Understanding What Causes Calcifications to Grow

October 2, 2025 •

4 min read

Over 99% of the body's calcium is stored in bones and teeth, but the abnormal deposition of calcium in soft tissues, known as calcification, can signal underlying health issues. Understanding what causes calcifications to grow is vital for recognizing potential health risks and managing related conditions.

Quick Summary

Several factors contribute to the growth of calcifications, including chronic inflammation, tissue damage from injury or infection, and metabolic disorders that cause high calcium levels in the blood. This progressive accumulation can harden soft tissues and impair organ function over time.

Key Points

Dystrophic vs. Metastatic: Calcifications can grow due to localized tissue damage (dystrophic) or systemic high calcium levels in the blood (metastatic), affecting different tissues accordingly.
Inflammation is a Major Factor: Chronic inflammation, whether from autoimmune diseases or persistent infections, is a significant driver of calcification growth due to tissue repair responses.
Vascular Calcification Risk: Hardening of arteries (atherosclerosis) due to plaque and subsequent calcification is a major cardiovascular risk factor, influenced by aging and chronic disease.
Metabolic Imbalances: Disorders of calcium metabolism, often linked to kidney failure or hyperparathyroidism, can cause widespread calcification by raising blood calcium levels.
Diagnosis is Key: Calcifications are often found incidentally on imaging, making it crucial to work with a doctor to identify the underlying cause and determine the appropriate management strategy.

The Core Mechanisms of Calcification

Calcification, or the accumulation of calcium deposits, is a complex process driven by several physiological and pathological mechanisms. Fundamentally, it can be categorized into two main types: dystrophic and metastatic calcification. While both involve calcium deposition, their root causes and implications differ significantly.

Dystrophic Calcification

This is the most common type and occurs in previously damaged or degenerated tissue, even when blood calcium levels are normal. It is often part of the body's healing or inflammatory response. When cells are damaged due to trauma, infection, or disease, they release proteins and phosphates. The combination of these substances creates an environment where calcium can precipitate and form crystals, leading to calcification.

Chronic Inflammation: Conditions involving long-term inflammation, such as chronic pancreatitis or autoimmune diseases like systemic sclerosis, can lead to persistent tissue damage and subsequent calcification. The inflammatory response releases cytokines and other signaling molecules that create a favorable environment for calcium deposition.
Tissue Injury and Trauma: Any form of significant tissue injury, including surgery, radiation therapy, or severe trauma, can result in calcium deposits forming in the damaged area as part of the repair process. For example, calcifications can appear in breast tissue following injury or surgery.
Cellular Necrosis: When cells die, their membranes become permeable, leading to an influx of calcium from the surrounding fluid. This cellular uptake of calcium contributes to the formation of localized calcifications.

Metastatic Calcification

Unlike dystrophic calcification, this type results from elevated serum calcium levels, a condition known as hypercalcemia. It occurs in normal, healthy tissue throughout the body and is a systemic problem rather than a localized response. The excess calcium in the bloodstream is deposited in various soft tissues, often affecting the kidneys, lungs, and blood vessels.

Comparison of Dystrophic vs. Metastatic Calcification


Feature	Dystrophic Calcification	Metastatic Calcification
Underlying Cause	Tissue damage (injury, necrosis, inflammation)	Systemic hypercalcemia (elevated blood calcium)
Blood Calcium Levels	Normal	Elevated
Tissue Affected	Damaged or degenerated tissue	Normal, healthy tissue
Location	Localized to a specific site	Widespread throughout the body
Examples	Breast calcifications, calcific tendonitis	Kidney calcification, vascular calcification from hyperparathyroidism

Specific Conditions That Drive Calcification Growth

Several diseases and metabolic issues can cause calcifications to grow and expand over time. The growth often correlates with the progression of the underlying condition.

