I have a very high calcium score. What next?

I tried Prluent and my LDL plunged as did overall cholesterol numbers. of course then my insurance stopped paying so I’ve switched to Repatha which is I’m told similar. Whatever you do, I’ve listened and read a lot of info about this including this board which I too enjoy. From what I’ve discovered, the best treatment is a combo of statins and a PSK9 inhibitor like Praluent or Repatha and I believe Leqvio is in that category. I’m a journalist and am soon going to write an article about the stress caused by people having this test. I wish I had never taken it. It’s changed my outlook about my own health and I’m not really sure it means anything. Statins, which I’ve taken for years, are designed to calcify plaque so it’s not dangerous. So does the fact that my score is 642 (my wife’s is 0 and she has not taken statins) mean I’m somehow at risk? I’m not convinved.

I tried Prluent and my LDL plunged as did overall cholesterol numbers. of course then my insurance stopped paying so I’ve switched to Repatha which is I’m told similar. Whatever you do, I’ve listened and read a lot of info about this including this board which I too enjoy. From what I’ve discovered, the best treatment is a combo of statins and a PSK9 inhibitor like Praluent or Repatha and I believe Leqvio is in that category. I’m a journalist and am soon going to write an article about the stress caused by people having this test. I wish I had never taken it. It’s changed my outlook about my own health and I’m not really sure it means anything. Statins, which I’ve taken for years, are designed to calcify plaque so it’s not dangerous. So does the fact that my score is 642 (my wife’s is 0 and she has not taken statins) mean I’m somehow at risk? I’m not convinved.

When I got my test results back I got kinda freaked out because my CAD score was 595 and anything over 300 was considered high risk. Until I joined this group, I had no idea it was possible for scores to be over 1000 and 2000. I am 68 and asymptomatic, but my dad died of a heart attack at my age, and my brother had a heart attack at 44 (heavy smoker and alchoholic, and I am neither) My lipids are pretty good on 20 mg Rosuvastatin and ezatimbe, except for my Lipoprotein a which is greater than 600nmol/L, which statins don't affect. My cardiologist wants to put me on Leqvio which targets Lipoprotein a, but my insurance won't cover it, plus it seems like it's still in the experimental stage and there doesn't seem to be proof at this point that it actually lowers risk of heart attack or stroke. My cardiologist also says there is a new one that will be available in about a year, but again it will take time to get risk outcome data. I have a tendency to get bad leg cramps that may be attributable to the statin, and I'd love to at least reduce my dose. Sometimes it seems like there's not much point in all these medications, because they can't prove that they lower risk, but the doctors have to do SOMETHING when your scores come back high. So far I am enjoying this forum, and find it somewhat reassuring, so I'll keep reading!!

When I got my test results back I got kinda freaked out because my CAD score was 595 and anything over 300 was considered high risk. Until I joined this group, I had no idea it was possible for scores to be over 1000 and 2000. I am 68 and asymptomatic, but my dad died of a heart attack at my age, and my brother had a heart attack at 44 (heavy smoker and alchoholic, and I am neither) My lipids are pretty good on 20 mg Rosuvastatin and ezatimbe, except for my Lipoprotein a which is greater than 600nmol/L, which statins don't affect. My cardiologist wants to put me on Leqvio which targets Lipoprotein a, but my insurance won't cover it, plus it seems like it's still in the experimental stage and there doesn't seem to be proof at this point that it actually lowers risk of heart attack or stroke. My cardiologist also says there is a new one that will be available in about a year, but again it will take time to get risk outcome data. I have a tendency to get bad leg cramps that may be attributable to the statin, and I'd love to at least reduce my dose. Sometimes it seems like there's not much point in all these medications, because they can't prove that they lower risk, but the doctors have to do SOMETHING when your scores come back high. So far I am enjoying this forum, and find it somewhat reassuring, so I'll keep reading!!

K2 to some degree lowers calcification. Unfortunately, that means that uncalcified plaque will be there instead. Uncalcified plaque is unstable plaque.
Statins calcify plaque, thereby making it more stable. There is probably no real way to remove calcified plaque, which is in effect, a rock…

My doctor put me on vitamin K2. I had already been on a statin for 20 years and have very good cholesterol numbers but an high LAD score and my blood pressure was well controlled. She said K2 helps to dissolve plagues. Her goal is to put all cardiologists out of business. PS her husband is a cardiologist! I’ll be going for another calcium test in the fall so we’ll see if there is any progress. I take a D3K2 combo since I was also low in vitamin D. It can’t hurt and it might help. I also eat wisely. Heart disease runs in both sides of my family but I’ve made it to almost 80 following her advice so I’ll continue to do so.

Thank you for your reply and for the feedback. I read the article which deals with the heart valve. Fortunately, I don’t have that issue. I have only one artery with a cholesterol issue, the LAD. All of my tests, and they were extensive, showed a heart working well especially for a female my age — no symptoms. I’ll continue to watch for additional research and info for K2 and heart disease. In the meantime, I’ll follow my doctor’s recommendation. It can’t hurt.

Hi, I have a 1525 CAC. Cardiologist number one didn't want to perform any stress test and said I should not waste my time and money and go for an angiogram to actually see the percentage blockage in my arteries. Sound too progressive for me. Cardiologist number two perform all tests and came back normal BUT he saw on the imaging a small dark spot. He suggested I have an angiogram so he send me back to cardiologist number one. I will have my angiogram Tuesday June 27th. It is the best way to know for sure if there is blockage or not. All other suggestions are from mortals like me who does not wish to have an angiogram, I have read "How to beat the heart attack gene" book. Interesting read. On a very good healthy diet, I exercise, and the whole bit. I had cardiologist number two swear to me that if the blockage is not high (70%) hew will let me go home. We will see. My suggestion for peace of mind get an angiogram or catheterization.