Suggestions for calcium build up

[texans]

My mother (age 64) was just told she has calcium (plaque?) in one artery of her heart.  She has heart disease in her family and is appx 30 lbs overweight.  She does not smoke, her eating habits could be improved and she is somewhat active, however.  Her cardiologist suggested she get more exercise in BUT she is about to undergo knee replacement soon.  Thus any exercise she does is quite limiting (and painful) because of her knee.  Now what?

[Flycaster305]

What test determined that your Mom had a plaque buildup in one artery?  I'm assuming it was a stress test.  Is an angiogram planned?  That would determine the blockage in the artery, and during the angiogram either it would be compressed with a balloon and possibly a stent placed at the blockage area to keep it open if the blockage is 70% or more.  If there is a significant blockage I'm sure the Cardiologist and Orthopedic surgeon will need to talk.