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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@mayoconnectuser1

Yep - I recall a dual PET/CT system being used in pancreatic cancer diagnosis - but, using it to assess calcium?

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@mayoconnectuser1

No per say, more about perfusion and heart function. Just a clearer image vs. a Nuclear Stress Test...but same principal of using a radioisotope (tracer) to detect abnormalities of the heart. The added feature if a true PET/CT is the CT component that can in fact see calcium.

It is a bit overkill IMHO---but obviously less risky than a catherization.

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