1. < Heart & Blood Health

Cholesterol score vs CAC score

Posted by swilkins1974 @swilkins1974, Apr 26, 2023

I had my CAC done and my result is 396. My cholesterol is on the high end of normal. Do I really need a statin?

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hikerguy62 | @hikerguy62 | Apr 26, 2023

You should discuss that with your cardiologist. That's mildly high (mine's at 2536, so they immediately put me on 20mg of Crestor).

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alaskat | @alaskat | Apr 27, 2023

At 396 you should be fine. Change nutrition immediately, exercise more than you are (cardio), and maybe a statin to lower your cholesterol. I am at 1500 and not happy. Cardio doctor wants to perform an angiogram - young doctors I am finding out are pros at invasive procedures (whether you need it or not). My PCP put me on 10mg. of Rosuvastatin for now until I do my stress and nuke test. I believe he will increase the dose, I have told him I rather not do invasive. My PCP says I should do it so I am having a lot of pressure from this medics to go to the hospital. It even feels they manipulate fear. Having said that I have not discarded the idea yet. I am going to get a second opinion from an older cardiologist with perhaps a more homeopathic approach. Neither doctor has mentioned the word "nutrition" so that pretty much tells me what their approach is. Just eat properly for starters. I just purchased "Low Cholesterol Cookbook for Dummies" and "Beat The Heart Attack Gene". All of this is new to me and I cannot just let this doctors send me to the hospital right away. Information is key. Best wishes.

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1 reply
wisconsin2267 | @wisconsin2267 | Apr 27, 2023
In reply to @alaskat "At 396 you should be fine. Change nutrition immediately, exercise more than you are (cardio), and..." + (show)
@alaskat

At 396 you should be fine. Change nutrition immediately, exercise more than you are (cardio), and maybe a statin to lower your cholesterol. I am at 1500 and not happy. Cardio doctor wants to perform an angiogram - young doctors I am finding out are pros at invasive procedures (whether you need it or not). My PCP put me on 10mg. of Rosuvastatin for now until I do my stress and nuke test. I believe he will increase the dose, I have told him I rather not do invasive. My PCP says I should do it so I am having a lot of pressure from this medics to go to the hospital. It even feels they manipulate fear. Having said that I have not discarded the idea yet. I am going to get a second opinion from an older cardiologist with perhaps a more homeopathic approach. Neither doctor has mentioned the word "nutrition" so that pretty much tells me what their approach is. Just eat properly for starters. I just purchased "Low Cholesterol Cookbook for Dummies" and "Beat The Heart Attack Gene". All of this is new to me and I cannot just let this doctors send me to the hospital right away. Information is key. Best wishes.

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Beat the heart attack gene is a great book! Have read it many times and each time I learn something new!

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mayoconnectuser1 | @mayoconnectuser1 | Apr 27, 2023

How old?

What are HDL, LDL, and triglyceride numbers?

Are you overweight? How much?

Work out, or sedentary lifestyle?

Diet?

Previous heart issues or other co morbidities?

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swilkins1974 | @swilkins1974 | Apr 27, 2023

The kicker in all this is my father and all his brothers died before the age of 60 bc of heart issues. My father being 48. They were smokers. Due to that I have taken very good care of myself. Exercise 4 times a week for at least 2 hours a day. Never eat at fast food restaurants. My diet is healthy. Weight is pretty good. Doctor said I could lose 10 pounds. So definitely familial. I have purchased and just received the book beat the heart gene.
Thanks for your input. Just wondering why my CAC is high and cholesterol not bad.

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