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Extremely high calcium score at 42 - is there any positive here??
Heart & Blood Health | Last Active: May 8 3:53pm | Replies (209)Comment receiving replies
This thread is so helpful, @steveny. I'd love to get an update on where you are.
I am an almost 43 year old male, exercise frequently, OK diet...249 score. Both grandfathers had heart disease (one died of a heart attack, the other had several strokes). My Mom, Dad and both older brothers are on statins.
I obviously need to make changes. I am already on allopurinol for gout, so I have been holding out on a statin for as long as possible. Seems like that wait will now be over, and I need to change my diet drastically. I probably eat too much peanut butter, too much animal protein (never beef though), and drink too much alcohol (realistically 10-15 drinks a week). I bought the How Not to Die (HNTD) book and cookbook and plan on making changes from there.
I haven't talked to my Doctor yet, but I have to say he isn't the most inspiring. My wife and I plan on switching to a concierge doctor and getting a recommendation on a cardiologist from there. Also have an appt set up with a dietician to supplement the HNTD cookbook.
What else does everyone recommend, or have you experienced that's a lookout for me?
Replies to "This thread is so helpful, @steveny. I'd love to get an update on where you are...."
I am on Repatha medication. It is so wonderful! It is a twice a month injectable with the pen. It has brought my LDL down to 14! Incredible. I highly recommend it. The statins caused me so much joint and bone pain. I could not tolerate it. This medication has very few side effects, may be a little tired the next day, and some sinus congestion.
I hope @steveny will give an update as well, but, I noticed his post is quite old. I do hope you get a concierge doctor and hopeful you will find a good cardiologist. It would be good to keep up with your story as well. A dietician is something I wish I had, so good luck there too. You are smart to get checked out since your family history shows strong connections to the heart issues. I had 2 cardioembolic strokes 23 years ago (I'm now 73); had atrial fibrillation and a cardiac ablation, and more but, my point is, it is really important to pay attention to the gout; I too have had to change my diet drastically. The problem (and why I would love having a dietician for the past 7 years) is I had to change my diet due to heart disease and the discovery that I am a kidney stone grower. So, in addition to heart issues and diet, there is the issue of avoiding all oxalates (I was diagnosed 7 years ago with 20-22 kidney stones--one put me in ER as it got stuck and the pain was much MUCH worse than birthing 3 sons). Anyway, my BEST advice is to get involved with learning more about fasting (I fast after 2 pm until next morning at 8 or 9 a.m.) cut back on fructose, sugar and carbs. (I choose to give myself one day off every 2 weeks and if I feel like eating sugar and/or carbs I have to eat something homemade vs. store bought unhealthy stuff. ). Be well and keep sharing! -- Lilymarie
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I am 66, and I have a calcium score of 205. My LDL was in the 120-130 range for years. I have plaque buildup in two arteries. I still jog 3x a week with my cardiologist's blessing.
Statins work really well and very fast. They will calcify soft plaque (soft = dangerous) and keep new plaque from accumulating. I've been on a statin for four months. My LDL dropped from 120 to 75. I am sure my doctor would like it to be even lower.
I minimize saturated fat in my diet to 10g or so a day on average. I also try to get 10-15 grams soluble fiber, but I may need to use a supplement like Metamucil to get to that number. Soluble fiber is great for reducing LDL.
You already know that you need to change your diet and stop drinking. Alcohol raises LDL. I probably have 20 drinks in an entire year.