By the way, doctor: What can I do about a high coronary calcium score?
Calcium itself doesn't cause atherosclerosis, but it's involved in the formation of atherosclerotic plaques, which develop in response to damage to the artery usually caused by LDL (bad) cholesterol. The damage triggers inflammation, and calcium is deposited as part of the body's normal response to inflammation. As the plaques enlarge, they may narrow an artery, or they may rupture. A blood clot can form on a ruptured plaque, block the artery, and cause a heart attack.
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