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Cardiac calcium score is 140 - Should I panic?
Hello, everyone. I am soon-to-be 54 yr old AA female, 5'8", 355 #s (BMI=53.4). I learned today that I at moderate risk for coronary artery disease (insert sad face!). Even though I am morbidly obese (per "the charts") I am well-proportioned and active (though I don't exercise routinely). Many think I am fibbing when I reveal my weight.
Hx: My diagnoses are - mild HTN (weight-related) since 2013, hypothyroidism since 1998, autoimmune inflammatory/mixed-connective tissue disease since 1998, and moderate sleep apnea since 2019 (I use a CPAP and visit ENT yearly to review CPAP report). No diabetes and no hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol) - no family hx of either.
Meds: Lisinopril-HCTZ 10 mg/12.5 mg (daily) and levothyroxine 125 mcg (daily except Sundays). I started Wegovy 2.4 mg inj (weekly) in late 2023. I take indomethacin 50 mg PRN inflammatory flare-ups (or steroids and Toradol 60 mg inj, depending on severity of flare-up).
Social Hx: I do not smoke or use any illicit drugs. I might have 1-3 glasses of wine a month.
Family Hx: Paternal grandmother, my father and his sister (cardiac disease)
Recent labs: Lipoprotein (a) = 67.8, B-type natriuretic (BNP) = 66, CMP & CBC are always "all green", Lipid panel...total cholesterol = 133, triglycerides = 44, HDL = 40, LDL = 83, non-HDL cholesterol = 93, cholesterol/HDL ratio = 3.33, Hgb A1C = 5.6 (it ranges between 5.4 and 5.6 whenever it's drawn). AST/ALT= 18/8.
Last 6 BP/heart rate: 104/72 (63), 138/82 (71), 128/83 (88), 110/74 (99), 113/77 (90), 103/66 (85)
My eating habits are not the best. I'm very picky and I work more than I eat. Most times, I'll go all day long (working) and will eat in the late evening/early night time when my husband gets home from work. I'm a nurse; it's a bad habit I've had for years. I'm not a veggie lover, but I do eat green beans, fresh/raw spinach (in salads), roasted Brussels sprouts, roasted asparagus, and shredded raw cabbage (as a salad). I drink water all day, every day. I eat more chicken and fish than red meat. I do eat/like starches, but I don't eat them as often (rice and potatoes). I don't eat breads as much as I used to. I eat sweets very sparingly (not a fan of the sweets most people like). I don't eat enough calories in a day to support weight loss. We use the air fryer and the steamer a lot for cooking. No frying at all.
Sorry for the thesis. My PCP will schedule a face-to-face or virtual appt with me soon to discuss the 140 cardiac calcium score. Based on all I've shared, should I panic/be worried?
My husband, on the other hand, is 6'2", 290 #s, his labs are all over the place, he takes two BP meds (his avg measurement is =/> 140/90). His total cholesterol is nearing 200, Hgb A1C is 6.5, yet his calcium score was ZERO. Sigh.
Thanks for letting me dump!
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I hope someone who’s had experience with this test will chime in. I am intrigued and intend to ask my primary for one next month. Does insurance cover it?
I operate assuming I am high risk, since I have had type 1 diabetes for many years and my dad has cardiovascular disease. He’s 84, but has significant intervention since his 60s, including bypass and stents. So, I’m on a statin and have good numbers.
What would you consider doing differently with your situation?
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2 ReactionsMy score was 205. Male, 66, active, never overweight. It was probably hereditary. I'm on a statin and am more careful with diet. I'm a runner, and my cardiologist encouraged me to keep doing so.
One thing to remember is that it's likely most people over a certain age have a score above zero. They just don't know it. It's rare that anyone in a developed country makes it through life with perfectly clear arteries. It happens slowly over years and there are no symptoms until it gets bad enough to restrict blood flow.
My approach is to be highly proactive with health, so if there's a test that tells me something I need to know, I'm all for it. I've also had an angiogram.
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2 Reactionslhm,
Responding as a non medical profession.
I tend to think as a "fix it guy" - first things first thought process. You know your weight is dangerous - frankly, extremely dangerous as a contributing factor. You, as a medical professional, know you are risking your life every day at your weight. Don't accept it, or your eating habits.
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2 ReactionsGood morning, Celia16. I have BCBS-Federal (insurance) and the test is not covered. I paid $140 out of pocket. Wow. I paid $140 and my score is 140. Sigh.
All the best to you.
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1 ReactionGood morning, @njx58 . You’re absolutely right. Thank you for sharing.
All the best!
Good morning, @mayoconnectuser1 . You’re correct and yes, I know. Making plans to become more active and considering a Mediterranean diet/food choices.
My labs have always been excellent. My docs have always said, “Your labs look better than mine!” I guess comments like those have left me in denial in some aspects.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I appreciate it.
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1 ReactionGenetics help and hurt ... wish it was easier!
If I were to play life consultant vs medical consultant - no credentials for either - I would advise a sit down with spouse and re-evaluate what is important (life and health), then prioritize that over job - you mentioned you are a nurse, so perhaps your hospital/clinic system has some form of counseling for health?
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2 ReactionsYou are an educated person, and you are now wise at your stage of life.
You know what you must do. When you are sufficiently motivated to help yourself, you will do so.
I have related this story in another thread, but it's worth repeating to help to make the point that real motivation is intrinsic: When my now-94 year old dad was about 12, his parents finally got a wall telephone, the cradled earpiece and the big wooden box on the wall. My dad had watched his parents place calls, and finally he wanted to call a friend. He was timid, and turned and asked his dad for help. My grandfather, who did not lift his eyes from his newspaper (remember those...LOL!) replied, 'Son, when you want to make that call badly enough, you'll do it yourself.'
Are you worth saving? What would the people who love you say in reply if you asked them that question?
Having replied to you this way, you are what you made of yourself, but it wasn't just a one-way streak. You worked in a high pressure milieu with lots of stressful, and tearful, moments. It was hard on you. Based on what little I know about you, you may not have chosen your parents very thoughtfully...TSK, TSK!!
Seriously, it might be time to adopt some health changes and to run hard with them. Think of it as another degree you'll have to earn, except this one requires learning about 'you'.
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2 ReactionsGood morning, @gloaming . Thank you for sharing. Bless you!