You don't mention your age, family risk or other conditions you might have, these can all be factors in deciding between stents and medications.

I went through exactly this scenario over the past 2 years - failed several statins, cholesterol continued to rise, but no one ever suggested further exploration. Then in September I got Covid, went to Urgent Care, and instead of Paxlovid I got a trip to the ER for a weird ECG. No heart attack or stroke, but they put me on track to see a cardiologist. I had the equivalent of the cleerly test - a CCTA with contrast that found blockages.

My family (nurses and EMT) were sure they would do stents, which I did not want. But the doctor really listened to me, put me on 3 meds, including Repatha (and no statin) and said we would watch for a year.

First test result last week - Cholesterol down 110 HDL down 40 LDL down 80 from a year ago. All solidly in acceptable range. Color me happy. The cardiologist is too! And the angina pain that I thought was shortness of breath from my asthma is gone.

Maybe you can give the medication a 6 month trial?