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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Should An Elderly Person Seek Emergency Care For Severe Atheromatous Calcification And COPD?

My mother got a result from a lung scan that she had severe atheromatous calcification of the coronary arteries. Heart is normal in size no pericardial effusion thoracic aorta is Normal in caliber scattered atheromatous calcification with no visualized adenopathy in chest. She is a almost 65 year old with copd, she doesn’t have a cardiologist appt until July 1 is this an emergency that she should seek help at the hospital or wait until her appt? Thank you
Thu, 3 Oct 2024
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello,

Severe atheromatous calcification build-up means calcium deposits in the coronary artery walls. Consult a cardiologist and start earliest treatment as plaque from calcium deposits form within the coronary arteries. The calcification makes the arteries stiff and less flexible; they reduce the blood flow to the heart muscle. Severe atheromatous calcification increases the risk of chest pain (angina), heart attacks, and other cardiovascular issues.

She is advised to take healthy homemade balanced diet that is low in fats, she should not take refined flour, full fat dairy products, red meat, processed food or packaged food. She is also advised to do regular exercises and do walking to maintain healthy weight and improve cardiac health.

She is advised to quit smoking and alcohol to help reduce further damage to the arteries. Her treating Cardiologist will treat her with medicines & lifestyle changes, or suggest medical procedures like angioplasty, atherectomy or CABG if required. Surgery and medical procedures are advised only when there is no improvement seen after treatment by medicines and healthy lifestyle.

Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Nupur K., General & Family Physician
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Should An Elderly Person Seek Emergency Care For Severe Atheromatous Calcification And COPD?

Hello, Severe atheromatous calcification build-up means calcium deposits in the coronary artery walls. Consult a cardiologist and start earliest treatment as plaque from calcium deposits form within the coronary arteries. The calcification makes the arteries stiff and less flexible; they reduce the blood flow to the heart muscle. Severe atheromatous calcification increases the risk of chest pain (angina), heart attacks, and other cardiovascular issues. She is advised to take healthy homemade balanced diet that is low in fats, she should not take refined flour, full fat dairy products, red meat, processed food or packaged food. She is also advised to do regular exercises and do walking to maintain healthy weight and improve cardiac health. She is advised to quit smoking and alcohol to help reduce further damage to the arteries. Her treating Cardiologist will treat her with medicines & lifestyle changes, or suggest medical procedures like angioplasty, atherectomy or CABG if required. Surgery and medical procedures are advised only when there is no improvement seen after treatment by medicines and healthy lifestyle. Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Nupur K., General & Family Physician