Connect
Living with high calcium score
I am a 53 year old male. Just found out I have a CAC of 731. Most of it (699) is in the right coronary. I exercise 5 times a week , used to eat eggs every day (15-20 per week), cottage cheese and yogurt. Upon hearing this news, stopped eating eggs right away. Just trying to figure out what else to adjust. I don't have BP and am at a healthy weight of around 160 lbs for 5'8".
Doctor still has to reach out to me and I think most likely I will be put on Statins. I have high LDL and Apo(b), but triglycerides are under control.
The question I have is, how else should I adjust the lifestyle. I don't drink or smoke or eat meat. Should I reduce how hard I work out? I used to take my HR to 165 and whenever I did it I used to get a heartburn. I was thinking that the workout has triggered acid reflux but looks like something else is going on.
For those with high CAC , how hard do you work out? Should I stop hiking and running? Looking for some insights.
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Heart & Blood Health Support Group.
Connect
Yes, that is what I continue to read. Frankly, those that say that have never quoted or shown there was not a continuing increase over time.
One would think there would be some point where statins have tamed the cholesterol to where there was stability - ie, no increase or minimal increase in CAC, however I have not read this - or seen proof this has occurred. Proof would be if someone had two CACs over five years which were increasing, then a CAC two years later showing no further increase.
I’m nearly the same as your husband: 68 years old, non smoker, bmi of 24, on statin (80 mg) for 20+years and zetia for more than 15, and my calcium score is 843. Passed the stress test ecg, and echocardiogram with no findings.
My MD added Repatha after the calcium score which has dramatically lowered my LDL and Lipo(b), and I exercise daily, eat a plant based diet, and hold my breath
I have a high cac score and work out hard: generally get the heart rate in the upper 150’s or lower 160’s (I turn 69 this week), and I exercise based on my heart rate. No issues of any kind doing this.
I transitioned from a decent diet to virtually all plant based, perhaps something with grilled chicken not more than once a week, and fish 2-3 meals. The rest are all plant based and lots of nuts
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsAh, OK, you're referring specifically to medical care. My care was excellent, but interactions since I kept the military with their medical system has been limited to pharmacy departments. Remember, however, the system in the military is designed to support younger people - and, then to reflect care in civilian SoC systems. Increasingly, any specialty care is done by civilian sector.
Did your Dr rec a angiogram ? I would think the non invasive would be a good piece of mind
no other recommendations other than an echocardiogram and an treadmill stress test.
CT type scans have issues with artifacts associated the reflectivity of the calcium, so not as useful.
"Irrational" fear of invasive heart surgery? I would think it would be irrational NOT to fear invasive heart surgery! I wish you best:)
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionNo. I had an echocardiogram and a nuclear stress test, both normal, so stopped there