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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christianzane | @christianzane | Feb 23, 2023
In reply to @steveny9 "I got my score today and it was 580. I started a lifestyle change August, 2022..." + (show)
@steveny9

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.

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I wouldn't bother with a angiogram unless you are experiencing shortness of breath when exerting yourself of chest pain. There is good information about asymptomatic people who have high CAC scores here. Take a stain, quick smoking, exercise and stick to a plant based diet as much as possible:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5689148/

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1 reply
mayoconnectuser1 | @mayoconnectuser1 | Feb 24, 2023

Assess your condition - if you have high or even ok cholesterol and triglyceride, and a high CAC, then pay attention to this: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/statins/art-20045772

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elizaolson | @elizaolson | Feb 24, 2023

Why is a high calcium rate a concern? I am not taking extra calcium except for the once a week Alendronate. Thanks for any information you might have about excess calcium and concerns.

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1 reply
christianzane | @christianzane | Feb 24, 2023
In reply to @elizaolson "Why is a high calcium rate a concern? I am not taking extra calcium except for..." + (show)
@elizaolson

Why is a high calcium rate a concern? I am not taking extra calcium except for the once a week Alendronate. Thanks for any information you might have about excess calcium and concerns.

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Calcium forms plaque which stickx to the walls of the artery, this can harden the arterial walls and also block the arteries.

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3 replies
elizaolson | @elizaolson | Feb 24, 2023
In reply to @christianzane "Calcium forms plaque which stickx to the walls of the artery, this can harden the arterial..." + (show)
@christianzane

Calcium forms plaque which stickx to the walls of the artery, this can harden the arterial walls and also block the arteries.

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Should I get excited about it, if no one has mentioned it to me?

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2 replies
mayoconnectuser1 | @mayoconnectuser1 | Feb 25, 2023
In reply to @christianzane "Calcium forms plaque which stickx to the walls of the artery, this can harden the arterial..." + (show)
@christianzane

Calcium forms plaque which stickx to the walls of the artery, this can harden the arterial walls and also block the arteries.

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No. Plaques are formed by cholesterol and other substances. Calcification of the plaques occurs over time.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronary-artery-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20350613h

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mayoconnectuser1 | @mayoconnectuser1 | Feb 25, 2023
In reply to @elizaolson "Should I get excited about it, if no one has mentioned it to me?" + (show)
@elizaolson

Should I get excited about it, if no one has mentioned it to me?

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I'm trying not to respond flippantly ... but, do you care about your health?

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SusanEllen66 | @SusanEllen66 | Feb 27, 2023

@elizaolson Hi, is your blood calcium level high? Is it over 10?
If so, have you been feeling crappy lately kinda like you have the flu but it comes in waves?

If so, please lookup Parathyroid Glands. You have 4 of them behind your thyroid. They regulate your blood calcium levels for your brain. If a parathyroid gland is not working properly your calcium levels will be high and your brain will not function properly in some areas. This is important!

I had this happen to me and I ended up having a stroke! My calcium level went up to 11.1.
Please see a specialist like an endocrinologist if you can.

Take care
Susan

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SusanEllen66 | @SusanEllen66 | Feb 27, 2023
In reply to @elizaolson "Should I get excited about it, if no one has mentioned it to me?" + (show)
@elizaolson

Should I get excited about it, if no one has mentioned it to me?

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Yes! I just wrote you
Susan

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SusanEllen66 | @SusanEllen66 | Feb 27, 2023
In reply to @christianzane "Calcium forms plaque which stickx to the walls of the artery, this can harden the arterial..." + (show)
@christianzane

Calcium forms plaque which stickx to the walls of the artery, this can harden the arterial walls and also block the arteries.

Jump to this post

@christianzane
Blood calcium is different. It is measured when you have blood drawn.
Calcification of the arteries is basically the aging process

Blood calcium is regulated by the 4 parathyroid glands we have behind our thyroid gland.
Please “Google” parathyroid gland so you can check it out.

I had to have one removed because it caused high blood calcium levels and gave me a stroke.

Susan

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