Lipitor?

[Marco N Cognito]

Better than the CAC:

CCTA beats calcium score for detecting obstructive disease:
http://www.auntminnieeurope.com/index.aspx?sec=sup&sub=car&pag=dis&ItemID=605837

This requires a scrip.

 

[Brooksy Chuck]

I just got back lipids after 1 month on Jarrow brand bergamot at only 1000mg a day.. and my HDL came up 4 points! from 28 to 32! it hasn't been that high in almost 12 months!
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[Nelson Vergel]

Great news Broosky. HDL is hard to increase with supplements.

 

[Don Schultz]

I had cardiac calcium score done about 10 years ago and while still a little controversial, in my case it may have saved my life. Ten years ago, the score showed that minor calcification had occurred. Nothing major, but a warning sign. A made adjustments to diet, exercise and started 10 mg lipitor (low dose). 8 years passed and I had another score done and the calcification had progressed, rather dramatically, despite improved diet and a great exercise regime. I have never smoked and don't drink but have inherited "bad genes", thanks dad! Anyway, long story short, the second test cause me to take dramatic action eventually leading to the placement of 5 stents. With out this test, I probably would have gone years and years with out doing anything. As it was, I was lucky to catch it much earlier than i would have and thats one HUGE benefit to this test. While it may not be an exacting diagnostic tool it is great as a kind of an early warning system for many. In terms of cost, my first test 10 years ago was 3 times more that the one i had done two years ago which was $99. Money VERY WELL spent in my case.

 

[Marco N Cognito]

I had cardiac calcium score done about 10 years ago and while still a little controversial, in my case it may have saved my life. Ten years ago, the score showed that minor calcification had occurred. Nothing major, but a warning sign. A made adjustments to diet, exercise and started 10 mg lipitor (low dose). 8 years passed and I had another score done and the calcification had progressed, rather dramatically, despite improved diet and a great exercise regime. I have never smoked and don't drink but have inherited "bad genes", thanks dad! Anyway, long story short, the second test cause me to take dramatic action eventually leading to the placement of 5 stents. With out this test, I probably would have gone years and years with out doing anything. As it was, I was lucky to catch it much earlier than i would have and thats one HUGE benefit to this test. While it may not be an exacting diagnostic tool it is great as a kind of an early warning system for many. In terms of cost, my first test 10 years ago was 3 times more that the one i had done two years ago which was $99. Money VERY WELL spent in my case.

Great post, Don. Couldn't agree with you more about diagnostic testing. Out of curiosity, what's your age and your first and latest calcium score?

I finally had my CCTA done a month back which is more extensive than just a CAC scan. 100% perfect. 0 calcium score. Not bad for 54 years: https://app.box.com/s/kz8l7r8hbokeby07bz0z

At first, I was skeptical of having this test done because of the radiation exposure. Now, it was one of the best decisions I could've made. Thankfully, I had a doc that authorized it, as most don't unless you present some type of CVD. I am battling with hypertension and hypercoagulation issues right now and the last thing I need is any sign of plaque. Very important to have your Lp(a) measured. Much more atherogenic than HDL/LDL. Only way to bring it down is high dose niacin and fish oil. Statins like lipitor are useless against it and can make it worse. Total cholesterol is meaningless.
http://www.trackyourplaque.com/report/Lipoproteins/reduce_lipoprotein_a.aspx
You must stop all grains (especially wheat), all processed foods, sugars or sweeteners of any kind, commercially-raised meat, pasteurized dairy, and consume only organic, grass-fed meat, wild caught fish, organic vegetables, cut carbs to nearly zero, eat lots of healthy saturated and monounsaturated fats which reduce Lp(a) better than a low-fat diet.

The best resource for learning more is Dr. Davis' forum of which I am a member:http://www.trackyourplaque.com

 

[kaufenpreis]

Lipitor is used with diet changes (restriction of cholesterol and fat intake) to reduce the amount of cholesterol and certain fatty substances in your blood.

 

[Nelson Vergel]

Before trying a statin, I would try cutting down on simple carbs, get my BMI under 26 and take:

1- 2000 mg per day of Carnitine
2- 1000 mg per day of Bergamot
3- 500-1000 mg of Niacin (if you can tolerate the flush effect)

I have also heard good things about:

Vitamin Shoppe M.D. Select Dr. Ronald Hoffman Advanced Cholesterol Formula - 1300 mg per day

Sytrinol (Proprietary blend of citrus polymethoxylated flavones and palm fruit tocotrienols) 75 mg, OleaSelect Olive Fruit Extract (Olea europaea L.) std. to 30% total polyphenols & 1.5% Hydroxytyrosol & 5% Verbascoside 12.5 mg, Heart Choice Phytosterol Concentrate 325 mg, Beta Sitosterol 160 mg, Campesterol 87.5 mg, Stigmasterol 67 mg, Turmeric (Curcuma longa) (root) std. to 95% curcuminoids 22.5 mg) 25 mg; Other Ingredients: Dicalcium phosphate, cellulose, magnesium stearate, silica. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17985810

 

[Don Schultz]

I have been on 1500 mb Niacin for a couple years. At my last visit, my cardiologist wanted to discontinue the Niacin (apparently due to a credible recent study that demonstrated that it does not have the desired effect) and increase the lipitor. I have not discontinued the Niacin but i am thinking about it. He wants me to go from 20 to 80 on the lipitor but I don't really want to do that. Seeking a second opinion.

 

[Nelson Vergel]

Don

What are your LDL, HDL and VLDL values?

Niacin alone increases HDL by approximately 20% and also lowers LDL, triglycerides, and lipoprotein(a). In a 2011 study (HATS study) LDL decreased 42% and HDL increased 26% with simvastatin-niacin compared with placebo.

You may want to read this great summary of all Niacin studies. Here is a summary :

"Although low HDL-C remains a marker of residual risk even among statin-treated individuals treated to reach aggressive lipid goals,[SUP][27][/SUP] after AIM-HIGH, there likely will be less enthusiasm for starting niacin therapy in patients with low HDL-C who have well-controlled LDL-C (<70 mg/dl). This does not necessarily mean that niacin lacks a role in lipid-modifying therapy. Pending different conclusions from the upcoming HPS2-THRIVE, there may remain a place for niacin in high-risk patients who cannot reach the LDL-C goal of <70 mg/dl despite maximally tolerated statin therapy or in statin-intolerant patients. At this time, there is no clear indication to withdraw niacin in patients receiving this therapy if further LDL-C reduction is needed.Clinicians should await larger ongoing clinical trials such as HPS2-THRIVE, Dal-OUTCOMES, REVEAL, and IMPROVE-IT to determine whether there is benefit of the addition of lipid-modifying agents to background statin therapy. The role of niacin or other lipid-modifying agents among patients optimally treated with statin therapy remains uncertain, and time will tell whether HDL-C&#8211;targeted therapeutics will live up to their hype."


Niacin and Statin Combination Therapy for Atherosclerosis Regression and Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease Events: Reconciling the AIM-HIGH (Atherothrombosis Intervention in Metabolic Syndrome With Low HDL/High Triglycerides: Impact on Global Health Outcomes) Trial With Previous Surrogate Endpoint Trials