Carotid ultrasound results

[jackdanal]

Hello,
I am a 56 year old female who does cardio exercise 5 times weekly, not overweight with no high blood pressure, last cholesterol test results were 226 total/143 LDL/73 HDL/49 Tri that I was told were borderline high, and am a current smoker (20-30 a day). I had a carotid ultrasound done a couple of weeks ago which was recommended because of numbness and tingling in my left arm (having a nerve conduction study and emg for this shortly).

Right                                       Left
Brachial BP: 143/65               Brachial BP: 135/71

Vel (cm/s) Sys/Dias Stenosis  Sys/Dias Stenosis
Prox ICA   316/86 50-79%     148/44       50-79%
Mid ICA    226/64 50-79%      144/53       50-79%
Dist ICA    120/40                   134/44
Prox CCA  124/27                 164/38
Mid CCA 107/27                   125/32
Dist CCA 103/24                  122/29
Bulb           91/24                   83/20
ECA          107/21                 108/21
Vertebral   55/15                    94/27
ICA/CCA 3.07 1.21

Conclusions:
A moderate amount of irregular heterogeneous plaque is seen in the carotid bulb and proximal internal carotid artery. This produces a 50-79% stenosis of the carotid bulb and proximal to mid internal carotid artery. The ICA/CCA ratio of 3.07 (right) and 1.21 (left) indicates a less than 60% internal carotid artery stenosis. No evidence of stenosis was seen in the external carotid artery. The vertebral artery is patent with a normal direction and velocity of flow (antegrade).

My neurologist said this is not good and will probably need another ultrasound in 6 months to a year. I am currently taking 325 mg aspirin, 40 mg of simvastatin, and am trying my best to quit smoking. My question(s): will this regimen reduce the plaque build up and, if so, by how much and how long? Is it possible to reduce without taking something like zocor, just quitting smoking? Rather quit smoking than stay on zocor. How concerned should I be?

Thank you, Jackie

[Abhijeet Ghosh]

Dear Jackie,
Well you will have to go strictly as per the doctor's advice.
I will not be able to help you as i have not examined you physically.
So i will go purely as per your doctor's advice.

will this regimen reduce the plaque build up and, if so, by how much and how long?
        Well till now no one is able to quantify the same. The literature says that the plaque will be removed slowly.

Is it possible to reduce without taking something like zocor, just quitting smoking? Rather quit smoking than stay on zocor. How concerned should I be?  
      Well, both are important.... It's a smbiosis..

Regards..

[Abhijeet Ghosh]

Dear Jackie,
Well you will have to go strictly as per the doctor's advice.
I will not be able to help you as i have not examined you physically.
So i will go purely as per your doctor's advice.

will this regimen reduce the plaque build up and, if so, by how much and how long?
        Well till now no one is able to quantify the same. The literature says that the plaque will be removed slowly.

Is it possible to reduce without taking something like zocor, just quitting smoking? Rather quit smoking than stay on zocor. How concerned should I be?  
      Well, both are important.... It's a smbiosis..

Regards..