1. < Heart & Blood Health

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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jdyment | @jdyment | Feb 8, 2023

If we die all of a sudden, we die all of a sudden. No biggie. I've lived a good life and really hope I stick around to see my kids weddings, children, etc. but whenever He decides it's time, it's time. It was a fluke I even found out about my score. As the doctors said, it could be a 20 year/ 30 year progression but blood flow looks perfect. Keep doing what you are doing but take this white pill every day to control your cholesterol.

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jdyment | @jdyment | Feb 8, 2023

I'm 56 and it amazing shape.

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floppingsets | @floppingsets | Feb 8, 2023
In reply to @jdyment "My score is 2,854. Tons of tests, yadda yadda yadda, and 2 cardiologists said 5 years..." + (show)
@jdyment

My score is 2,854. Tons of tests, yadda yadda yadda, and 2 cardiologists said 5 years ago, we would have rushed to stent you. Today, your blood flow looks perfect so we'll put you on some statin drug and monitor every year. I also have an aortic aneurysm that they will monitor. So relax my friend. Just manage your cholesterol and everything will be find.

Jump to this post

what age range are you if you don't mind me asking?

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markdeegan | @markdeegan | Feb 8, 2023

Also try Zetia. The Statins try and lower the LDL from the Liver. The Zetia helps with the food you eat. But remember you need some cholesterol to cover your nerve lines

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markdeegan | @markdeegan | Feb 8, 2023

Also you need a Scan or Check on other vessels like in the Neck or PAD etc

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markdeegan | @markdeegan | Feb 8, 2023
In reply to @floppingsets "hey there, would love to chat. I'm basically in full freak out mode at moment. Just..." + (show)
@floppingsets

hey there, would love to chat. I'm basically in full freak out mode at moment. Just received score and it's 430. I am 46. Non-smoker, not overweight, exercise and total lipid profile as seen attached. He suggested a 5 mg statin to start out. Didn't think a nuclear stress test was needed but I demanded it, so going in 10 days but have to pay out of pocket over $3k for it. According to the charts I'm in the 99th percentile and have the arteries of a 90 year old. Something isn't right. I've completely overhauled my lifestyle in the last week and plan on continuing. Cut out alcohol, and eating like a rabbit basically with some protein. Have lost 8 lbs. In any event, would love to hear how you are doing and any information you could provide.

Jump to this post

The Nuclear Stress test is not so great.
You need a CT-A

That is vessel specific and is a quick Cat Scan Angiogram

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floppingsets | @floppingsets | Feb 7, 2023
In reply to @jdyment "My score is 2,854. Tons of tests, yadda yadda yadda, and 2 cardiologists said 5 years..." + (show)
@jdyment

My score is 2,854. Tons of tests, yadda yadda yadda, and 2 cardiologists said 5 years ago, we would have rushed to stent you. Today, your blood flow looks perfect so we'll put you on some statin drug and monitor every year. I also have an aortic aneurysm that they will monitor. So relax my friend. Just manage your cholesterol and everything will be find.

Jump to this post

When you say the docs say "blood flow looks perfect", what test are you referring to that they know that? Does the same test look for things like an aortic aneurysm or is that something different?

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1 reply
floppingsets | @floppingsets | Feb 7, 2023
In reply to @mayoconnectuser1 "floppingsets, Here's what I did - without symptoms (this is key - if you have ANY..." + (show)
@mayoconnectuser1

floppingsets,

Here's what I did - without symptoms (this is key - if you have ANY symptoms they will likely want to take a look and perhaps stent), cardiologist was uninterested in any of these except a stress test, so I worked through my PCP. I've had hypertension and been on BP meds (telemisartan) for 15 years.

1 Advanced lipids testing - one large lab calls it CardioIQ
2 Statin
3 Icosapent ethyl (Vascepa)
4 81 mg coated aspirin (might help and normally doesn't hurt)
5 stress test with full echocardiography
6 CT Angiogram (CTA)
7 Peripheral Artery Disease testing

Jump to this post

Thank you very much for this. I am going to do everything you talked about.

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floppingsets | @floppingsets | Feb 7, 2023

I think this means to change diet and take a statin. I am planning on doing both. I'm sorry to hear about your heart attack 🙁 Hopefully, all is well and you are on the mend.

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