What is the main cause of calcification? A comprehensive guide

September 22, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the Cleveland Clinic, calcification is an abnormal buildup of calcium in body tissues, organs, or blood vessels, and it can be harmless or a sign of a serious health condition. So, what is the main cause of calcification, and why does this mineral deposit occur outside of the bones and teeth?

Quick Summary

There is no single main cause of calcification; instead, it is broadly categorized into two types: dystrophic, which results from tissue injury or cell death, and metastatic, caused by systemic mineral imbalances like those from chronic kidney disease or hypercalcemia.

Key Points

Dystrophic Calcification: This type results from tissue injury, cell death, or chronic inflammation and occurs in damaged tissue despite normal blood mineral levels.
Metastatic Calcification: This form is caused by systemic mineral imbalances, such as high blood calcium levels (hypercalcemia), and affects healthy tissues throughout the body.
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): CKD is a leading cause of metastatic calcification due to the kidney's inability to regulate phosphate and calcium levels properly.
Atherosclerosis: Plaque buildup in the arteries is a significant driver of dystrophic calcification, contributing to coronary artery disease.
Aging and Genetics: Both the natural aging process and genetic predispositions increase the risk of developing calcification over time.
Inflammation and Metabolic Disorders: Chronic inflammation, diabetes, and obesity accelerate calcification by damaging tissues and altering mineral balance.
Treatment Focuses on Underlying Cause: Since calcification is a symptom, effective treatment and management depend on addressing the specific health condition triggering the calcium deposits.

Understanding the two types of calcification

Calcification is not a one-size-fits-all condition, but rather a process triggered by different physiological events. Medical experts classify calcification into two primary types based on the root cause: dystrophic and metastatic. Understanding the difference is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Dystrophic calcification

Dystrophic calcification is the more common type and occurs in previously damaged or degenerated tissue, even when calcium levels in the blood are normal. It is essentially a byproduct of the body's natural healing and inflammatory response to injury.

Common triggers for dystrophic calcification include:

Infection: Bacterial or viral infections can cause localized inflammation and tissue damage that leads to calcium deposits.
Chronic inflammation: Ongoing inflammatory conditions, such as chronic pancreatitis or arthritis, can lead to persistent tissue damage and calcification over time.
Cell death (necrosis): When cells die, they release calcium, which can combine with other minerals to form hard deposits.
Atherosclerosis: Damage to the arterial walls from plaque buildup can trigger an inflammatory response that ultimately leads to calcification within the arteries, making them stiff and rigid.
Trauma or injury: Past surgeries, burns, or other forms of trauma can leave behind damaged tissue that calcifies.

Metastatic calcification

Metastatic calcification involves the deposition of calcium salts in otherwise healthy, normal tissue. This happens when there is an elevated level of calcium and/or phosphate in the blood, a condition known as hypercalcemia. The body's mineral regulatory systems fail, causing calcium to precipitate out of the blood and form deposits in soft tissues and organs.

Key drivers of metastatic calcification include:

Chronic kidney disease (CKD): This is the most frequent cause of metastatic calcification, as damaged kidneys are unable to properly excrete phosphate. The resulting imbalance in calcium and phosphate levels causes deposits to form widely throughout the body, including in arteries, lungs, and stomach lining.
Hyperparathyroidism: An overactive parathyroid gland produces excess parathyroid hormone (PTH), which increases serum calcium levels by drawing calcium from the bones.
Hypervitaminosis D: Excessive intake of vitamin D can lead to abnormally high calcium absorption and hypercalcemia.
Milk-alkali syndrome: This condition is caused by excessive consumption of calcium and absorbable alkali, typically from overusing antacids or calcium supplements.
Bone destruction: Conditions that cause bone resorption, such as metastatic cancer or multiple myeloma, can release large amounts of calcium into the bloodstream.

A closer look at age, genetics, and lifestyle factors

While dystrophic and metastatic calcification cover the immediate causes, a number of other factors contribute to an individual's overall risk.

Age and genetic predispositions

Calcification naturally increases with age, a process accelerated by the cumulative effects of cellular damage and inflammation over time. Genetic factors also play a significant role. Some individuals may have inherited genetic variations that affect calcium metabolism or inflammatory responses, predisposing them to earlier or more severe calcification. For instance, certain rare genetic disorders can lead to premature arterial calcification.

Inflammatory and metabolic disorders

Chronic inflammation is a powerful driver of calcification, as is oxidative stress, which damages arterial walls and creates an environment where calcium can more easily bind and form crystals. Diabetes and obesity are also major contributors. High blood glucose levels in diabetics damage arterial walls and disrupt mineral metabolism, speeding up calcification. Obesity is linked to increased inflammation and metabolic dysfunction, further elevating risk.

Comparing dystrophic vs. metastatic calcification


Feature	Dystrophic Calcification	Metastatic Calcification
Underlying Cause	Tissue injury, necrosis, infection, or chronic inflammation.	High serum calcium and/or phosphate levels (hypercalcemia or hyperphosphatemia).
Affected Tissue	Occurs in damaged, degenerated, or dead tissue.	Occurs in otherwise healthy, normal tissue.
Calcium Levels	Normal or near-normal blood calcium levels.	Abnormally high blood calcium levels.
Distribution	Localized to the site of tissue damage.	Widespread throughout the body, including vital organs like the lungs and kidneys.

The crucial link to cardiovascular health

One of the most concerning forms of calcification is coronary artery calcification (CAC), which is a buildup of calcium in the walls of the arteries supplying the heart. This is a significant marker for atherosclerosis, where plaque hardens and narrows arteries over time. The presence of calcium in the coronary arteries indicates an increased risk for cardiovascular events like heart attacks and stroke. Managing modifiable risk factors like high blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes is essential for preventing or slowing the progression of CAC.

Conclusion: No single cause, but clear drivers

While there is no single main cause, calcification is primarily driven by either localized tissue injury or systemic mineral imbalances. Aging is a universal risk factor that predisposes individuals to both types. Conditions like chronic kidney disease and advanced atherosclerosis are among the most significant underlying culprits. Consulting a healthcare provider for a thorough evaluation is the first step to understanding the specific cause and management strategy for any detected calcification.

For more detailed information on cardiovascular calcification and its link to heart disease, you can review recent research and educational materials available from authoritative sources, such as the National Institutes of Health.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, a diet high in calcium is not typically the cause of calcification. Your body is very efficient at regulating calcium and usually excretes any excess. The issue arises from underlying health conditions that interfere with this regulation or cause chronic tissue damage.

While it can't always be reversed, the underlying conditions causing calcification are often treatable. In some cases, like calcific tendonitis, deposits can resolve on their own. For issues like heart disease, controlling risk factors can slow progression.

Calcification often has no noticeable symptoms in its early stages and is frequently discovered incidentally during an imaging test for another condition. Any symptoms that do appear are usually related to the underlying disorder.

Yes, calcifications can sometimes occur within tumor tissue, whether benign or malignant. In breast tissue, for example, calcifications found on a mammogram may warrant further testing, although they are often harmless.

Aging naturally makes tissues more susceptible to calcium deposits. Genetically, some individuals inherit variations that affect how their body manages calcium and inflammation, predisposing them to calcification at an earlier age.

There is a U-shaped relationship. Both vitamin D deficiency and excessive supplementation can contribute to calcification. Deficiency disrupts calcium metabolism, while excess can cause hypercalcemia. Maintaining optimal levels is key.

For calcification related to conditions like heart disease, lifestyle changes are crucial. This includes maintaining a balanced diet, exercising regularly, quitting smoking, and managing other risk factors like high blood pressure and diabetes.