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High calcium score: I'm in shock
Hi everyone... just wanted to share my last few days - I'm scared and lost and was just hoping to hear from some people who have been in my place. Long story short - I went in for a "routine" checkup at age 50 to make sure my heart was okay. I had a stress test two years ago that was fine. But I do have a family history, and somewhat high LDL and blood pressure so the doctor sent me for a cardiac calcium score. It came back at 407 at age 50!!! That's like the 98th percentile for my age, which is shocking. I do Crossfit and have done half marathons so it was totally unexpected. Now I'm going for another stress test in two weeks to make sure no blockages are over 70%, and I'm not sure of the steps after that.... I'm terrified of needing open heart surgery - I've gotten myself into a place of being okay with a stent if needed. I know it's better to know than not know, but I just feel like my life was suddenly ripped out from under me and to be honest I'm spinning right now... every waking second I feel like I'm going to drop over..
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Calcium scores are caused mainly by inflammation and I’ve heard stressing the body too much causes inflammation.
Don’t quote me but I have read an article on this but I can’t find it just now to quote.
But please research about it.
Poppy,
I don’t believe that is accurate.
If you find otherwise please provide a citation.
Studies have shown endurance
athletes, marathon runners have elevated calcium scores. Look for 'endurance/marathon runners and high calcium scores' and you should find references.
Didn't find anything relating to moderate exercise or hiking.
Could be a positive then? Extreme exercise calcifies existing plaque?
Will take a look.
Here's one NYT piece ... https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/06/well/move/can-you-get-too-much-exercise-what-the-heart-tells-us.html#:~:text=Comparing%20the%20groups%2C%20the%20researchers,exercisers%20had%20scores%20above%20800.
Just back from cardiologist. I mentioned 700 as being horrible or emergency. He said no, I have people in thousands. Initial tests (he listened to heart, EKG) looked good. I said I run 4 miles. He said no symptoms hard to get insurance to pay for tests so he will indicate I have minor symptoms so I can be tested. Nuclear stress test/echo cardiogram/nuclear CT scan.
I think they are doing pharma stress test. I think I'd rather exercise vs a drug stressing my heart. Any thoughts on this?
"A radioactive substance, such as thallium or sestamibi, will be injected into one of your veins. You will lie down and wait for between 15 and 45 minutes. A special camera will scan your heart and create pictures to show how the substance has traveled through your blood and into your heart.
A healthcare provider can use two different imaging technologies for a nuclear cardiac stress test: PET or SPECT.
Another way a nuclear stress test can be classified is whether it involves physical activity or medication to stress the heart:
Exercise stress test: You exercise on a treadmill or stationary bike to increase blood flow to the heart and reach a target heart rate.
Pharmacologic stress test: If you can’t exercise, you receive medication to increase blood flow and stress the heart.
You want an exercise stress test with echo - both components are necessary, imo.
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1 ReactionSpecifically, they scheduled me for a Pharmacologic Stress Test, not an exercise one (I run 4 miles). The drug simulates exercising to stress the heart.
I'm not crazy about taking a drug to simulate it. What is the drug and side effects and why wasn't I provided a choice? From what I've read this is the choice for those who cannot exercise.
Any reason to be concerned? I plan to call and switch it or find out why this was chosen but hoping to get info here first.
question,
I would, given your stated circumstances, insist on a normal stress test with echo. To me, it makes no sense to use drugs to simulate when you can effectively complete a normal stress test. A key component is the echo prior and immediately following the test.
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1 ReactionThe problem with a nuclear stress test is, you will be in there for hours. Sometimes they have you do part of it one day and the other part the next. The good part is, they get a picture of the working heart. However, you also get a dose of radiation. It depends on how many other tests you get whether you want that radiation. Ford Brewer at PrevMed does not believe in them as he said they do not prove anything and if they find anything you will be in the cath lab next for a stent. I got the echo, which took about 30 minutes and I was done. No pictures, but hey, they were good enough for millions of people for decades. I would go with that. You can always go for a nuclear next. I also am not in favor of the drug, but I think they can neutralize it if necessary. While exercising, they monitor everything closely and will get you off if there are symptoms. I didn't have any, but there were about three people there and they were hooked into a doctor just in case. There was no recovery time with the echo stress test. Not sure about the nuclear. My wife just does not like radiation, so she would not let me near it, nor did she want to wait so long. There is no question that the docs want the nuke test. It's the latest thing. I also questioned their motives for recommending it. Was it better or did they want to pay off the machine or bring in some good money?