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990 calcium score but all bloodwork, EKG/stress are fine what next?
Hello group,
I'm new to this forum but have read many posts about people with high calcium CT heart scores and steps being taken to reduce risk of heart attack which I greatly appreciate what I've learned from this group.
I'm a 54 year old male and my calcium heart CT done in June 2025 was very high at 991 (LAD 633, RCA 358 and 0 for other 2 arteries) which I was shocked to hear since my blood work and annual physicals have been excellent for years with no indicators of heart disease and no shortness of breath or issues at all. My cholesterol is low at 156 (LDL 81 and HDL 65) and other tests on lipoprotein, apolipoprotein, CRP, blood pressure etc all excellent along with no issues on EKG test and Echo stress test which showed well above average for my age.
I exercise / lift heavier weights 3-4 days per week religiously, never smoke, drink alcohol in moderation and eat a diet primarily focused on lean protein, vegetables with some carbs and fats which has kept my weight at 205lbs and the same for nearly 30 years since college when i was a football player. Also i dont take any supplements aside from a multi-vitamin and have never touched steroids in my life so I am assuming my high calcium score must be genetic as my father had 2 heart surgeries (bypass and stint) but i dont hvae his records to see which arteries those were done on.
After the calcium CT test my doctor put me on 20mg of rosuvastatin which caused significant muscle cramping, dizziness and nausea and impacted my sleep and exercise as i was constantly feeling achy and sore. After the Echo stress test results showed my heart function was normal/above average and no blood flow issues my doctor said to stop the rosuvastatin for 3 weeks and to restart it but on lower dose of 5mg or 10mg. I've been off rosuvastatin for 5 days and i feel fantastic again but am now waiting for my 2nd and 3rd opinion appointments with other cardiologists to better understand whats going on and my options.
My question is - for those with similar high calcium scores especially in the LAD artery (the widow maker as its called) but otherwise all normal/good health profile (low cholesterol, liproproteins, CRP, echo stress test normal) what other tests / steps / medications should I be considering to understand why my CAC and LAD artery score was so high and what can i do to reduce my risk of a heart attack?
thank you and apologies for the long summary here...
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My entire vascular system has aged 25 years older than it should brother while my calcium score was only 13.... unbelievable when I think about my heart and now yours? 22 conditions i have on two blood thinners, Eliquus , clopidogrol, 4 stents BP, metoprolol, rosouvastaion 20, and nore it seems as though my aorta from pretty close to the entire length is full of plaque causing all my issues that literally make me feel likea walking time bomb! I spent 2.4 years at Camp Lejeune being poisoned FYI...
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1 ReactionThe chief cause of plaque deposition and its eventual calcification is inflammation in the vessel of concern, and perhaps due to chronic systemic inflammation. Whether it is from a pathogen, from metabolic syndrome, diabetes, some other comorbidity (often related to some kind of endocrine dysfunction).
https://wellwisp.com/why-does-plaque-buildup-occur-in-arteries/
Diet also plays a role, but some people can eat the very same diet, same quantities, and have no arterial plaque. This suggests that there is also a genetic component to this problem.
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1 ReactionHi @johnv66. I notice you recently joined Mayo Clinic Connect. Welcome! It is great to hear you are learning from others, how they are managing cardiovascular risks. You are really doing so much with this added to your own healthy lifestyle. This certainly doesn’t get rid of the shock you had to feel hearing your calcium score, but you truly are in a great place simply knowing and learning about it. Kuddos!
One suggestion I have from my own experience is you may want to talk to your doctor about trying the lower dose rosuvastatin maybe two times a week. My understanding is that it has a longer half-life than some of the other statins so it stays in your system longer. Taking it twice a week keeps a level all the time, so always a bit of the protective benefits your doctor may be wanting for you.
Mayo Clinic is a great place with their Statin Intolerance and Early Atherosclerosis clinics. I have genetically high and pesky cholesterol that is finally getting controlled. I am learning this is only part of my overall current risk and they are helping identify and address that as well. You may be interested in a summary of blood tests they identify as being helpful: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/in-depth/heart-disease/art-20049357
It sounds like you have a great lifestyle and have no symptoms. What prompted you to get calcium testing? When are your appointments to get feedback from other cardiologists?
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3 ReactionsI too had a high calcium score in my LAD. Apparently symptoms only appear at a 90% blockage. I passed every test with flying colours except the angiogram. Two stents put in my LAD. I had a 70% blockage. My cholesterol was borderline high. I was also put on rosuvstatin. I could not even tolerate 10 mg. I take 5 mg and 3 times a week I split a tablet and take 7.5 in total. My doctor is ok with my numbers presently.
@thevikole man am sorry to hear your situation especially that damn Camp Lejeune piece which is horrible that you were exposed to that and I'm very sorry that happened to you. How the human body works and differences in each person is always a mystery but sounds like you are hanging in there brother and am glad your calcium score is looking way better than mine!
hello @gloaming thanks for your reply and I am assuming there is some genetic component here based on my fathers side with his 2 heart procedures but those were over 30 years ago and we're having a hard time tracking down the medical records to see what arteries were stinted/bypassed and what his diagnosis was.
hello @jlharsh thanks very much for your reply and recommendation about requesting a lower dose of rosuvastatin which i'm going to ask my cardiologist about next week at my appointment.
i am looking to get some additional blood tests as i did get a troponin, crp, lipoprotein a and b and those were all good results and showed no issues. i may just get an angiogram or an angio CT might be another option as I want to know what the blockage risk is despite my Echo stress test results being above average.
I asked my doctor about the Calcium CT test earlier this year because i had an uncle on my mothers side die of a sudden heart attack at 70 and he had no prior symptoms or warning signs (although he was overweight and not on top of his health). my doctor at Rush Hospital in chicago suggested the Calcium CT since its offered for $49 and didnt even require a doctors order to schedule.
I will share more next week after the 2nd cardiologist opinion. I am so thrilled to be off that rosuvastatin 20mg and have heard from several people who are only taking 5mg every day or every other day so hopefully that will be the dose my doctor recommends and is much more tolerable.
@johnv66, you had good instincts to ask about getting a calcium CT test. I think I read that you have checked your Apo-A and Apo-B. Ceramides and Lipoprotein (a) are additional tests that check for independent contributors. I found information from Mayo Clinic Labs that may be helpful to show your cardiologist:
- Lipoprotein (a) testing: https://cardiology.testcatalog.org/show/LIPA1
- Ceramides testing: https://cardiology.testcatalog.org/show/CERAM
Yes, please do report back with what you learn from your next appointment.