Calcium on Heart Muscle?

[rm123]

I just turned 41, in very good shape, 5'10", 165 lbs, eat well (no red meat or pork, little dairy, etc), and active. My chol is excellent all around (thanks to 10mg of vytorin). Total chol was 215 before, 135 after.  My dad had a heart attack at 49, second at 73, he is now 82.

I went for stress test and echo last week. Dr said stress was great but he saw a very small calcium deposit on lining of heart muscle, not near arteries.  He was not overly concerned and said we just need to watch it during next year's test.  Regardless, I'm a bit freaked!

I've searched but cannot find much on how to prevent (or get rid of, if possible) this calcium build-up.  Any info on where it is coming from and what can I do moving forward will be appreciated.  Thanks!

[kenkeith]

Your question involves electrophysiological/chemical (electrolytes) phenomonon that polarizes (charging...chamber filling), and repolarization (discharging...contractility of chamber) heart cells.  In arterial smooth muscle cells, intracellular calcium paradoxically controls both contraction and relaxation.... The mechanisms by which calcium can differentially regulate diverse physiological responses within a single cell remain unresolved.... Calcium-dependent relaxation is mediated by local calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. These 'calcium sparks' activate calcium-dependent potassium (BK) channels comprised of alpha and beta1 subunits. An imblance of electrolytes can cause arrhythmia. The frequency and amplitude modulation by contractile and relaxant agents is an important mechanism to regulate smooth muscle function.  That is a brief perspective of the electro/chemical physiology.

Calcium channel blockers prevent calcium from entering into the heart muscle, and also from entering into the smooth muscle cells that cause blood vessels to constrict. By reducing calcium influx into muscle cells, calcium channel blockers cause the muscle cells to "relax." This relaxing effect results in the dilation of blood vessels, and a reduced force of contraction of the heart muscle. Some calcium channel blockers also slow the heart rate. (It is their blood vessel dilating effect that makes calcium blockers useful in hypertension.)

There may be a chemical imbalance and the potential for arrhythmia.  That would be the worst case scenario.

[Encephalomalcia]

You can search to see if Vytorin studies have shown that it helps reduce cholesterol deposits on heart muscle.  Vytorin is a combination, I believe, of Zocor and Zetia.  Zocor should help with the cholesterol already there.  If not, Lipitor has studies showing that Lipitor at 40mg can help reduce cholesterol on heart valves and in arteries.  If it reduces cholesterol there, it may reduce cholesterol on the heart muscle.  Cholesterol builds in the arteries, valves and muscle of the heart.  In order for cholesterol to stick, there has to be a sticking spot.  Do you have a high level of inflammation in your body?  There is a test for this.  Do you have arthritis?  It is great that you are eating no red meat.  This will help a great deal.  Do you eat lots of vegetables fresh and foods rich in omega 3?  Omega 3 is great for the heart and keeps it healthy and slippery.  I would check the Zocor studies or Vytorin studies and if you do not find any information there, check the Lipitor studies.  Try not to worry as that will not help and it sounds like it is very minimal.  Stress is not good for the heart.  Take care.  

[Wilbur40]

I would not worry but I would go for a second opinion and take those tests with you.