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High Coronary Calcium Score: How do others feel emotionally?
I have a calcium score of 1,950 which is extremely high which means I am at a very high risk for a cardiac event,heart attack,stroke or sudden death.
I take a statin and baby aspirin. I have never been sick, have excellent cholesterol, low blood pressure and I am not overweight. I have no other health problems and I have never been sick. But I feel like a walking time bomb which has caused me a lot of stress. I am 70 yrs old.
I wonder how others with this condition feel emotionally?
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There are also those that have a heart attack from an arterial spasm. I use to hike and not take my cell phone ……….. not anymore 🙂
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1 ReactionAbsolutely true. I had a heart attack from an artery dissection with no plaque, a SCAD heart attack. When it was
Happening I was in denial because it was so out of the blue for a healthy 50-year old. My artery was too tortuous for a stent though they tried. My artery tear healed on its own with the help of many cardiac meds. Just be very aware of any symptoms. ❤️
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1 ReactionAbsolutely! Thanks for pointing that out. Unfortunately a stent does not necessarily protect one from a heart attack, I have heard of people getting a stent and having a heart attack a couple of months later.
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1 ReactionI would be very hyper aware of any unusual fatigue, sweating,Nausea, arm chest jaw or upper back pain and quickly call 911.
Reasoning: Having no symptoms and with little 'evidence' that a stent will prevent an event. Left Main 575, LAD 110, Left Circumflex 80, Right 301. The severe blockage is located at the MID LAD. The location with the highest amount of calcium (Left Main), has only mild narrowing. I have decided to really 'appreciate' that I'm feeling good. 63 - 150lbs - No Meds - Good Energy - No Pain Anywhere. I don't feel much different than I did in my 40's.
Pscpetpro--Yes, in my reading about CAD, the small unstable plaque is more dangerous that calcified plaque. I'm surprised that with a severe blockage you didn't get a stent. My plaque is located in the LAD and circumflex coronary arteries. A 1560 CAC score is a lot of plaque to pack into two arteries.
I guess it proves that stress tests aren't 100% accurate. I have no symptoms (shortness of breath, angina), blood pressure is good. I did not get a stent, it seems one is more likely to die from a small unstable plaque, than a severe stable plaque. I am going to monitor plaque progression through CT Calcium Scores. I am making changes through diet, supplementation and exercise. I discovered that I have a Ramus Intermedius (an extra artery that comes off of the left main artery). Not sure if this offers any kind of 'advantage'.
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1 ReactionPscpetpro--How did they miss the severe blockage on the stress test? Did you get a stent?
I received a 979 CAC Score, passed a stress test but talked my cardiologist into getting me a CT Angiogram. The Angiogram revealed 4 mild 4 moderate and 1 severe blockage (Mid LAD). The severe blockage was not picked up by a stress test.
Limogreg--The cardiologist visit will help to answer many of your questions about your status and recommended treatment. The best things you can do are to lower your modifiable risk factors like diet, exercise, etc. and take a medication to lower your LDL cholesterol if needed. My experience was that I saw a cardiologist after getting a CAC score of 1560 about six months ago. The cardiologist did a stress/echo test, which I passed, indicating that I do not have any blockages > 70%. I already exercise according to American Heart Association guidelines for heart health, but changed my diet to meet the AHA guidelines. The cardiologist put me on a moderate dose statin. Take care and keep us posted about your progress.