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High Coronary Calcium Score: How do others feel emotionally?
Heart & Blood Health | Last Active: Feb 13 9:01am | Replies (640)Comment receiving replies
I would like to comment on how I feel emotionally, since that was the original intent of this particular forum.
In a word, "devastated."
I had a CAC score of 1444 back in early December. The reason I agreed to the CT Heart Scan test suggested by my endo was just to rule out remote chance cardiac issues amongst post-COVID health ups and downs.
It took me four months to see a cardiologist at a major university hospital due to scheduling. No one seemed overly concerned about my high score, and after reading a lot of the comments on this forum it seemed reasonable to put one foot in front of the other.
Today, the cardiologist took me apart for questioning the validity of the CAC score. He literally told me that there is no possibility of any error in the CAC number, as it is all automated.
After I suggested that I did not want statins or stents, he basically told me that I needed to go home and die, and that was my choice. He told me that based on the numbers alone that I likely had at least one artery occluded, but then he was unable to find any signs of a heart attack with the fresh ECG.
I suggested a conventional stress test with echo and ECG, or a nuclear perfusion test with stress, and he said that I would likely pass both and that it provided no information. Further, that he could cath me (if I made the request) and look first hand to assess for blockages, then create an action plan. He thought it would rather require open heart surgery (bypass) based on my CAC score if a blockage was found.
This is a cardiologist that teaches upcoming doctors cardiology.
All of this from a single CAC test score. I am 63-years old, dont smoke, dont drink, havent eaten red meat in most of a decade (like NONE), and have no family history of heart disease. I have almost an ideal BMI for my age. What I do have is a wildly increasing number of kidney stones (calcium oxalate). I feel like there is a possibility of hyperparathyroidism, but my blood work does not indicate it. The cardiologist said that there is no possible way for calcium to play any roll in the high CAC score and it is impossible to have calcium on the outside of the arteries and not in the walls and inside.
I couldnt even get him to consider for a moment the results of the JAMA meta study on statin effectiveness released last spring. Nor a study done that showed that four different types of CT scanners showed huge positive errors when patient heart rate was over 75bpm---mine being more like 120bpm at the time (I hate tubes).
Needless to say, I am going to seek a second opinion, and that will be at Mayo. I am shaking in needless fear right now. As so many of you have experienced yourselves, a CAC score is just one view. But today, it was presented as a certain death sentence with only the possibility of slowing the inevitable.
How is one suppose to sleep??
Pete
Replies to "I would like to comment on how I feel emotionally, since that was the original intent..."
If I were you, I would change my cardiologist.
Read information below and don’t stressed out.
The largest research study of its kind has found that drugs can be just as effective as stents and surgery for treating blocked arteries. Results of the study, sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, were released on November 16.
Calling the findings “profound,” Mukul Chandra MD, FACC, of Premier Cardiovascular Institute says he is eager to share the news with his patients. “We have all the information we need. You don’t have to have stents or surgery for stable chest pain. If you’re not having a heart attack, we have another option,” he says he’ll tell them.
The study followed 5,179 people with moderate to severe blocked coronary arteries. None were experiencing a heart attack during the study, but many had angina (periodic chest pain). “Angina is the discomfort in your chest when you’re walking up steps or hiking, for example. It’s due to blockages in one or more of your heart arteries,” says Dr. Chandra.
The traditional means of treatment has been to open blocked arteries using bypass surgery or a procedure to insert stents (small metal mesh). Half of study participants received stents or bypass surgery. The other half received medication and instructions on weight loss, diet, and lowering blood pressure and cholesterol.
Results showed that “at the end of five years, the patients who did not have surgery were living as long and had a similar quality of life as the patients who had procedures,” says Dr. Chandra.
The news is especially exciting, says Dr. Chandra, because “one in a thousand patients may die during these procedures. There’s the risk of stroke, and procedures are very expensive. Without surgery we’ll save about half a billion dollars in the U.S. each year while maintaining the same quality of life for patients.”
Hi, I have a 1500 score and I am concerned. I am 63 at 5’9” and 176 lbs. and according to my PCP index I am overweight. I could lose 10 pounds (working on it) not the my PCP has recommended it. He recommended a cardio (young doctor) and very pushy to place stents, he didn’t even wanted me to have an echo, stress test. His words were: “Why would you want to put $200 in my pocket?”, get the stents!!!”. I made the appts. for the tests in two weeks, well yesterday I cancel them, cancel this cardiologist and I am looking for someone I can actually have a conversation with about my well being. I am concerned, very and somewhat scared I could pass away next week. Have no chest pains, play tennis regularly, swim, etc. I have change my food intake radically. Not for sharing me second have I forgotten I have a 1500 score. My PCP (who I am about to ditch too) has told me if I like playing russian roulette!!! It looks to me I will have to get the stents at some point. I think there is No way around that. Get a 2nd opinion. I have spoken to guys in their 80’s and they all have stents, pacemakers, and the what not. Some got 2 stents, then down the road 2 more…. Best of luck. Send a response if you wish bc I am finding that the doctors in my neighborhood only listen to themselves.
Sorry to hear about all this anxiety...my two cents. This does not sound like a great cardiologist. 2nd opinion is definitely in order. A good physician lays out options in front of you vs. risk and works with you for a detailed treatment plan/course of action.
I paniced when I had a higher than normal score...not as high as many on this forum, but I guess it is all relative. My father in law has had a CAC of 4500+ for 5+ years with no symptoms, no pain, walks with no issue, is cognitive a the age of 79...not a care in the world. He is on a statin now and BP meds for minor elevation and eats an average diet. It took me awhile to calm down and realize this is not a death sentence, but gives you a long window of opportunity to make adjustments for a better long term outcome.
This forum is great for that and remember, this forum is to voice your experience and comments, no one should be playing doctor telling you what you should or should not do. I am triple board certified in the medical field and I would not do that...all I would say is make sure you are your own advocate and if something does not feel right...speak up. Be well and good luck.
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Your cardio's response regarding "go home to die" was appalling. He said that in order to convince you to take a statin. Scare tactics.
Taking calcium supplements have been of concern about CAC scores. I don't think they actually know for sure if they do increase the calcification within the arteries.
I understand our bodies (livers) make the majority of our cholesterol (only 25% from diet) and cholesterol makes the plaque that calcifies in the arteries.
I think you are wise to seek a second opinion from Mayo clinic where they will likely do the tests your cardio is resisting. I suggest in the mean time you not get a catheterization unless you are having some symptoms of a heart attack or the warning signs which I am sure you have researched. (There are risks with the cath procedure.) I do think that Mayo will also suggest statins as the first line of defense. They not only reduce cholesterol numbers but also are heart protective and reduce the possibility of a heart attack.
And if this puts your mind at ease, I have a friend who had a CAC about 10 years ago. The score was about 2100. He went on a statin and continued on with his life. He is now 81 and still no sign of a heart attack.
I wish you good luck. You have taken a pro-active approach to your health.