Cholesterol Profile

I am a 51 year old male, with prosthetic aortic and mitral valves implanted 13 years ago due to bacterial endocarditis.  I am healthy, active, work out at a gym 3-4 times per week.  I "follow" the Atkins diet, and have kept 50 pounds off for 4 years.

I had an extensive medical and my cholesterol levels have left both me and my GP with some questions.  Blood tests were done twice last month, with essentially the same results as tests done a year ago:  HDL is  2.94; LDL is 4.47, triglycerides are 0.75.  Total cholesterol is 7.75, due in part I think, to my HDL result.  

My Doc says I should consider cholesterol reducing drugs or a major change in diet.  I'm not keen on drugs (daily take 81 mg ASA and 7.5 mg coumadin, nothing else), and I don't want to switch away from Atkins as I have been successful with reducing and keeping the weight off.

What are your views? Is my cholesterol profile such that I need to be concerned?

Thanks,

Dan

[Cleveland Clinic]

Dan,

From my calculations you have a cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol well above what would be our current guidlines.  This would place you at a higher risk for cardiovascular complications.  You should remember that some aspects of the Atkins diet are not necessarily heart healthy and the diet has not really been well evaluated in paients at risk for coronary disease.

If you are not able to maintain your cholesterol profile within guidlines we generally would recommend lifestyle modification to eliminate fatty foods and supplant them with complex carbohydrates along with exercise. Thus may necessitate steps to modify the diet. If these measures are not effective medications would be the next step.

good luck

[DanH]

Thanks for that info, however, if my HDL was lower, in the normal range of .95 - 1.0, my total cholesterol would be quite a bit lower.  If HDL is "good" cholesterol, isn't this a mitigating factor in reducing overall risks?

[uptowngirl]

I agree with the Dr. about the Atkins.  I've had several co-workers go  on it and their cholesterol has skyrocketed and now they don't know what to do.  I appreciated the modification points bkj discussed.
By the way does anyone know what Dr. Atkins (founder of the diet plan) died from???

Uptown

[hankstar]

As far as I remember DR. Atkins fell and hit his head, he later died from head injuries sustained in the fall. I could be totally wrong , but I think this is what happened him.

Take care and Happy Holidays.

[Jackie5910]

I have never understood the popularity of the Atkins diet.  I believe that what works best is a balanced diet appropriate to height and weight and daily exercise.  It is called self control and discipline which is hard for many of us.

[Mantels]

Please, anybody with any cardiac concerns would be crazy to follow the Atkins diet.

BTW, Dr. Atkins had many blockages in his heart and was extremely overweight from what I heard on the radio.

[uptowngirl]

Thanks Hank.  I always wondered about Dr. Atkins.

Merry Christmas to you also! This is the most stress-free pre-Christmas time I've had in a long time.  This forum has helped me alot.
Uptown

[Zoesgirl]

Hi, Dr Atkins slipped on ice outside his New York office and died from head injuries I think.  I just got my cholesterol results, Total chol 4.2, LDL 2.4 and HDL 1.  Does anyone know if this is good?  I have nothing to compare it to.