High Calcium Score and PCSK9

@lolly906- I would not be afraid of statins. Clearly there is a lot out there that blame statins for just about everything. I would not disagree that some people have unpleasant results from taking statins, but my suggestion is to try a low dosage initialy of whatever the statin your doctor is suggesting and see how it goes for you both in how you react as well as a new blood lipid workup seeing any results. If your reaction is good and the numbers could be better, up the dosage and see how that goes. I was on atorvastatin initially and was getting good results lipids wise, but was having issues with some numbness in my feet. I discussed this with the doctor and we switched to simvastatin. that solved the problem with my feet. Recently I went to the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale AZ. and meet with a cardiologist for several new tests. Because my overall cholesterol was good, but mt LDL(lousy as I call it) was still a bit high the doctor suggested switching to a newer statin that does a better job with LDL & triglycerides. He put me on rosuvastatin. I'm starting with half the dosage I was on with simvastatin and next month will see how my blood lipid workup looks. Hope this helps and puts you at ease. Remember, you have a say because it's your healthcare. Jim @thankful.

Thank you everyone for all the great advice and support! I have not started the Lipitor yet, (due to anxiety over it) but feel more comfortable now with all of your advice, I'm going to take a lower dose at first along with the baby aspirin to see how I tolerate it I'm so grateful I joined this discussion group you have all been so helpful I wish you all the best and will keep you posted! Also read something about "repatha"? Is anyone familiar with it?

I have been on Simvastatin 40mg for several years without any side effects. My heart doctor says the statins have almost put him out of business! Meaning they work so well...I do have a blood test each year. I understand there are several brands and some don't work and/or can cause problems, but working with your doctor should ease your mind...

I'm interested in knowing if you had another calcium score test since the one in 2007 and if the score was reduced over time?

Repatha is a twice monthly injectable. My cardiologist just doubled my statin to 40 mg in an attempt to get my HDL down to 20 within 2 months due to my calcium score of 1014. If the increased statins do not work they want me to start the repatha or another injectable that is on the market.

Lolagrey, I wouldn't hesitate to try the PCSK9 injections. You can't take statins so you should try any alternative your MD suggests. The injections of Praluent have worked quite well for me, actually better than statins (which I couldn't tolerate) as far as bringing down overall cholesterol and LDL numbers. I have had no side effects but even if you do have a side effect, the medication is a dose of once every two weeks so you should know pretty soon if you can tolerate it. Doing the injections is easy. Minor discomfort.

NYArtist asked if a person has had another calcium scan. There is radiation involved in getting this scan and it is very imprecise as to specific areas and degree of blockage. I suggest talking to your cardiologist for guidance on this. I suspect there are other more precise tests with perhaps no radiation or with radiation but the testing is more precise. When I was first diagnosed, my cardiologist indicated "it always gets worse" so we are all doing our best to slow down the worsening of our clogged arteries.

keith156, I think your cardiologist hopes to get your LDL down and your HDL up but getting your LDL down to 20 will be a monumental improvement and just might bring down your calcium score or at least keep it from increasing. Some people are on both a statin and a PCSK9 inhibitor injection. I wish you good luck.

A recent Q&A online by Mayo cardiologists addressed repeat calcium tests. Maybe a moderator can find a link to a recording of it. I recall them saying there is no value to repeating. It is the unstable plaque that we treat and the calcium test measures stable, or calcified plaque. The goal of the drugs we take is to stabilize the bad stuff moving through our arteries so the calcification can actually increase as that happens, or at least that is my understanding.

@jharsh Thanks for the tip about a recent Video Q&A with Mayo Clinic cardiologists. Here is the link to all the past video events:
- Expert Q&As https://connect.mayoclinic.org/webinars/

I'm not sure which one might have talked specifically about calcium tests. Might it be one of these recent ones?
- Video Q&A about Men's Heart Health https://connect.mayoclinic.org/webinar/video-qs-heart-health/
- Video Q&A about Women and Heart Disease https://connect.mayoclinic.org/webinar/video-qa-about-women-and-heart-disease/
- Video Q&A about Stroke https://connect.mayoclinic.org/webinar/video-qa-about-stroke-1/

Yes! Thank you getting thisnarrowed down . It's https://connect.mayoclinic.org/webinar/video-qs-heart-health/ specifically at 23:00 minutes begins discussion about calcium testing then specifically about retesting is at 26:20 into the video.