1. < Heart & Blood Health

Calcium Scoring Test

Posted by lainie64 @lainie64, Dec 17, 2018

I just had an EKG come back abnormal.....and had a calcium scoring test. My score was 108. My doctor had me come into his office immediately to put me on low does metoprolol and said to take aspirin everyday. I don't have cardiology appointment till Wed. In the meantime I'm scared to death......is this a real high score and what will happen now? Anyone????

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wisconsin2267 | @wisconsin2267 | Mar 25, 2022
In reply to @pcspetpro "For most people a statin will increase calcium, and then there are the possible side effects..." + (show)
@pcspetpro

For most people a statin will increase calcium, and then there are the possible side effects to consider.

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And that’s a good thing as it takes dangerous soft liquid plaque and turns it into stable calcified plaque. It’s the soft plaque that causes strokes and heart attack. Statins are also good for decreasing inflammation.

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hikerguy62 | @hikerguy62 | Apr 1, 2023
In reply to @jkluv7 "Good on you! After doing the necessary research on statins, the lies from pharma, and the..." + (show)
@jkluv7

Good on you! After doing the necessary research on statins, the lies from pharma, and the myriad of side effects, I will not put those toxins in my body, after not consulting with a pharma-bought cardiologist. In 3 years, I have reduced my CAC score from 3,600 to 2,200 with diet and supplements only. I will get my next CAC in 4 months. I will be breaking the 2,000 barrier!!

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I'm very interested in how you lowered your score by that much. Can you provide info on your diet and the supplements you take?

You need to be careful how often you have the calcium test done as it exposes you to as much radiation as you get from the sun in one year. I'm not a doc, but I think every 5 years would be reasonable/acceptable.

Thanks,

Andy

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1 reply
mayoconnectuser1 | @mayoconnectuser1 | Apr 2, 2023
In reply to @hikerguy62 "I'm very interested in how you lowered your score by that much. Can you provide info..." + (show)
@hikerguy62

I'm very interested in how you lowered your score by that much. Can you provide info on your diet and the supplements you take?

You need to be careful how often you have the calcium test done as it exposes you to as much radiation as you get from the sun in one year. I'm not a doc, but I think every 5 years would be reasonable/acceptable.

Thanks,

Andy

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hiker,

Looks like you are combing through the posts on CAC scoring.

Would like to see an answer from jkluv7 ...

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hikerguy62 | @hikerguy62 | Apr 2, 2023

Yes, definitely doing a lot of reading since I got my score (2534) this past week (age 60). Everything I've read so far indicates you CAN'T lower your CAC score. I recall reading one story where someone's CAC score from 84 to 186 to 554 over a 20 year time span. Not sure if that's the norm or not.

There are just so many variables to consider from this test score (e.g. where the calcium is deposited - inside the artery, outside the artery, inside the artery walls, how much soft plaque do you have, how much blockage do you have, etc.). Can't wait to see my cardiologist in two weeks to see what he thinks about my score.

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2 replies
jasper1072 | @jasper1072 | May 8, 2023
In reply to @hikerguy62 "Yes, definitely doing a lot of reading since I got my score (2534) this past week..." + (show)
@hikerguy62

Yes, definitely doing a lot of reading since I got my score (2534) this past week (age 60). Everything I've read so far indicates you CAN'T lower your CAC score. I recall reading one story where someone's CAC score from 84 to 186 to 554 over a 20 year time span. Not sure if that's the norm or not.

There are just so many variables to consider from this test score (e.g. where the calcium is deposited - inside the artery, outside the artery, inside the artery walls, how much soft plaque do you have, how much blockage do you have, etc.). Can't wait to see my cardiologist in two weeks to see what he thinks about my score.

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@hikerguy62

I would take that progression rate... I for one will not test again, only if for some reason I have to have a CT chest and it is included.

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writer418 | @writer418 | May 9, 2023
In reply to @hikerguy62 "Yes, definitely doing a lot of reading since I got my score (2534) this past week..." + (show)
@hikerguy62

Yes, definitely doing a lot of reading since I got my score (2534) this past week (age 60). Everything I've read so far indicates you CAN'T lower your CAC score. I recall reading one story where someone's CAC score from 84 to 186 to 554 over a 20 year time span. Not sure if that's the norm or not.

There are just so many variables to consider from this test score (e.g. where the calcium is deposited - inside the artery, outside the artery, inside the artery walls, how much soft plaque do you have, how much blockage do you have, etc.). Can't wait to see my cardiologist in two weeks to see what he thinks about my score.

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Please keep us updated on your ongoing experience. Thanks.

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1 reply
hikerguy62 | @hikerguy62 | May 9, 2023

Will do. I saw my cardiologist for the first time on 4/17. They did an EKG and it looked normal. I'm scheduled for an echocardiogram and nuclear stress test on 5/30 to see if there are any heart abnormalities or serious blockages. Thankfully, I have no symptoms at this time. Still hike. Still work out. I'll update once the test results come back.

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1 reply
jasper1072 | @jasper1072 | May 9, 2023
In reply to @hikerguy62 "Will do. I saw my cardiologist for the first time on 4/17. They did an EKG..." + (show)
@hikerguy62

Will do. I saw my cardiologist for the first time on 4/17. They did an EKG and it looked normal. I'm scheduled for an echocardiogram and nuclear stress test on 5/30 to see if there are any heart abnormalities or serious blockages. Thankfully, I have no symptoms at this time. Still hike. Still work out. I'll update once the test results come back.

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@hikerguy62

Good Luck to you! I go for a Nuclear Stress test this coming Thursday...although I am told its not clinically indicated...but hopefully is will be normal and give a little piece of mind.

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alaskat | @alaskat | May 10, 2023

Upcoming visit with a new cardiologist on May 26th. with a Calcium score of 1500 +. I am taking a 10mg statin and have changed my diet dramatically. Reason I changed cardiologist is that the first one wanted to do perform an angiogram and then (probably) put stents. He said w/my score he found almost irrelevant to perform echo, stress tests etc. I quote the Doc. , "why would you want to put $200 in my pocket?".
Moving forward, I am hoping this new cardiologist have a different perspective. I have educated myself regarding this matter since then. I am 63 and keep playing tennis and about to rejoin the gym to focus more on swimming and cardio.

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1 reply
swilkins1974 | @swilkins1974 | May 10, 2023
In reply to @alaskat "Upcoming visit with a new cardiologist on May 26th. with a Calcium score of 1500 +...." + (show)
@alaskat

Upcoming visit with a new cardiologist on May 26th. with a Calcium score of 1500 +. I am taking a 10mg statin and have changed my diet dramatically. Reason I changed cardiologist is that the first one wanted to do perform an angiogram and then (probably) put stents. He said w/my score he found almost irrelevant to perform echo, stress tests etc. I quote the Doc. , "why would you want to put $200 in my pocket?".
Moving forward, I am hoping this new cardiologist have a different perspective. I have educated myself regarding this matter since then. I am 63 and keep playing tennis and about to rejoin the gym to focus more on swimming and cardio.

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Strongly suggest you reading the book “beating the heart attack gene” it is so informative and very easy to read.

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