This last week has been an absolute roller coaster. Long story short I have 0 history of heart disease in my family but do have a history of afib. This has lead to me having pretty frequent cardiologist visits (twice a year since I was 28, I'm now 34). Of all the tests that have been done over the years to ensure my cardiovascular health was there the one thing that was never done was a calcium score test.

Well Monday I started having heart palpitations that were stronger than they usually are to the point that they were taking my breath away and causing numbness in my fingers. Went to the ER to get checked out and there they ordered a calcium score test. The results were shocking to me. 185 CAC which means a moderate plaque buildup the the RCA and circumflex. My doctor told me that if this went unchecked I was on my way to a heart attack in 3-5 years.

I'm completely floored. I have 2 kids under 3 and never thought I'd be looking at something like this this early in life. If 6'2 220 and generally active.

Anybody been through something like this or have any advice. Was out on statins immediately and told I need to change my diet and lifestyle (more exercise) but little else. Any advice would be appreciated

A calcium score is just a piece of the puzzle, but it does mean that you and your doctor need to have a conversation about it and looking to lower your other risk factors.

The ER Dr told you this or your cardiologist? If you're getting regular checks from a cardiologist and they are not concerned I wouldn't worry yet. An appointment to discuss those ER results and what sent you in, absolutely is in order.

CA scores can be misleading. Do you by any chance take a statin? If so, that might be a factor.

I would discuss with your Cardiologist and ignore what you are told from others.

Btw, a Ca score of 0 can also be misleading if not interpreted in the context of your labs, history, etc.

Definitely get with your cardiologist.

The big reason an ER doc is saying something alarming like that is because you're 34 with a 185. If you were 55, they'd probably wouldn't be so alarmist. 185 at 34 is definitely gonna put them on notice because it probably puts you in the 95-99%. Not saying it was the appropriate reaction, but that is the probably reason why

As a result of your visits, testing, etc. What was the determined cause of this? Did you have high inflammation markers, apo B, lp(a), anything like that -- ever get a CAC score or carotid ultrasound? Bad luck? Bad Genetics?

I am 62 and last year my CAC was over 2000, in June. All my inflamation markers were way high also. lots of changes but last labs were really good in December. Going back for quarterly labs next week.

Hey HarleySpoon - if you see this - could you drop me note at civilianart12 @ yahoo to compare notes?

I am the same age as you and had a triple play on 3/31 and went home a week later. Thx

Speedbird087 said:

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Hey HarleySpoon - if you see this - could you drop me note at civilianart12 @ yahoo to compare notes?

I am the same age as you and had a triple play on 3/31 and went home a week later. Thx

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That would be great. Just sent you an email.

Take care.

Harley/Mark

Do some research taking D3/k2. When I was 50 had a full scan of arteries and heart and was told I had some of the cleanest arteries and heart they had seen. I'm overweight and eat horrible. You have to take them together. Hope all goes well for you.

HarleySpoon said:

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Similar to Ratt87 above, I had no symptoms of heart disease at age 60 with normal cholesterol scores and blood pressure. Suddenly saw a lot of friends my age in good health dieing from heart attacks and having to have heart work done.

Out of an abundance of caution, I went and paid for a calcium scan and it came back at 4,800. Was at an interventional cardiologist a few days later who scheduled a stress test and echo for the next week. Stress test indicated there may be some blockage….so angiogram (camera through the arteries and possible stents) scheduled for the next week.

Angiogram indicated too much blockage and too complex for stents….90% blockage in "widow maker" and 70% in another. Bypass surgery scheduled for two weeks later….got in faster in one week as they shoved me to the front of the line.

Had double bypass on April 8th. Surgery and recovery went well, they kept me in ICU until the 12th and sent me straight home from ICU on the 12th. Been home nine days now and all is going well.

Definitely listen to your cardiologist, ask questions and remain vigilant.

