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I have a very high calcium score. What next?
Heart & Blood Health | Last Active: Dec 5 11:11am | Replies (384)Comment receiving replies
@christianzane I thought this article was very informative. Do you know if this is still considered the standard approach to dealing with this cohort of patients? I fall into this group and just received my CAC over 400. I was expecting a stress test, but this article doesn't recommend, only use of statin and controlling LDL to a low level. They also refer to "reversing" the disease which I had not thought was possible, but it sure sounds better than focusing on the high probability of bad events. Thanks for posting the link
Replies to "@christianzane I thought this article was very informative. Do you know if this is still considered..."
That study was released in 2019 I believe so it's fairly recent and most likely still the standard. The most important thing it states is "referral for stress testing and cardiology consultation should be delayed until evidence of unstable angina exists. No immediate or long-term benefit to such individuals from either stress testing or coronary angiography has been documented in the literature." I see a lot of folks here running to do these things after getting a CAC score and it's really not needed, according to that study anyways. Since you are over 400 however they do suggest getting your LDL below 70 along with the dietary and lifestyle changes for everyone else under 400.
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I believe they are likely referring to reversing heart disease - not calcium build up - ie, eat smarter, lose weight, lower cholesterol, control blood pressure, treat high A1C and diabetes, take statins if appropriate, etc.