Atherosclerosis: This condition involves plaque buildup in arterial walls. Chronic inflammation and damage to the artery lining create a site for calcium to deposit within the plaque. Over time, this process hardens the arteries, a primary contributor to cardiovascular disease. The growth of these vascular calcifications is a major risk factor for heart attack and stroke.
Metabolic Disorders: Conditions that disrupt calcium metabolism can lead to hypercalcemia and subsequent metastatic calcification. Examples include primary hyperparathyroidism (overactive parathyroid glands) and kidney failure, which impairs the body's ability to excrete excess calcium.
Chronic Kidney Disease: Chronic kidney disease is a major driver of vascular calcification due to mineral and bone disorders (CKD-MBD). The imbalance of calcium, phosphate, and parathyroid hormone creates a pro-calcifying environment.
Autoimmune Disorders: Diseases like lupus and scleroderma can cause chronic inflammation that leads to calcification in the skin and connective tissues, a condition known as calcinosis cutis.
Genetics and Aging: Aging is a significant, non-modifiable risk factor for calcification. As people get older, their arteries naturally become less elastic and more prone to calcium deposition. Genetic predispositions can also accelerate these processes.

The Role of Cellular and Molecular Processes

Growing research reveals that calcification is not a passive process but an active, regulated one involving complex cellular signaling.

Transdifferentiation of Smooth Muscle Cells: In vascular calcification, smooth muscle cells within the artery walls can transform into bone-forming cells under specific conditions. This process, called osteochondrogenic transdifferentiation, is a key mechanism for active calcium deposition in blood vessels.
Oxidative Stress and Inflammation: The presence of chronic oxidative stress and inflammation, often linked to conditions like diabetes and chronic kidney disease, can trigger cellular pathways that promote calcium deposition.

Conclusion: Managing the Underlying Causes

The growth of calcifications is a sign that an underlying issue is present, whether it is a systemic metabolic problem or a localized inflammatory response. While some factors like age and genetics are beyond our control, managing modifiable risk factors can help slow the progression of calcification and reduce associated health risks. Adopting a healthy lifestyle, managing chronic conditions like diabetes and kidney disease, and working closely with a healthcare provider are crucial steps. For more detailed information on vascular health and its connection to calcification, consult reputable medical resources like the American Heart Association American Heart Association.

The Impact and Management of Calcification Growth

Early detection and management of the root cause are key to mitigating the negative impacts of growing calcifications. Since calcifications often don't cause symptoms on their own, they may be discovered incidentally during imaging for other conditions. A healthcare provider will evaluate the location, size, and pattern of the calcification to determine its significance and the best course of action. This can range from watchful waiting to addressing the underlying disease with medication or lifestyle changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Calcifications in arteries grow primarily due to atherosclerosis, a process where plaque builds up in the arterial walls. Chronic inflammation, high cholesterol, and damage from high blood pressure can cause the plaque to accumulate calcium, hardening the arteries over time.

Yes, lifestyle factors play a major role, particularly in vascular calcification. Smoking, a sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, and uncontrolled conditions like diabetes and hypertension can all contribute to the growth and progression of calcification.

While excessive calcium intake is not the primary cause of most calcifications, it can contribute to the risk in certain contexts, such as with vitamin D toxicity or kidney issues. Most calcifications are caused by underlying tissue damage or metabolic imbalances, not simply by dietary calcium.

Calcifications often have no symptoms and are most frequently discovered incidentally during medical imaging, such as X-rays, mammograms, or CT scans, which are performed for other health concerns.

Not necessarily. Some calcifications are benign, while others can indicate serious underlying issues. For example, macrocalcifications in the breast are usually harmless, but microcalcifications may warrant further investigation. A doctor must evaluate the location and characteristics of the calcification to determine its significance.

Reversing existing calcifications is challenging. However, addressing and managing the underlying cause—such as controlling inflammation, regulating metabolic disorders, and adopting a healthy lifestyle—can help prevent further growth and reduce associated health risks.

Chronic kidney disease impairs the kidneys' ability to filter minerals, leading to imbalances in calcium and phosphate levels in the blood. This creates an environment that promotes the deposition of calcium in soft tissues and blood vessels throughout the body, accelerating calcification.