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.

sjy70 | @sjy70 | Jul 8, 2021

@anniehall56 I am also looking forward to reading about your follow up!

tim1028 | @tim1028 | Jul 5, 2021

I look forward to reading about your follow-up with the research cardiologist.

anniehall56 | @anniehall56 | Jul 5, 2021

I have a 255 CAC score - just found out six months ago after some blood tests that showed high glucose, high cholesterol/LDL, and a terrible family history of heart disease- and also passed a stress test and told I had no blockages. I decided I should have a CT angiogram (non-invasive X-Ray of the arteries) to make sure which came back a couple of days ago that I have an approximate 50 percent blockage in my LAD. The cardiologist also ran a blood flow test (FFRct) and it showed restricted blood flow in that area. I will be seeing the cardiologist at UCLA tomorrow to go over what this all means but I'm glad I went beyond my standard of care cardiologist who told me I was fine after the stress test and instead, saw a research cardiologist who specialized in CAC.

tim1028 | @tim1028 | Jul 1, 2021

In reply to @sjy70 "Does anyone have any thoughts about pushing for an angiogram?" + (show)

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

sjy70 | @sjy70 | Jul 1, 2021

Does anyone have any thoughts about pushing for an angiogram?

sjy70 | @sjy70 | Jun 28, 2021

Here's an update since my last post....would love some thoughts or advice from others who have been in the same situation. I had a stress test with echo, on which I apparently performed very well. Got my heart rate up to 180+ with no symptoms and no ekg or echo evidence of blockage over 70%. My doctor indicated an angiogram wasn't indicated based on that since I am asymptomatic (at least I think I am - since I got my calcium score every little thing feels like a symptom!!). I'm nervous about not getting an angiogram, though.... he put my on Lipitor 40mg, aspirin, and lifestyle modification...

sjy70 | @sjy70 | Jun 16, 2021

In reply to @johnbishop "Hello @sjy70, I would like to add my welcome to Connect along with @tim1028 and other..." + (show)

Thank you John! I'll be sure to read both of those!

John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jun 16, 2021

Hello @sjy70, I would like to add my welcome to Connect along with @tim1028 and other members. @tim1028 shared some great information from the American Heart Association - Life's Simple 7: https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/my-life-check--lifes-simple-7. Knowledge is definitely power and it helps us all to learn as much as we can to improve our lifestyle and health.

You might also be interested in the following article on the calcium scans.
Management of Asymptomatic Patients With Positive Coronary Artery Calcium Scans: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5689148/

tim1028 | @tim1028 | Jun 15, 2021

In reply to @sjy70 "Thank you ! I just looked those up and I'm totally committed also! Did you do..." + (show)

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

sjy70 | @sjy70 | Jun 14, 2021

In reply to @tim1028 "I hear you. I felt the same way when I did a Coronary Artery Calcium CT..." + (show)

Thank you ! I just looked those up and I'm totally committed also! Did you do an angiogram or anything?

View More View Less

Please sign in or register to post a reply.