Living with high calcium score

I have a high CT Calcium score of 1146. It freaked me out until I learned that this does not translate directly into a plaque burden obstructing my arteries. This could be measuring stabilized plaque or it could reflect “soft plaque” that could break away and clog blood flow (ie heart attack).
My blood pressure, triglycerides and inflammatory markers are now all well-controlled. Going to Rosuvastatin 20 mg and Ezetimbe (Zetia) should get my LDL’s down from 72 into the 50’s. Huge risk reduction as a result. Check for ApoB and Lp(a) lipoprotein particles. They are the scary ones.

I thought about getting a CT angiogram to map the soft plaque but since I am free of symptoms cardiologists seem to prefer using the PET myocardial perfusion test which I will ask for soon.

I exercise 200 minutes a week. I hike, sea kayak and engage in judo classes 1x/week. I have no intention of avoiding wilderness out of fear of a heart attack.

Map out your whole profile, watch your numbers, and don’t worry yourself into cardiac stress.

@itasarah
Here is what Mayo Clinic says about Vitamin D. It does address typical dosages and recommends talking to your doctor to determine what your needs are. Also, you will find a list of possible serious side effects of taking too much may cause.

-Mayo Clinic Vitamin D Overview
https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-vitamin-d/art-20363792
Have you had your blood tested to check your vitamin D level?

I wonder if I’m taking too much vitamin D, which is over the normal amount on the chart that I have for vitamin D. I think I take it twice a day, but maybe I should cut down on one of them.

@leslyb I don't know about vitamin D but calcium supplements will increase it. Get it through food instead

I take 2 D3 =4000iu, supplements daily and have been for years for bone density issues. WIll this raise my calcium scor of over 900?

@doddr
What supplements do you take? I was taking 500mg Ca and 2000IU D3 and was surprised to have a Calcium score of 137. 10 years ago it was 0. I requested the test because my LDL was trending higher - 149 but my Ratios were always good. My thinking is the Calcium supplement without also taking Mg might be the culprit. After some reading, I bought some K2 and Mg and am trying to get my Ca from my diet. I have an appt with a Cardio next week. Thanks for your thoughts .

I was diagnosed at 63 with coronary heart disease back on 2021 got a CT scan my score was 595, I got all carried away bc is in my genes my dad had a hemiplegia at 53 died exactly at 63 my brother died from same, my nephew only 49 died autopsy undiagnosed atherisclorosis.
I started eating clean but statin was since 2010 and fenofibrate 145 for triglicerides of 850 . I am 5.7 140 pounds
On 2023 I got another scan score 666.
I really began to take it religiously working out, clean food , no salt, no sugar, I worked out so hard my arms got ruined I had to have shoulder surgery
Since im on top of this Now 2026 I just got another score 899 and have been on statin 80 mg aspirin, losartan. Ezetimibe. Eating extremely clean so clean my stomach won't take anything with weird additives and bad fats. My blood work has been great for years good hdl, ldl, Triglicerides, no diabetes 5.2 is my ac1 . But bc I had dizzy spells and some rapid heart beat once in a while I ssked the cardiologist I wanted the cta heart scan 3d. Now I just found out that ct scan does NOT see how clogged the arteries are until they do a FFR.CT.
I just wanted to share my experience and reply . I just found out this new scan and also I just enrolled here on this site.
I'm 67 now going on 68.
I was told this is a systemic progressive chronic disease .
The trick is to stabilize the plaque, make it hard and not soft, bc soft can rupture and travel. The way for this is Atorvastatin, this is my experience
I checked my.legs it has stenosis on left I checked my carotids the right one has mild stenosis, I don't have abdominal plaque

@ladijoka I just ran across your post. I suspect you may have already discussed this with your cardiologist. On the chance that you haven't, my read is that none of your arteries have more than a 25% blockage. Patent means essentially clear I think. Atherosclerosis blocks the arteries. It grows over time and eventually some of the blockage will calcify. Rust/debris in a pipe is an analogy that is often used. For perspective on your blockages, I don't think an intervention happens until an artery is more than 70% blocked. So it seems to this non-medical person that you are in good shape. The 97 percentile is concerning. I believe this means that your score is higher than 97% of people your age and gender. Given the relatively low absolute score, I'd guess you are young? So my take is no real problems yet, but a red flag to start making the lifestyle and other changes that will halt the progression. But as I said, I'm no doctor. I have a 98% score but the absolute value is much higher than yours - I'd guess because of age/gender. Good luck!

@njx58
LDL 76. Been on Rosuvastatin 20mg for 18 months. Maybe my shift to a Mediterranean diet and no red meat will help.

So many highly intelligent people who are motivated on this chat page. The reality is that the unknown stress appears to be non- producible. I went to Utube to get information and since July when my Cardiologist scared the H#ell out of me with my calcium score. Try Dr. Jamnadas on utube. He explains everything so well. I am a retired Optometrist (35 Years) and he is an excellent teacher. I started with my gut and then worked up to my fatty liver. I currently eat one meal a day and will turn 70 next week. Check out Dr. J and let me know what you think. Bri