Be sure to remind your cardiologist of your other problem. Ask if you could take an herbal supplement. Then ask him which one. There are some out there that can help, but get the doctor’s help in choosing.

@carnes, so am I (in 3d stage kidney disease), and I take 81mg aspirin every day, along with 7.5mg Warfarin. My lead doctor is a nephrologist whose father is the leading cardiologist in her home state — double trouble for disease! What did your doctors tell you about the hazards from taking aspirin?

Just another note. With my plaque, it is dead and dying protein, which apparently feeds off exercise. Then when it grows, it will invade nerves, ventricle walls, atrial walls, brain, etc. Just make sure you know exactly what is constituting your plaque before you make things worse. Eat a good balanced diet, get appropriate but careful exercise.

I see your other post to tell me how you found that out — never heard of anything like this! I would think those tests you mention to determine what kind of plaque it is are not something routinely ordered by doctors? Are they even covered by insurance? If it’s not too personal to ask or say, what caused the doctor to order them?

I was told Advil rises blood pressure.

What was the surgery called? And how are you doing now? Thank you!

@scottb
Look at the probiotics for help here. Stay away from Lactobacilus Acidolphilus as it can help you GAIN weight. Look more for Lactobacilus Gasseri as it has been proven to help destroy the fats in foods.

Some cannot ever get rid cholesterol problems as our bodies secrete the stuff from our livers.

Best of luck in seeking hero with this as our AMA trained doctors get very little training in nutrition preferring to leave it to those lesser trained who are called nutritionists who also do not really have extensive training in nutrition.

Hi @tolle,

Welcome! May I ask what brings you to Connect?

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

@jittery Hi Back in 1996 I had a triple by pass my artery,s the Dr. told me where 95%,85%and 90% blocked from cholesterol ,afterwards I had 6 weeks cardio exercise I did what Dr told me to stop eating red meat because of the fat I followed up yearly by having a treadmill test In 2015 I had nuclear stress test to see if my heart ❤ was, I passed the test without anymore plaque in arteries after all these years once you have the by pass just listen to your Dr,s instructions and you,'ll do fine Its a combination of medicine,diet and exercise every day.

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 ?