My cholesterol is (frankly) through the roof. My GP wanted to start statins immediately. I pushed back and asked what the big deal was -- my RHR is low, BP is normal, my weight is fine, I have an active lifestyle, and my diet is fine. They explained that the cholesterol might build up a blockage in my heart, and that higher levels meant higher increased risk of that. So I asked whether we could just check and see if that's actually happening, and you can! It's a calcium scoring test, and it cost me $150.
I got a zero, in other words, no blockage at all. When I reviewed my results with a cardiologist, he basically said, "Some people just have high cholesterol, and it's not a problem. You're probably one of them." I also separately got tested for the type of LDL particles, and mine were primarily composed of big, floaty ones that aren't associated with increased risk (or at least that's what the test result notes said).
I'll do the calcium score every 5 years just to keep tabs on it. But thankfully I didn't start a needless medication regimen.
I got a zero, in other words, no blockage at all. When I reviewed my results with a cardiologist, he basically said, "Some people just have high cholesterol, and it's not a problem. You're probably one of them." I also separately got tested for the type of LDL particles, and mine were primarily composed of big, floaty ones that aren't associated with increased risk (or at least that's what the test result notes said).
I'll do the calcium score every 5 years just to keep tabs on it. But thankfully I didn't start a needless medication regimen.