50 percent cortoroid blockage

my cholesterol level is 288, for at least 15 years, the bad cholesterol is pretty bad. I am scared to take the
meds, because of the serious complications that have arose from these meds...but yesterday i had blurry vision in one eye, went to eye dr, was told poss.migrane (migraine) of the eye, but since i had a tia in 1996, she suggested to my Dr. a
doppler study, which I just left the hospital, my right cortoroid attery is a little less than 50 percent blocked. 14 years ago it was all good, so my questions...what poss cause the tia 14 years ago? Can stress cause a tia/stroke,
do you all think i have no other alternative but meds. would a strict diet reverse the 50 percent blockage? thanks in advance to anyone that answers with thier opinion or feedback.....ps i am 55, and about 25 to 30 pd overweight.

[Flycaster305]

My carotid arteries are 60% blocked but it hasn't advanced at all since I've taken a statin drug.  I've had no complications in the eight years since I started taking them.  Stress can cause all sorts of issues, including TIA's I'm sure.  Migraine image blasts in one eye are quite common, but really distressing.
I'd take a statin drug for total cholesterol level of 288 in a New York minute.  There are a lot of variables with cholesterol, so 288 could be more or less dangerous depending on the ldl/hdl level.  The fact that your carotid artery is occluding makes me think your heart arteries are also occluding.  Why not take the Statin for ninety days, and you will I'm sure be lab tested in 90 days.  If those are good, you will be just fine.  I refused to take statins for the very reasons you state, and paid a very heavy price for my pig-headedness.  Turns out I was tilting at windmills, so to speak.
Also, losing weight drops cholesterol levels.  Drugs, exercise, diet and weight loss are the magic words I think in your situation.  Best of luck, keep us informed.

[jo813]

I appreciate your response, I am going to take your advise and move forward, do you
have a suggestion on which statin, do you mind if I ask what you are on? So there is
is no way to reverse the 60% blockage w/o surgery? Is possible that a piece can break off, I think I have read that somewhere today? And you have a chance for a clot to get lodge? My blood pressure ussally run 115/70 and I am not diabetic. I just hope I can follow through with diet ( LOVE FOOD) and exercize (HATE IT) lol again thanks
so much.
Jo

[heartfluttersflyawayplz]

i take liptor (liptor) and its a great med for chol, i have not had any side affects from it, my husband took it but his legs would hurt so he had to go on another one. there area lot out there , dont read the side affects unless you start having a problem, they always scare me than i wont take the med. so try it and think postive. your heart will be better in the long run.