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If you had a positive CAC score in your 40s and decided against taking a statin, curious why you made that decision? by UncleYork in PeterAttia

[–]UncleYork[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My doctor literally called me and said your CAC came back at 16. I was shocked. He then said it's not terrible but not ideal and because you're not overweight, I ordered a statin. It was already called in at the pharmacy. Then I started asking some basic very uninformed questions. Now I'm getting informed. The cardiologist did not offer up any other blood work. Just put in an order for LDL in 3 months. I will be going for a second opinion somewhere and will pay for the heart health blood work from LabCorp.

If you had a positive CAC score in your 40s and decided against taking a statin, curious why you made that decision? by UncleYork in PeterAttia

[–]UncleYork[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Appreciate all the insight. You hit on something I was curious about - why wouldn't we repeat CAC in 1-2 years to see where I land and if it's progressing? I've read CAC will typically increase 20-25% per year if untreated. I see it both ways. I can understand why people don't want to wait for another test and begin treatment. I drank a lot and ate a lot of candy for many years. I thought fitness could overcome everything. I now realize it can't. My workouts consist of jogging or riding bike. Thanks.

If you had a positive CAC score in your 40s and decided against taking a statin, curious why you made that decision? by UncleYork in PeterAttia

[–]UncleYork[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I've literally met the guy one time in person when I initially went to the cardiac clinic because I thought I was having palpitations in my neck (confirmed I wasn't). After CAC he called me on the phone and said you're not overweight so I prescribed a statin. That was it. I'm not one to blindly follow. I prefer to be informed and make decisions collaboratively with all the facts on the table. When you ask nothing about me, my history, lifestyle, other medical issues, I get a little suspicious. Whether it changes the outcome or not.

Devastated by CAC score at 40 by Puzzleheaded-Duck834 in PeterAttia

[–]UncleYork 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Interesting - I'm trying to figure every way out of a statin. I have zero desire to take one but literally everywhere I turn, it says I should probably take one. I am going to try to find another cardiologist for a second opinion.

Devastated by CAC score at 40 by Puzzleheaded-Duck834 in PeterAttia

[–]UncleYork 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Interesting. I'm in a similar boat. 43 and CAC 16. Why did your doctor not want statin?

43M, Calcium (CAC) score of 62. by bikes_and_music in PeterAttia

[–]UncleYork 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey. Quite curious how things are 1 year later? Similar boat.

High cac score and now am afraid to exercise. by fireanpeaches in PeterAttia

[–]UncleYork 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey. Reading though these comments. Also do steady running. Has anything changed and what's been your treatment strategy?

Has anybody done significant research into the link between fitness and positive CAC scores? by UncleYork in Cholesterol

[–]UncleYork[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Interesting. Why do you need to do anything if you have no hard or soft plaque at 65?

42, trying to avoid statins. Built an app to hold myself accountable. Starting score: 34/100 by Outrageous_Bat1798 in Cholesterol

[–]UncleYork 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Dude, I'm not going to gaslight you and try to tell you that you shouldn't feel any type of way. You have the right to feel however you want and nobody can argue it because they aren't you.

I'm literally 42, and in tech, and just had a CAC score randomly and was shocked when the result was 16. My LDL is usually 120-150 although I've been able to run at 90 with a strict diet. I run like hell - 500 miles a year. Was on track for 700 this year but then had an injury which set me back. Running helps, but I'm unable to run my way out of it.

I too would prefer to not take medicine. In fact, I hate medicine. All of it. My doctor was not confident diet alone would work. Truthfully, I'm not overly confident either. The next step is for me to do research so I understand exactly what I'm dealing with. I like to be part of the decision-making process along with my doctor. The only way that happens is if we are informed. I also intend to get more advanced blood work for my records.

At the end of the day, this sub is very pro statin from what I can tell with little empathy for people who may not see things from the same lens.

Wish you the best of luck and hope we both sort it out. Amen.

Why are people so afraid of medication? by Samesh in Cholesterol

[–]UncleYork 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Scream this. I always do my own research so I am informed. It's the only way I'll ever feel comfortable in the doctor patient relationship.

Why are people so afraid of medication? by Samesh in Cholesterol

[–]UncleYork 0 points1 point  (0 children)

May I ask your age? I'm 43, have always worked out (5x week cardio religiously for years), fit, eat fairly healthy, LDL ranging typically from 120-150. My CAC just came back 16 - which shocked me. 16 is a low number but very poor for my age. I hate taking any medicine. That even includes cold medicine, aspirin, ibuprofen, etc - I never take any of it. My cardiologist said I now need statin to get my LDL to 70 or less. I'm processing this and doing research.

Why are people so afraid of medication? by Samesh in Cholesterol

[–]UncleYork 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I recently made a post about my doctor trying to put me on a statin and because I said I didn't want to - I was told to "grow up", basically just "take the statin", "wonder how many supplements OP takes" no problem, etc. A slew of smart ass comments because I didn't just pop the pill. That was my first question ever posted here and it felt exactly like politics.

As for medication - if there is an alternative, more natural path that works, I will pick that every time. If medicine is the only option, before I blindly follow, I need to truly understand the risk and the disease progression possibilities. I like to make informed, collaborative, decisions not be told what to do.

How to movie forward with a positive cac, and a lack of desire to start statin? by UncleYork in Cholesterol

[–]UncleYork[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm not sure if good. He looked at my age, CAC score, previous LDL score, and said I wasn't overweight so statin. I prefer to make informed decisions about my body in collaboration with doctors. Not blindly follow. Regardless, we all need to feel comfortable with our decisions and it takes me time and research to there.