I have high Lp(a)…family history of premature CAD that I only assumed affected the men in my family. Wrong assumption. I had a NSTEMI at 57 and 2 stents. I am on Repatha, Nexletol and participating in the HORIZON clinical trial for Pelacarsen. After nearly 5 years, I still have angina, but my last heart cath showed that there is some plaque regression.
Having high Lp(a) and LDL felt like having a gun pointing at my head. All is well, but the uncertainty never goes away. I still have four 80-90% occluded septal and diagonal branches of the LAD. I have been told multiple times there is no treatment for these blockages except meds. So, radical acceptance is key, heart healthy diet that you enjoy, exercise and loving life helps.
There are hundreds of research papers out there…I have read most of them. Dr. Tsimikas at UCSD is a great source of information. He gives Niacin to his high risk patients when there is nothing else - it has some risks for the liver so don’t do it on your own. Baby aspirin is helpful and so is lowering LDL. But patience…the results of the trial for Pelacarsen are due to be out next year…so may be available soon. There are several others in trial as well.
I feel your unease…but don’t give up, there are solutions on their way. Life is good. 😊
I am sorry for all of your struggles. I am glad you are Ucsd. I think it’s a great place for innovative medicine when you need it my dad had the worst heart in history and swam three times a week. Watched his diet and at 58 he started having heart attack and had three valves that were blocked at 72. He had four valves that were blocked and it’s 80. He had three each time he was told it was the last surgery, he passed away at 80 almost 88 and he went for a lot of stents and the three bypass surgeries. He took statins and lowered his cholesterol to 169 from 396 and he stayed on Staten very well for 25 years vitamin D we’re all vitamin D , I’ve taken this very seriously and by the grace of God we go right? And we try and help others when we can. Reason that I’m posting primarily is because I hate it when I hear that men are being tested and women aren’t. I read a book on how neglected women are in research and testing and it really infuriated me and so women should use the testing that’s done on medicine in medicine for their own purposes And we need to advocate whatever we have left to make sure women aren’t ignored. I’m taking Tim for my bones and the abdominal swelling is notated in men. Do you think men care women care and all the women are commenting that they have abdominal swelling and there’s no recourse for them. There’s no acknowledgment by the pharmacy and by the medical industry , it’s crazy anyway good luck. It sounds like you have it all handled well!