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I have a very high calcium score. What next?
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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Keep in mind consuming cholesterol only raises your blood cholesterol levels slightly, it's more complicated having to do with the mix of fats/carbohydrates in your diet, check the saturated/trans fat levels of what you eat, I still eat eggs occasionally which are loaded with cholesterol.
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1 ReactionI'm age 79. My calcium score was about 535 in 2007 and is 2235 now. I had two stents in 2022. Apparently there is a third area that may eventually need a stent. The rest of the plaque is spread through out my body. Having a stent before you have a near blockage is probably not something a cardio would encourage or do. Stents tend to accumulate plaque and I now take Plavix to discourage the blood from clotting around those stents. From what I understand, with medication and diet to control cholesterol, the stent will be good for hopefully, 10 years. If the stents get clogged, the next step would be bypass surgery which is very invasive.
I suggest you try to lose any excess weight. When I was first diagnosed with heart disease, I too had to lose 40 lbs. I lost the weight by a strict low cholesterol, low sugar diet. I wish you good health.
Donna
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2 ReactionsOdd and we have similar issues
Nine was 900 and at 70 I am in Graz shape… should I use creator??
Cardiologist have any thoughts on Vascepa?
Started statins in 2016 after the carotid scan. Should have started in 2008.
Stress test completed - No problems, no sign of ischemia, HR > 140, >10METS
Echocardiogram completed - No problems, ejection rate >75%, no valve troubles.
Carotid scan still to do
Advanced lipids test in 8 weeks
LDL goal is < 55 - upped lipitor to 20mg, added 81mg aspirin daily - but I will probably do every other day. Daily aspirin makes me nervous for some reason, can't just quit and have to taper off.
I may be reading wrong, but you say statin started in 2008, then you say 2016 (eight years ago following your poor carotid scan)?
My sense is that you have done well by starting statins when you did. Did you start statins initially due to the carotid scan, or because of high blood pressure, or both?
LDL and triglycerides down - great news! CAC high reflecting calcification of the soft, deadly cholesterol - great news! Better lifestyle - great news!
So, maybe on the list?
- treadmill based stress test with echo (they check heart function prior and immediately after stress test)
- advanced lipids test (some call it Cardio IQ)
- ask your cardiologist or PCP about adding icosapent ethyl (Vascepa) to your meds
- further peripheral artery tests
- maybe keep working on the LDL and triglycerides
The last 40 years? I'm 61 now, that's going back a ways.
Up until my 40s - Total was < 200. I don't have specific numbers.
From my mid to late 40s to 53 - Total was ~190-225, ~LDL 110-132, ~HDL 55-65, TG 110-135 - No statins because I was going to "control it with fitness and diet". Sigh
Starting at 53 when I had a very very poor carotid artery scan I started taking 10mg Atorvastatin every day. From 53 to now (61) it has been Total 170 to 190, LDL 80-95, HDL 55-65, TG 80-110, one TG outlier at 194 (2018)
From April (bad scan) of '16 to August of '16 my LDL went from 132 to 69, TG 131 to 71. I lost 20 lbs too. Gained 15 back. Have just finished losing 25. Now 195. BMI 23. Mostly I weighed around 215 (BMI 26 or so)
Generally fit the entire time. I Hike, Bike, Ski, Snow Shoe, Mountain Climb, Lift Weights 2-3/week, walk 2-3 miles most days with the pupper dog. 10-15 pounds overweight.
volucris,
Your parents may also have had high calcium.
What has been your LDL, HDL, and triglyceride numbers over the last 40 years or so?
Hello all - I just joined after reading all of the interesting comments on a high Ca score. I just tested at 536. Otherwise healthy male. No symptoms. Never smoked. I've been taking 10mg of Atorvistatin for years, since 2008 maybe. I have been about 20 lbs overweight for years, but I just lost that. BMI of 23 now. Was 26-27. I drink a few drinks a week. Eat fairly healthy. Needless to say, I am confused as to how this has happened. Probably genes, but my dad lived to 85 and my mom to 91. Both smoked for 40 years. My dad 2-3 packs a day!! What the heck? I see the cardiologist for a followup tomorrow. I'll update.