774 calcium score terrified what’s next?
Hi, I’m a 53 year old man and I’ve had high cholesterol for probably 15 years. I’ve been on Lipitor for at least 12 but I think longer. I just had an echo stress test a month ago that was normal, though my blood pressure went up high during the test to 218/89, which I thought was crazy but it’s because I’m out of shape. My resting Bp is usually perfect, sometimes the bottom number can be a little higher which is never consistent. I have had my blood work done regularly and my results have been ok but not great, my ldl has been either higher range normal or sometimes a little higher. My pcp is a cardiologist and hasn’t seemed worried. I was in decent shape and much more active until about 4 years ago when I went though a lot so I’m trying to get in shape again. Now I got a calcium score yesterday and it’s 774. I’m terrified and haven’t slept all night. What should I push my doctor to do? I really want an angiogram and the ultrasound to check the neck arteries to, is that too much? I’m not sure how to get them to do it, though he is ok usually, but it seems like I may need to really push for this because it’s not always done? I am overweight and going to do zepbound because I’m 6’ and 233 so I want to lose 45lbs or so.
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In late September, I started with the CT Calcium score where I had a high score of 665 (now 732). I also learned that I had two dilations on my aorta. From there, I went to Echo-stress (normal), CT scan of my aorta, and then the CT angiogram. The CT angiogram showed serious blockage in multiple vessels. I also learned that I have a high Lp(a) number as a part of separate blood work around the same time. I then had an angiogram which confirmed the blockage. I am now set for quadruple bypass surgery as well as repair of two aortic dilations. I remain symptom free. It has been a bit surreal, but I'd rather know than not.