Heart Disease Community

Hi:

I assume that you were taking a statin.

Noteworthy, as reported, advanced blood tests that show the SIZE of one's cholesterol particles can provide detailed info that can help to determine if one should really be on a statin.

Statins are good for some individuals, bad (side effects/adverse reactions) for others. On an individualized case-by-case basis, the benefits of taking a statin must clearly outweigh the risks.

On the positive side, statins may/can stabilize vulnerable plaque (VP).

VP hides well-away within the vessel wall (essentially a 0% blockage, but still unequivocal atherosclerosis), can't even be seen with invasive X-ray angiography, causes no advance warning signs/symptoms, and is now recognized worldwide as the cause of the majority of heart attacks by way of plaque rupture causing a blood clot (thrombus).

Statins also have anti-inflammatory properties and as applicable to the patient, thus lowers C-reactive protein (CRP/hs-CRP). Inflammation is recognized as a major player in the development and progression of atherosclerosis.

Genetics

Suffice to say that sometimes you just can't win (at times, even with prescription drug use).

As applicable, coronary artery disease (CAD) can/does run in some families. One example is a well-known hereditary condition called familial hyperlipidemia or hypercholesterolemia.

Additionally, it has been known for some time now that atherosclerosis actually begins (the process and progression of) at a very early age, even as early as in the pre-teen/teenage years.

Studies performed in the past have shown fatty streaks (represents the earliest precursor to plaque development and plaque is the pathological hallmark of atherosclerosis) as the beginning of atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries. Soft plaque (more dangerous and unpredictable than hard or calcified plaque) is the early stage of atherosclerosis.

ALWAYS be proactive in your health care and treatment. Best of luck down the road of life.

Take care,

CardioStar*

WebMD member (since 8/99)



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Be well-informed

What Your Cholesterol Levels Mean

To determine how your cholesterol levels affect your risk of heart disease, your doctor will also take into account other risk factors such as age, family history, smoking and high blood pressure.

http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=183

Common Misconceptions about Cholesterol

http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Cholesterol/PreventionTreatmentofHighCholesterol/Common-Misconceptions-about-Cholesterol_UCM_305638_Article.jsp

Readers Digest

Non-Statin Cholesterol Lowering Medications

Othe drugs that can be used alone or in conjunction with statins

http://www.rd.com/health/non-statin-cholesterol-lowering-medications

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KNOW your prescription drugs and KNOW THEM WELL

WebMD

Drugs A-Z

http://www.webmd.com/drugs/index-drugs.aspx

Ask A Patient

Rate a drug, side effects, comments, etc.

http://askapatient.com/rateyourmedicine.htm

iGuard

http://www.iguard.org

Drugstore com

Drug Interaction Checker

Prescription and OTC drugs may interact with other drugs, foods, beverages and dietary supplements.

http://www.drugstore.com/pharmacy/drugchecker

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Quote!

"Be a questioning patient. TALK to your DOCTOR and ASK QUESTIONS. Studies show that patients who ask the most questions, and are most assertive, get the best results. Be vigilant and speak up!"

- Charles Inlander, People's Medical Society

I think it's fantastic that you are eating more healthy and are exercising - it really works! Congratulations on your weight loss.

I would tend to think that it makes sense at this time to recheck your numbers in a few months to see what kids of changes you have made. My guess is that your doctor will be happy too and will not recommend medication - especially given your side effects the first go-around. Given that your initial numbers were abnormal, a recheck would not be a screening and will hopefully be covered.