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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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celia16 | @celia16 | Aug 12 5:21pm

Does the calcium score reflect the degree of blockage you have?

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2 replies
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christianzane | @christianzane | Aug 12 11:52am

That's right. Heart attacks happen due to rupture of the soft gooey plaque which is unstable. Long term 90% calcification blockages don't cause heart attacks. Stable plaque might cause chest pain but won't all of a sudden burst. I know some folks in their 90s with CAC scores of 4000, just make lifestyle changes, take a statin and be on the lookout that angina.

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markdeegan | @markdeegan | Aug 12 10:36am

Be careful. Calcium stabilizes arteries…

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Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Aug 11 7:02pm
In reply to @cojo37190 "There have been studies done showing that tetra- and doxycyclines actually remove calcium from vessels. I..." + (show)
Profile picture for cojo37190 @cojo37190

There have been studies done showing that tetra- and doxycyclines actually remove calcium from vessels. I believe trials were run for two months and dosages weee being determined last time I checked. I need to follow up. I had to have bypass because of calcium blockage in my LAD. I some build up in 2 other arteries. I want to try the antibiotic and see if it works for me. Can’t get anyone to listen.

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In general, if a new or "off label" use for a drug is under clinical trial, it would be very unusual for a practitioner to prescribe it until the reports are published.

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cojo37190 | @cojo37190 | Aug 11 11:52am
In reply to @lesterholland "I think that's true. In my specific case, I'm interested in treatment (removal) of plaque calcium...." + (show)
Profile picture for lesterholland @lesterholland

I think that's true. In my specific case, I'm interested in treatment (removal) of plaque calcium. Ocassionally I read about progress in disolving plaque calcium, but then, the interest seems to wane. I have 100% blockage in one artery, and I'm told that there is nothing that can be done without creating a very risky situation. There is also some discussion of vitamin K being an agent for dissolution of Calcium, but there are some credible sources that imply that that borders on witchcraft.

Jump to this post

There have been studies done showing that tetra- and doxycyclines actually remove calcium from vessels. I believe trials were run for two months and dosages weee being determined last time I checked. I need to follow up. I had to have bypass because of calcium blockage in my LAD. I some build up in 2 other arteries. I want to try the antibiotic and see if it works for me. Can’t get anyone to listen.

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1 reply
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lesterholland | @lesterholland | Jul 30 11:45am
In reply to @keithl56 "The only solution to a 100% blockage is a bypass. You probably have developed some corollary..." + (show)
Profile picture for keithl56 @keithl56

The only solution to a 100% blockage is a bypass. You probably have developed some corollary arteries to compensate for the blockage.

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We used the good arteries in multiple bypass surgery 19 years ago. But
thanks for the suggestion.
Lester

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keithl56 | @keithl56 | Jul 30 10:03am
In reply to @lesterholland "I think that's true. In my specific case, I'm interested in treatment (removal) of plaque calcium...." + (show)
Profile picture for lesterholland @lesterholland

I think that's true. In my specific case, I'm interested in treatment (removal) of plaque calcium. Ocassionally I read about progress in disolving plaque calcium, but then, the interest seems to wane. I have 100% blockage in one artery, and I'm told that there is nothing that can be done without creating a very risky situation. There is also some discussion of vitamin K being an agent for dissolution of Calcium, but there are some credible sources that imply that that borders on witchcraft.

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The only solution to a 100% blockage is a bypass. You probably have developed some corollary arteries to compensate for the blockage.

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1 reply
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njx58 | @njx58 | Jul 30 7:46am
In reply to @lesterholland "I think that's true. In my specific case, I'm interested in treatment (removal) of plaque calcium...." + (show)
Profile picture for lesterholland @lesterholland

I think that's true. In my specific case, I'm interested in treatment (removal) of plaque calcium. Ocassionally I read about progress in disolving plaque calcium, but then, the interest seems to wane. I have 100% blockage in one artery, and I'm told that there is nothing that can be done without creating a very risky situation. There is also some discussion of vitamin K being an agent for dissolution of Calcium, but there are some credible sources that imply that that borders on witchcraft.

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You can't remove calcified plaque. There is some evidence that getting LDL really low can cause a little regression, but apart from that, your calcified plaque is permanent.

Nothing is going to clear up a completely blocked artery. Blood isn't even flowing in there, so nothing you take could even get inside.

I have a portion of my right artery that is blocked. Surgeon said drilling into it would be like drilling into cement. If it were easy to fix, they'd do it!

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lesterholland | @lesterholland | Jul 30 7:24am
In reply to @keithl56 "I believe that you are confusing blood calcium with plaque calcium" + (show)
Profile picture for keithl56 @keithl56

I believe that you are confusing blood calcium with plaque calcium

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I think that's true. In my specific case, I'm interested in treatment (removal) of plaque calcium. Ocassionally I read about progress in disolving plaque calcium, but then, the interest seems to wane. I have 100% blockage in one artery, and I'm told that there is nothing that can be done without creating a very risky situation. There is also some discussion of vitamin K being an agent for dissolution of Calcium, but there are some credible sources that imply that that borders on witchcraft.

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3 replies
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steelerfan1965 | @steelerfan1965 | Jul 23 10:55am
In reply to @tlclimo "At the heart Center IU Health in Indiana. Cardiologist followed up with the stress test and..." + (show)
Profile picture for tlclimo @tlclimo

At the heart Center IU Health in Indiana. Cardiologist followed up with the stress test and then the dye monitoring. Same to think the calcium and plaque was spread out and not in any imminent danger. I have had subsequent visits, two of them, we're just the EKG was given and he just asked questions if I was having any problems. Then scheduled the next visit. So far exercising for about 20 minutes per day and mowing yards and not watching diet but limiting intake. So far so good. Nothing over the top or out of the ordinary here. I guess I just do not panic

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Thank you for the info and best to you on your health journey!

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