1. < Heart & Blood Health

High calcium score: I'm in shock

Posted by sjy70 @sjy70, Jun 14, 2021

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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rochelle369 | @rochelle369 | 9 hours ago
In reply to @dcalimer "My calcium score is over 1000. They are able to use AI to determine plaque build..." + (show)
@dcalimer

My calcium score is over 1000. They are able to use AI to determine plaque build up using the information from the Cardiac CT Scan and I was told I have worrisome plaque in my right and middle arteries. The only non surgical fix is to drop my LDL to 55, so far the closest I've gotten is 62. And cholesterol lowering drugs are the only way to get that low unless I want to live off of grass and twigs!

Kudos to you! Sounds like you are doing a wonderful job managing your health.

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That sounds like the Cleerly test. I had it. Once you have the test and know it, you know it. I had no symptoms, and had the cleerly test to find I had 80 percent blockage in top of LAD an 60 percent blockage in RCA. You can't just get your LDL down and eat the same diet and not expect to keep damaging your arteries.

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ss52 | @ss52 | 21 hours ago
In reply to @tim1028 "Most cardiologists will not do an angiogram with your results and no symptoms. My cardiologist told..." + (show)
@tim1028

Most cardiologists will not do an angiogram with your results and no symptoms. My cardiologist told me the same thing. I've followed the American Heart Association guidelines, take a statin and daily low-dose aspirin. Two years later, no symptoms and anxiety has eased significantly

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High calcium scoring angiogram can't see past the plaque. Need a heart cath to make sure

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ss52 | @ss52 | 21 hours ago
In reply to @tim1028 "No, I didn't do an angiogram because my Stress Test with Echocardiogram was normal. I did..." + (show)
@tim1028

No, I didn't do an angiogram because my Stress Test with Echocardiogram was normal. I did follow up last year with a Cardiologist consult. He said how important it is to follow recommended heart protective diet and lifestyle guidelines. Only 5% of heart patients follow them, which is sad. Cleveland Clinic and Harvard Medical School each publish a monthly heart newsletter, which costs about $25 a year and are very informative. Also Cleveland Clinic publishes an 80- page Special Report on Coronary Artery Disease, which I recommend. Mayo has some excellent podcasts on CAD. I also take a low-dose statin to keep LDL cholesterol below the recommended maximum of 70 mg/dL

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Stress test and echo does not check for blockages only function the idea is if there is a blockage the heart function will be abnormal.
I'm 51 cal score of 1400 normal lass no. Smoke no family hx. Waiting for my heart cath

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dcalimer | @dcalimer | Feb 14 12:53pm
In reply to @ordiver1 "58 Year old, no history of High Cholesterol, High Blood Pressure or Diabetes, non-smoker, non-drinker, fairly..." + (show)
@ordiver1

58 Year old, no history of High Cholesterol, High Blood Pressure or Diabetes, non-smoker, non-drinker, fairly active only risk factor is BMI of 32, fairly active. Requested a CAC score at my physical, came back at 716...I was shocked. Doc prescribed 20mg Atorvastatin and raised to 40mg after 30 days. Echocardiogram and Nuclear Stress test came back as no blockages and normal heart function. Said come back in a year, She also said that the CAC can't determine if the plaque is inside or outside the arteries. Doc said most of your plaque must be on the outside. For the past 6 months, I have been walking 2-4 miles every day, eating better, have lost 30 lbs with goal of losing 30 more. My test results were 2 months ago. Dr said I was heading in the correct direction.

Jump to this post

My calcium score is over 1000. They are able to use AI to determine plaque build up using the information from the Cardiac CT Scan and I was told I have worrisome plaque in my right and middle arteries. The only non surgical fix is to drop my LDL to 55, so far the closest I've gotten is 62. And cholesterol lowering drugs are the only way to get that low unless I want to live off of grass and twigs!

Kudos to you! Sounds like you are doing a wonderful job managing your health.

