What is the Treatment for a High Calcium Score?

Key Takeaways

• Act Early to Lower Heart Risks: Treating a high calcium score with lifestyle changes and medications can prevent heart attacks and strokes, safeguarding long-term heart health.
• Lifestyle Changes Matter: Regular exercise, a heart-healthy diet, and quitting smoking are key steps to reduce arterial plaque and improve life expectancy with a high calcium score.
• Supplements and Medications Help: Statins, blood pressure meds, and supplements like vitamin K2 and omega-3s can slow plaque buildup and support artery health.

Understanding Calcium Scores and Heart Health

This score measures the amount of calcified plaque in your heart’s arteries. This score shows if there is plaque buildup, which can increase your risk for heart problems. Doctors get the score through a CT scan that looks for calcium in your arteries.

What is a Calcium Score and How is it Measured?

This diagnostic score reveals the extent of plaque buildup in the arteries of your heart. Doctors use a CT scan to look for calcium deposits, which helps them see how serious the buildup is.

Why Calcium Matters for Heart Health

Calcification in the arteries is an early indicator of atherosclerosis. This can reduce blood flow and increase the risk of heart attacks.

Why Treating a High Calcium Score is Essential

Treating a high calcium score can lower the risk of heart disease. Acting early helps prevent heart attacks, strokes, and other heart problems.

Early Treatment Reduces Heart Disease Risk

Treating a high calcium score early can stop heart disease from getting worse and reduce the risk of heart attacks or strokes.

Long-Term Health Benefits of Lowering Calcium Scores

Reducing plaque buildup through treatments and lifestyle changes can greatly benefit your heart health and help you live longer.

What is a Dangerously High Calcium Score?

A score over 400 indicates severe plaque buildup, which is considered dangerous. It shows extensive arterial calcification, which raises the risk of heart disease and needs immediate attention.

Calcium Score Risk Categories

• A calcium score of 0 is ideal.
• Scores above 100 show moderate to high risk.
• Scores over 400 are dangerous.

Implications of a High Calcium Score

A score above 400 means there’s a major artery blockage. This increases the risk of heart disease and related problems.

Life Expectancy with a High Calcium Score

An elevated plaque score can reduce life expectancy, but this depends on your overall health, age, and whether you make lifestyle changes and follow treatments.

Improving Prognosis Through Lifestyle Changes

Making lifestyle changes like improving your diet, exercising, and quitting smoking can extend life expectancy, even with a high calcium score.

How to Reduce Calcium Deposits from Arteries

You can reduce plaque accumulation through healthier lifestyle choices, medical treatments, and supplements that support artery health.

Heart-Healthy Lifestyle Choices

• Exercise regularly (aim for at least 30 minutes of aerobic activity daily).
• Incorporate a balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean sources of protein.
• Quit smoking to reduce the risk of artery calcification.
• Manage stress with relaxation techniques.

Supplements That Support Arterial Health

Supplements like magnesium, vitamin K2, and omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce plaque buildup.

Medical Interventions

In severe cases, medications like statins or procedures like angioplasty may be needed to manage calcium buildup.

What Foods Reduce Calcium Score?

Certain foods can help reduce arterial plaque buildup. A heart-healthy diet high in fiber, antioxidants, and healthy fats is key to keeping your arteries healthy.

Foods That Support Heart Health

• Leafy greens (e.g., spinach, kale).
• Fatty fish (e.g., salmon, mackerel).
• Nuts and seeds (e.g., walnuts, flaxseeds).
• Berries (e.g., blueberries, strawberries).
• Olive oil.
• Whole grains (e.g., oats, quinoa).

Foods to Avoid

• Processed foods.
• Sugary drinks.
• Foods high in sodium.
• Foods rich in saturated fats.

Can You Lower Your Calcium Score?

Yes, you can lower your plaque levels through lifestyle changes, medications, and natural supplements that reduce plaque in the arteries.

The Impact of Diet, Exercise, and Natural Remedies

• Follow a heart-healthy diet with lots of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.
• Exercise regularly, especially aerobic exercises.
• Keep cholesterol levels in check.
• Avoid smoking and limit alcohol.
• Consider supplements like magnesium, vitamin K2, and omega-3 fatty acids.
• Regular physical activity helps improve blood flow and reduce plaque.

Medications That Can Help

Statins and blood pressure medications can slow the accumulation of arterial plaque and lower your score.

Average Calcium Score for a 60-Year-Old

For a 60-year-old, a score between 0 and 100 is considered normal. Higher scores may mean a higher risk of heart disease.

What’s Considered Normal for This Age Group?

A calcium score between 0 and 100 is considered normal for a 60-year-old, showing minimal plaque buildup.

Monitoring Calcium Scores as You Age

It’s important to monitor your calcium score regularly as you age to detect early signs of heart disease and take preventive steps.

Is a High Calcium Score a Death Sentence?

A high calcium score is not a death sentence. While it raises the risk of heart disease, treatments and lifestyle changes can help manage the risks.

Understanding the Risks and Strategies for Managing High Calcium Scores

Medications, lifestyle changes, and sometimes surgery can help reduce the risks of a high calcium score and improve heart health.

What Can Dissolve Calcium Deposits?

While plaque deposits can't be completely dissolved, medications and lifestyle changes can help reduce buildup and slow artery calcification.

Medications and Lifestyle Changes to Manage Calcium Deposits

Doctors often prescribe statins, aspirin, and blood pressure medications to reduce plaque buildup. Regular exercise, a healthy diet, and quitting smoking can help slow down calcium buildup.

The Role of Natural Supplements

Supplements like vitamin K2 and magnesium may help lower calcium buildup, especially when used with regular treatments.

A Calcium Score Test Can Help You Reduce Heart Risks

This test checks for early signs of calcification in your arteries. It provides helpful information to prevent heart disease with early treatment.

Early Detection Leads to Better Outcomes

• Doctors can create personalized treatment plans.
• You can make lifestyle changes early, like improving diet and exercise.
• It helps monitor your condition and adjust medications as needed.
• Early intervention reduces the risk of heart attacks and complications.

When Should You Get Tested?

Adults over 40, especially those with risk factors like high cholesterol or a family history of heart disease, should consider getting a calcium score test.

FAQs

Should I take statins if I have a high calcium score?

Yes, statins can lower heart disease risk with a high calcium score. Consult your doctor for personalized advice.

What medication is used for a high calcium score?

Statins are the go-to for lowering cholesterol and reducing heart disease risk in those with high calcium scores.

How can I lower my calcium score naturally?

Adopt a heart-healthy diet, exercise, quit smoking, and manage stress and cholesterol levels.

Can you have a very high calcium score and no blockage?

Yes, a high score indicates plaque but it doesn't always mean a blockage. Additional tests can confirm.

At what calcium score do you need a stent?

A stent is considered if the significant blockage is causing symptoms, not just based on calcium score alone.

Conclusion

In conclusion, treating a high calcium score is important for keeping your heart healthy. Treatment can include lifestyle changes, medications, or advanced procedures based on what you need. Managing plaque buildup and calcium levels can lower your risk of heart disease and improve your overall health. We’re here to support you on your path to better health. Check out our supplements and wellness products to help you stay balanced. Take charge of your heart health today and visit Just Glow to learn more!