High calcium score: I'm in shock
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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That is exactly my story, too... the arrogance of youth and of the serious exerciser. In the long run, genetics is almost always more of a factor. In my case I also mistakenly believed that genetics was in my favor since my sedentary and overweight dad had never been diagnosed with a heart condition. I learnt that I was wrong about that, too, when he had his cancer scans... but by then it was too late for me. If I had been thinking about all this better I would have gone on a statin in my 40s to combat the rising cholesterol instead of waiting until my 60s.
It might be better to have an angiogram instead of a stress test. That way, they can inject a dye and visually see the blood flow in the arteries around your heart. And, if needed, they can insert a stent right then and there.
A score of 400 doesn't mean you're going to drop dead any second. Your exercise has likely helped a lot. Don't panic.
Did they check your LPA through lab test to see if there is a genetic component
No, I didn’t.
But anyway it’s late now and I’m being treated - and effectively
It is not too late to check your LPA. It is an important factor for the cardiologist to know for treatment, and a long term and short term basis.