Calcification vs. Sclerosis

[charley40]

Hello, I recently had an x-ray for a lower back injury when it was found that I have a "mild" abdominal aortic calcification.  I'm a 40 yr. old male smoker, dad had 1st heart attack at age 44, 2nd one took him at age 46.  We are not sure, but it is possible that my dad had an aortic aneurysm from what I was told.  Mom had stroke at age 71, then heart attack took her at age 73.  Both parents had high blood pressure where mine is fine at 115/75 average.  My weight is fine at 5'5" and 135 lbs.  I do take after dad as far as dental health (periodontitis) though I'm getting that addressed this week after years of ignoring it.  I am aware of increasing evidence with oral health and heart health.

Two years ago, after some intermittent chest pain, I was diagnosed with mild left ventricular diastolic dysfunction.  The dx was based on my thalium treadmill echo.  I requested a meeting with the head of cardiology and was told the he did not agree with his colleagues findings and ruled out any abnormal dysfunction, it is a normal part of aging etc.

After reading too much online about aortic calcification, I'm concerned.  Can you help me regarding what questions/tests I should be asking/inquiring about regarding this with my primary physician?  I do know I need to quit smoking for too many reasons, and I've severely changed my diet though it wasn't horrible to begin with.  My most important question is, can I reverse calcification with diet and exercise?  Also, I had asked the advice nurse if calcification and sclerosis were the same since I'd read that online.  She had told me they are not necessarily the same and that I need to find out what the content of the calcification is, i.e. is it easily dissolvable, would meds help, etc.  Is that correct?  

I do apologize for the length of this post and I also sincerely thank all the doctors in advance for providing this outlet for people such as myself.

Signed,
Worried

[Momto3]

Charley40,

If you're looking for an answer from one of the cardiologists, you'll have to repost your questions onto one of the "expert" forums.  You can find the links by scrolling down, and looking to the right hand side of the screen.  You may have the best chance at getting in a question with either the Prevention or the Interventional Cardio expert forum.  The doctors only take a limited number of questions/day, so if you can't post today, keep trying.

Here is an excerpt I found from Mayo Clinic:
"Aortic calcification, also called aortic sclerosis, is a buildup of calcium deposits on the aortic valve in the heart. This often results in a heart murmur, which can easily be heard with a stethoscope over the heart. However, aortic calcification usually doesn't significantly affect the function of the aortic valve.

In some cases, though, the calcium deposits thicken and cause narrowing at the opening of the aortic valve. This impairs blood flow through the valve, causing chest pain or a heart attack. Doctors refer to such narrowing as aortic stenosis."  You can read the rest of the article at:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/aortic-valve-calcification/HQ00245