My CT CORONARY CALCIUM SCORING Results.

[Rafion]

These are the results:

Left main coronary artery - 0.

Left anterior descending coronary artery(LAD) - 102.

Left circumflex coronary artery (RCA) - 2.

Posterior descending artery (PDA) - 0.

Posterior Left ventricular branch artery (PLVB) - 0.

TOTAL 124 (moderate risk identified for coronary artery disease).

No cardiomegaly noted. Cardio-thoracic ratio is 12.6/26.

IMPRESSION: Coronary calcium score of 124 indicates moderate risk for atherosclerotic coronary artery disease.

How am I to read these results and what remedial steps do I need to take? I am 70, Indian, and taking oral meds for T2D, high BP and statins for cholesterol. I do little exercise, am retired, live alone with hardly any social life.

[84green]

Hi Rafion

As you say, a CAC score of 124 places you in the moderate risk category of having heart disease and/or a heart attack. My score was 133 in January. I’m 57. 133 also happens to be Donald Trump’s CAC score during his pre election medical (the results of which are disclosed to the public in the US). The categories used are:

1- 10: Minimal

11 - 100: Mild

101 - 400: Moderate

Over 400: Severe.

Many people over 60 have some calcification in their arteries.

I would suggest that you discuss your score and any concerns you have with your doctor. In terms of remedial action, your doctor might advise changes to your diet and lifestyle (eg exercise) to help.

It is very important that you do everything you can to control your type 2 and blood pressure.

Statins do a number of things, including stabilising plaque in the arteries. One of the ways they do this is by calcifying it. Non - calcified (also referred to as “soft” or “hot” plaque is more vulnerable to rupture and cause the blockage of an artery.

That is not to say that calcified plaque is a good thing, it isn’t! But it is more stable. This also means that statin use will impact on a person’s CAC score.

The only ways to know for sure the state of your arteries is via either a CT cardio angiogram (which is how I discovered my CAC score) or a coronary angiogram.

Whilst CAC score appear to correlate with actual blockages it is possible to have a relatively low score but still have significant non calcified plaque in an artery.

I hope this helps but please discuss with your doctor.

[Rafion in reply to 84green]

Thank you indeed for a very clear and comprehensible reply - I am indebted to you.

I have discussed this with my doctor and he has referred me to a cardio guy he knows; he also said I don't need to be worried too much and suggested I wait out the worst of the Chinese virus.

I do take statins and have been doing so for years, along with my BP and T2D meds. Both have been well under control for an equal number of years. What doesn't help is my rather lazy attitude - there's nothing better I enjoy than lie in bed with a book or magazine. That's the main problem, I guess!

[Hidden]

Hi rafion

Seems you've given up on life? that's not good

Please do find an exercise that you enjoy and do it to a decent level.

I cycle 60 m every Sunday

Also, since you are T2D, you are probably overweight? BMI over 30?

So, suggest getting your BMI down to around 20 with a good diet plan and exercise.

And do try, like me, to socialise - where's your family/friends?

I know it's not easy now with covid

But I use Zoom which is good fun

All the best!

Alps

[Rafion in reply to Hidden]

No, I haven't quite given up on life; my engagement with it has shrunk to a huge amount of reading of books and magazines - which I do lying in bed! I seem to have become very comfortable with that.

Wow! Your cycling is astonishing. I seem to have lost all inclination for any physical activity. I should try and change that. The Wuhan virus confining me to home wasn't really much of a game-changer - I was home bound already!

[Hidden in reply to Rafion]

Hi rafion

Thanks for getting back

Yep I've been a keen cyclist since age 14!

I shall message you later with more - I'm in the UK

Thanks

Alps