Living with high calcium score

Be aware of high CAC scores and ensure follow up testing is done with cardiologist. 6 years ago, I had a CAC score of 1350 and cholesterol of 180. Stress test showed no issues, but went on Crestor, Repatha to lower cholesterol. I continued healthy life style with regards to eating and exercise. I am 5' 10 and 175 lbs. After a year of continued borderline high cholesterol, I went on Ezetimbe which lowered my hereditary high cholesterol immediately. Took another stress test with no issues. This week, my latest CAC was 2214 which led me to have a CT angiogram which shoes 70-90% blockage in the LAD section of the heart. My advice is that CAC score and stress test are not enough to know for sure what is really going on inside.

I just looked at all my past records, first detected total chol above 200, 20 years ago! I was younger and more confident that I can reduce chol below 200, which I did. The cholesterol has been fluctuating between 180 and 22 over the past 20 years. For all the younger folks here, if you find total chol above 200 think about take statins sooner than delaying like I did.

My example - at 65 high CAC, then adjusted LDL down to 45-50, HDL stayed the same at 45-50, Triglycerides adjust down to 45-50.

Atovastatin and icosapent ethyl.

Took about 30 days for the changes to occur.

Stress with echo fine, peripheral ultrasounds fine, CT inconclusive due to image blooming from the calcium, cardiologist not recommending anything else at this, UNLESS pain of any sort, then would cath me.

I have stopped high stress work outs after I found out about the High CAC score (which was Monday afternoon). I am going to see my PCP today , hopefully cardiologist and stress test very soon.
My HDL is 48, LDL is 139 , Triglycerides 87, non HDL chol -158, Total Chol -206, HS CRP 0.7 and Apo b 116. When I punched these into the risk score test I got only around 6% as risk. However the high CAC score tells another story.
Though I have heart burn/gas/pain around chest, they are not severe and I do not have shortness of breath or anything. That is why I thought this could be acid reflux and gas. Lot of burping and passing gas, which made me feel better afterwards. I will ask my doctor to go to cardiologist immediately. Now I am reading more I am getting more concerned. Before the CAC test I was not even aware of all the examples.

Cardiologist appointment immediately.

Stress test ASAP.

Can you post your HDL, LDL, and Triglyceride numbers?

There is little reason to go crazy with stressing workouts.

@ pop77
Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect!
Being able to have the scan to get our calcium score is a great advantage but will also frighten us.
You probably will start on statins and you will also get advice on a diet.
If I were you I would want to see a cardiologist. You probably need a stress test to evaluate what you feel when you exercise.
It’s a good thing that you had the calcium score test. Now you and your doctors know what you are dealing with and you can get appropriate treatment.