Dealing with high cholesterol

Moley

Moley

Moley

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Right, first of this isn't a request for Medical Advice - I've had that and don't need any more thanks. What this is, is a request for opinions and experiences from people in a similar situation.

So, I've been diagnosed with High Cholesterol - 6.8 mmol/L to be precise.

I'm a 41 year old male, non-smoker, non-drinker, non-exerciser.

My mum was diagnosed with Familial Hypercholesterolaemia 10 years ago and her father died about 38 years ago of a massive heart attack. They are/were both lifelong smokers.

So what's my issue? I have this diagnosis and my doctor has told me it's nothing to worry about right now, I could do with adjusting my diet a bit and getting a bit of exercise but there is nothing to be concerned about and I certainly don't need statins as I'm supposedly in a low-risk category for heart disease. Apparently if I was over 50 the opposite would be true.

I just don't get it, I was under the impression that over 40 + High Cholesterol = automatic treatment with statins.

Don't get me wrong I have no wish to be popping pills for the rest of my life, but as a I have a relatively young family I and a family history of heart disease I'm finding it difficult to accept the doctors opinion and seriously thinking of looking for a second opinion.

Or am I just being daft?

Anyone else had a similar diagnosis - what experiences did you have and how did you deal with it?
 
Moley said:
I just don't get it, I was under the impression that over 40 + High Cholesterol = automatic treatment with statins.
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Maybe doctors are starting to think twice before putting people on statins now after the MHRA report on them last year.
 
Moley said:
So, I've been diagnosed with High Cholesterol - 6.8 mmol/L to be precise.

I'm a 41 year old male, non-smoker, non-drinker, non-exerciser.


I just don't get it, I was under the impression that over 40 + High Cholesterol = automatic treatment with statins.

Don't get me wrong I have no wish to be popping pills for the rest of my life, but as a I have a relatively young family I and a family history of heart disease I'm finding it difficult to accept the doctors opinion and seriously thinking of looking for a second opinion.

Or am I just being daft?

Anyone else had a similar diagnosis - what experiences did you have and how did you deal with it?
Click to expand...

I'm almost a carbon copy but that all happened to me nigh on 15 years ago (I was 36, never smoked, wasn't overweight) and they didn't diagnose I had high cholestrol until after I'd had the heart attack which was a bit of a bug ger, and mine was only 6.0.

And I've been on a raft of heart medication ever since. It's also in my family, I lost my father to a heart attack aged 47, and he lost his father to one.

I'd certainly tweak your diet, that will help a little, and getting fitter will help just about everything, cholesterol, blood-pressure, etc. But from what I remember those will only see it reduced by 15-25%ish especially if its hereditary in origin.

Some of the newer "Satins" are very good, with minimal side effects. I actually took part in a trial where I had quite a large does for about 2 years. Now I'm just on Atorvastatin, which is a slightly newer and tweaked version of the original Simvastatin if I'm correct. (it's not just cholesterol, it's LDL/HDL lipids ratios that can be adjusted now)

Currently I'm at 2.8, but the surgeon who did my grafts recommends around 3.0, which is lower than the average, I prefer airing on the side of caution so that's fine by me.

I think the old addage an once of prevention is worth a pound of cure applies. I've had my heart attacks and bypass and all that goes with it and wouldn't wish it on anyone. If I could wind the clock back and take the statins I would.
 
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Why take drugs which have been proven to cause issues, where you can fix this by increasing your activity a little and improving your diet. These cost nothing and ultimately will make you feel better anyway.

Don't rely on the doctors to give you pills, fix it for yourself.

In other words, stop being lazy, and sort your lifestyle out! ;)
 
Moley said:
However it was interesting talking to the Doctor when he explained that I've got to now take a more grown up attitude to my life and start thinking about how I take more care of my body. If I think about it he's right too - I've probably lived half the lifespan I am going to (just going on averages) and I'm sure as hell not ready to kick the bucket yet, if anything I want to maximise the time I have left - hell I've only been married less than two years and we are just trying for kids now.

Really makes you think that the little things in life like what you choose to eat and how much exercise you get can have a serious effect on how long you get to play here on this planet.

So the wife and I are now reviewing our shopping to just move our choices towards the more healthy range of foods (she wants to lose a little weight too) so we are both going on a low-fat diet. Also when we move in a few weeks time we will join the gym that is just up the road - and actually make use of it!
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Same situation here. Inherited high blood pressure and high cholesterol from my mum. I'm 38 and have been on medication for the blood pressure for a few years now. My cholesterol is extremely bad, but the doc says I've got plenty of time to sort it out with diet and exercise.

I was in great shape a couple of years ago. Would walk/bike a couple of miles every day to work and back, got lots of exercise during my work (hauling heavy stuff around) and had started to do some Krav Maga. Then I got a desk job. Tons more money, but sitting on my backside every day. I haven't really gained any weight, but I'm horribly out of shape :( Have just started exercising again and started to cut back on the junk food - hoping to pick up the Krav Maga again once I'm in slightly better shape....it would kill me now! I also now have a 17 month old son, so that has also spurred me on.
 
I'm sorry to sound blunt, but, there really is no excuse. You can still do exercise and be active and eat well. Lots of us do office jobs. You just have to want it enough. If your health deteriorating isn't enough motivation then I don't know what is... :/

I genuinely wish you and the OP all the best, but it really does come to down to YOU doing something about it.
 
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