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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Cindy Winger | @cindywinger | Dec 4, 2024
In reply to @leaddogy2k "Good morning, I would absolutely demand an angiogram and I'll give you my reason. I am..." + (show)
@leaddogy2k

Good morning,
I would absolutely demand an angiogram and I'll give you my reason.
I am not overweight, work out 3-4x a week, total cholesterol of 102 (all cholesterol types are, and have been, well in line). EKGs, stress tests, etc always came out perfect. I've been a vegetarian for over 10 years. The model of good health, right? Wrong.
Took a calcium heart scan and my score was 2397!
Long story longer - after an angiogram it was discovered that I had 4 arteries over 90% blocked each. Cardiologist said a fatal heart attack was imminent.
Ended up having quadruple bypass surgery, which saved my life.
Please demand an angiogram.

Jump to this post

I TRIED for 6 years to get them to do an angiogram after a calcium score of 1100+ and extreme family history of CAD. I was much like you - tests were perfect, I exercise and eat decently. they wouldn't do it because I had no symptoms. I had Covid in Feb 2023 and then was short of breath doing the smallest of things after I felt covid had resolved. THANKFULLY, they decided at that time to do the angiogram, and I had 3 major blockage and had CABG in April of 2023. Very frustrating, but I guess I am glad the "big one" wasn't my first symptom!

REPLY
1 reply
HomeAgainLA | @llynch17056 | Dec 3, 2024
In reply to @keithl56 "Could be worse! My neurologist thinks I may have ALS (next appointment in a week) and..." + (show)
@keithl56

Could be worse! My neurologist thinks I may have ALS (next appointment in a week) and the only drug that might slow it down (only give another 4-6 months of delayed symptoms) is $145,000/yr and no indication whether insurance will cover it since it is an orphan drug. I might try a clinical trial at Jefferson since that won't cost anything, but there is a 50/50 chance that I'll actually get a placebo.

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I’m so sorry you are facing that, Keith. I hope it works in your favor

REPLY
keithl56 | @keithl56 | Dec 3, 2024
In reply to @llynch17056 "Agree, but too much for me." + (show)
@llynch17056

Agree, but too much for me.

Jump to this post

Could be worse! My neurologist thinks I may have ALS (next appointment in a week) and the only drug that might slow it down (only give another 4-6 months of delayed symptoms) is $145,000/yr and no indication whether insurance will cover it since it is an orphan drug. I might try a clinical trial at Jefferson since that won't cost anything, but there is a 50/50 chance that I'll actually get a placebo.

REPLY
2 replies
HomeAgainLA | @llynch17056 | Dec 3, 2024
In reply to @njx58 "At least the expense will be limited to $2000 in 2025 thanks to the changes to..." + (show)
@njx58

At least the expense will be limited to $2000 in 2025 thanks to the changes to Medicare. Still a lot, I know.

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Agree, but too much for me.

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1 reply
njx58 | @njx58 | Dec 3, 2024
In reply to @llynch17056 "I am on Medicare Advantage and my first month was something like $25, my second month..." + (show)
@llynch17056

I am on Medicare Advantage and my first month was something like $25, my second month was something like $125, then my third month and the months thereafter were closer to $1,000 because I hit the donut hole. Another problem with that is that it can effect my other meds to be higher because of what Medicare paid for those first two months. Anyway, I felt so bad. The reason you lose weight is because you are so nauseated and feel so bad you don’t eat. Not for me. For many reasons.

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At least the expense will be limited to $2000 in 2025 thanks to the changes to Medicare. Still a lot, I know.

REPLY
1 reply
dejones270 | @dejones270 | Dec 3, 2024
In reply to @kisu "In the U.S., one in five people (20%) have the genetic allele, Lp(a). That's around 66.6..." + (show)
@kisu

In the U.S., one in five people (20%) have the genetic allele, Lp(a). That's around 66.6 million people. There are 3 present drugs to treat Lp(a). There are 2 PCSK9 drugs Repatha and Praluent. Repatha can reduce LDL by 55%-75% and Lp(a) by 26.9%. Praluent can reduce LDL by 43-58% and Lp(a) by 26-30%. The 3rd drug an inclisiran drug, Leqvio reduces LDL by 40-60% and Lp(a) 20-30%. Does Ireland have access to these drugs? Pelacarsen, Ollpasiran, and Zerlasiran can reduce Lp(a) more effectively and may be available in 2-3 years.
Taking a high dose of statin does not decrease Lp(a) and can increase Lp(a) by up to 20%. Since Lp(a) is an independent factor no amount of exercise, diet or statin can reduce it.

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I started taking two 500 mg. doses of slow release niacin daily and my Lp(a) went down dramatically.

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3 replies
mayoconnectuser1 | @mayoconnectuser1 | Nov 25, 2024

Interesting - your stats are much like mine!

Been through CT, stress with echo - all OK. Statins for five years. LDL 50, total cholesterol 100, CAC 2350. Just finished nuc stress test - either great LVEF at 78%, or high LVEF at 78%.

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leaddogy2k | @leaddogy2k | Nov 25, 2024

Yes. Nuclear stress test was fine, CT was fine. I'm 67 and been on statins for 7 or 8 years.

REPLY
mayoconnectuser1 | @mayoconnectuser1 | Nov 25, 2024
In reply to @leaddogy2k "Good morning, I would absolutely demand an angiogram and I'll give you my reason. I am..." + (show)
@leaddogy2k

Good morning,
I would absolutely demand an angiogram and I'll give you my reason.
I am not overweight, work out 3-4x a week, total cholesterol of 102 (all cholesterol types are, and have been, well in line). EKGs, stress tests, etc always came out perfect. I've been a vegetarian for over 10 years. The model of good health, right? Wrong.
Took a calcium heart scan and my score was 2397!
Long story longer - after an angiogram it was discovered that I had 4 arteries over 90% blocked each. Cardiologist said a fatal heart attack was imminent.
Ended up having quadruple bypass surgery, which saved my life.
Please demand an angiogram.

Jump to this post

So, lead, you had a nuclear stress test - with great ejection fraction? CT was fine, also?

Also, age and statin use would be helpful.

REPLY
leaddogy2k | @leaddogy2k | Nov 24, 2024

Good morning,
I would absolutely demand an angiogram and I'll give you my reason.
I am not overweight, work out 3-4x a week, total cholesterol of 102 (all cholesterol types are, and have been, well in line). EKGs, stress tests, etc always came out perfect. I've been a vegetarian for over 10 years. The model of good health, right? Wrong.
Took a calcium heart scan and my score was 2397!
Long story longer - after an angiogram it was discovered that I had 4 arteries over 90% blocked each. Cardiologist said a fatal heart attack was imminent.
Ended up having quadruple bypass surgery, which saved my life.
Please demand an angiogram.

REPLY
2 replies
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