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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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Mine was 1100+ four years ago. I assumed that was a death sentence. My mother and grandmother both died of CAD at 48, and 54. I am now 62. I do not have any blockages yet and have been diagnosed with non-obstructive CAD. My understanding is the statin, low-dose aspirin are really all I can do at this point unless something changes, and I get symptoms. I started exercising regularly and try and eat more cardiac healthy. I was terrified at first. I felt like a ticking time bomb but have learned to adjust and to do what I can with the other risk factors.
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5 ReactionsCindy,
Have you retested after four years?
Calcium supposedly increases at around 15% per year ... so after four years CAC should be around 1925. If it is lower it means you have slowed progression, right?
Interesting - they never gave me that option. I will have to ask my cardiologist. That makes me sad.
Advanced lipid panel?
Stress test with echocardiogram?
How did you determine you have no blockages?
CT Angiogram?
Which statin are you taking? (blood panel is how you track, based on LDL and trigylcerides)
UPDATE: I just spoke with cardiology yesterday, and they will not retest. They said, "they are not inclined to repeat it, and in fact are actively disinclined in most cases, favoring aggressive risk factor modification".
My LDLs finally creeped over 70 on my last blood work so will increase my statin. Aggressive risk factor modifications indicate keeping it under 70.
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1 ReactionSo, what sort of rationale did they provide for not retesting every few years - it is very common to retest to check progression.
The cost is usually around $100 for a CAC test - not a CTA.
How about stress tests with echocardiogram? How did you determine you have no blockages?
Me too. Mine was 1300. A1c is great, cholesterol ratios great, blood pressure good lost weight and cut out all carbs processed food. I’m
Sure all my years eating processed food and smoking when I was young did it. I feel better now than in my 50’s. I’m 65 now
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1 ReactionThe link above does not work
I find it interesting that Mayo said they don’t retest a CAC score. Insurances do not cover CAC s. This is the disincentive for Drs. Military Drs are sanctioned if they prescribe a CAC. Yet pilots, astronauts, presidents are required to have them. Other countries use them. I had to beg my primary care Dr to refer me to a cardiologist and then plead my case for 45 minutes with them just to get a baseline CAC which was 611 total. Been following some podcasts. Ivor Cummins for one and changing diets. It’s been 9 months and I just had a comparison CAC done. Waiting for results.
Even with all that said, I still feel like a time bomb. 🙏🏻❤️
@peggystephenson, you're right. It appears that the video with Dr. Brott is no longer available.