High Coronary Calcium Score: How do others feel emotionally?

It is, John. Thank you for finding it. I was coming up empty-handed. You are an internet sleuth.

My initial CAC score was 1014 in 2018 and I had a CTA with FFR a few weeks ago (not to get a new CAC score but that is part of the test) and I had a modest increase to 1185. No crazy diets or supplements, just a balanced diet and moderate exercise in addition to my rosuvastatin and zetia (LDL is 50). Unfortunately, the FFR in my LAD is down to 0.76 and my cardiologist said it is most likely unstentable. I just have to keep on doing what I'm doing and he'll continue to monitor me.

Also, if you have high CAC you may have the same mechanism affecting your cerebral arteries. I have been diagnosed with chronic microvascular ischemia in my brain and MRI's show areas of brain cell death as well as lacunar strokes. You also might want to have your carotids checked, I have up to 39% blockage there as of 2018 as well.

Good luck!

keith,

I believe this is correct - once you have a baseline indicating treatment, the only thing a new CAC will do is show increases in most people.

I have not heard of studies showing calcium scores going down due to lifestyle changes or even medicines - the medical scientists are continuing to work towards this, though.

In addition to statins, I have been taking Vascepa since my first CAC three years ago, but my second still indicated growth of about 10% per year - it has been shown to reduce plaque in one study, but jury is still out on calcium reduction. My LDL and Triglycerides are very low so there is not much else to be done.

I believe that the primary function of the CAC test is to diagnose CAD. Once diagnosed it is redundant to retest. Once diagnosed other tests (i.e. cath, stress test, or CTA with FFR) are more informative as to the extent of the disease. Another CAC test will just confirm the first and possibly reflect an increase but is of little value regarding what medical treatment is best going forward.

@peggystephenson - I think one of these may be the same video by Dr. Brott but I'm not sure.

@peggystephenson, you're right. It appears that the video with Dr. Brott is no longer available.

I find it interesting that Mayo said they don’t retest a CAC score. Insurances do not cover CAC s. This is the disincentive for Drs. Military Drs are sanctioned if they prescribe a CAC. Yet pilots, astronauts, presidents are required to have them. Other countries use them. I had to beg my primary care Dr to refer me to a cardiologist and then plead my case for 45 minutes with them just to get a baseline CAC which was 611 total. Been following some podcasts. Ivor Cummins for one and changing diets. It’s been 9 months and I just had a comparison CAC done. Waiting for results.
Even with all that said, I still feel like a time bomb. 🙏🏻❤️

The link above does not work

Me too. Mine was 1300. A1c is great, cholesterol ratios great, blood pressure good lost weight and cut out all carbs processed food. I’m
Sure all my years eating processed food and smoking when I was young did it. I feel better now than in my 50’s. I’m 65 now

So, what sort of rationale did they provide for not retesting every few years - it is very common to retest to check progression.

The cost is usually around $100 for a CAC test - not a CTA.

How about stress tests with echocardiogram? How did you determine you have no blockages?