swilkins,

There is a massive amount of information about the effect of statins on soft plaques - it causes the soft material to calcify which prevents the soft material from breaking off. This obviously increases CAC scores, though.

My limited knowledge, but lots of reading led me to conclude the calcium could be inside the artery wall - and, some even say outside the wall (although I can't figure out how this would happen).

Stress tests come in different varieties, some with and some without echo (ultrasound) testing - so, specificity is needed when discussing. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/16983-exercise-stress-echocardiogram