 8 lbs. In any event, would love to hear how you are doing and any information you could provide.

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Crestor and Zetia

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Feb 8, 2023

Hi all,
Just a gentle reminder to consider guideline number 1 in the Community Guidelines https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/about-connect/tab/community-guidelines/

1. Be careful about giving out medical advice
– Sharing your own experience is fine, but don't tell other members what they should do.
– Experiences and information shared by members on the Mayo Clinic Connect are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
– Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the community. See the full Disclaimer (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/disclaimer/).

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jdyment | @jdyment | Feb 9, 2023
In reply to @floppingsets "When you say the docs say "blood flow looks perfect", what test are you referring to..." + (show)
@floppingsets

When you say the docs say "blood flow looks perfect", what test are you referring to that they know that? Does the same test look for things like an aortic aneurysm or is that something different?

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Aneurysm detected with CT Scan for baseline calcium score. Aneurysm confirmed with Perfusion MRI. CMR REPORT. Dilated ascending aorta (43mm at level of main PA). Mildly dilated ascending aorta (43mm).
Perfusion MRI scan is used to assess the blood supply to the heart and also the size of the aortic aneurysm
Cardiac MRI scan is used specifically to provide an image of the heart structure and blood vessels.

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1 reply
jdyment | @jdyment | Feb 9, 2023
In reply to @jdyment "Aneurysm detected with CT Scan for baseline calcium score. Aneurysm confirmed with Perfusion MRI. CMR REPORT...." + (show)
@jdyment

Aneurysm detected with CT Scan for baseline calcium score. Aneurysm confirmed with Perfusion MRI. CMR REPORT. Dilated ascending aorta (43mm at level of main PA). Mildly dilated ascending aorta (43mm).
Perfusion MRI scan is used to assess the blood supply to the heart and also the size of the aortic aneurysm
Cardiac MRI scan is used specifically to provide an image of the heart structure and blood vessels.

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Hope that helps. Good luck.

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mayoconnectuser1 | @mayoconnectuser1 | Feb 9, 2023

markdeega,

Zetia is ezetimibe. I have seen it discussed in combination with statins in severe cases. I asked my PCP about adding it to my atorvastatin, but since my LDL and trig levels were already so low (below 50) he noted it was unnecessary.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ezetimibe

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1 reply
cleerlyseeker | @cleerlyseeker | Feb 9, 2023
In reply to @mayoconnectuser1 "markdeega, Zetia is ezetimibe. I have seen it discussed in combination with statins in severe cases...." + (show)
@mayoconnectuser1

markdeega,

Zetia is ezetimibe. I have seen it discussed in combination with statins in severe cases. I asked my PCP about adding it to my atorvastatin, but since my LDL and trig levels were already so low (below 50) he noted it was unnecessary.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ezetimibe

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i kinda agree and kinda don't.
before ezetemibe
69 tri
45 ldl-c
I go in Tuesday to the lipid lab (new to me) to plead my case for Inclisirin. Would theoretically drive my ldl-c into the 20s. That's my number.
Wed is my appt for full blood labs to measure ezetemibe movement(60 days in).

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