I have a very high calcium score. What next?

I was diagnosed with 1,005 atherosclerosis end of January (2025). At 64, it shocked the heck out of me. I haven't smoked in more than 25 years, but the diagnosis was enough to shock me into action. Excercise (walks 3-4 miles non stop per day, a bit of light weights, and diet (as best I could, mainly fish and chicken, salads, with only the odd red meat). I went from 175 lbs (80 kilos) down to a stable 155 lbs (70 kilos) in 5 months. I'm still asymtomatic, but I have been so bummed out by such a diagnosis, that I finally bit the bullet and had a CTA (with contrast dye) - against doctors recommendations due to having no symptoms. Good and bad came out of that. The good was that my LM has very little calcium and no stenosis, the LAD has 10% in one small part and 40% in another small part, while the RCA has 40-50% in one spot. The bad (weirdness) was in just 7 months, despite all the diet and exercise, the CAC score increase by 30%! Now 1,350! What?

Ty we will check with the cardiologist on the ezetimibe.

My husband has an echocardiogram coming up this week. He has zero symptoms. We accidentally found out about this because he had a persistent cough after bronchitis and had a CAT scan of his lungs, and the radiologist noted the blockage. We never would have known since he has no symptoms is in good shape and no major health issues.

I also have a high score. I'm an active 79 yr old male with a calcium score of over 6000. I feel an unusual shortness of breath (according to me) during exertion so I had the CAT scan done. Dr. also preformed a catherization which showed a 60% stenosis in the distal third portion of LAD. He did not put a stent in as he felt I would not feel any better plus stent size would have been 2mm which tend to collapse. He now has me trying ranolizine to see if it alleviates my sob. Also said that there is nothing that can be done to lower the calcium.

LDL 40-50 is a very good range to prevent further buildup. It doesn't need to be zero.

It's becoming more common to add 10mg ezetimibe to a statin, rather than increase the dose. You get more of a boost with ezetimibe than you do with the higher dose.

There is nothing you can really do for calcified plaque. Calcium scores generally don't go down.

I think it's a very good idea to discuss with a cardiologist, in person.

@kswartz: If it were me I would ask for a repeat lab test. Mistakes do happen. Best…

My husband is 68 and his score was 5185 and it is higher than 99% of people his age……talk about freaking out! He has no symptoms, is not overweight, never smoked, not diabetic, walks 3 miles or more 5 days a week or more, and his LDL has been good on atorvastatin 10mg daily. The CAT scan showed no major blockage. We always ate whatever we wanted in moderation, but now have to really examine our food and make adjustments. The Doctor increased his atorvastatin to 80mg daily and will go for a LDL of 40-50. That’s all??.?.? I suggested starting Aspirin 81mg daily and she agreed. I asked about Plavix or Brillinta, but she’s consulting with a cardiac interventionist. What meds is everyone else on? I see a Plavix and Aspirin on one person, but if it’s in the walls and not in the arteries, then what?

My husband is 68 and his score was 5185 and it is higher than 99% of people his age……talk about freaking out! He has no symptoms, is not overweight, never smoked, not diabetic, walks 3 miles or more 5 days a week or more, and his LDL has been good on atorvastatin 10mg daily. The CAT scan showed no major blockage. We always ate whatever we wanted in moderation, but now have to really examine our food and make adjustments. The Doctor increased his atorvastatin to 80mg daily and will go for a LDL of 40-50. That’s all??.?.? I suggested starting Aspirin 81mg daily and she agreed. I asked about Plavix or Brillinta, but she’s consulting with a cardiac interventionist. What meds is everyone else on? I see a Plavix and Aspirin on one person, but if it’s in the walls and not in the arteries, then what?

My husband is 68 and his score was 5185 and it is higher than 99% of people his age……talk about freaking out! He has no symptoms, is not overweight, never smoked, not diabetic, walks 3 miles or more 5 days a week or more, and his LDL has been good on atorvastatin 10mg daily. The CAT scan showed no major blockage. We always ate whatever we wanted in moderation, but now have to really examine our food and make adjustments. The Doctor increased his atorvastatin to 80mg daily and will go for a LDL of 40-50. That’s all??.?.? I suggested starting Aspirin 81mg daily and she agreed. I asked about Plavix or Brillinta, but she’s consulting with a cardiac interventionist. What meds is everyone else on? I see a Plavix and Aspirin on one person, but if it’s in the walls and not in the arteries, then what?