1. < Heart & Blood Health

Radiology report says Vascular Calcification: what does it mean?

Posted by anderson777 @anderson777, Jan 4, 2020

I recently had a CT scan w/enhancement for Ab/Pel and the report read "vascular calcifications" - I'm only 48 and feel basically great - My primary and multiple people, including a radiology tech, have said to not be concerned especially since it wasn't included in the "Impression" portion of the report - I thoroughly hold my primaries opinion in the highest regard but can't help but be concerned after the idiot gear kicked in and I went online and researched for myself - Anyone have relative thoughts ................ Comforting or not ???????

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markdeegan | @markdeegan | Apr 28 11:30am
In reply to @aspielarry "I recently thought I had badly sprained my ankle. At seven days post injury, I went..." + (show)
@aspielarry

I recently thought I had badly sprained my ankle. At seven days post injury, I went in to see a local orthopedic specialist. Here's his report: "FINDINGS: Nondisplaced spiral fractures of the distal fibula with intra-articular extension to the distal tibiofibular joint. Ankle mortise appears intact. No additional fracture is identified. Vascular calcifications. Soft tissue edema, predominantly laterally."

They put a cast on my lower leg from below my knee onto my foot. Most of the above I understand quite well, it's the sort of OBTW mention of vascular calcifications that now worries me. Is it significant, or not? What, if anything, can I do about it? My follow-up appointment with the orthopedic doctor is four weeks away. Should I seek to see someone else about my vascular calcification in the meantime?

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Yes of course. If you have Calcification in your arteries, that means you have plaque. See a Dr and have a CAC to check tour heart for plaque, then get a CT-A...

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markdeegan | @markdeegan | Apr 28 11:32am
In reply to @aspielarry "I recently thought I had badly sprained my ankle. At seven days post injury, I went..." + (show)
@aspielarry

I recently thought I had badly sprained my ankle. At seven days post injury, I went in to see a local orthopedic specialist. Here's his report: "FINDINGS: Nondisplaced spiral fractures of the distal fibula with intra-articular extension to the distal tibiofibular joint. Ankle mortise appears intact. No additional fracture is identified. Vascular calcifications. Soft tissue edema, predominantly laterally."

They put a cast on my lower leg from below my knee onto my foot. Most of the above I understand quite well, it's the sort of OBTW mention of vascular calcifications that now worries me. Is it significant, or not? What, if anything, can I do about it? My follow-up appointment with the orthopedic doctor is four weeks away. Should I seek to see someone else about my vascular calcification in the meantime?

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It means you have artery disease, that eventually becomes calcified. See if it is anywhere else including heart!!!

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floe | @floe | Apr 29 2:08pm

Not sure if this is the right place to ask a question. I just joined this group. My blood pressure is on the higher side ( mostly 130's and 140's, sometimes in the 120's and 150's) but my cardiologist wants me to avoid BP meds, due to fainting episodes. So, since Feb '24 I've taken no meds and have not fainted! My question is regarding my heart rate. Pretty much every day my heart rate swings up once, for no apparent reason, up to 145. This is never at night, and usually in the middle of the day. I mentioned it to my general practitioner and he pays little attention to this. Is this okay, or normal?

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1 reply
Mentor
Janell, Volunteer Mentor | @jlharsh | Apr 29 8:02pm
In reply to @floe "Not sure if this is the right place to ask a question. I just joined this..." + (show)
@floe

Not sure if this is the right place to ask a question. I just joined this group. My blood pressure is on the higher side ( mostly 130's and 140's, sometimes in the 120's and 150's) but my cardiologist wants me to avoid BP meds, due to fainting episodes. So, since Feb '24 I've taken no meds and have not fainted! My question is regarding my heart rate. Pretty much every day my heart rate swings up once, for no apparent reason, up to 145. This is never at night, and usually in the middle of the day. I mentioned it to my general practitioner and he pays little attention to this. Is this okay, or normal?

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There is no wrong place to ask a question. I know what you mean about heart rate going up randomly and your PCP not be concerned, I’ve experienced that. I can’t tell you if it’s a problem or not because everyone situation is different (but mostly because I have no medical training).

I do think this is a totally reasonable question to ask your cardiologist. He may want to see your blood pressure logs to have an idea of why you are concerned. Is this something new that started happening? It’s worth asking if nothing else to set your mind at ease.

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1 reply
floe | @floe | Apr 29 10:31pm

Thank you! I expect to see my GP shortly. I check my watch for my bpm, but I don't know what numbers are considered a red flag.

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1 reply
Mentor
Janell, Volunteer Mentor | @jlharsh | May 1 5:29pm
In reply to @floe "Thank you! I expect to see my GP shortly. I check my watch for my bpm,..." + (show)
@floe

Thank you! I expect to see my GP shortly. I check my watch for my bpm, but I don't know what numbers are considered a red flag.

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Ahhh, so you are noticing on your watch you have a daily spike. That’d be a great thing to discuss with your GP. What brand watch do you have? I found these:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/expert-answers/heart-rate/faq-20057979
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/in-depth/blood-pressure/art-20050982

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1 reply
relax2 | @relax2 | May 2 12:42pm
In reply to @jlharsh "There is no wrong place to ask a question. I know what you mean about heart..." + (show)
@jlharsh

There is no wrong place to ask a question. I know what you mean about heart rate going up randomly and your PCP not be concerned, I’ve experienced that. I can’t tell you if it’s a problem or not because everyone situation is different (but mostly because I have no medical training).

I do think this is a totally reasonable question to ask your cardiologist. He may want to see your blood pressure logs to have an idea of why you are concerned. Is this something new that started happening? It’s worth asking if nothing else to set your mind at ease.

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It’s a trade off BP meds for not fainting Don’t worry when your doctor thinks your BP is too high he or she will start you on meds As for fainting and syncope last summer I went down a flight of stairs and fractured C1 and C2 , broke both my wrist and spent 23 weeks in a Aspen neck brace . Had Surgery at Penn University Hospital Surgeon had to screw my spine to the bottom of my skull and fuse down to C4 They think I must have fainted at the top of the stairs. So I can understand your doctors concern with your fainting spells Try walking with a group Any regular exercise is going to help your BP

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relax2 | @relax2 | May 2 12:47pm

And worry and anxiety make your blood pressure worse

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floe | @floe | May 4 10:36pm
In reply to @jlharsh "Ahhh, so you are noticing on your watch you have a daily spike. That’d be a..." + (show)
@jlharsh

Ahhh, so you are noticing on your watch you have a daily spike. That’d be a great thing to discuss with your GP. What brand watch do you have? I found these:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/expert-answers/heart-rate/faq-20057979
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/in-depth/blood-pressure/art-20050982

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My watch is a cheaper smart watch, VeryFitPro, something I picked up on Amazon. It serves my purpose quite well. Right now I have some charging issues, so I'll see where this will lead.

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1 reply
Mentor
Janell, Volunteer Mentor | @jlharsh | May 9 6:47am
In reply to @floe "My watch is a cheaper smart watch, VeryFitPro, something I picked up on Amazon. It serves..." + (show)
@floe

My watch is a cheaper smart watch, VeryFitPro, something I picked up on Amazon. It serves my purpose quite well. Right now I have some charging issues, so I'll see where this will lead.

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You are on my mind @floe . I started listening to a podcast, a newer episode popped up I am in the first few minutes of…activity trackers.
It’s online too: https://mcpress.mayoclinic.org/nutrition-fitness/the-truth-behind-10000-steps-a-day-using-health-tech-to-improve-your-wellbeing/

Interested in listening and meeting back here to discuss?

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