@limogreg

Hi Everyone, Trying to take a proactive approach to my health after my brothers passing a month and a half ago at age 50, he smoked all his life and did not take care of himself, so I asked my doc about things I could do now he told me about this scan, it was only $75 so I did it got my results and now I am freaking out my score came back Total 831, Left Main 0, LAD 297, Left circumflex 346, RCA 188, Other 0, so my doc said I need to see a Cardiologist asap, I am in pretty good health active workout I am 51 years old, I started combing the net for answers, found this site, reading some of your post seeing other peoples scores and ages has me feeling a little better at least knowing I am not the only one out here, this is scary I am 6'3" 285 so not a small guy, my biggest question is what does all this mean, what can I do, and do any of the doctors from Mayo ever chime in? With advice or whatever, I dont know supposed to see the Cardiologist Thursday, if I make it, and one more thing has anyone ever stabilized or lower there score???

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Hi Limogreg. Welcome to the club that no one wants to join. You'll make it to Thursday. Your cardiologist may recommend a cardiac catheterization in order to get a better look at what's going on inside your arteries. If he seems to be not too curious about what's going on in there, then look for another cardiologist the very same day. You may need nothing, a stent, or bypass surgery. Choose a good place for the catheterization because, you may end up having surgery there. Good luck. With some good care, you may have many, many years left.

Limogreg–The cardiologist visit will help to answer many of your questions about your status and recommended treatment. The best things you can do are to lower your modifiable risk factors like diet, exercise, etc. and take a medication to lower your LDL cholesterol if needed. My experience was that I saw a cardiologist after getting a CAC score of 1560 about six months ago. The cardiologist did a stress/echo test, which I passed, indicating that I do not have any blockages > 70%. I already exercise according to American Heart Association guidelines for heart health, but changed my diet to meet the AHA guidelines. The cardiologist put me on a moderate dose statin. Take care and keep us posted about your progress.

I received a 979 CAC Score, passed a stress test but talked my cardiologist into getting me a CT Angiogram. The Angiogram revealed 4 mild 4 moderate and 1 severe blockage (Mid LAD). The severe blockage was not picked up by a stress test.

@pcspetpro

I received a 979 CAC Score, passed a stress test but talked my cardiologist into getting me a CT Angiogram. The Angiogram revealed 4 mild 4 moderate and 1 severe blockage (Mid LAD). The severe blockage was not picked up by a stress test.

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Pscpetpro–How did they miss the severe blockage on the stress test? Did you get a stent?

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'.

@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.

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.

@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.

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.

@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. ❤️

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 🙂

Yes. Same here

@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?

@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

OK, some results here. I had a stress treadmill and perfusion study, and they were fine. I did another CAC score and it is unchanged from a year ago at ~2600. I apparently wasted 3K on 20 chelation treatments. Oh well, I had to give it a try. I saw the article on minocycline possibly mitigating vascular calcium deposition. I assume most of you have come across it. I'll think about it. In the meantime, as I approach 73 years of age, I continue to take my statin and work out a lot. I'm otherwise going to do my best to not dwell on things I can't do anything about. None of us are gettin' out of here alive, so, carpe diem.
jon