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Reading this as I am sitting in the pre procedure suite at Baylor the Heart Hospital in Plano. My husband has had a murmur for most of his adult life. He has always been very diligent about his healt, frequent physicals andblood work and has alway been very active and careful what he eats and drinks, has never smoked. 8 months after he retired his family doctor noticed his murmur had become more pronounced and sent him to a cardiologist. Tests indicated blockages and severe mitral valve regurgitation. He was sent directly to Baylor the Heart Hospital in Plano and scheduled for open heart surgery. He never had chest pains, he never had swelling or shortness of breath. He felt fine. His surgery was supposed to be four hours. In ended up being8 and a half hours. He had five bypasses ( 2 were 100% occluded and the rest could not be stented ). He had his mitralvalve repair and before he closed, the surgeon checked his aortic valve and found some stenosis and it was bicuspid, congentital. He replace his aortic valve. He has been doing fine until December of 2025. Since then he has been in the hospital on three occasions and a total of over 30 days. Three of his bypasses are nearly 100% blocked, he has had a AV abaltion, a Biventricular pacemaker , with ICD placed and today he will be getting a new Aortic Valve via a valve in valve, trans arterial valve replacement. He had his open heart surgery in 2019. My advice to you guys having open heart is to be sure you have close follow up with the best cardiologist you can find. My husband also had intermittent AFib, but could never tell when he was going in or out. It apparently caused severe cardiac myopathy and his ejection fraction is only between 20-25% now. We are hoping the new valve will improve the heart function and he will have a few more years. Just remember if you do not have genetics in your favor, it can go downhill quickly , even when you are doing everything right.

Two Aggies:

So very sorry to hear your husband is having to go through all of that. Being in recovery form my bypass, words can't express my sorrow for such a situation. I really appreciate your admonition and will remain vigilant.

Only one question, do your professionals have an opinion on why his bypasses became blocked so quickly?

HarleySpoon said:

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Two Aggies:

So very sorry to hear your husband is having to go through all of that. Being in recovery form my bypass, words can't express my sorrow for such a situation. I really appreciate your admonition and will remain vigilant.

Only one question, do your professionals have an opinion on why his bypasses became blocked so quickly?

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Genetic. He has a younger first cousin that just had his second open heart surgery and he also had a bicuspid aortic valve.

I cook all his meals and we have always had good whole foods diet . I love to cook, no junk foods and we almost never eat out. He has a bit of the sweet tooth, but I don't so we don't have that around. One thing we were not aware his AFib was so out of control. He never could tell and we didn't know you can get an implanted monitor for AFib that at least would have had him in to be cardioverted. They explained it was like a sprinter tryingto run a marathon at sprinter speed…. It was so fast for so long the heart became very weak. Of course when your heart is not working correctly it causes kidney failure so we have a kidney specialist now and then you body can't manage sugar so insulin, when you have never had diabetes, and now his BP is dangerously low. All of this is expected to resolve if the valve works like it should. To tell you the truth the doctors are not so concerned about the bypasses because he had and still has excellent collateral circulation, where his body has just bypassed some of the blockages. He has good anatomy for the TAVR and at 78 he just isn't a candidate for another CABG ( open heart surgery) it was brutal and he doesn't want to go through that again. On December 9th 2025, he weighted 215 lbs and this morning he weighed 167. He hasn't dieted…the bulk of that was fluid. He is just happy that the doctors think he will feel much better with the new valve. His only other option would be LVAD basically a mechanical pump to assist the heart…. Also be aware the cutoff for heart transplant is 70.

Two Aggies: That is all so very, very helpful. You are so kind to share all of that. Praying that the TAVR works well for him for many years.

HarleySpoon said:

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Two Aggies: That is all so very, very helpful. You are so kind to share all of that. Praying that the TAVR works well for him for many years.

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Thank you for your kindness in this stressful time. He had a successful TAVR. We should be able to go home tomorrow or Wednesday. We feel so fortunate to have this hospital and these doctors. Dr Katherine Harrington preformed his TAVR and she has done over 2000. Texas is a great place to be is you have heart issues. Baylor. UT Southwestern and Houston have very highly rated heart specialty hospitals and many of the top cardiologists practice here. Good healing, remember to walk as much as you can, you will start feeling more like yourself again soon.