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Anyone else "mourn" their NO-MEDS SELF before a STATIN?
Heart & Blood Health | Last Active: Feb 16 11:31am | Replies (16)Comment receiving replies
I may be abot to join you on the statin train... Never had high cholesterol or any symptoms of heart issues normal weight, lots of exercise, good physical condition at 79 yo, But, have family history of cardiac disease. So, asked my PCP if there are any tests I should have done to assess any potential issues. She recommeded a CAC which I had done with a result of 491 which is 85th percentile. We were both shocked! She then ordered a stress echocardiogram which was totally perfect. Anyway, I will see a cardiologist for the first time soon and thinking he will prescribe a statin. Very concerned about side effects as I'm very physically active and, yes, having never been on any kind of drug, will miss my "no drug" status. But given all that, I'm willing to give it a go if that's what the recommendation turns out to be. Also going to ask to have a CCTA done to assess exactly what blockages I may have. Best of luck on your journey!
Replies to "I may be abot to join you on the statin train... Never had high cholesterol or..."
@carlnh Hi Carl. Thank you so much for sharing your story, and I apologize for the delay in responding. Maybe we'll sit next to each other on the "statin" train (I loved that colorful language!) and have a lively discussion! Perhaps the ride will be smooth and pleasant. 🙂 I totally sympathize with your shock with your Calcium score, as that was the same with me in November 2024, when I learned mine was 149. I resisted until the Cardiac CT Scan, as my story describes. The images really don't lie. I hope you don't have any blockages. I didn't, but I did have "narrowing", as you know, so that's what led me to try to slow down the progression of any further narrowing, if possible. I want to reassure you that at least for me, so far, on DAY 7 of the rosuvastatin, 5 mg. I have no side effects. I've also heard that people, like you, who exercise regularly and are active, create collatoral arteries that make up for others. I don't have all the scientific/medical information at my fingertips, but I thought it was very interesting how the heart manages to adapt. Thank you for the well wishes and I also wish all the best to you, as well! Please let me know how you're doing.
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@carlnh I am in the same boat! I have 'buckled' because last year in April I had a heart attack and had a stent inserted. I have always exercised, eaten our home grown veg and eat alot of fish, I am also gluten free. But it happened. Years ago when my cholesterol showed high LDL the drs tried many different statins and all gave me terrible side effects that I could not live with, so I just didn't take them and kept up my healthy lifestyle. 20 years later the cardiologist put me on them again at 40mg even though my notes said I was highly allergic to statins, I had problems within a week and was offered another one which also gave me problems with my muscles. Long story short, I was discharged to my own Doctor after only a few weeks after my Heart Attack and she uses microdosing for those who have problem side effects with statins. So I am now on 5mg of Rosuvastatin 3x per week and my cholesterol LDL has dropped - not quite 'normal' as the cardiac Drs would like but close enough to not be worried and I also get covered by Rosuvastatin's anti inflammatory effect on arteries. I have had no side effects at all, I am really happy with taking the small dose. Best of luck!