What should I do? High Calcification of the arteries

[Grizwold]

What should I do? Hi everyone my name is Richard I’m 65 years old I’ve been suffering from what I would describe as chest discomfort rather than pain been sent to various test most recently had a CT scan that’s shown a high calcium Count of 9100 I also have a slow heartbeat low 40s when resting? Just wonder what the future holds and what options I may have and what I can do to help myself your thoughts regards Richard

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Hello Richard and welcome to the forum!

It would appear that you have CVD) Cardio Vascular Disease). The aim.of lifestyle changes and medication is to slow, or even halt the progress of the disease. Lifestyle wise this mean a healthy diet (the BHF recommend a Mediterranean style diet), exercise within your limits, alcohol in moderation and no smoking. A statin would probably be useful not only to lower cholesterol but to also stabilise any plaque and reduce irritation (often a precursor to plaque formation). BP medi action may also be useful as high BP can stiffen artery walls. Have you spoken to your GP about these results.

With these results a kidney scan for stones might be appropriate as well as a carotid artery scan. Note this is my personal opinion as I am not medically qualified.

[Grizwold in reply to MichaelJH]

Thank you for the reply Michael I guess I’m still in a bit of shock the numbers seem ridiculously high I’m being sent for a Stress cardiac MRI scan in Nottingham I believe it’s so they can measure the blood flow? I’ve been on blood pressure tablets for quite some time and just had statins. Prescribed take the first one tonight thankfully I’ve never smoked just the occasional scotch before I go to bed regards Richard

[Harefieldfan in reply to Grizwold]

Hi Grizwold. My left descending artery was so highly calcified they had to drill the calcium out with a rotablator. Can they not do this for you and then put a stent to keep the artery open?

[Heather1957 in reply to Harefieldfan]

Me too!!

[Grizwold in reply to Harefieldfan]

Hi Heather I don’t really know what they’re going to do I’ve got to have this MRI scan where they’re going to inject me with something that’s going to make my heart race and they can see the blood flow they’ve not really made any suggestions about treatment yet they’ve put me on statins and told me to take an aspirin a day I will feel a lot happier when there is a plan regards Richard

[Heather1957 in reply to Grizwold]

Totally agree, you'll be able to deal with whatever unfolds when you know what the problem is. The unknown plays havoc with our imagination!

[Rose226]

Have you been taking large amounts of vitamin D?That can give rise to calcification in the body.

(Food form is best - ie high quality cod liver oily)

[Grizwold in reply to Rose226]

Yes I’ve been taking 5Thousand Iu but with K2 daily I was led to believe it was a good defence against Covid I was also led to believe that the K2 would make sure it went correct place i’ve now stopped I must say I don’t really believe I’ve been taking it long enough to create the issue I have as I only started taking it about 12 months Ago but I now agree with hindsight Possibly it wasn’t a good idea if that has Made things worse I feel rather stupid regards Richard

[PeterpPiper]

Something worth investing is a vitamin K2 supplement. Please run this past your medical advisors first but have look online for the role of Vit K2 in the correct transportation of calcium to the bone tissue rather than to arteries. It’s a rather new concept but very interesting. Good Health

[Cat551 in reply to PeterpPiper]

I was taking K2 as well since I have CAD and also osteoporosis. I stopped after reading K2 could possibly make stable plaque unstable as it tried to rid the arteries of calcium. I liked taking K2 because along with bone health it lowers glucose levels, but didn’t want to take any chances with my heart.

If anyone knows any more scientific data about K2’s effect on stable plaque, please weigh in.

[PeterpPiper in reply to Cat551]

Interesting… it’s a can of worms isn’t it , I take it every few days along with a food source multivitamin.. you are like me, I find a supplement I like - then go on researching it until I get to a stage where I hate it Good Health to you

[Cat551 in reply to PeterpPiper]

Good Health to you as well! 🙂

[Cat551 in reply to Cat551]

I see my cardiologist tomorrow and will ask to see if he knows anything about K2 and heart disease.

[pcspetpro]

Do you have a family history of heart disease? Do you have diabetes or are you overweight? A CTA would confirm Calcium Score and reveal any blockages.

[Carealot]

Hi Grizwold, my heart disease was first discovered via a CT scan but it was followed up with a cardiac angiogram to get the full picture of the arterial blockages (location and to what extent). They found triple vessel blockages. They didn’t want to bypass or stent due to location of the location of blockages - too risky. Also, I’m allergic to aspirin, a drug which is needed to keep stents functioning properly, and I’d need that daily. I did have a nuclear test and stress test (on treadmill) to ensure that other smaller arteries could cope with the flow. Now on meds which are not suiting me. I assume your MRI will be able to present a more clear picture. But, recommended is immediate change to diet and lifestyle as mentioned already. Good luck with the tests

[Fish4Info]

See your GP and seek a referral to a cardiologist. Though seeing the other replies, it seems that an MRI is already planned ... so you seem to be on a care pathway. I'd ask if someone (a Dr, consultant or nurse) could spend some time discussing what they've done, what they've found, what your concerns are, and what next. I'm not sure what a stress MRI is, but I had a stress ECG. The way the electrical signals changed during exercise suggested ischaemic heart disease ... confirmed by a subsequent angiogram.

[Musicl]

I would be interested to hear your cardiologists view on K2, as I have been taking K2 MK7 for about 8 months now.

[Musicl]

Please keep us updated on the K2 situation.