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?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Heart & Blood Health Support Group.

tim1028 | @tim1028 | Mar 2, 2019
In reply to @wisconsin2267 "I have a calcium score of 2267 with no symptoms . Had a nuclear stress test..." + (show)
@wisconsin2267

I have a calcium score of 2267 with no symptoms . Had a nuclear stress test yesterday. The treadmill test I believe went fine but have not heard back from the Dr. about the imaging. Still stressed but hoping imaging went well as maybe they would have called me by now? Anxiously waiting.

Jump to this post

I can relate to your anxiety. I'm in a similar situation with a CAC score of 1562 with no symptoms. I had a stress test with echocardiogram, which was normal, i.e., no blockages above 70%. I am now on a daily aspirin and a high dose statin. I have no risk factors other than a low HDL. I am currently trying to exercise and eat according to health-heart guidelines. Simply because 4 months has passed since I was tested and I am a lot more knowledgeable about coronary artery atherosclerosis, I am less anxious than I was, but there is still a low-volume steady anxiety that underlies daily life. I'm 70 and still hope live another 10 to 20 years.

REPLY
3 replies
wisconsin2267 | @wisconsin2267 | Mar 2, 2019

I have a calcium score of 2267 with no symptoms . Had a nuclear stress test yesterday. The treadmill test I believe went fine but have not heard back from the Dr. about the imaging. Still stressed but hoping imaging went well as maybe they would have called me by now? Anxiously waiting.

REPLY
2 replies
jeffkirc | @jeffkirc | Feb 28, 2019
In reply to @suchasmed1 "Ok, I know it's not a contest, and I'm very new to the high calcium club...." + (show)
@suchasmed1

Ok, I know it's not a contest, and I'm very new to the high calcium club. I haven't read all the posts, so I don't know for sure what the highest score is, but I was called today within 2 hours of the test with my score of 6451.12.
First question to ricochet around my skull is "How am I alive?"
So far I haven't found anyone at this level to reassure me.
It is reassuring that a high score is not a grenade with the pin pulled, and that people are managing it.

So right now I have been scheduled for a consult with a cardiologist next Friday, March 8.
My pcp says the'll do a stress test and go from there.
59 3/4 y.o. Male
6'3", 270 lbs.
Last July had a physical
5.9 A1C
187 total cholesterol
161 Trigly
38 HDL
32 VLDL
117 LDL
Blood Pressure generally 120something over 80ish.
Just started going to the gym and am tolerating 20 mins cardio and 20 mins weights without pain or dizziness.
I get occasional dizziness when standing up suddenly, but no chest or side pain.

What can I expect in terms of testing and protocols in the weeks to come?
Apparently my risk is pretty high. Are they not being aggressive enough? I mean, a week?

Jump to this post

"My pcp says they'll do a stress test" Just a fyi....I was told that the stress test will not pick up any artery blockages less then 70%.....

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pcspetpro | @pcspetpro | Feb 28, 2019
In reply to @suchasmed1 "Ok, I know it's not a contest, and I'm very new to the high calcium club...." + (show)
@suchasmed1

Ok, I know it's not a contest, and I'm very new to the high calcium club. I haven't read all the posts, so I don't know for sure what the highest score is, but I was called today within 2 hours of the test with my score of 6451.12.
First question to ricochet around my skull is "How am I alive?"
So far I haven't found anyone at this level to reassure me.
It is reassuring that a high score is not a grenade with the pin pulled, and that people are managing it.

So right now I have been scheduled for a consult with a cardiologist next Friday, March 8.
My pcp says the'll do a stress test and go from there.
59 3/4 y.o. Male
6'3", 270 lbs.
Last July had a physical
5.9 A1C
187 total cholesterol
161 Trigly
38 HDL
32 VLDL
117 LDL
Blood Pressure generally 120something over 80ish.
Just started going to the gym and am tolerating 20 mins cardio and 20 mins weights without pain or dizziness.
I get occasional dizziness when standing up suddenly, but no chest or side pain.

What can I expect in terms of testing and protocols in the weeks to come?
Apparently my risk is pretty high. Are they not being aggressive enough? I mean, a week?

Jump to this post

Your welcome to join the high CAC Club. https://www.facebook.com/groups/2390693934337849/

REPLY
1 reply
suchasmed1 | @suchasmed1 | Feb 28, 2019

Ok, I know it's not a contest, and I'm very new to the high calcium club. I haven't read all the posts, so I don't know for sure what the highest score is, but I was called today within 2 hours of the test with my score of 6451.12.
First question to ricochet around my skull is "How am I alive?"
So far I haven't found anyone at this level to reassure me.
It is reassuring that a high score is not a grenade with the pin pulled, and that people are managing it.

