Calcium Score

The vast majority of people on statins have *no* side effects. That is a fact.

For people who have high cholesterol due to heredity, diet and exercise won't help. That is a fact.

For people who have already accumulated a high calcium score, diet and exercise will do nothing to reverse it. That is a fact.

My personal OPINION is that statins are fantastic drugs.

Thanks very much for the reply!

Thank you so much for the links. May I ask if you have had bad experiences with statins or no of someone who has? Thanks again!

I help many seniors with there health insurance, and have seen the side effects coupled with the interactions with other medicines there on. The statistics show only a 1% benefit versus not taking them. Just saying do your research, don't be an order follower.

@kobe2026, these are helpful links for people to make informed choices with their doctor.

You're right @njx58. Statins lower cholesterol and protect against heart attack and stroke. They are effective and safe for most people. As @kobe2026 points out, for some people they may lead to side effects or drug interactions.

As we often see in the discussions on Mayo Clinic Connect, treatments are as individual as the person taking them. It's never a one-size fits all situation. That is why it is important to be informed and talk with your provider to find out what is right for you. Whenever your doctor suggests a new medication, it’s important to tell them what else you’re taking. You can also ask your pharmacist to review your medications.

Most important, if you think your statins are causing side effects, don't just stop taking the pills. Talk to your healthcare team. A change in how much medicine you take or even a different type of medicine may help.

Read more here:
- Statin side effects: Weigh the benefits and risks https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/statin-side-effects/art-20046013
- Statins: Are these cholesterol-lowering drugs right for you? https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/statins/art-20045772

Check out google/scholar.
On google line type in google/scholar. It is not easy to read some of the article articles. No junk or scam type of information on it. I have found it to be good in the past.
I too could not find much on MC site. There are a number of medical centers that might have information for you.
Good luck.

@joanne10 and @minnesota10, you might find this information from Mayo Clinic Laboratories helpful:

PTH2 Parathyroid Hormone, Serum: https://www.mayocliniclabs.com/test-catalog/overview/28379#Clinical-and-Interpretive

Thank you.

Hi Joanne. I can sympathize and relate with you completely. I had the shock my life in Nov. of 2024, learning that I have a calcium score of 149. I have been a vegetarian since I was 28 (gave up milk, ice-cream but didn’t give up cheese at first). I’m 65 now. I’ve been vegan since I was 44, finally giving up the cheese due to losing my dad and older brother of heart disease at a young age. I know cheese is sticky and gooey, full of fat and cholesterol. I respect Dr. Barnard’s opinion on cheese. In any case, I now not only eat a whole food plant-based diet, but I also have given up processed foods. After learning from a plant-based medical doctor who is famous (can’t spell his name correctly!), that oils can have a negative impact on your arteries, I have given up my olive oil and even using avocado oil to sautee. Only water now. When I had the calcium score, my cardiologist immediately said that I would benefit from a statin. A calcium score of 149 (close to your number of 145) is in the Moderate category of a risk for heart attack or stroke in the next 5 years. BUT it’s calcified soft plaque and is STABLE. The more dangerous plaque to worry about is the soft plaque that you learn about from a detailed cholesterol blood test. Particularly, ask to be tested for ApoB, as well as Lipoprotein (a). Or, you could get a CIMT ultrasound which tests for the soft plaque in your carotid artery of your neck. It’s more detailed than the normal Carotid artery ultrasound. In the end, it’s up to you. But I also decided to hold off on a statin. I am trying to lose weight and get my soft plaque and cholesterol numbers down. I already got my ApoB from 96 to 80 from diet & exercise alone. So, don’t let it scare you! I was very scared at first. I was so shocked and upset. It wasn’t what I had expected. But there’s a larger picture here. Statins only reduce the risk or heart attack or stroke by 25%. If you can lower your risk naturally, try that first. But be sure to get yourself tested for the sticky types of cholesterol, such as the ApoB and the GENETIC Lipoprotein (a). Often called Lipoprotein Little A. I hope this in some way is helpful. It’s important to control high blood pressure, which may have been the contributing factor for my calcium score, as I’ve never been on meds and have always been high normal or even Stage 1 Hypertensive. I will likely be addressing that soon to avoid further damage to my arteries! I have to go look out for trick or treaters now!