REPLY
1 reply
mayoconnectuser1 | @mayoconnectuser1 | Feb 14 10:11am
In reply to @ordiver1 "58 Year old, no history of High Cholesterol, High Blood Pressure or Diabetes, non-smoker, non-drinker, fairly..." + (show)
@ordiver1

58 Year old, no history of High Cholesterol, High Blood Pressure or Diabetes, non-smoker, non-drinker, fairly active only risk factor is BMI of 32, fairly active. Requested a CAC score at my physical, came back at 716...I was shocked. Doc prescribed 20mg Atorvastatin and raised to 40mg after 30 days. Echocardiogram and Nuclear Stress test came back as no blockages and normal heart function. Said come back in a year, She also said that the CAC can't determine if the plaque is inside or outside the arteries. Doc said most of your plaque must be on the outside. For the past 6 months, I have been walking 2-4 miles every day, eating better, have lost 30 lbs with goal of losing 30 more. My test results were 2 months ago. Dr said I was heading in the correct direction.

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I always ask ... "what are your numbers?" Other than physical presentation, this is the go to for docs. I'm not a med pro, btw.

Total cholesterol?
LDL?
Triglycerides?
METS from stress tests? How long and at what heart rate?
Ejection fractions?
Blood sugar? A1C?

Right direction on weight loss - weight does matter fir heart health.

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ordiver1 | @ordiver1 | Feb 13 11:12am

58 Year old, no history of High Cholesterol, High Blood Pressure or Diabetes, non-smoker, non-drinker, fairly active only risk factor is BMI of 32, fairly active. Requested a CAC score at my physical, came back at 716...I was shocked. Doc prescribed 20mg Atorvastatin and raised to 40mg after 30 days. Echocardiogram and Nuclear Stress test came back as no blockages and normal heart function. Said come back in a year, She also said that the CAC can't determine if the plaque is inside or outside the arteries. Doc said most of your plaque must be on the outside. For the past 6 months, I have been walking 2-4 miles every day, eating better, have lost 30 lbs with goal of losing 30 more. My test results were 2 months ago. Dr said I was heading in the correct direction.

REPLY
2 replies
megan1853 | @megan1853 | Feb 11 7:04pm
In reply to @mayoconnectuser1 "Here is a fb support group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/TakotsuboSupport/" + (show)
@mayoconnectuser1

Here is a fb support group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/TakotsuboSupport/

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Hello and thank you for the referral to the support group. Very appreciated.
Megan

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mayoconnectuser1 | @mayoconnectuser1 | Feb 4 8:26am
In reply to @megan1853 "Recently diagnosed with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Age 76. Stress is the main culprit. Dr. said 3-6 months..." + (show)
@megan1853

Recently diagnosed with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Age 76. Stress is the main culprit. Dr. said 3-6 months to heal. Anyone have any suggestions how to do this best? Thank you.

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Here is a fb support group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/TakotsuboSupport/

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1 reply
celia16 | @celia16 | Feb 3 9:56pm
In reply to @megan1853 "Thank you for your suggestions. I do have a cat and a Golden Retriever. My job..." + (show)
@megan1853

Thank you for your suggestions. I do have a cat and a Golden Retriever. My job is teaching wonderful kids and I am fortunate to have lots of supportive friends.
I have PTSD which seems to be running in the background along with major dislocations in the family which have not been resolved in years. Those are the issues which I see as main stressors. I will start counseling and yoga. Thank you again for your kindness. I hope you are recovering well.

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Talk therapy really helped me. I’m terrible at yoga, but that’s likely why I need it. Plan to start soon. Good luck with everything.

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megan1853 | @megan1853 | Feb 3 11:28am
In reply to @celia16 "Is your job stressful? Are you getting support from friends? Are you in therapy? Did the..." + (show)
@celia16

Is your job stressful? Are you getting support from friends? Are you in therapy? Did the doctor say exercise is ok? Yoga? Do you have a pet? I haven’t experienced that condition before, just trying to think of ways to destress.

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Thank you for your suggestions. I do have a cat and a Golden Retriever. My job is teaching wonderful kids and I am fortunate to have lots of supportive friends.
I have PTSD which seems to be running in the background along with major dislocations in the family which have not been resolved in years. Those are the issues which I see as main stressors. I will start counseling and yoga. Thank you again for your kindness. I hope you are recovering well.

REPLY
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