$Unique_ID{BRK01906}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Should I Worry about Calcium Deposits in the Aorta?}
$Subject{Calcium deposit Deposits Aorta osteoporosis parathyroid gland glands
hormone hormones blood test tests testing tissue tissues heal healing shoulder
damage damages damaged lung tuberculosis hypertension diabetes diabetic
Diabetics circulatory aneurysm vessel vessels surgery surgeries surgical
surgically benign x-ray x-rays calcification calcifications calcified}
$Volume{}
$Log{
Location and Function of the Endocrine Glands*0002901.scf
The Thyroid and Parathyroid*0002904.scf}

Copyright (c) 1993  Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Should I Worry about Calcium Deposits in the Aorta?


------------------------------------------------------------------------------

QUESTION:  When I had an x-ray of my back, calcium deposits were found in my
aorta.  I am a 64-year-old woman, and have been a insulin dependent diabetic
for 41 years.  I fear that my body does not handle calcium well, although all
my blood work was normal and I do not have osteoporosis.  Is this just part of
the aging process?  What should I be worrying about and more important is
there anything more I have to do?

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ANSWER:  Finding calcified areas in the arteries of the body on a routine
chest x-ray is not infrequent.  Usually the diagnosis as to their significance
will depend upon the total medical history and findings, as well as the
appearance of the calcium deposit on the x-ray plate.  Since I can't actually
see the x-ray, I am a bit in the dark, but can offer you a few bits of
information that you can use until you get a chance to question your physician
more thoroughly.
     The amount of calcium in the body is controlled by the parathyroid glands
and the hormones they produce.  It is doubtful that this is the source of your
difficulty, for routine blood tests for the level of calcium would have shown
an abnormality if thus was so.  However, the body frequently will put calcium
into tissues as part of a healing process.  For example, calcium deposits are
found in the tendons of the shoulder, where there is a history of damage.
Calcium deposits also form in the lung in healing lesions caused by
tuberculosis.  During the course of a lifetime, it is certain that our
arteries suffer damage as well, probably more frequently in those who suffer
from hypertension.  Diabetics also have increased damage in their circulatory
system, and their arteries are also more susceptible to damage.  When the
aorta is damaged, an aneurysm may develop in an area where the wall of this
large vessel has been damaged.  This balloon-like structure can give way, and
must be repaired surgically before an emergency has a chance to develop.  And
the thin walls of aneurysms may also contain calcium.  While the chances are
that your calcifications are of the most benign type, you may wish to question
your physician further.  I am sure that he has already considered the
possibility, and would have discussed this with you had the evidence been
there, but there is no harm in being sure.  A simple telephone call may be all
that is necessary to put your mind at rest.

----------------

The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.