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High Lipoprotein(a) but CAC Score 0
Hi, I'm new to this discussion on heart and blood health.
I just recently took my first Lipoprotein(a) test. Since heart disease runs on my mother's side of the family I thought I should take the test. I'm 68, active at the gym, eat clean diet. The test result was 172 nmol. My PCP immediately suggested a statin (avorstatin?).
Two years ago I had a Cornary Artery Calcium (CAC) test because my husband was put on a statin and requested the same test. His cardiologist suggested I get the same. The result was 0.
Over the last 15 years my overall cholesterol has been going up. I just assumed this was menopause related. Both my HDL and LDL have been creeping up (triglycerides are ok). So for 15 years my doctors have all said don't worry, your covered by your HDL.
So here I am with my PCP suggesting a avorstatin (sp?). I don't want to take a statin just yet because I don't understand why I should. In addition, I have osteoporosis. I understand that statin's are not good for your bones.
Has anyone else experienced this? What did you do?
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@loriesco , did you use a conventional or functional doctor?
@leeosteo originally I used an unorthodox traditional doctor. When I returned to do it later I used a neuropath, naturalpath? (natural) but a few months later I found a great doctor in my health system at UCSD. I believe that is where I should be. My BHRT is all covered under Medicare and so is the periodic testing to make sure I don't get any estrogen-based cancers.
Hello
I scored 1146 on a recent CT Calcium scan which now establishes me as a cardiovascular patient. I have a high plaque burden (atherosclerosis) which is being treated with Rosuvastatin 20 mg and now Ezetimibe 10. This should reduce my LDL’s from 72 to the 40’s (I hope). If not I’ll go to 40 mg of the statin and see what help that offers.
I also exercise 200 minutes a week and am steadily decreasing my intake of egg yolks and cheese.
I have an Lp(a) of 127 which is high so these meds may help. If not, Reoatha might.
I have no side effects from the statin maybe because I take CoQ10 as well.
Are you worried you have a potential for a stroke or heart attack? I have been reassured by good results from my echocardiogram, carotid Doppler and nuclear stress test. I remain symptom-free.
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2 ReactionsSo I might not be 100% correct on this, but your scan will show you hard plaque, normally a result of a statin… what it will not show is soft plaque which is the more dangerous.
Because of your lp (a) you might put yourself at a higher risk of the undetectable soft plague that might be in your coranary arteries. The statins will help calcify that soft plaque.
Again.. this is just the way I understand it. I had a CAC score of 2418 in 2022 and just found out my lp(a) is 257. The assumption it was the lp (a) and the statin that created this plaque.. but also prevent a stoke or hear attack for the last 25 years . As a FYI i had a CAC score of 137 back in 2002…
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2 Reactions@dnward12 Correct, as I understand it as well. The statins both calcify plaque that is extant, sort of like 'entombing it', and they also reduce systemic inflammation. Unfortunately, they also have a tendency to cause muscle stiffness and soreness, and they can increase circulating glucose levels....which diabetics would not want to see.
Seems none of us can have it all.
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2 Reactions@dnward12
It is not correct that statins cause it.
This is from a doctor's page that I have access to in my work as a nurse;
"Lipoprotein(a), Lp(a), is a variant of LDL that was discovered and described as early as the 1960s. Recent years of research, with both epidemiological studies and with data based on Mendelian randomization, have shown that Lp(a) is an independent and causal risk factor for atherosclerotic vascular disease and aortic stenosis. The Lp(a) particle consists of an LDL particle with a specific peptide, apolipoprotein(a), apo(a), attached to it. The apo(a) peptide can bind oxidized phospholipids, which is considered to be part of the lipoprotein's pathophysiological mechanism, in addition to the fact that the lipoprotein also contains cholesterol, which, like LDL, can be deposited in the vascular wall. Atherogenicity per particle is estimated to be seven times greater for Lp(a) than for LDL."
I have elevated Lipoprotein(a) that is hereditary on my father's side.