Aortic Calcification: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Causes & Treatment

Aortic calcification occurs when calcium builds up inside the aorta, the body’s main artery. This accumulation reduces the artery's elasticity and restricts blood flow, potentially causing chest pain and fatigue.

This condition can affect any section of the aorta, including the thoracic or abdominal regions. It increases the risk of serious complications, such as heart attack, aortic aneurysm, or stroke.

While serious, proper treatment and cardiologist supervision can improve symptoms and significantly lower the risk of complications. In some cases, effective management may even resolve the calcification and prevent it from returning.

Main symptoms

The primary symptoms of aortic calcification include:

• Chest or abdominal pain that feels sharp or like a squeezing sensation, especially during physical activity

• Fatigue

• Heart palpitations

• Swelling in the legs, ankles, and feet

• Increased urinary frequency

• Dizziness when standing up or walking

• Lower back pain (typically associated with the abdominal aorta)

These symptoms are often nonspecific and can resemble other heart conditions.

Therefore, you should seek medical attention immediately if symptoms appear. This is a serious condition that requires prompt evaluation and management by a cardiologist.

A related condition known as atheromatous calcification may also occur. This involves calcium accumulation alongside fatty plaque deposits and is more common in individuals with uncontrolled high cholesterol.

Confirming a diagnosis

A cardiologist diagnoses aortic calcification using imaging tests such as angiography, ultrasound, X-ray, CT scans, or MRI.

The doctor will select the most appropriate test based on individual factors and may request additional testing to better evaluate overall heart function.

Possible causes

Aortic calcification can stem from various factors, including:

• Age (more common in older adults due to natural aging)

• Excessive calcium supplementation

• Rheumatic fever (can narrow the aorta and restrict blood flow)

• Genetic heart conditions (such as aortic valve defects)

• Kidney failure

• Atheromas (plaques formed by fat buildup in blood vessels)

Individuals with high cholesterol, obesity, a history of smoking, or excessive alcohol consumption are also at higher risk.

Treatment options

Treatment should always be guided by a cardiologist. It typically involves medications to control cholesterol, lifestyle changes (particularly diet), and surgery in certain cases.

1. Medications

The medications used to treat aortic calcification are generally the same as those used to lower cholesterol. Options often include statins like simvastatin (Zocor), atorvastatin (Lipitor), and ezetimibe/simvastatin (Vytorin), as the condition is frequently linked to high cholesterol and vessel blockages.

Additionally, individuals taking calcium supplements may need to adjust their dosage under medical supervision.

2. Diet changes

Dietary strategies for aortic calcification mirror those for lowering cholesterol. It is important to increase fiber intake while reducing sugar and fat consumption.

What to eat: Focus on fresh fruits, raw vegetables, and leafy greens like lettuce and kale. Include whole grains such as oats, chia seeds, and flaxseed. Incorporate healthy fats found in olive oil and fish like salmon, sardines, and tuna.

What to avoid: Limit fatty meats like bacon, organ meats (tripe, gizzards, liver), and processed foods such as packaged snacks, cookies, cakes, candy, sausages, hot dogs, and ham.

Beyond diet, it is crucial to exercise regularly, quit smoking, and avoid excessive alcohol consumption.

In conjunction with a healthy diet, home remedies may support cholesterol management and help prevent further calcification of the aorta or other blood vessels.

3. Surgery

In severe cases where the aorta is significantly damaged or complications like an aneurysm or total blockage occur, surgery may be necessary.

Procedures may involve removing calcium plaque from the artery or performing bypass surgery to restore normal blood circulation.

Complications of aortic calcification

Aortic calcification raises the risk of several cardiovascular problems, including:

• Heart attack

• Aortic occlusion (blockage)

• Congestive heart failure

• Aneurysm

• Transient ischemic attack (TIA)

• Stroke

This condition can also complicate medical procedures, such as stent placement, which is used to open blood vessels in cases of atherosclerosis.