High Coronary Calcium Score: How do others feel emotionally?

Hi Seaera and jimk849. So I had a cac score of 693 last year no symptoms I’m 60 great , well good shape, cardiologist put me on 80 mg statins and baby aspirin. Everything I read that’s not great so this year I decide to get another cac scan to see if statins work amd it was 1139. What? Freaked out went to another cardiologists at well known hosp he told me won’t do a catch says too risky and that the therapy I’m on is what I should trust. Unless I go on a run , usually run 3 every other day, and feel different than I’ve ever felt then come in to hosp. My question to him was isn’t it odd that my cac went up over 60% in a year while in stats maxed out ? I’m uneasy wondering if something else makes calcium so high . Also my thyroid is fine cholesterol is 70/41. Good luck to all I mean it! Best, B.

I don't remember any component breakdown of the total score. My wife worked at a hospital at that time and they had just installed the equip. that does this test and all the employees received coupons to get the cac test for $75.00. I can't remember exactly how long ago it was but it must be around 10 years ago. Got me thinking I might be wise to see a cardiologist again, I quit going to the Dr. I originally saw after about two yearly office visits after the initial 2 nuclear stress tests.

Hi jimk849,

My cac is over 1000, and my cardiologist wants to see me every 6 mos. I'm 62 but have significant family history of heart disease. I think that beside the total cac score that the distribution of the calcium is also a factor. If it is spread between the 5 major arteries it is not as bad as if it is concentrated in a few. In my case my right coronary artery alone is over 700 and my left anterior descending is over 300. As long as you are asymptomatic and you live a healthy life style there is not much else you can do.

First time poster. I had a cac of 960 about ten years ago. Scared half to death , went to cardiologist and did a nuclear stress test 2 years in a row all good. Take an 81mg. aspirin and 40 mg atorvastatin every day. The cardiologist also had me on Niaspan and quit that after a couple years of hot flushing and stinging pins and needles. I have had no symptoms since. I do 40 mins cardio and 30 mins strength training 3 times a week. Recently lost about 25lbs. before a knee replacement on June 25th. almost at high school weight now. I had a friend have a heart attack 3 days ago and he wound up getting 3 stents, which is why I came to this board. That high score is always in the back of my mind. I only see my family medicine doc once a year for physical and blood work. cholesterol is good but I can't get hdl to rise. ldl is good. I was wondering how many on this board see a cardiologist regularly just because of a high score. My friends ha has me wondering again.

I just had a CT coronary angiogram with calcium score and my score is 1608. I am 68 years old, male with no symptoms. I do fairly intense exercise 5-7 days per week. I am not overweight. I will be scheduling a follow up with GP and then cardiologist. I too am very concerned about this.

Cholesterol and blood pressure normal with a low dose statin and a low dose losartin.

I too am very concerned.

How are you doing?

I wish I had your cardiologist. Mine wants me to wait until I am symptomatic or have a heart attack before a cath!

How are you doing since your note? My score is 1400. My cardiologist wants me to do a heart cath. Not a bad thought really.

You got it, @dpframing.

From my experience as heart attack survivor , baby Aspirin is 81 mg and max dose recommended is 350 mg About 4 to 5 Aspirins is Ok.If chewable Aspirin is not avaialable , one can crush 5 pills and give to patient immediately.It May prevent impending heart attack.However if silent heart attack has taken place and clot is stuck somewhere , damage is done.Sorbitrate can be of more help in such cases or in case Person is Heart patient , he is aware of this .

There seems to be some confusion of how many baby aspirins to take until the ambulance can arrive if you think you are having a heart attack. I recently called EMS and had chewed up one baby aspirin before they arrived. When they arrived they gave me three more to dissolve under my tongue. I know if you think you are having a stoke you should wait until EMS assesses you before taking aspirin. Can anyone tell me how the number of baby aspirins for potential heart attack symptoms is calculated?