What a Heart Scan Revealed About My Bones (Yes, Really!)

Welcome!
I’m so glad you’re here.

Since this is my first post, I wanted to share the story that truly changed the direction of my health and honestly, my life. Sometimes we don’t plan for a “health journey”; it just begins quietly, with one small decision or test that ends up opening our eyes in ways we never expected.

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When a Heart Scan Becomes a Wake-Up Call

For me, that moment started with a Calcium CT Score, suggested by my mom because of my high cholesterol and family history of heart disease. If you have not had one of these, I truly recommend it.

Also known as a coronary calcium scan, this test uses a CT machine to identify and measure calcium deposits in the heart’s arteries. These deposits are signs of plaque buildup that can increase the risk of heart attack or stroke. Trust me, the machine looks intimidating, but it is nothing like an MRI.

Since it is not a standard test, I had to ask my primary doctor for a referral. Insurance usually does not cover it, and I paid $150 out of pocket. It was completely worth it.

A Story That Stuck With Me

When I arrived for my scan, the person checking me in shared something I’ll never forget: her husband had taken the same test, and it literally saved his life. He had no symptoms, but his scan showed severe plaque buildup. That conversation made me realize how valuable a single test could be.

The Diagnosis

When my results came back, my heart looked great. There were no signs of plaque buildup. I breathed a huge sigh of relief until I reached the section labeled “Other Significant Findings.”

It mentioned a few things about my liver and spine, along with a note about my bones being “diffusely demineralized.” I did not know what that meant, but I knew it did not sound good.

So, like most people, I turned to Google and immediately regretted it. The more I read, the more anxious I felt. Instead of spiraling, I took action. I scheduled follow up appointments with my primary doctor, a rheumatologist, a gastroenterologist, and an orthopedic. That decision changed everything.

The Unexpected Results

The good news: the “liver issue” turned out to be a benign cyst. The surprise: my bone and spine findings pointed to something more serious.

I was diagnosed with osteoporosis and degenerative disc disease in my neck area.

I’ll never forget sitting in the orthopedic’s office when he looked at my scans and told me I had “the neck of a 70-year-old.”" I was only 53.

Refusing to Accept "That's Just Aging"

I did not want to simply accept it. I wanted to understand it, slow it down, and improve my health naturally.

At the time, I was still working full time, but every spare hour was spent reading, learning, and researching. I was not content to wait and wonder, so before meeting with specialists I requested a DEXA scan, another helpful nudge from my mom.

That test gave me clarity. It confirmed what the heart scan had hinted at, early bone loss. I later learned that my results were linked to declining estrogen during menopause, something far more common than most of us realize.

Once I had the data, I started connecting the dots between menopause and bone health. My rheumatologist eventually suggested bisphosphonates, a class of medications used for bone loss. I chose to focus on natural support first with nutrition, movement, and small lifestyle changes that could help strengthen my bones from the inside out.

The Resources That Changed My Perspective

Excerpt from Great Bones – Taking Control of Your Osteoporosis

Below are the four books that guided me during this new chapter:

• The Osteoporosis Breakthrough: The Natural Way to Reverse Causes of Bone Loss and Build Strong Bones! – Dr. Doug Lucas

  
  

• Great Bones – Taking Control of Your Osteoporosis – Dr. R. Keith McCormick

  
  

• Estrogen Matters: Why Taking Hormones in Menopause Can Improve and Lengthen Women’s Lives (2024 Revised and Updated Edition) – Dr. Carol Tavris & Dr. Avrum Bluming

  
  

• The Whole-Body Approach to Osteoporosis: How to Improve Bone Strength and Reduce Your Fracture Risk – Dr. R. Keith McCormick
  

What I Learned from Community and Connection

I also joined several Facebook groups dedicated to menopause, bone health, and degenerative disc disease. These communities were filled with people asking the same questions I had, sharing what worked, what did not, and offering hope along the way.

That sense of connection was powerful. It reminded me that wellness is not a solo journey. It is a shared one.

Two Key Takeaways That Changed Everything

After months of research and small habit changes, I started to see real improvements. Here’s what made the biggest difference:

1. Protein, protein, protein. Your muscles and bones thrive on it. It supports strength, repair, and resilience—especially as we age.

2. Weight-bearing and resistance exercises. Strong bones are happy bones! Lifting weights, walking, hiking, or yoga—anything that challenges your body helps it rebuild itself from the inside out.

If you’d like to see exactly how I built my home routine, check out Building Strength from Home: How I Improved My Bone Health and Energy, where I share the simple workouts and tools that helped me improve my DEXA score.

You can also learn more about my nutrition support in Rebuilding My Bones Naturally: My Daily Supplement Routine, which covers the daily supplements I take to strengthen my bones and support overall wellness.

Your Next Step

If there is one message I hope you take away from my story, it is this. Sometimes a single scan or test can open a door to better health, one you never expected to walk through.

Taking that first small step, even when it feels uncertain, can bring clarity, confidence, and a sense of calm. If this story resonates with you, consider talking to your doctor about scheduling a Calcium CT scan or a DEXA scan. These simple tests can reveal important information about your heart and bone health and they may offer the perspective you need to move forward with greater intention.

🌿What is one small health step you have taken recently that made a difference for you?

Join the conversation on Facebook and share what has been working for you. Your experiences might inspire someone else who is on their own wellness journey.

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👉Building Strength from Home: How I Improved My Bone Health and Energy

👉Rebuilding My Bones Naturally: My Daily Supplement Routine