So right now I have been scheduled for a consult with a cardiologist next Friday, March 8.
My pcp says the'll do a stress test and go from there.
59 3/4 y.o. Male
6'3", 270 lbs.
Last July had a physical
5.9 A1C
187 total cholesterol
161 Trigly
38 HDL
32 VLDL
117 LDL
Blood Pressure generally 120something over 80ish.
Just started going to the gym and am tolerating 20 mins cardio and 20 mins weights without pain or dizziness.
I get occasional dizziness when standing up suddenly, but no chest or side pain.

What can I expect in terms of testing and protocols in the weeks to come?
Apparently my risk is pretty high. Are they not being aggressive enough? I mean, a week?

REPLY
2 replies
pcspetpro | @pcspetpro | Feb 22, 2019
In reply to @charpeters1 "LuckyG that’s what I needed to hear. I just got my calcium score yesterday and it’s..." + (show)
@charpeters1

LuckyG that’s what I needed to hear. I just got my calcium score yesterday and it’s 1130. I spent all night wondering when I’ll die. My cholesterol is a little high but I have my blood pressure under control. I feel fine and haven’t been sick in the last 3 years. I’m having a stress test in 2 weeks. I wish they had never told me about my calcium score. It’s better not to worry your self into a heart attack.

Jump to this post

Knowing gives you the opportunity to investigate why you have a high calcium score, and to make the changes in your life that will slow progression, and lower the risk of a heart attack.

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charpeters1 | @charpeters1 | Feb 21, 2019
In reply to @luckyg "I just found this group today. Ten years ago when I was 73 I found out..." + (show)
@luckyg

I just found this group today. Ten years ago when I was 73 I found out I have a calcium score of 2274. I will be 84 years old next week. I feel fine and have had no heart related problems. That's why my user name is LuckyG. I am on a statin and a 325 aspirin every day and I try to limit my saturated fat intake and keep my weight down, When I first found out I was scared to death but I don't think about it much at this point. Good luck. Gary

Jump to this post

LuckyG that’s what I needed to hear. I just got my calcium score yesterday and it’s 1130. I spent all night wondering when I’ll die. My cholesterol is a little high but I have my blood pressure under control. I feel fine and haven’t been sick in the last 3 years. I’m having a stress test in 2 weeks. I wish they had never told me about my calcium score. It’s better not to worry your self into a heart attack.

REPLY
2 replies
botexas | @botexas | Feb 6, 2019
In reply to @1997ta "So I've been having palpitations quite frequently lately. Seems to occur more after a night of..." + (show)
@1997ta

So I've been having palpitations quite frequently lately. Seems to occur more after a night of alcohol consumption and more frequently after may meals. My heart rate will increase to nearly 100 beats per minute for a couple hours before settling back down. There will be an extra beat or a skipped beat here and there. I had previously had an ablation in 2010 to correct AVNRT, but haven't visited a cardiologist since. Cardiologist ordered the Cardiac Calcium score. Well I haven't heard from the cardiologist yet, but I can review the results online. I'm 37 years old and the CAC score came back as 402. First thought I was hoping higher was better, but looking into it, that's an off the chart number for my age. I'm devastated.

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That score may be high for a 37 year old,but understand that not all is known about calcium scores. I am 75 and my score is 2500 and I have no symptoms. Had nuclear stress test and had Mets score of 13 which is equivalent performance of a 24 year old. Further test showed my three arteries to the heart were 90%,88% cand 88% open with good blood flow. Talk to your Dr. I would try to eat a dash diet,and if he says ok,hit the gym and exercise using aerobics and weights. I go 7 days a week for 80 minutes/ visit. Try not to worry and good luck.

REPLY
1 reply
pcspetpro | @pcspetpro | Feb 6, 2019
In reply to @botexas "That score may be high for a 37 year old,but understand that not all is known..." + (show)
@botexas

That score may be high for a 37 year old,but understand that not all is known about calcium scores. I am 75 and my score is 2500 and I have no symptoms. Had nuclear stress test and had Mets score of 13 which is equivalent performance of a 24 year old. Further test showed my three arteries to the heart were 90%,88% cand 88% open with good blood flow. Talk to your Dr. I would try to eat a dash diet,and if he says ok,hit the gym and exercise using aerobics and weights. I go 7 days a week for 80 minutes/ visit. Try not to worry and good luck.

Jump to this post

How has your diet changed throughout your life? Do you have any ideas why your calcium score is so high?

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