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)
Triglycerides and Tricor
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
Triglycerides and Tricor
by Chit, Sep 25, 2004 12:00AM
My triglyceride is 186, HDL 39, LDL 93 and VLDL 37. I'm currently taking Zocor 10 mg which has decreased my total cholesterol from 215 to 170. However my triglyceride has remained high through the years. My doctor is switching me from Zocor to Tricor.
Reduction of cardiovascular mortality seems to be well documented for statins. However, my understanding is that Tricor (fenofibrate) has never been proven (i.e. more than just mildly successful or nowhere near the statin numbers) to reduce cardiovascular diseases, deaths, PVCs and/or arterial plaque formation. Is this true?
If true, then although Tricor will bring down my triglycerides, isn't it more prudent to be taking statins instead as the goal should be to reduce my risk of cardiovascular diseases/death and not a number on my blood test?
Reduction of cardiovascular mortality seems to be well documented for statins. However, my understanding is that Tricor (fenofibrate) has never been proven (i.e. more than just mildly successful or nowhere near the statin numbers) to reduce cardiovascular diseases, deaths, PVCs and/or arterial plaque formation. Is this true?
If true, then although Tricor will bring down my triglycerides, isn't it more prudent to be taking statins instead as the goal should be to reduce my risk of cardiovascular diseases/death and not a number on my blood test?
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-M.D.-MJM, Sep 25, 2004 12:00AM
Hi Chit,
It can be very confusing. The data for people with known coronary artery disease (CAD), people with major risk factors for CAD (in the heart protection study), and people after heart attacks is very good. Just about everyone with CAD or previous heart attack should be on a statin, regardless of there LDL barring contraindications to the medication. If you have CAD or major risk factors for CAD (diabetes plus one other risk factor), you should probably be on a statin.
If you are taking a statin for prevention of future events, don't have many risk factors and haven't had a heart attack, it is reasonable to treat the triglycerides only. Your LDL is very good at 93, although this may be while you were on the statin.
Management of lipids can be very complicated and has to be done in the context of your risk factor profile. I hope this response helps.
It can be very confusing. The data for people with known coronary artery disease (CAD), people with major risk factors for CAD (in the heart protection study), and people after heart attacks is very good. Just about everyone with CAD or previous heart attack should be on a statin, regardless of there LDL barring contraindications to the medication. If you have CAD or major risk factors for CAD (diabetes plus one other risk factor), you should probably be on a statin.
If you are taking a statin for prevention of future events, don't have many risk factors and haven't had a heart attack, it is reasonable to treat the triglycerides only. Your LDL is very good at 93, although this may be while you were on the statin.
Management of lipids can be very complicated and has to be done in the context of your risk factor profile. I hope this response helps.
Oat bran (not oat meal) is harmless. Read the 8 week cholesterol cure...A great book.
Thanks
ChrisR