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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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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
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2 ReactionsLDL- 114. Hdl- 36. Triglycerides- 76. Total cholesterol- 165
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1 ReactionWhat 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.
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1 ReactionYou 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.
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.
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.
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1 Reaction"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%.....
Thanks much, @pcspetro. I'll check that out.