What are the symptoms of calcium buildup?

October 1, 2025 •

3 min read

While many people have asymptomatic calcium deposits, calcification is an abnormal buildup of calcium in soft tissues, which can lead to various health problems depending on the location. The symptoms associated with this condition can range from mild discomfort to severe pain and organ dysfunction.

Quick Summary

Calcium buildup, or calcification, can affect various parts of the body, including arteries, joints, kidneys, and soft tissues. Symptoms manifest differently depending on the location, ranging from chest pain and joint stiffness to fatigue and skin lesions. Diagnosis relies on imaging and lab tests.

Key Points

Location Determines Symptoms: The signs of calcium buildup vary widely depending on whether deposits form in arteries, joints, kidneys, or soft tissues.
Often Asymptomatic: In many cases, calcium deposits, particularly in early stages or certain locations like breast tissue, cause no noticeable symptoms.
Arterial Calcification Causes Cardiovascular Symptoms: Buildup in coronary arteries can lead to chest pain, shortness of breath, and increases the risk of heart attack.
Joint and Tendon Calcification Leads to Pain and Stiffness: Conditions like calcific tendinitis can cause joint pain, swelling, and reduced range of motion, often affecting the shoulder.
Kidney Calcification Can Cause Urinary Issues: Calcium deposits in the kidneys can lead to increased thirst, frequent urination, and the painful passage of kidney stones.
Diagnosis Involves Imaging and Blood Tests: Healthcare providers use tools like CT scans, X-rays, and blood tests to pinpoint the location and cause of calcification.

Understanding Calcium Buildup (Calcification)

Calcium is crucial for bone health and other bodily functions. Calcification is the abnormal deposit of calcium in soft tissues or blood vessels, disrupting normal function. This can be caused by injury, inflammation, metabolic issues, or aging. While some deposits, like certain breast calcifications, are benign, others can indicate serious conditions. Symptoms depend heavily on where the calcium buildup occurs.

Symptoms of Calcium Buildup by Location

Cardiovascular System

Calcium in coronary arteries (CAC) indicates atherosclerosis, which narrows arteries.

Chest Pain (Angina): Reduced blood flow to the heart causes chest discomfort.
Shortness of Breath: The heart struggles to supply enough oxygenated blood.
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD): Calcification in leg/arm arteries can cause leg pain during activity (claudication).
Heart Attack: Severe buildup can lead to a blocked artery.

Joints and Tendons

Calcification in joints and tendons causes pain and limited movement, as seen in calcific tendinitis and CPPD (pseudogout).

Persistent Joint Pain: Common in the shoulder's rotator cuff, pain worsens with movement.
Stiffness and Reduced Range of Motion: Deposits limit flexibility.
Swelling and Redness: Inflammation causes tenderness and warmth.
Visible Lumps: Deposits can sometimes be felt under the skin.

Kidneys

Excess calcium can cause nephrocalcinosis and kidney stones.

Increased Thirst and Frequent Urination: Kidneys work harder to filter calcium.
Severe Pain: Passing kidney stones causes intense pain.
Blood in the Urine: Stones can cause urinary tract bleeding.
Kidney Failure: Chronic calcification can damage kidneys.

Soft Tissues and Skin

Calcinosis cutis involves deposits under the skin. Calciphylaxis, severe in kidney failure patients, affects small skin blood vessels.

Firm Lumps: Whitish/yellowish bumps may be visible or felt.
Pain and Tenderness: Deposits can be tender, especially near joints.
Ulcers: Calciphylaxis causes painful, non-healing ulcers.

Brain

Rarely, brain calcification occurs, potentially in Primary Familial Brain Calcification (PFBC), a genetic disorder.

Movement Disorders: Symptoms include tremors and unsteady gait.
Cognitive and Psychiatric Changes: Memory loss and personality changes can occur.

Comparison of Symptoms by Location


Location	Common Symptoms	Associated Condition(s)
Arteries	Chest pain (angina), shortness of breath, leg pain (claudication)	Coronary Artery Calcification, Atherosclerosis, Peripheral Artery Disease
Joints & Tendons	Joint pain, stiffness, reduced range of motion, swelling	Calcific Tendinitis, CPPD (Pseudogout)
Kidneys	Increased thirst and urination, flank pain (kidney stones), blood in urine	Nephrocalcinosis, Kidney Stones
Soft Tissues & Skin	Visible lumps, tender nodules, painful, non-healing ulcers (calciphylaxis)	Calcinosis Cutis, Calciphylaxis
Brain	Movement disorders (tremors), cognitive decline, psychiatric issues	Primary Familial Brain Calcification

Diagnosing Calcium Buildup

Diagnosis requires a healthcare provider due to varied symptoms. Methods include:

Physical Examination: Doctors may feel deposits under the skin.
Imaging Tests: X-rays, CT scans (including coronary calcium score), MRIs, and ultrasounds visualize deposits.
Blood Tests: Measure calcium, phosphate, and hormone levels.
Biopsy: Tissue samples are examined for suspicious deposits.

Managing and Preventing Calcium Buildup

Treatment focuses on the cause and symptoms.

1. Addressing Underlying Conditions: Treat the root cause like metabolic disorders or inflammation. 2. Lifestyle Modifications: For vascular calcification, a heart-healthy diet, exercise, not smoking, and managing blood pressure/cholesterol are key. 3. Medical and Surgical Interventions:

Medications: Anti-inflammatories or drugs to balance calcium/phosphate levels.
Procedures: For joint calcification: ultrasound-guided needle lavage, steroid injections, or shockwave therapy (ESWT). Surgery is an option for severe cases.
Treatment of Complications: Lithotripsy for kidney stones, wound care for calciphylaxis.

4. Regular Monitoring: Follow-up imaging and tests track progression.

Conclusion

Calcium buildup symptoms vary by location and cause. Some deposits are harmless, while others signal serious issues like heart or kidney problems. Any new or persistent symptoms like unexplained pain or stiffness warrant medical attention for proper diagnosis and management of the underlying condition.

Learn more about heart conditions related to vascular calcification at the American Heart Association website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, calcium deposits on the skin, known as calcinosis cutis, can appear as firm, white or yellowish bumps that you may be able to feel. They may also be tender to the touch.

No, a diet high in calcium does not typically cause calcification. The condition is usually related to inflammation, tissue injury, or underlying metabolic disorders rather than dietary intake.

Yes, while some forms of calcium deposits are harmless, others can be a sign of serious underlying conditions, including atherosclerosis (artery hardening), kidney disease, and certain metabolic or autoimmune disorders.

Treatments for joint calcification often include anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, steroid injections, or procedures like ultrasound-guided needle lavage (barbotage) to remove the deposits.

Vascular calcification often has no symptoms in its early stages and is often an incidental finding on an imaging test. Over time, symptoms may develop, such as chest pain (angina) or shortness of breath.

While not all types of calcification are preventable, managing risk factors like diabetes, high blood pressure, and cholesterol can help prevent or slow the progression of vascular calcification. Addressing any underlying metabolic issues is also key.

Yes, calcium deposits can form in the brain, often in blood vessels. In some cases, this is a sign of a rare genetic condition called Primary Familial Brain Calcification, which can cause movement and cognitive issues.