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..

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Heart & Blood Health Support Group.

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.

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1 reply
celia16 | @celia16 | Feb 2 10:00pm

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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1 reply
megan1853 | @megan1853 | Feb 2 9:21pm

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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1 reply
mikeis68 | @mikeis68 | Feb 2 8:52pm
In reply to @viv2 "Hello mayoconnectuser1, I saw this old post of yours and would like to ask a few..." + (show)
@viv2

Hello mayoconnectuser1,

I saw this old post of yours and would like to ask a few questions.

Does your cardiologist think this CadioIQ test to be useful? Do you have it tested periodically?

My regular lipid panel seems alright and parameters were controlled within "target" with a statin and diet. However the results of my CardioIQ did not paint an all rosy picture. Should I repeat the test now since I've lowered my LDL-c further?

Oh, I have a cac score of 39 which puts me at 82 percentile as a 59yo female 🙁

I'd appreciate any input from you or any members here.

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that score is very minimal and i certainly wouldn't worry about that score.

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mikeis68 | @mikeis68 | Feb 2 8:50pm

I also look forward to your visit with the research cardiologist. I have similar conditions and no symptoms but a score of 1087 and have passed the nuclear stress test and also CT angiogram with minimal issues. Some results were considered incomplete due to movement during procedure but had possible 53% blockage in LAD. So far, cardiologist locally does not feel further tests are needed since asymptomatic. My family wants me to pursue so am seeing another cardiologist in a month or so. Am leaning on requesting a catherizatin angiogram to really see what is the blockage and any need for stent, etc. I take a 40g atorvastatin and baby aspirin 3 days a week. We sound like we are kinda in the same boat. Stay in touch!!!!!

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vivienne | @viv2 | Jan 28 8:51pm
In reply to @mayoconnectuser1 "All, So, a quick update ... had QuestDiagnostics complete a Advanced Lipid panel/CardioIQ. Results were interesting:..." + (show)
@mayoconnectuser1

All,

So, a quick update ... had QuestDiagnostics complete a Advanced Lipid panel/CardioIQ. Results were interesting:
Total cholesterol - 94
HDL - 45
LDL-37
Triglycerides - 42
non HDL Cholesterol - 49
LDL particle - 883
LDL Small - 159
LDL Medium - 154
LDL Pattern - A
LDL Peak size - 218.7
HDL large - 6235
Apolipoprote in B - 43
Lipoprotein (a) - 28

Generally good numbers, yes?

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Hello mayoconnectuser1,

I saw this old post of yours and would like to ask a few questions.

Does your cardiologist think this CadioIQ test to be useful? Do you have it tested periodically?

My regular lipid panel seems alright and parameters were controlled within "target" with a statin and diet. However the results of my CardioIQ did not paint an all rosy picture. Should I repeat the test now since I've lowered my LDL-c further?

Oh, I have a cac score of 39 which puts me at 82 percentile as a 59yo female 🙁

I'd appreciate any input from you or any members here.

REPLY
1 reply
missey | @missey | Jan 12 1:38pm
In reply to @woodyd "I had a lumbar x-ray and the doc noted calcification in my aorta. I asked for..." + (show)
@woodyd

I had a lumbar x-ray and the doc noted calcification in my aorta. I asked for a calcium scan and rung the bell at 1400.

I am a fit 65 year old. I have been extremely active most of my life…miles of intense cycling, bike commuter and Peloton at home. I do endurance, HIIT and was doing fitness threshold training until my late 50s. I have had a slightly elevated LDL (123), normal HDL and low triglycerides. I eat well, have no family history of heart disease. My lived until 95.

PCP immediately put me on statins and sent me to a cardiologist. He was stumped based on the info above. He gave me a stress test, which caused zero symptoms indicating no blockage and gave me a low exercise risk. The Cardiologist thought maybe I had wacked lipoprotein (a) or apolipioprotein B. Both levels were very good.

The doctor basically said he had no idea why my CAS was astronomical, but that they were not as worried about calcium as they were about the “squishy plaque”, which he did not think I had a problem with. He recommended I keep taking 10 mg statin and 81 mg aspirin for the rest of my life and said come back if something hurts. The thing is….statins cause an increased calcification. I essence I feel like I am taking something to help with a condition that does not exist that will in turn make a condition that does exist worse.

I think a research cardiologist is my next step also.

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That is so unusual! I think your plan to go to another cardiologist is a good one. I got my LDL down to 17 from over 100 with Repatha within one month! I am extremely leery of your doctor only because he doesn’t know if you have squishy plaque or not, how was that tested for? Wondering if you should have your parathyroids also checked with an endocrinologist? Please keep us informed and I am thinking of you and wish you the best.

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