Concerns on echo report

[FLIPPINPATTY]

I recieved my echo report in the mail 2 months ago & I have not gotten a call back from my doctor. I am a 51 yr. old athletic female with normal weight. I am concerned about the report of the valves. Mitral valve: mildly thickened with mild annular calcification. Aortic valve:normal structure with mild aortic root calcification. Summary: Normal LVEF>60% No functionally significant valvular abnormalities. All measurements Normal. I've been very concerned about what this means & if there is anything I can do to reverse it. Thanks!

[ed34]

The gold standard is to have an angiogram, but as I said before, no cardiologist will perform such a procedure on a whim. I guess the next best thing and least invasive would be a calcium score. They scan your arteries and measure the amount of calcium along them.

[FLIPPINPATTY]

I thought that having calcifications on the heart valve meant that you probably have CAD.  Is that correct?  Also read that having MAC means you have a greater chance of CAD, but I really don't know what this dx means as far as having blockages. Do you think that I should have any further testing & what test would rule out? Thanks!

[ed34]

Stress takes its toll on the body in many ways, even chemically. Your blood pressure increases, your heart works harder and this is just the tip of the iceberg because the immune system is even involved and that causes the start of atherosclerosis.

[FLIPPINPATTY]

I've had alot of stress in my life that won't ever change. Trying the best I can to cope with losing my son in 06. So how can stress cause calcification?

[ed34]

keeping emotional stress to a minimum. This helps a lot.

[FLIPPINPATTY]

Yes, I take extra calcium because of my thyroid cancer surgery, I only have 2 parathyroids & those were implanted. They always check my calcium levels & its normal.  I've been taking nexium for 10 yrs. or more & I read that depletes calcium & magnesium. I was having alot of PVC's this summer & almost went in for ablation, but I started taking magnesuim & that has really helped. I've been reading alot about PPI's causing PVC's.  Also taking verapamil  3 times a day, but as least I don't feel like I need ablation now.

I had a normal echo & nuclear stress test in May 2010, but started on diovan for BP. My top # would get 140-160, but bottem would stay ok. I do get little chest pains & tightness but have always attributed it to gerd or anxiety. I have read that usually calcifications don't show up until mid-60's.
Also about (MAC) mitral annular calc. being a marker for CAD.  My dad is 80 & has been single most of his life, eating unhealthy..etc. He recently had a angiogram & dr. said he was clean as a whistle. He drinks whole milk, real butter, ice-cream almost every night! I'm the one who exercises 5 days a week, tries to eat healthy, & take care of myself & I probably have more than him! Guess I could work alittle on chol. level. Is there anything that helps?

[ed34]

believe me, if you had cad, you would know, especially working out 5 days a week. I'm not sure why you need calcium supplements? you are taking calcium channel blockers and increasing your calcium levels?
There is no reason to believe you have cad, and if you really wanted a test, the only true gold standard is an angiogram, which you will never get authorised in your current good health. Statins don't reverse, chelation is a myth with calcium, if there was a way to remove it, we would all be on that treatment. If you don't need the calcium supplements, and they are not prescribed by a Doctor, I would stop them.

[FLIPPINPATTY]

Thanks! I really don't understand about this....I take calcium for my bones. I take a CCB for PVC's, & have mild calcium on my aortic root & mitral valve. Now I'm scared to take calcium suppplements. Also, I read something about PPI's depleting calcium. How is this connected? Anything I can do to reverse this like should I be taking a statin? How do I know that I don't have CAD?

[FLIPPINPATTY]

I never worried about cholesetrol levels because my ratio is 1.44, HDL 93, LDL 134, total 239  I was told that I'm below average risk. Trig. 62.  I'm 51 & workout 5 days a week. I've been having alot of PVC's & was told they are benign. I had thyroid cancer in 2000 & am being supressed with TSH @  .02, so they just lowered my synthroid a bit to see if that helped the palps. Now, I am very concerned about having calcification on these vavles & what it means. Is this normal with aging? Why would my dr. not be concerned? Does that mean I have CAD or that I could have more calc. in the artieries? What tests do they do to check for this? I'm very upset about my doctor not calling me & discussing this with me. I've had this on my mind since July. May have to find another cardio.

[anacyde]

I wouldn't be concerned, it sounds like a basically good report.  The mild calcifications are not a cause for panic, but should be monitored.  As to reversing it, dietary and lifestyle changes.  You're already athletic, so I'd focus on diet.  Vitamin K seems to be getting a lot of attention in terms of reducing or preventing arterial calcification.  Google Dr. Esselstyn's heart diet.  

[ed34]

Nothing in the report to be worried over. I think they may want to look at your diet and check blood cholesterol levels though, you seem to be calcifying a wee bit in the valves, but it's mild so no issue. Your EF is normal at 60%, normal range is 50-75%.