It was almost certainly the former, and the former is is basically an indicator that the damage is already done.
Soft plaque takes a long time to calcify. But soft plaque is the stuff that ruptures, and will clog up your arteries just as much.
Statins are best used as a preventative measure - once the plaque is there it's difficult to regress it even while soft, and as far as we know effectively impossible once it is calcified.
It was almost certainly the former, and the former is is basically an indicator that the damage is already done.
Soft plaque takes a long time to calcify. But soft plaque is the stuff that ruptures, and will clog up your arteries just as much.
Statins are best used as a preventative measure - once the plaque is there it's difficult to regress it even while soft, and as far as we know effectively impossible once it is calcified.