For those who have been diagnosed with soft plaque...

[Queeniescakes]

What are you taking (both medication and natural supplements) to stabilise it? I was diagnosed with a 40% growth in January (when I was taken into hospital having, as it turns out, a major panic attack (which they thought was a cardiac event of some kind). My cholesterol was 7, so they put me on Lipitor 10mg and a baby aspirin (75mg). My memory & cognitive function has become awful. I saw my cardiologist yesterday and my cholesterol is now 4.4, with my Tot cholesterol to HDL cholesterol ratio at 3.7. He said to stop the Lipitor for 2 weeks to see if the problems improve and then to start on 5mg Crestor instead. Honestly, I'd rather stop statins altogether, but I'm terrified of the soft plaque bursting and having a heart attack or stroke. Any advice?

[sandybrown]

Hello,

What test did they do to find out plaque? 40 % soft or hard?

Now your cholesterol is 3.3, would your GP consider doing another plaque test?

Statin do reduce cholesterol umbers, "Why do you want to reduce cholesterol?" We need cholesterol. A life style change, going for walks or gym and food intake can give you a better life. I took statin and the cholesterol numbers came down, I was not happy in my life therefore stopped taking statin and went for life style change am lot happier now! Good luck.

[Queeniescakes]

I had a CT angioscan on New Year's Eve, where they inject some kind of contrast dye into your veins and take a series of images of your heart. It showed a 40% growth of soft plaque (which is the dangerous unstable kind because it can rupture and cause bloodclots leading to heart attack and stroke). They will not do another for 3 years as you get 3 years worth of radiation when you get one! My total cholesterol is now 4.4. HDL 1.2, LDL 2.8, triglycerides 1.1. I have made huge changes since January - I have lost 32lbs (still have about the same again to lose), I walk for 30 mins most days, really addressed my stress levels (a by-product of the CBT I had for the panic attacks). I'm eating a good fat diet with plenty of 'heart healthy' foods (including flaxseeds & salmon), and taking Ubiquinol, magnesium, selenium & zinc, Vit B complex & Vit C, Vit D supplements.

[Aliwally]

I think your cardiologist is giving good advice. Take it slowly, see if you do feel better after stopping the Lipitor and then reassess the situation.

It may be that a very low dose statin might put your anxiety at rest which will help you holistically.

[Queeniescakes]

Well Crestor turned out to be much, much worse than Lipitor, even taking just 5mg every other day. It really increased my anxiety, made me feel depressed and gave me vision problems, along with making my insomnia (which I have had constantly since starting on statins), even worse!