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I have a very high calcium score. What next?
Heart & Blood Health | Last Active: Dec 5 11:11am | Replies (384)Comment receiving replies
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
Replies to "I may be reading wrong, but you say statin started in 2008, then you say 2016..."
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Started statins in 2016 after the carotid scan. Should have started in 2008.
Stress test completed - No problems, no sign of ischemia, HR > 140, >10METS
Echocardiogram completed - No problems, ejection rate >75%, no valve troubles.
Carotid scan still to do
Advanced lipids test in 8 weeks
LDL goal is < 55 - upped lipitor to 20mg, added 81mg aspirin daily - but I will probably do every other day. Daily aspirin makes me nervous for some reason, can't just quit and have to taper off.