Lipitor or other statin have side effects -- after 10 years - guranteed to have Diabetes. Stop taking that.
Change diet to Low Carbohydrate -- also take supplements - Aged Garlic and L- Arginine and Niacin - from Health Food store or Vitamin Shop.

Hi @champak045.
Welcome to Connect. I see you have posted 4 times this morning in this discussion using direct language, telling members what they should and shouldn't do. Keep in mind that everyone is different, and their health situation may vary from your own.
Please see the first rule of Connect's Community Guidelines https://connect.mayoclinic.org/community-guidelines/ The guidelines state:
1. Be careful about giving out medical advice
- Sharing your own experience is fine, but don't tell other members what they should do.

Members should not advise other members to stop taking their medication. Suggestions are welcome, but not directives. Please provide evidence (journal articles) from trusted sources to substantiate the effectiveness of the diet and supplements you refer to. Providing medically balanced articles helps members conduct their own evaluation of recommendations, and equips them with information to discuss with their doctor.

Some recent posts to this discussion were focused on calcium blockage of coronary arteries and suggested that people with arterial blockage could benefit from three non-prescription supplements, wait three months, then undergo another CT-scan to check for calcification of coronary arteries.

No patient should resort to self-treatment in these circumstances. Symptoms of arterial blockage in the heart are not noted until the disease reaches an advanced state, according to Mayo Clinic. At that stage, the most expert and experienced medical specialists are needed as soon as possible to determine whether treatment is necessary immediately, and if not, what alternatives make sense. As to the three recommended supplements, some links to key research are listed below.

a) None of the three has been shown to "reduce plaque" (i.e. remove it). At best, they cut back on deposit of additional plaque and provide some relief from high blood pressure. Coronary artery disease detected early can be slowed by the supplements, but delaying medical intervention for these reasons is risky.

b) L-Arginine is a precursor of nitric oxide formulated in the body. As a person ages, this amino acid helps to increase serum nitric oxide that relaxes arterial walls, allowing blood more room to flow. However, it neither retards nor removes cholesterol, triglycerides, calcium, and other waste products that make up the blockage materials.

c) Aged Garlic is normally sold as capsules containing the ingredient in powder form. It helps to control fatty acids in the blood, but not calcium (the main concern of the patient in this discussion). Research shows that 2 capsules of aged garlic daily helped to reduce added cholesterol (mainly triglycerides) about 5 percent and blood pressure (systolic but not diastolic) up to 12 points. Positive as these results would be for people at early risk of heart or kidney disease, they are not primary factors in ADVANCED coronary artery disease.

e) Niacin too can help control cholesterol. It is used to increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (which in turn helps remove low-density lipoproteins (LDL)) from the bloodstream. But Mayo Clinic warns that niacin isn't for everyone. People who take it in addition to common cholesterol medications see very little additional benefit, and niacin can cause uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous side effects. It should never be used (in other than small doses) except under a physician's guidance.

General Background on Coronary Artery Disease & Its Treatment: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronary-artery-disease/home/ovc-20165305

Coronary Calcium CT Scans:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/heart-scan/home/ovc-20201884
Niacin Supplement Focus and Benefits (also scroll down to "Evidence"):
http://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/niacin--niacinamide/evidence/hrb-20059838
L-Arginine Supplement Focus and Benefits (also scroll down to "Evidence"):
http://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/arginine/background/hrb-20058733
Aged Garlic Supplement Focus and Benefits:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4734812/
Excellent information on the three supplements is available at <www.consumerlabs.com>, the best private source of research on supplements. ConsumerLabs.com tracks all research and tests thousands of supplements for proper labeling, dosages, prices, and applications. I used ConsumerLabs.com for this brief study, but it is available only as a paid subscription service. Interested persons may subscribe on the home page of the organization, then search for reports on any supplement of choice.

Thank you for this post, @predictable and for the research you did. The evidence-based links to trusted resources is very much appreciated.

I recently had a coronary artery scan. My calcium score was 21.7 I’m 45. My blood pressure is very good my triglycerides are in the normal range and my cholesterol is 210. My Dr suggested Lipitor. I would like to first try natural supplements to try to lower my plaque first. If that doesn’t work then go the Lipitor route. Is there any new information? How about pomegranate supplements? Zinc or magnesium. And because calcium is a concern can someone tell me isn’t there calcium in Lipitor?

@todd2t- I had a HA back in 2014 and needed a stent. Along with several other drugs including a statin drug. There is a lot out there about the use of statins about 3-1 going against the use of statins and the side effects that often come along with them. I just had a full work-up down at the Scottsdale Mayo and the cardiologist I saw was recommending that I change to Rosuvastatin in lieu of continuing with the Simivastatin I am currently taking because it worked better against LDL. I'm not sure you will meet a cardiologist that is against the use of statins especially if one has already had a HA. I recently read about a noted cardiologist who is not selling his own products (other than his small book) and has a great read in his book called The Simple Heart Cure by Dr. Chauncey Crandell. I'm about halfway through it and he is big on reversing heart diease by simply learning to eat differently and a walking/exercise program. I can tell you that if I knew I was going to have a HA and knew about this book I would have tried to follow it to the T. Changing anyones diet is not easy, but as he puts it, it's your life! All the best to you! @thankful.

@todd2t Hi I had a triple by pass on 1996 my Dr put me on statins I've tried 4-5 different ones with side effects with them all Dr.,naturalist put me on a diet of vegetables no red meat, no fats or sugar sugar raises the triglycerides foods that are good are cranberries,pomegranates,watermelon,spinach , Vitamin niacin also you,'ll get a flush with it but it works.hope this helps

Welcome to Conect, @todd2t.

You bring up a good point about calcium being a concern with Lipitor. However, Lipitor or atorvastatin contains calcium carbonate, which is a calcium salt of carbonic acid. Supplemental calcium is not the same thing. Here is some more information from Mayo Clinic;
https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/atorvastatin-oral-route/description/drg-20067003
I'd like to introduce you to @gr82balive @pamelaann1 @mcristodero @dancer1967 @joyful556 @mthomasb @martishka @joem and Mentor @predictable; they've all shared their experiences with Lipitor, and may have more information for you.

@todd2t, may I ask what your concerns are with regard to starting this statin?

I had HA in 2011.I read the book and implemented many things and added my own like Meditation , Yoga , Indian Ayurvedic style medicines and massage , Walk in the Sunlight and chanting Mantras.Today after 7 years ,I am able to walk for 40 minutes without getting tired.I slowly reduced Statins from 20 mg to 5 mg and Stopped about 4 years back.One can achive this thru sheer will power and HIS grace.I monitor Lipid Profile and Cardiologist is happy.

I had a Doppler for my carotid artery which showed 50 percent build up on the left side. now my doctor wants me to take lipitor, and I am terrified of side effects. I am 69 years old female I don't take medications my cholesterol has been monitored and it is normal.
I exercised all my life eat well my weight never changed 130 pounds 5 /2 tall.
I am small built everything effects me faster than normal people. I can get high on a cough syrup.....
I am trying to find an alternative medicine to statins. I take vitamins and supplements all my life Can any one have a suggestion ?