Connect
← Return to I have a very high calcium score. What next?
Discussion
I have a very high calcium score. What next?
Heart & Blood Health | Last Active: Jun 23 7:02pm | Replies (346)Comment receiving replies
The last 40 years? I'm 61 now, that's going back a ways.
Up until my 40s - Total was < 200. I don't have specific numbers.
From my mid to late 40s to 53 - Total was ~190-225, ~LDL 110-132, ~HDL 55-65, TG 110-135 - No statins because I was going to "control it with fitness and diet". Sigh
Starting at 53 when I had a very very poor carotid artery scan I started taking 10mg Atorvastatin every day. From 53 to now (61) it has been Total 170 to 190, LDL 80-95, HDL 55-65, TG 80-110, one TG outlier at 194 (2018)
From April (bad scan) of '16 to August of '16 my LDL went from 132 to 69, TG 131 to 71. I lost 20 lbs too. Gained 15 back. Have just finished losing 25. Now 195. BMI 23. Mostly I weighed around 215 (BMI 26 or so)
Generally fit the entire time. I Hike, Bike, Ski, Snow Shoe, Mountain Climb, Lift Weights 2-3/week, walk 2-3 miles most days with the pupper dog. 10-15 pounds overweight.
Replies to "The last 40 years? I'm 61 now, that's going back a ways. Up until my 40s..."
Connect
I may be reading wrong, but you say statin started in 2008, then you say 2016 (eight years ago following your poor carotid scan)?
My sense is that you have done well by starting statins when you did. Did you start statins initially due to the carotid scan, or because of high blood pressure, or both?
LDL and triglycerides down - great news! CAC high reflecting calcification of the soft, deadly cholesterol - great news! Better lifestyle - great news!
So, maybe on the list?
- treadmill based stress test with echo (they check heart function prior and immediately after stress test)
- advanced lipids test (some call it Cardio IQ)
- ask your cardiologist or PCP about adding icosapent ethyl (Vascepa) to your meds
- further peripheral artery tests
- maybe keep working on the LDL and triglycerides