1. < Heart & Blood Health

High Coronary Calcium Score: How do others feel emotionally?

Posted by mcphee @mcphee, Dec 14, 2016

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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bluesdoc | @bluesdoc | Jun 25, 2019
In reply to @tim1028 "Bluesdoc--How was your repeat CAC score?" + (show)
@tim1028

Bluesdoc--How was your repeat CAC score?

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Not yet. Will be having a stress treadmill next week. I'll decide from then about getting the repeat study. Stay tuned.
jon

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tim1028 | @tim1028 | Jun 25, 2019
In reply to @bluesdoc "Yes Mark, I plan on a repeat CAC score somewhere close to half way through and..." + (show)
@bluesdoc

Yes Mark, I plan on a repeat CAC score somewhere close to half way through and I will share here. If there's no change or worse, I'll probably stop, at $155 a pop.

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Bluesdoc--How was your repeat CAC score?

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1 reply
pcspetpro | @pcspetpro | Jun 20, 2019

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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happyheart13 | @happyheart13 | Jun 20, 2019
In reply to @pcspetpro "Absolutely! Thanks for pointing that out. Unfortunately a stent does not necessarily protect one from a..." + (show)
@pcspetpro

Absolutely! 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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Absolutely 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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pcspetpro | @pcspetpro | Jun 20, 2019

Absolutely! 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 reply
happyheart13 | @happyheart13 | Jun 20, 2019
In reply to @pcspetpro "Reasoning: Having no symptoms and with little 'evidence' that a stent will prevent an event. Left..." + (show)
@pcspetpro

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.

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I would be very hyper aware of any unusual fatigue, sweating,Nausea, arm chest jaw or upper back pain and quickly call 911.

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pcspetpro | @pcspetpro | Jun 20, 2019

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.

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1 reply
tim1028 | @tim1028 | Jun 20, 2019
In reply to @pcspetpro "I guess it proves that stress tests aren't 100% accurate. I have no symptoms (shortness of..." + (show)
@pcspetpro

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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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.

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pcspetpro | @pcspetpro | Jun 19, 2019

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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