Dad with a calcium score of 3000

[LGK19]

Ok. Four years ago my dad got a Calcium scoring CT. It said his score was 3000. He was already on statins and aspirin and had been for years. He's had no symptoms until recently. He is just getting SOB with minor activities. He's been active and gone to the gym since he was a teen. He is very scared and has been thinking the worst for years. He's going in for a cath this week. Should he be worried?? He doesn't think he'll make it through the scan. He is that scared.

[ed34]

he will be fine :)

[LGK19]

Today is the day! My dad is at the hospital waiting for his cath. Praying and nervous!!

[LGK19]

That is crazy!! I'm so glad that there are so many specialized doctors. I was an X-ray tech for 8 years and worked with the best radiologist in our area. Working side by side I learned so much from him. (Obviously didn't do caths in our outpatient office). :)

[ed34]

I just want to add that too many of us underestimate the expertise they have with the heart. I was in a cardiac ward one day and a patient was brought into the bed next to me. He was told he had a serious condition and needed a pacemaker. He was warned he could die at any moment. As soon as the cardiologist walked away, he died. The cardiologist took 60 seconds to get him stable again. I've never seen such a calm person in my life.

[ed34]

ty, it was all routine procedure for them, nothing drastic. Was scary for me tho lol

[LGK19]

Oh wow!! I'm glad you're ok!!

[ed34]

I've had lots and had just one issue. I had a 100% block in the left artery which was solid calcium. The cath slipped and went sideways, through the artery wall and started a small bleed. The Cardiologist quickly stented it to stop the bleed. I have no idea why, but blood being on the surface of my heart caused it to later race like crazy. I just remember the nurse calling out 220 and then I passed out.

[LGK19]

He's going in on Friday for the cath. He's even more out of breath now. I just pray it's fixable and easy.  If his score is so high I hope his arteries aren't blocked too much to thread the cath. Has anyone had any issues with a cath if you've had one?

[ed34]

If the calcium is too thick, they will decide on one of two things. Either cut the plaque (well, shred it) before stenting, or bypass

[Occupant]

My score is actually only half of what your fathers is - so I am somewhat in the same boat minus the Statins, however, and I am thinking of also getting an Angiogram. The score for my LAD alone is 783 and I told my doctor (not a cardiologist): "I want the Angiogram, but I don't want them to stent anything for fear of damaging the artery because of all that hard Calcium Phosphate plaque". They might not anyway, but better save then sorry.

[ed34]

He will make it through the Angiogram, problems are very rare. They will get a clear picture of what's going on and what needs to be done.