High CAC Score and Current Status

Absolutely Hiker--

I think forums like this is to let people communicate with individuals who may be facing similar circumstances---not to say what is right or wrong. I think its great that the Mayo Clinic provides this forum---I have worked a large portion of my career in Medical Academia mostly in Radiology aka Diagnostic Imaging and Oncology aka Cancer Care. I personally don't like to hear what "I should or should not do"---that is between my physician(s) and me. Everyone's situation is different...even with potentially the same exact variables (age, test scores etc.)...anything can happen. Being positive I think is a big part of that...stay active, eat a well balanced diet, allow yourself to experience life's little pleasures now and again etc. Hey...I am a big traveler and when I go on vacation I allow myself to partake in things I normally do not in moderation. Why do all this life saving measures if we are not really going to "live". Having said that...I am going to go run my 2.5 miles today and then go out to a nice fish dinner with a martini. =:)

Well said. After 9 months of being pro-active after a negative ABI, I can finally breathe. In my case, finding the cause, the risks and how to live long life with quality took time. But I agree, it is time to experience life and all it's wonders!

HI There sports fans, Latest tests results are Calcium scan 1200, TRiG 114, Cholesterol 86, HDL 31, LDL 32, Alpha Lipoprotein A & B are both very low. What's abnormal is new onset of LBBB. This led to Cardiac Cath with mild diffuse calcification of the coronary arteries with 0 to 40% max internal compromise. No need for angioplasty OK for non cardiac major surgery ( which I underwent successfully). What was seen on cardio cath was non obstructive calcification. What does that mean? I am waiting for the answer.
Here is my opinion about an upset specialist " Hey this is 2023 boobie! Its not expected to be RIGHT 100% of the time. Drs are merely Drs, not fortune tellers, palm readers and certainly not Gods. What is expected is to listen and explain (if you can.) It's the era of interactive medical care and mutual decision making. " That's what I expect from my doctors and that's what I try to provide to my patients. Oh Yes I am one myself. I got my MD in 1973.

Hey Folks--

Well, I changed my diet and exercise routine when I had an intermediate Calcium Score.
My total cholesterol was 218, HDL was 31, LDL was 150 and Triglycerides at 230.

I started an exercise routine that was nothing crazy, but consistent and when on what I called the Portfolio diet, which is 60% Mediterranean and then a mix of more healthy foods such as almonds, fruit etc. + 10mg Crestor
The results....
TC is now 89!!!!!
LDL is now 35....holy cow.
Triglgerides went down to 107
HDL I got up from 31 to 35...which is a 13% increase in 11 weeks.

I lost 18lbs, with my BMI now at 23.5
As a reminder I have no symptoms, I run without any shortness of breath or pain etc.
I am going to have a Nuclear Stress Test in 2 weeks even though technically I don't meet the Criteria, but...I work in the field and know enough people. My cardiologist still put me at lower risk compared to who he sees in his practice, and he is a very progressive Academic physician who is very blunt...which I prefer, he doesn't sugar coat anything.
I eat red meat 2-3x a month, but very lean as in 94%...and I don't eat pounds of it just a moderate portion.
I do drink Alcohol...man cannot live on bread alone LOL....but I drink alcohol that has no sugar which helps.
My AC1 is VERY low, and my BP is also normal to actually low...

I do take supplements; I am happy to discuss those if people have interest.

Statins are pretty incredible, huh?

Sure, the diet change doesn't hurt, but I suspect the predominate component of reduction is the rosuvastatin.

They are pretty amazing, however, Rosuvastatin can have some variability of how well it reduces cholesterol. Generally speaking---easy literature search that 10mg of Crestor will hopefully reduce LDL as a mean of 46-49% if lucky. Mine was reduce by 76% from baseline. So even if I low balled it...diet/exercise probably had to account for about 20+%...that is not bad. Also, rule of thumb with Crestor even if the dose was doubled to 20mg, most studies show only a further decrease of about 6%. It would be nice if doubling reduced LDL by the same margin as the 1st 10mg dose. The true test will be 3 months from now when I do bloodwork again.

I am also a believe a pill or pills is not the silver bullet...it needs to be combined with other positive changes to have a long term good outcome. I do wonder if having such a low TC is good though...not a lot of discussion around this and what literature does exist is very vague....I don't think medicine totally knows yet.

PS...I still would like to get my Triglycerides lower, but going from 230 to 107 is a good start.

That's impressive. My TC is 221 / LDL is 126 (checked this past March). My CAC came back at 2534, so I was immediately put on 10mg of Crestor (along with baby aspirin) by my doc, but when I saw my cardiologist three weeks later, he upped me to 20mg. I'll be curious to see where I'm at in 3 months. I hope I see the results you saw jasper1072.

Hey Hikerguy62...I hope you see that drop as well! When I spoke with my PCP today he asked if I wanted him to reduce the dose from 10mg to 5mg.....I said heck no! If I can maintain a LDL of 35 that would be great...he agreed so I am staying on 10mg. I will also keep my diet going...its not bad...heck I ate 3 hamburgers this month and it still was that low. I am doing alot of beans and fiber...maybe that helps also.

Thanks. I was actually considering what I would do if I got below, say 50. I'll probably ask my cardiologist if I can go back down to 10mg and closely monitor. I really don't like being on drugs, but I know it's necessary in my case.
I'll post back here in roughly three months with my new numbers. My numbers back in March were:

TC 221
LDL 126
HDL 83
Tri 69