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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SusanEllen66 | @SusanEllen66 | Feb 27, 2023

In reply to @elizaolson "Should I get excited about it, if no one has mentioned it to me?" + (show)

Yes! I just wrote you
Susan

SusanEllen66 | @SusanEllen66 | Feb 27, 2023

@elizaolson Hi, is your blood calcium level high? Is it over 10?
If so, have you been feeling crappy lately kinda like you have the flu but it comes in waves?

If so, please lookup Parathyroid Glands. You have 4 of them behind your thyroid. They regulate your blood calcium levels for your brain. If a parathyroid gland is not working properly your calcium levels will be high and your brain will not function properly in some areas. This is important!

I had this happen to me and I ended up having a stroke! My calcium level went up to 11.1.
Please see a specialist like an endocrinologist if you can.

Take care
Susan

mayoconnectuser1 | @mayoconnectuser1 | Feb 25, 2023

In reply to @elizaolson "Should I get excited about it, if no one has mentioned it to me?" + (show)

I'm trying not to respond flippantly ... but, do you care about your health?

mayoconnectuser1 | @mayoconnectuser1 | Feb 25, 2023

In reply to @christianzane "Calcium forms plaque which stickx to the walls of the artery, this can harden the arterial..." + (show)

No. Plaques are formed by cholesterol and other substances. Calcification of the plaques occurs over time.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronary-artery-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20350613h

elizaolson | @elizaolson | Feb 24, 2023

In reply to @christianzane "Calcium forms plaque which stickx to the walls of the artery, this can harden the arterial..." + (show)

Should I get excited about it, if no one has mentioned it to me?

christianzane | @christianzane | Feb 24, 2023

In reply to @elizaolson "Why is a high calcium rate a concern? I am not taking extra calcium except for..." + (show)

Calcium forms plaque which stickx to the walls of the artery, this can harden the arterial walls and also block the arteries.

elizaolson | @elizaolson | Feb 24, 2023

Why is a high calcium rate a concern? I am not taking extra calcium except for the once a week Alendronate. Thanks for any information you might have about excess calcium and concerns.

mayoconnectuser1 | @mayoconnectuser1 | Feb 24, 2023

Assess your condition - if you have high or even ok cholesterol and triglyceride, and a high CAC, then pay attention to this: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/statins/art-20045772

christianzane | @christianzane | Feb 23, 2023

In reply to @steveny9 "I got my score today and it was 580. I started a lifestyle change August, 2022..." + (show)

I wouldn't bother with a angiogram unless you are experiencing shortness of breath when exerting yourself of chest pain. There is good information about asymptomatic people who have high CAC scores here. Take a stain, quick smoking, exercise and stick to a plant based diet as much as possible:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5689148/

riflemanz64 | @riflemanz64 | Feb 23, 2023

Mine was 573 and I’m 67. Dr said just take a baby aspirin. I will attempt to cut out all Saturated fat I can and eat healthy. I walk 2 miles a day at a brisk pace. Good luck to you.