I have a very high calcium score. What next?

Posted by dpframing @dpframing, Aug 24, 2018

Just joined the site and I'm looking to share with others who have had a high calcium score. I found out today that mine is 2996 and I am scared by this. I am 61 and I am totally asymptomatic. Now I feel like a walking time bomb. I am thinking of requesting an angiogram to see if there's any narrowing anywhere and if it can be corrected with a stent. After a second heart doctor told me that the plaque buildup might be uniform over the course of years with no big problem areas, I am encouraged. But the score still freaks me out, specifically my LAD at 1333. I don't smoke or drink but I have to lose 40 lbs.

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christianzane | @christianzane | Oct 30 5:05pm

In reply to @bluegelicopter "@missey Thanks, have been considering this. Just curious, is your comment about the fact that she..." + (show)

@bluegelicopter
No need to change doctors, statins increase arterial calcification and CAC scores which is a good thing and what you want, your plaque is shifting into a stabilized stage. Heart cath and no stent needed shows proactive approach which is good. There is nothing for you to do but stay on your statin and make all neccessary lifestyle changes, many people in their 90s with CAC scores over 5000 living normal lives.

gchang817 | @gchang817 | Oct 30 4:19pm

In reply to @bluegelicopter "I have a client who is a 3D radiology technician. She is the one who told..." + (show)

@bluegelicopter Did they say anything about having most of the calcium outside the arteries in terms of what that means going forward? I guess its better than needing a whole bunch of procedures and such to fix any damage in the arteries that would obstruct blood flow.

missey | @missey | Oct 30 2:48pm

In reply to @bluegelicopter "@missey Thanks, have been considering this. Just curious, is your comment about the fact that she..." + (show)

@bluegelicopter Both. Did you have an APOB and L PA Blood test which is famliar Genetic problem

bluegelicopter | @bluegelicopter | Oct 30 11:44am

In reply to @missey "@bluegelicopter You might want to seriously consider getting a new doctor immediately" + (show)

@missey
Thanks, have been considering this. Just curious, is your comment about the fact that she never recommended a calc score OR that I have been on statins and still have a high calc score?

missey | @missey | Oct 30 8:49am

In reply to @bluegelicopter "I have a client who is a 3D radiology technician. She is the one who told..." + (show)

@bluegelicopter You might want to seriously consider getting a new doctor immediately

bluegelicopter | @bluegelicopter | Oct 29 12:56pm

I have a client who is a 3D radiology technician. She is the one who told me about calcium scores. My doctor never mentioned it because I am asymptomatic. I requested it and it was done. I am 69 years old with a calc score of 866. I was mortified. I have been on statins for familial hyperlipidemia for years. I had a heart cath done and a stent was not required. Some blockage for a man my age - but yes most of the calc outside of the arteries. Still, an uncertain place to be

christianzane | @christianzane | Oct 20 11:33am

In reply to @gchang817 "@christianzane the blockage in the distal LAD was 80%. The blockage remaining in my rca is..." + (show)

@gchang817

80% is definitely something to address so that's good you did. Also LDL of 19 seems extremely low, I've heard of neurological issues that low but I guess if your doc says 19 is ok.

gchang817 | @gchang817 | Oct 18 3:18pm

In reply to @christianzane "@gchang817 What percentage was your blockage?" + (show)

@christianzane the blockage in the distal LAD was 80%. The blockage remaining in my rca is about 20%. My latest labs has my ldl at 19 with 10mg rosuvastatin and lifestyle changes.

christianzane | @christianzane | Oct 18 1:43pm

In reply to @gchang817 "@christianzane I had a 2500 calcium score. Ended up with a stent in LAD for a..." + (show)

@gchang817 What percentage was your blockage?

gchang817 | @gchang817 | Oct 16 11:35am

In reply to @christianzane "@gchang817 Calcium scores don't tell you anything about blockage, just calcium levels. Just because you have..." + (show)

@christianzane I had a 2500 calcium score. Ended up with a stent in LAD for a blockage during catheterization in August, mild atherosclerosis in the other arteries. The highest calcium score was in my RCA, but it was only mild in that artery. LDL of 37 APOB of 49 and hs-crp of .5. Im 44 years old, just nervous about my future and how to plan for it. I'm glad my arteries are not as damaged as the calcium score would imply, glad I did not need a bypass. Just wondering what it means for my future with such a high calcium score.

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