High Coronary Calcium Score: How do others feel emotionally?

Hi. I am a 64 yo male. I have miled hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and medium MVP. LDL 111, triglicerides 91, HDL 55. was having some symptoms, some shortness of breath at times, some chest discomfort on left side. Dr. suggested having a calcium score scan. It came back with a score of 99. Not bad I thought but he put me on 20mg rosuvastatin. Started last week and many symptoms have subsided. Will check bloodwork in about 6 weeks. Blood pressure and pulse have calmed down too. I'm guessing it must be the rosuvastatin. Some of my cousins have had heart bypass surgery and heart attacks and I want to avoid that. Have refined diet and trying to lose about 10 pounds.

We have some similarities. I am 70 and had the same basic calcium score as you with both the LAD and circumflex arteries above 400. . I had an exercise stress test with echo cardiogram performed last October, rather than an angiogram. I passed the stress/echo test by getting to the maximum heart rate, which shows that I have no blockages >70%. I am on a moderate/high dose of atorvastatin (40 mg ) and a baby aspirin. You are in great shape with no blockages greater than 20%! For what it's worth, I had an ultrasound test of carotid, peripheral and abdominal aorta done. No results yet. All the best to you, Carl

I showed a calcium score of 1588 2 months ago. 2 arteries were above the 400 level. My PCP ordered a consultation with a cardiologist and this led to an angiogram performed in February. At my follow-up visit with the cardiologist the test results showed blockages no higher than 20%. I am 70, and he adjusted my medications, especially doubling the Lipitor dosage; took me off Tenormin, reduced the Cardura by half, and added Lisinopril and 81 mg aspirin tab. I am curious as to the high score and the relationship to the thyroid. Any experiences that are similar?

There is some disagreement amongst 'professionals' and it must be considered that doctors/cardiologists aren't trained in nutrician. There is also the question of how different individuals metabolize different macronutrients. For some people zero saturated fat and a high quantity of fruit could cause a problem. Some people get very sick on a vegetable, grain & fruit only diet. Making sure that one is getting the full spectrum of micronutrients & antioxidants is also extremely important. Overall health, energy and quality of life are all very important considerations. There is a high degree of 'participation' in figuring out what will work best for the individual. Ultimately the time and effort invested may work out better than following 'nutritional guidelines', or a diet one is told to follow by an 'authority'. Old health advise like low fat processed food, margarine, many highly processed seed oils, have been exposed as potentially causing health problems. There are many other causes of a high calcium score. Newer research questions the role nutritional cholesterol/saturated fat plays in the development of heart disease.

The cardiology professionals consider a diet that is low in saturated fat and abundant in fruits and vegetables--along the lines of a Mediterranean diet--is heart healthy. Recent studies show that a Vegan diet may be even better.

My numbers are Total Cholesterol 150, Triglycerides 120 LDL 95; HDL 28. Now that I am on a statin, my numbers are about half that, except for HDL, which stayed the same

LDL- 114. Hdl- 36. Triglycerides- 76. Total cholesterol- 165

What are your LDL, HDL & TRIGS? There is a lot of controversy about what is a heart healthy diet.

Thank you Tim

The test that you had, a nuclear imaging stress test is different from what I had, because no radioactive dye was injected and the imaging was through echo ultrasound. I'm not sure how much blockage is necessary to make the test abnormal. You got tested, which is the right thing to do. Your cardiologist will review the results with you and formulate a reasonable treatment based on the results. I'm on Lipitor (atorvastatin) 40 mg, which both my PCP and cardiologist recommend. For purposes of full disclosure I am more anxious than most people and have been taking citalopram for anxiety for the last 10 years. It works well, but I also use techniques like cognitive behavior therapy to help with day-to-day generalized anxiety. Take care, hang in there, and take it a day at a time. There is some controversy regarding statins and there side effects, but for me it is the right path to follow and thankfully I am without side effects.

You sound like me I also have a little low Hdl. What Statin are you on and how much? Thanks for your post it means a lot. The Nuclear imaging can only detect blockage if over 70% ?? That’s not too reassuring.