Vascular Calcifications

I visited my gyn for yearly check up this week. My mammogram results came back fine, but with a notation "atherosclerotic vascular calcifications."  My dr suggested a follow up with my family physician for possible further testing such as an echocardiogram and stress test.  Should I request a referral to a heart specialist?  Background: I am a 59 year old female with active HCV (blood transfusions with child birth in 1973). After 3 years of interferon treatment, I was not able to clear the HCV virus, however my liver biopsy shows only very mild damage.  Other recent tests, glucors: 86 -- no diabetes; cholesterol total is 149, Triglycerides 46; HDL cholesterol is 67; LDL Cholesterol 73; VLDL Cholesterol 9, which my hepatitus (hepatitis) dr assured me was good.  NOTE: I did have a number of side effects during treatment with interferon (Pegasus, Ribavirin, etc), including neuropathy.

Any suggestions greatly appreciated.  Thank you!

[Cleveland Clinic]

Many people develop coronary artery calcifications at your age.  That do not necessarily mean that you have severe coronary artery disease.  As long as you do not have any symptoms such as chest pain, pressure or burning or shortness of breath with exertion you should be ok.  keep your cholesterol low and make sure that your blood pressure is ok.  eat well and exercise if you can.  Starting a huge workup may lead to unnecessary tests that may cause you more harm than good.  Of course, if you have any of those symptoms, you should have a furhter workup.

[redbetty]

A related discussion, I feel crazy! was started.