If I understand you correctly I believe you are referring to calcium scans done to show how much hard plaque, or calcification is built up in arteries? I had a calcium scan done resulting in a significant number. From there I saw a cardiologist who did a heart cath. My understanding was I didn’t have any blockages significant enough to cause any symptoms. Is that what you mean?

The cardiologist explained to me that the soft plaque moving around was not good. His example was a study done with a group of cardiologists all given test results from patients who all had heart attacks within 6 months following their tests. They were supposed to try and determine where these heart attacks would happen based on the tests done prior to them. Results were interesting. It was actually not in the places that already had the most build up, or blockage. A good portion were actually in places with lesser amount of calcification.

I learned that calcification happens when that soft plaque sticks and hardens. The soft plaque is there because of all the bad stuff floating around in our blood. Yes, LP(a) is a measure of one lipid marker, and is totally genetic. ApoB and ApoA-1 are helpful. High triglycerides can cause problems, too.

We need to understand our unique risks. Do we need to control something, why, how much? The first step towards solving any problem is figuring out what the problem actually is. Then, what drug is best for that problem? Anything but that is speculation, and if we have side effects from drugs we are taking for something we are speculating about…….not worth it.