I have a very high calcium score. What next?

wow thanks. that's a real world test and upsetting to know it doesn't go down.

I think the point, writer418, is that a LOT of patients, a LOT of medical scientists, a LOT of medical doctors and surgeons are trying to find a way to make calcium go away.

If there is any light in the cloud it is that calcified plaque may be better than uncalcified plaque ...

My doctor told me not to bother with future calcium scans, the initial scan is just to verify the plaque and then make lifestyle changes accordingly, also statins will certainly cause that score to go way up, which is a good thing as the plaque is becoming stabilized as mentioned by other users.

There is article recently written and the author has taken three calcium scans in 20 years and he is reporting the results of the third scan soon and what ramifications there are based on his diet/statin use/exercise etc, I'm can't post the URL but it's the Courier Journal in Louisville KY and the author is Bryant Stamford.

Hi yes sorry to clarify, the calcification regression is different than the plaque, although I have seen some studies which I can’t post that have alleged to lower the actual calcification with cinacalcet and vitamin D derivatives, Vitamin K2, etc, and of course surgery (intravascular lithotripsy) has proven to break up the calcified plaque.

The lowering of the LDL cholesterol which I mentioned below 65 may reduce plaque volume and change the plaque composition which is what reduces the cholesterol-rich core, leaving the fibrotic and calcified component fixed. This leads to greater stability and potentially less CAD event chances.

@christianzane and @mayoconnectuser1, there is a brief period where new members can't post links. We do this to deter spammers and keep the community safe.

Christian, I believe this is the article you wished to link to:
- How this special heart scan could help you stop high cholesterol in its path https://www.courier-journal.com/story/life/wellness/health/2022/02/03/how-coronary-calcium-scans-can-help-lower-atherosclerosis-cholesterol/6636627001/

My apologies on not understanding why christian could not post links - I have seen so much bogus info on so many things I have become too suspicious.

So, to the fellow who wrote the article - at age 56 he was at the MESA 75th percentile - and, 14 years later he was at the 53 percentile - so, his lifestyle changes may have resulted in slower calcification - BUT, it could also simply be the rate his calcification was happening - depending on when it started. I don't quite understand the chest X-ray comparison.

Now, since he started statins in 2016, I suspect the curve will change for his calcification - it should show an acceleration as the statin starts to calcify the plaque, but again, the data from a test sooner than seven years isn't as useful statistically than one having been done a year or two after having started statins.

Another note - this fellow sounds like a perfect case for someone who SHOULD be taking statins - but, his "pride" kept him from doing so? And, he makes no further comment about how silly and dangerous it is to be prideful?

Finally - his article is written to be readable, but good grief, he left out so much information - and, missed several opportunities to HELP people. He also provided no relevant links to useful sites that help people. Arrgh ... and this quote from the article - "ultra-sophisticated, expensive, and potentially risky invasive medical procedures"- is he talking about heart catheterization? If so, only the last point might be true - this is a standard of care procedure doing zillions of times a year all over the world. The author is accidentally and unnecessarily frightening people. Hopefully, he will figure our where his "breaks" (sp) are.

Yes that's it thank you! The author of that article states he took a third calcium scan in 20 years and at the end of the article he states he will post the findings soon, will be curious how his scan numbers have gone up and at what rate etc on the statins. I'm sure the numbers will show a rapid progression of calcium past a 10-20% rate but this stabilization of the plaque is most likely a good thing.

I got my score today and it was 580. I started a lifestyle change August, 2022 so I have no idea what the score was then. I going to continue to exercise and lose more weight. I plan to get a coronary angiogram to further document my condition. I am going to no dwell on this too much and begin to enjoy my retirement which starts June 1st! By the way, I am 65.

Mine was 573 and I’m 67. Dr said just take a baby aspirin. I will attempt to cut out all Saturated fat I can and eat healthy. I walk 2 miles a day at a brisk pace. Good luck to you.