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cholesterol medicine

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karen81902
karen81902

How do you feel about taking cholesterol medicine.  My Dr. wants me to.  My cholesterol is 283 and that is on a good diet so she said it is genetic, and i am underweight.   Your thoughts please.

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  • nick67069
    nick67069 karen81902

    Posted

    There are 3 components that is used to create cholesterol composite number: LDL, HDL and triglycerite.  LDL is the "bad" cholesterol, but as long as it is below 150, it should be OK. HDL is "good" cholesterol and prednisone seems to increase it thus pushing overall cholesterol above normal. Important metric is ratio LDL/HDL. If that ratio is 2 or below, it  reduces your chances to have heart atack. So, beside the total number, subcomponents and ratios are important. I hope that helps...

  • mark9992
    mark9992 karen81902

    Posted

    Here are the most important stats on cholesterol levels;  if you maintain a total cholesterol level below 200, you reduce your risk of heart attack by 1/3.  However, nearly all other heart attacks (the other 2/3rds) happen when your number is maintained between 200 and 150.  If your total cholesterol is consistantly below 150mg/dl then your chance of heart attack is less than 1%.  So, with or without a statin, you know the odds.
    • nick67069
      nick67069 mark9992

      Posted

      total cholesterol number is misleading. Ratio seems to be much more important.  One example... my collegue, and biking companion had hear attack. He was in very good shape at the time. His total cholesterol was 170, but his HDL was only 25, with ratio 9 to 1.  Naturally I was concern muself since I had much higher cholesterol 240-250, but my HDL was at 85. Dr told me that because of the ratio, not to worry.  Another thing worth mentioning... Cholesterol is very important in our body and perform many important functions, used in digestions, in rejuvenating cells in our body  ( is used by adrenals for making cortisol).  If your cholesterol is below 180, you have increased chances for some form of cancer.

       

    • mark9992
      mark9992 nick67069

      Posted

      The rural Chinese are vegetarian.  They eat no meat or dairy, or oil.  Their avg cholesterol level (total) is 89.  They are among the lowest cancer rates in the world and have no heart disease at all.  Its true that at higher cholesterol levels a high HDL level is beneficial, but unless you naturally have that level, jacking it up with medication has not been found to be beneficial.  In any case, high levels of fat intake lead to many other negative issues such as stroke.  The problem is the western diet.  Personally, if I stopped making LDL cholesterol entirely, there'd be enough in my arteries to supply me for the rest of my life.

    • nick67069
      nick67069 mark9992

      Posted

      I am on Japanese diet, which is in many ways similar to what most of Asian people eat, mostly vegetarian with some meat to flavour meals... and my choleserol is 260 ... LDL is 143 and HDL 101 giving me LDL/HDL = 1.4 ratio... negative factor for heart desease.  Before PMR it was about 220 or so. Most of the cholesterol is made by our bodies, not consumed. Every 5 years or so I do stress test in which I push to max heart rate on treadmill - no issue have been found.

      I have listed these numbers for Karen to see  and compare with hers. I hope she does complete cholesterol analysis, not just a total number, because it means very little by itself.

  • jean1948
    jean1948 karen81902

    Posted

    Hi Karen,

    I too found I had high cholesterol when I was first tested. My diet was OK and I was not overweight, my doctor said mine was genetic. It is up to you whether you start on cholesterol medication or not, I took it and it bought my cholesterol right down and it has stayed that way. I know that it can have side effects, but I have to say I have not had any. It is worth trying, as in our case it could mean a heart attack if we don't. There are also many different statins and if one does not suit another might. If your doctor advises it then I should take his advice.

  • jean1948
    jean1948 karen81902

    Posted

    Hi Karen, like you my high cholesterol is genetic, I discovered this the first time I ever had a cholesterol test. My doctor put me on 40mg which I am still on. There are side effects I'm afraid, as some of the other posts show. I have been fortunate not to have suffered any so far and I am glad to say it has kept my cholesterol in check. I took the view that is worth the risk to prevent a heart attack. Hope you can get it sorted to your satisfaction.

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