Cholesterol Blues

Tacklebuster · 10-02-2002, 12:35 PM

We had a health fair come to my work yesterday offering different checkups and what not so I figured I would get checked out. Everything went fine until the cholesterol test came back. It was not the real deal (fast for 12 hours) but the results were enough to get me concerned. I guess 240 is rated high and I came out at 340 :shocked:

I don't smoke or drink and don't eat really that bad. I don't know whats up. I am going to eat a little different and drop some pounds and go to the doctor for a test in about 2 months to see if it's dropped. Any of you ever tested really high and if so, what did you do to lower it. I am only 30 years old and my family has history of heart disease so this has got me a little concerned.

Chris

Miss B Haven · 10-02-2002, 01:21 PM

It may be genetic. My better half has high C and she went on an almost zero fat diet for years. Didn't help a bit. [img]graemlins/1zhelp.gif[/img]
Salmon is supposed to have the "good stuff" which offsets the "bad stuff" (high dens/ low dens?). Guess you'll just have to catch and eat more Salmon.

Pete · 10-02-2002, 01:52 PM

Ah, the big C ... I thought I could control it with diet and exercise. I let go of all dairy, most flesh and all sweets for almost 6 months and stuck to a 200 mile a week bicycle regimen. I was in great shape, but the cholesterol monster remained at 360 to 380. I relented and allowed my Doc to try a 10 mg daily dose of Lipitor. My cholesterol dropped to 140. I reintroduced all the bad foods and, due to knee surgery and a baby, gave up cycling. Guess what? Cholesterol stayed at 140. The only thing that amazes me now is that such a tiny little pill can cost $2!

Bottom line: there is a big genetic component in cholesterol levels for some people and nothing you do, short of pharmceutical intervention will change it.

TheRogue · 10-02-2002, 01:57 PM

What is your ratio of good to bad cholesterol?? Many doctors believe that this may be more important than the actual level.

Case in point.....My level is always between 160-165. However, my good cholesterol is only about 30; the doctor would much rather see it another 40 points higher, even though it would put me over the 200 point level for total.

My scrawny little uncle has been on a low fat, no cholesterol diet for years. He jogs on a treadmill and follows the diet religiously. His cholesterol has never dropped below 350...and he's already had two by-pass surgeries!

TR

[ 10-02-2002, 03:04 PM: Message edited by: TheRogue ]

Pete · 10-02-2002, 02:42 PM

When my cholesterol was high it was:
Total: 360
HDL: 43
LDL: 278

Now its:
Total: 139
HDL: 41
LDL: 82

I know they don't add up ... I guess there are some other DLs or something, but I'm not a lipid scientist, so I dunno.

Straydog · 10-02-2002, 09:29 PM

I can't remember the specific numbers for each but mine was totaled over 350.

I chose to not take the lipitor after reading of the possible negative affects over long term use. I was 47 and not willing to use this band aide approach.

I changed my lifestyle by completly stopping all fast food. Went to low fat subway sandwich for lunch, low fat, high veggie for dinner and raisian bran or oatmeal for breakfast. Snacks consist of water and fruit or jerky. The hardest part was changing to Lite beer and drinking it less often.

I also started walking for 45 minutes a minimum of three times a week.

Net result, I lost 55 pounds (from 270 to 222) and my cholesteral came down to 140. Blood pressure dropped to normal and I quit taking BP medicine as well.

I did get off my walking routine and lost some discipline when it came to eating so put 15 pounds back on.

Started walking again and got back on routine with eating and am now losing again.......

It requires a complete lifestyle change. I havent had a fast food burger or fries for a year and 5 months and for a traveling salesman that is saying a lot!

Good luck.... avoid the drugs if you can but as some posters say, for some folks diet and weight aren't a factor.. go figure.

[ 10-02-2002, 10:32 PM: Message edited by: Straydog ]

Myles · 10-08-2002, 08:18 AM

Good thing to check, I never did, never had a reason to. I woke up one morning with a sinus headache, went downstairs took some Sudafed. On the way back to bed I felt pressure in my chest going up the stairs. I almost blew it off but decided that I should get looked at, two days later, on my 46th birthday I had a double bypass. I'm about 5'9" 175 lbs, never had a clue.
My levels are good now but I take the C meds religiously.

Open heart surgery is not fun, take care of yourself.
myles

DanS · 10-10-2002, 08:21 AM

Quote:

not willing to use this band aide approach.

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">That's not really a fair assessment of what these cholesterol-lowering agents are. For many people, the genetic component of high cholesterol is too strong to overcome with diet and exercise. Remember Jim Fixx? Ran marathons and ate Grape Nuts and pine cones and he still died young of a heart attack. Of course, diet and exercise would be the better way to control cholesterol, but it just doesn't work for some people.

You are recommended to have a total cholesterol of less than 200. You should also have a 3 to 1 ratio of good to bad cholesterol.
The ratio is important, because your total can be well over 200, and as long as your ratio is greater than 3/1, the risk factor is low.

Try diet and exercise first..........but beware that it might not be enough. If you have cholesterol problems AND a family history of cardiovascular disease, then age 30 isn't too young to do something about it. Those with high risk factors die VERY young sometimes, so don't put it off. A $2 pill that keeps you alive is worth every dime it costs.........

Tacklebuster · 10-10-2002, 09:32 AM

Thanks for the replies,
I went in yesterday after fasting for another check. The total was 314 after doing the diet an everthing else involved. I guess the meds are the next step. I still plan on eating the right stuff. I just don't like the fact of going in every 3 to 6 months and getting lab work done to see if the meds are killing my liver. Again, thanks for the repies....
Chris

Dr Strangelove · 10-17-2002, 12:38 PM

Another choice bit -- Pravachol has been proven, independent of cholesterol lowering effect, to reduce first heart attack by 30%, new onset adult diabeties by 34%, Stroke by 40%; recent data also shows benefit in diabetic kidney disease comparable to ACE inhibitors, and possible prevention of dementia. My cholesterol was 270 and I decided to use Pravachol 40mg a day myself.

If anyone wants to see me for preventive health with respect to the above, please feel free to schedule an appt at 360-254-8025.

Better health, Dr. Glass aka Strangelove, Internal Medicine, Vancouver

Bait O' Eggs · 10-17-2002, 12:59 PM

I dont know Doc Strangelove,... something about having some guy check my prostate and then going fishing with them later just wouldnt seem right. :shocked: :shocked: :shocked:

Maybe we just go fishing, and leave the check ups to some guy I hope never sees me again

Tacklebuster - I hope you get a handle on this, every male on my dads side of the family has died of heart realted issues. I can read the writing on the wall, I just hope it is later than sooner.

Dr Strangelove · 10-17-2002, 01:16 PM

Roy, with respect to the digital rectal exam, my patient-fishing buddies don't mind...since only 1/10 doctors and patients would enjoy this exam and myself and my friends are in the majority, it only comes down to fewer practical jokes on me in deference to what I have to do yearly and how gently it is done. [img]graemlins/eek13.gif[/img] Doc.

k9jeff · 10-17-2002, 01:29 PM

after that exsam, I demand my doc gives me some eye contact and a little conversation afterword,,,I hate the silence, dont know what he is thinking.