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.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Heart & Blood Health Support Group.

Kanaaz Pereira, Connect Moderator | @kanaazpereira | Dec 5, 2018

Hello @fedoramenorah,

Agatston score is a measure of calcium or calcification detected by coronary CT calcium scan. Hence, I moved your discussion to this conversation, where you can meet the many members who are talking about high calcium score.
If you click on VIEW & REPLY in your email notification, you will see the whole discussion and can join in, meet, and participate with other members talking about their or their loved ones' experiences.

A high Agatston/calcium score does not mean that you will have a heart attack, only that there is a greater likelihood of having one than someone with a low score. Here’s an interesting Mayo Clinic article which I would encourage you to view:
– https://www.mayoclinic.org/medical-professionals/cardiovascular-diseases/news/coronary-artery-calcium-score-are-we-doing-too-many-or-too-few/mcc-20438011

REPLY
2 replies
pcspetpro | @pcspetpro | Dec 5, 2018
In reply to @fedoramenorah "In 2008 my 58 year old husband had a coronary CT scan. Results were: Volume130- LMA..." + (show)
@fedoramenorah

In 2008 my 58 year old husband had a coronary CT scan. Results were: Volume130- LMA 9, LAD 458, LCX 161, RCA 577 PDA 0 (Total 1205). AJ-130- LMA 12,LAD 601, LCX 185, RCA 630 PDA 0 (Total 1428). Another scan performed this November 2018 and total result was 4410. We don't yet have detailed results for LMA, LAD, etc. For the past 2 years he has been exercising daily 1 hr on elliptical, eating low carb high protein diet, drinks 1+ oz. alcohol daily. 6'2", 195 lbs. Has been on statins for 20+ years. His father died of heart attack at age 56 and grandfather likely died of same at age 38. He will likely be referred to a cardiologist soon. What are the options for treatment, if any, going forth?

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Are there any arterial blockages? What is the statin dose? Is blood pressure high? How much protein per day?

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1 reply
dpframing | @dpframing | Dec 5, 2018
In reply to @fedoramenorah "In 2008 my 58 year old husband had a coronary CT scan. Results were: Volume130- LMA..." + (show)
@fedoramenorah

In 2008 my 58 year old husband had a coronary CT scan. Results were: Volume130- LMA 9, LAD 458, LCX 161, RCA 577 PDA 0 (Total 1205). AJ-130- LMA 12,LAD 601, LCX 185, RCA 630 PDA 0 (Total 1428). Another scan performed this November 2018 and total result was 4410. We don't yet have detailed results for LMA, LAD, etc. For the past 2 years he has been exercising daily 1 hr on elliptical, eating low carb high protein diet, drinks 1+ oz. alcohol daily. 6'2", 195 lbs. Has been on statins for 20+ years. His father died of heart attack at age 56 and grandfather likely died of same at age 38. He will likely be referred to a cardiologist soon. What are the options for treatment, if any, going forth?

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Taking low dose of BP med. 40 mg statin . I had to have an angiogram- no stents needed. Calcium was in the walls of the arteries - like my md suspected. From a previous event - no heart stack but I did abuse amphetamine was I was younger.

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pcspetpro | @pcspetpro | Dec 5, 2018
In reply to @fedoramenorah "In 2008 my 58 year old husband had a coronary CT scan. Results were: Volume130- LMA..." + (show)
@fedoramenorah

In 2008 my 58 year old husband had a coronary CT scan. Results were: Volume130- LMA 9, LAD 458, LCX 161, RCA 577 PDA 0 (Total 1205). AJ-130- LMA 12,LAD 601, LCX 185, RCA 630 PDA 0 (Total 1428). Another scan performed this November 2018 and total result was 4410. We don't yet have detailed results for LMA, LAD, etc. For the past 2 years he has been exercising daily 1 hr on elliptical, eating low carb high protein diet, drinks 1+ oz. alcohol daily. 6'2", 195 lbs. Has been on statins for 20+ years. His father died of heart attack at age 56 and grandfather likely died of same at age 38. He will likely be referred to a cardiologist soon. What are the options for treatment, if any, going forth?

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Seeing a cardiologist is a good idea. Unstable plaques seem to be the biggest danger for heart attacks. The calcium is stabilizing factor in plaque. Low carb high protein can cause problems for some people. There is still a huge online debate about 'fat' and heart disease. You are invited to join The High CAC Club facebook.com/groups/ 2390693934337849/ A place to discuss and share knowledge.
Accumulating evidence pose new horizons for the study, understanding and treatment of atherosclerotic lesions.

