Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Lipids
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests
Lipids
by christine m. smith, Oct 19, 1999 12:00AM
I have several questions concerning HDL. The last two times I have had my lipids tested my HDL has been quite low (TC 226, LDL 145, HDL 35, trig 225 and after dietary changes, exercise etc. TC 193, HDL 26).
1) I just recently attended a lipids workshop and the cardiologist mentioned a drug called Niaspan that is supposed to lower LDL, raise HDL, and lower triglycerides. I got the impression that this is a new drug and does not have the side effects that taking niacin can have. Is that true?
2) In the literature we received it said that beta blockers (I take 25 mg atenolol daily for questionable hypertension) can lower HDL. I never had my HDL measured before starting atentolol so I don't know if it has had any effect on my HDL level.
3) If I understand it correctly, the statins work by lowering the LDL. Yet Lipitor claims in its advertisements to raise the HDL as well. Is is worth taking this drug mainly to raise the HDL? I'm not sure what my LDL Is now, the second test I had was just a screening but I would think it would probably be a bit lower than the 145 it was the first time.
Thank you
Chris Smith
1) I just recently attended a lipids workshop and the cardiologist mentioned a drug called Niaspan that is supposed to lower LDL, raise HDL, and lower triglycerides. I got the impression that this is a new drug and does not have the side effects that taking niacin can have. Is that true?
2) In the literature we received it said that beta blockers (I take 25 mg atenolol daily for questionable hypertension) can lower HDL. I never had my HDL measured before starting atentolol so I don't know if it has had any effect on my HDL level.
3) If I understand it correctly, the statins work by lowering the LDL. Yet Lipitor claims in its advertisements to raise the HDL as well. Is is worth taking this drug mainly to raise the HDL? I'm not sure what my LDL Is now, the second test I had was just a screening but I would think it would probably be a bit lower than the 145 it was the first time.
Thank you
Chris Smith
Doctor's Answer
by CCF CARDIO MD - DLB, Oct 19, 1999 12:00AM
1. It is a newer formulation of the old drug niacin. It appears that patients tolerate it much better, but it still requires monitoring for liver toxicity.
2. While beta blockers can very slightly affect lipid levels adversely, their benefits far outweigh this small risk in patients with heart disease.
3. Drugs of this class have a mild effect on raising the HDL. If your LDL is above 100, it would be reasonable to start this medicine, assuming you are at risk for heart disease.
2. While beta blockers can very slightly affect lipid levels adversely, their benefits far outweigh this small risk in patients with heart disease.
3. Drugs of this class have a mild effect on raising the HDL. If your LDL is above 100, it would be reasonable to start this medicine, assuming you are at risk for heart disease.
Expert Activity
Related Expert Forums
Related Communities