I have a very high calcium score. What next?

Well, I was advised to click on your user profile, and I would be able to connect with you on a private message, yet, I saw no opportunity to do so, once I did.

That would be great! Appreciate the offer. I am on the road to a healthier me, and I am going to look at this from a glass 1/2 full!

Hi @jaxson123---

You are doing your homework, which I think all of us do when we are told that we run a higher risk for a heart attack. Most of us go into panic mode...the term I used when I learned my score. I quickly found out it is not the end of the world...CAC tells you that you have some level of heart disease, but can't tell how much specifically and can't tell you if you have blockages...Heck, you don't need calcium to have a blockage---just that you are at higher risk. The more calcium, the more risk in theory. Many factors including where the calcium is, density etc.
Yes, you will see the literature states being on statins will increase CAC, but as some say that may not be a bad thing. Generally speaking it is the soft plaque that could potentially have you clutching your chest! Calcium is suggested to be more stable. IMHO, don't concentrate on the score, concentrate on how you should live a healthier lifestyle...exercise, appropriate medications to reduce cholesterol levels including your LDL, Triglycerides. Again, if they do find something, don't panic....your at least ahead of the game and can take steps to mitigate a bad event. I would be happy to share with you my own regimen that works for me. Feel free to message me privately and I would be happy to share with you the steps I personally have taken to take control of my destiny the best way I can.

Thanks for responding Jasper1072. Most of my lipid test results last I had one about a little over a year ago were within ranges. Little high on the triglycerides, 160. My blood pressure was high, 145/95, so thus the reason to start me on blood pressure meds. I was somewhat alarmed by the "Frank's sign" notification, but now with the elevated calcium score, I am somewhat uneasy. Especially since really, most of my score is concentrated in one area, LAD. Would you happen to have a view on my resting heart beat question, I just keep thinking all of this means low blood flow, and harder work for my heart, or higher beats per minute in this effort, yet, I am not seeing that thus far. I do intend to start a whole foods diet, lose some much needed weight I've been saying I'm going to lose for years, and increase my cardo. Also, any views on the increase YOY, I am hearing mixed feelings on statins, and its element on the increase it promotes by taking it, as well as just in "general" it can be between 8% to 30%. What is best practice to making it 8%?

Hi @jaxson123---we are not too different. I am 50 1/2, I have no medical issues other than an elevated calcium score of 170, but not all in my LAD---I think it was 86. I also have high cholesterol that is very very low now due to 10mg of Crestor, I to take a baby aspirin as per the recommendations. I mentioned in other posts, generally speaking most physicians if they are following guidelines will not send someone for a stress test unless they are symptomatic. Also like many people---including myself--I had an intense amount of anxiety and was sent for a regular stress test and a nuclear stress test (MPI). I also have no symptoms--thankfully all came back negative. I also have normal blood pressure. You will see a lot of comments about the value of stress tests...but I think it does provide piece of mind to some extent. Some individuals feel the need to push for Cardiac CT or catherization---all have significant amount of radiation and have some inherent risks besides the radiation. I am in the medical field and I am NOT dispensing medical advice, just making my own personal comments---it comes down to value vs. risk. You will see others here with much higher scores than yours...who wish they had your score! In the end, it is a wake up call that we are not impervious to disease and we can make changes to address the danger. Everyone is very different, keep in mind the CAC is only one test. Be optimistic all will be good, take a deep breath and realize in time some of that anxiety will go away. A friend of mine had a score of 300ish 15 years ago...and he lives a very normal life...just healthier. Good luck, let us know how things go.

Hello Group. I am joining the group, hoping for some constructive advice. I just turned 50 last month. I was put on blood pressure medication just last year. My employee noticed a diagonal crease in my ear, and let me know about this thing called a "Frank sign". I looked into it, and thought I needed to advise my GP. I was sent in for a calcium scoring, and I hit a 282. 251 in my LAD. I was immediately put on Crestor 20mg, and a baby aspirin. I am as I see a lot of folks, very concerned about my future now. What really seems to confuse me, is my resting heart rate when I first wake up and check it is approximately 40-45 beats per minute. It has been for going on over 20 years due to my fitness regiment I held for most of my adult life. If I understand calcium scoring, I have a substantial amount in my LAD artery. This I would think would force my heart to pump harder, and generate more heart beats per minute in doing so, right? I am going in for a stress test next week. I understand blockage of over 70%, and the need for further evasive treatment options if needed will be determined after this event.

jan59,

I think that is a good thing ... medical professionals are busy; this, combined with too short office calls in many cases means doc and patient are not able to have an effective conversation.

The advent of the internet and the sometimes significant delays in getting an appointment with ones's doc, could mean a patient with a just received CAC score could have plenty of time to research and understand the potentials of the result. Plus, delays in test results are never good for anxiety for some.

Thank you so much! Sadly, it seems community screenings may be well intended but when grossly abnormal results get into patients’ hands before MDs have had an opportunity to review them, the wait and worry can be too much! Been there done that!

My GP has told me numerous times he has patients in his 90s with CAC scores in the 1000s with no cardiac events. Keep on the statin and keep that plaque stabilized.

Wow! Did I need to hear that! I am an older RN, who recently attended a luncheon and received the opportunity to have a complimentary calcium score and was utterly shocked to find I have a score of 1800! I’m asymptomatic and I’ve been on a statin for years. My recent cholesterol total was 170, LDL 98 and HDL 68. Thanks for the explanation!