High Coronary Calcium Score: How do others feel emotionally?

Thanks. I wish that info were on this forum because I don’t Facebook!

Hey everyone. There is a Facebook private group. Coronary Artery Calcification. Lots of great info, Studies, etc. also physicians with great input. Come check us out.

Perhaps there is a family history of heart problems, @davej. If there is, this might explain why your calcium score is so high in spite of your healthy lifestyle.

Hello @elwood

To find out whether the CT for a calcium score is standard or low dose would be a good question to ask your cardiologist. Are you currently having symptoms that have concerned you, or your doctor, about your calcium score? Is there a family history of heart disease?

I also generally opt for an MRI over a CT as well but for some diagnoses, the CT is still the better choice. The risks from procedures are something that we all have to decide for ourselves. Often the risk of not knowing what might be going on in our body is greater than the risk of radiation i.e., the possibility of having an undiagnosed cardiovascular disease (which could lead to very serious heart problems) which could be treated if you understood what the problem is by doing a scan.

I'd be interested in hearing from you again.

This is davej and my score was 2450 I think I eat right dont drink or smoke ride bike or walk every day eat veggies and fruit try to eat wild caught fish and grass fed beef limited and free range chickens nobody knows why score is so high maybe statins I'm takin

Yes, to comment with any meaning, it'd be good to know the CAC score, lipids, other risk factors including BP issues, smoking, family history, personal history of coronary or other significant illness, meds used, exercise level and tolerance...... ie, what your doc would want to know. Though this forum is not for medical professionals, I just happen to be one and the not-so-proud owner of a sky-high CAC level. jon

Hi @jackandjill88 I'd like to welcome you to Mayo Clinic Connect. You will see that I moved your comment to a previous discussion that has been started about the Heart Calcium Test. This allows you to connect with other members of Connect that are going through the same experiences and a great way to read others stories. Here on Connect we are not medical professionals and cannot offer medical advice, but we can offer stories,health experiences and compassion. I am so sorry you are worried about the risk of a heart attack due to your recent heart calcium score. I'd like to invite @pcspetpro, @bluesdoc, @mark430, @botexas, @bradmm, and @thankful back to the conversation to perhaps offer some insight.

Can you share with us what your score was? Is this the first time you have had a CAC test done?

I recently had a Heart Calcium Score test and was called the same day to make an appointment with my heart doctor. I am very concerned about this and I am worrying as to what kind of risk for having a heart attack. I am a 78 year old female

Have not had a cac test. Maybe needed ? Makes sense from what have read. Have avoided radiation whole life since cumulative. Even argue with dentists over x rays. NO unless absolutely needed. Always opt for MRI over CT. From what read, cac involves a CT scan. A standard CT comes with a good dose of radiation. Know there are low dose CT's as well. Question -does anyone know if the CT for Calcium score test is a standard or low dose scan?

I'm less anxious about my high CAC Score from about two years ago. I'm taking a statin which brings LDL down to 60, exercising, eating a heart healthy diet. Cardiologist said to keep doing what I'm doing, He said most patients don't follow lifestyle and medication guidelines.