Coronary Heart Disease

@susane1121 I am not getting treated at Mayo. I got an appointment when I was first diagnosed. (They found an ascending aortic aneurysm at the same time they found my high CAC and I admittedly freaked out. 🙂 They did some testing and gave me a treatment plan to take to my cardiologist.

FWIW, I think your lp(a) is notably high and I think it would be worth looking into Janell's advice and at least doing a one time visit there, or another highly rated center, to get their take on your situation. Did anyone refer you to a lipidologist? I don't know much about them, but I'd think they work with people that have extremely elevated lp(a)??

Muscle cramping mostly tired

Based on what has been said, looks like you and your doctor are making progress and keeping your condition under control. Regarding your Iron concern, be aware that it takes time to get your numbers within recommended range. You can take an OTC pill to help raise it. In my case, it took over a year to get to the minimum count (men and women have different ranges). Hope you keep making progress. Always follow your doctor advice and stick to your plan.

@susane1121 Hi Susan! I’m sorry to hear of your situation, but just note
that its not the end of the world.

I was diagnosed with CAD in 2025, when learning this I was floored! I’ve always lived a life of health. After having a stent placed in my LAD which was 85% blocked I began a frustrating journey of trail and mostly error with statin therapy. I was initially placed on 25mg of rosuvastatin. Symptoms began quite soon and I just tried to ignore it and be patient. After 6 weeks, the muscle pain, soreness and fatigue continued to get worse. I was then put on praluent with similar results. They then prescribed me rapatha……. same thing! After 4 months of this experience my cardiologist put me on a much lower dosage of rosuvastatin 5mg and Zetia 10mg. This seemed to be a little better yet after 6 months I began an all too familiar decline with the fatigue and muscle issues. I’m now doctoring with a doctor at Mayo Clinic in Rochester Mn. and the plan is to go off my rosuvastatin and zetia for a month then reintroduce the rosuvastin for one month and then the Zetia if I don’t have any issues with the rosuvastatin. I’ve currently been off those meds for nearly a month and felt significantly better. If I have any issues with reintroduction my doctor said he’ll try inclisirin. I’ll keep you posted about my situation, but until then I wish you well in your own personal journey.

Hi susane...several thoughts here:
I believe (& could be wrong) statin drugs typically do not cause low iron levels. Zetia is a statin for elevated cholesterol not a heart medication. Certainly understandable & makes sense why the Plavix was stopped. You mentioned an endoscopy but a colonoscopy is also called for to check for bleeding in the digestive tract - ulcers, polyps, cancers, stomach inflammation or even abnormal blood vessels. An endoscopy does not evaluate the entire bowel. I am sure this has been covered but do you have Celiac disease, previous stomach surgery & long term use of acid-reducing medications may also reduce iron. Are you a frequent ibuprofen user? If so, stop and use Tylenol if needed. Getting enough iron in your foods is obvious and, no doubt, your kidney function must have been checked out also. If your colonoscopy (checks the large intestine) is normal the small intestine in some cases is then evaluated for sources of bleeding.
Your blockages at 50%, 30% and 30% are not stented at this %. Heaven forbid the blockages go to 70% and then would be stented. I have a stent in my right coronary artery that has been block at 50% for 8 years now. Adding the Repatha should definitely bring down your LDL. Usually 50 or below is what the docs want for the LDL. The Lp(a) stands for Lipoprotein(a) which is not related to iron levels. It is a type of cholesterol particle that is largely inherited. High levels may increase the risk of cardiovascular events.
You didn't mention or age or family history of cardiovascular disease. I wonder if your case is largely genetic related? My Dad and his 5 brothers all had cardiac disease. Every one of their daughters (my 1st cousins) had cardiac disease/conditions related to heart disease...myself included. Their sons (& my brother) did not. So, 6 brothers all with heart disease and all their daughters did too...not the boys. And with your aortic aneurysm (which now must be monitored at least annually to check if enlarging @ 5 cm. it's operable) your case is even more complex.
One last thought and, in my humble opinion an important one, if I would you (& actually have done this) I would get a cardiovascular evaluation at a top-ranked (in cardiology) medical facility in the US.
Of course, this would possibly mean a major trip for you...possibly by plane (?)
Check the US News & World Report rankings for 2026 in cardiology facilities. Their rankings are spot on and trust-worthy. The Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic and NYU (NY) instantly come to mind...but do further investigation on this. Yes, making a major trip if you are not within drivable distance is a major hassle. I get that!
However, my sense is you are a young woman with serious cardiac issues. There is no question in my mind I would do this...personal opinion, I know. But you posted and asked.
Wishing you all the best and hopefully improved blood work on July 8th.
I am telling you what you already know. You must stay on top of your cardiac issues. I know it's frightening - believe me I know that personally. But you must do all that is in your power to get the very best, top notch cardiovascular care!
Be strong, fearless and move forward!

I’m on Zetia 10 mg and Rosuvastatin 5 for a couple years and my cholesterol is very low and going lower. I’m not having any muscle cramps but my body just feels very very heavy, as though I have weights tied to my legs. I was taken off Nebivilol by my cardiologist and my blood pressure so far is staying low. I was thinking losartan was the culprit but now I’m wondering about the statins. I will consult with my doctor of course but I’m curious if anyone else has experienced this sense of heaviness. I don’t see it listen in any of the possible side effects of any of my meds. They just say fatigue which doesn’t quite cover how I feel.

@susane1121

i am in canada and they read the numbers differents so I hope this makes sense. My LDL was 3.25 which is very high. My cardiologist wants it at 1.8. 2 weeks after 2 injections it was down to 2.50 which is an amazing reduction after only one month. I hope you have the same luck.

Awwww… thank you for sharing!! That is amazing! I am happy for you you… Thank God for meds. I get my blood done next week- praying for good results. I’ll update my profile once I know. Have a great day my friend in Canada!
-Susan

I started repatha years ago and it reduced my blood levels dramatically; the one drawback is that not everyone can take because of severe side effects.