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1 reply
fedoramenorah | @fedoramenorah | Dec 5, 2018
In reply to @pcspetpro "Are there any arterial blockages? What is the statin dose? Is blood pressure high? How much..." + (show)
@pcspetpro

Are there any arterial blockages? What is the statin dose? Is blood pressure high? How much protein per day?

Jump to this post

No idea about arterial blockages. BP is good (low 120's/low 70's) Statin dose: Ezetimibe/Simvast 10/40 1x per day. Protein appx 60 g

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1 reply
keithl56 | @keithl56 | Dec 5, 2018
In reply to @fedoramenorah "In 2008 my 58 year old husband had a coronary CT scan. Results were: Volume130- LMA..." + (show)
@fedoramenorah

In 2008 my 58 year old husband had a coronary CT scan. Results were: Volume130- LMA 9, LAD 458, LCX 161, RCA 577 PDA 0 (Total 1205). AJ-130- LMA 12,LAD 601, LCX 185, RCA 630 PDA 0 (Total 1428). Another scan performed this November 2018 and total result was 4410. We don't yet have detailed results for LMA, LAD, etc. For the past 2 years he has been exercising daily 1 hr on elliptical, eating low carb high protein diet, drinks 1+ oz. alcohol daily. 6'2", 195 lbs. Has been on statins for 20+ years. His father died of heart attack at age 56 and grandfather likely died of same at age 38. He will likely be referred to a cardiologist soon. What are the options for treatment, if any, going forth?

Jump to this post

Next step will probably be a stress test, and if that indicates any blockages a cath may be done and further procedures like stents or bypass may be indicated. I do know someone who had a score of 1100 and was apparently healthy and asymptomatic and his cardiologist went straight to a cath which led to an immediate double bypass. A lot depends not only on your husband's actual condition but on how aggressive the cardiologist is in his treatment approach. The anxiety and stress in this situation can be hard on the patient and on the spouse so make sure that you are aware of the mental affect and take care of yourselves. The important thing is that this was caught before he had any major event so that it can be fixed, Best of luck.

REPLY
1 reply
pcspetpro | @pcspetpro | Dec 5, 2018
In reply to @fedoramenorah "No idea about arterial blockages. BP is good (low 120's/low 70's) Statin dose: Ezetimibe/Simvast 10/40 1x..." + (show)
@fedoramenorah

No idea about arterial blockages. BP is good (low 120's/low 70's) Statin dose: Ezetimibe/Simvast 10/40 1x per day. Protein appx 60 g

Jump to this post

60g of protein for a person who is 6'2", 195 lbs...……….. is considered low protein.

REPLY
fedoramenorah | @fedoramenorah | Dec 5, 2018
In reply to @keithl56 "Next step will probably be a stress test, and if that indicates any blockages a cath..." + (show)
@keithl56

Next step will probably be a stress test, and if that indicates any blockages a cath may be done and further procedures like stents or bypass may be indicated. I do know someone who had a score of 1100 and was apparently healthy and asymptomatic and his cardiologist went straight to a cath which led to an immediate double bypass. A lot depends not only on your husband's actual condition but on how aggressive the cardiologist is in his treatment approach. The anxiety and stress in this situation can be hard on the patient and on the spouse so make sure that you are aware of the mental affect and take care of yourselves. The important thing is that this was caught before he had any major event so that it can be fixed, Best of luck.

Jump to this post

Thanks.

REPLY
fedoramenorah | @fedoramenorah | Dec 5, 2018

In 2008 my 58 year old husband had a coronary CT scan. Results were: Volume130- LMA 9, LAD 458, LCX 161, RCA 577 PDA 0 (Total 1205). AJ-130- LMA 12,LAD 601, LCX 185, RCA 630 PDA 0 (Total 1428). Another scan performed this November 2018 and total result was 4410. We don't yet have detailed results for LMA, LAD, etc. For the past 2 years he has been exercising daily 1 hr on elliptical, eating low carb high protein diet, drinks 1+ oz. alcohol daily. 6'2", 195 lbs. Has been on statins for 20+ years. His father died of heart attack at age 56 and grandfather likely died of same at age 38. He will likely be referred to a cardiologist soon. What are the options for treatment, if any, going forth?

REPLY
4 replies
tim1028 | @tim1028 | Oct 24, 2018

Here is a follow-up post on my situation. My calcium score is 1562. I have no other risk factors for CAD except a low HDL. I got the results back from the stress test with echocardiogram: Normal. My primary doctor is putting me on Lipitor 40 mg, then will monitor liver enzymes, glucose, etc. There really is little else I can do, but I feel relieved to be on a statin, despite the negative side effect reports. i also will exercise more intensely and try to pay more attention to my diet, which is Mediterranean. Any other suggestions from others?

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