LOW HDL?

[nick86222]

Hi,
I recently had a fasting lipids test, I am 22, Male and 170 lbs.

Total Cholesterol 131
Triglycerides       152
HDL                   26
LDL                   75
VLDL                30

Do I have anything to worry about with the low HDL since my LDL are fairly low?
I have started eating better (was just all fast food and hardly any exercise) now I am exercising at least 30 mins to an hour a day as well. I also have started drinking a little more often, but still in moderation, two drinks or less every other day.

I tried niacin but got really dizzy and had bad headaches.

Thanks

[NTB]

how about taking less niacin, with a big meal, to try to lessen the bad effects?

IIRC alcohol increases HDL but also TGC

But FWIW, I personally try to maximize the niacin flush, on the chance that it is helpful.

[nick86222]

I have stopped taking the Niacin, but have started doing a whole lot more exercise, several times daily, I'm losing extra weight and trying to drink a glass or two of red wine. What is IIRC alcohol? and do you think these blood levels ok?

Thanks

[NTB]

Nick, I've just been delving into prevention lately, and a lot is not known. You might want to look up the famous case of Tim Russert, who had low HDL and high TGC, but normal LDL

IIRC means "If I Recall Correctly" as internet shorthand -  meaning mostly that I don't want to go and look it up to verify  :)   so I'm not making any solid claim, only trying to give some signposts. Replying here can take alot of time.

similarly, AFAIK means As Far As I Know

but guess what? we've all heard that LDL is bad. But maybe it's only the small dense LDL that is bad, but light fluffy LDL isn't so bad. Also, while HDL is good, there's some evidence that *oxidized* HDL is bad. A lot isn't known.

If a person has high Triglycerides, then maybe straight vodka is better than red wine.

Many people who have heart attacks have "normal" lipid numbers, maybe half of all cases. So recently there is the famous JUPITER study, which tries to address whether inflammation is a major culprit in artery disease. Alcohol might be beneficial because of an anti-inflammatory effect.

But a person has to start somewhere. Unfortunately, I don't have offhand the recommended levels of lipid numbers and ratios. Maybe somebody else will jump in.

I'll tell you what though: my guess is that you are safest when losing the weight, even more so than when the weight is lost.

[nick86222]

Thank you for your help, I was starting to think that no one answered these questions, and was starting to get discouraged when a woman was getting about 40 responses on how her dog needs surgery

[jws32]

I am 42 yoa and recently had the same test. My blood pressure was up as well as my heart beat. Had a heart caf done and after $16,000 I was told not to worry about it. Just low HDL could come into play later in life. Exercise was the best medicine so I was told.

[joggen]

I have the same problem. I recently posted in the CDP forum and got a somewhat surprising answer about alcohol.

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Cardiovascular-Disease-Prevention/Low-HDL--but-no-other-risk-factors/show/936916

From what I have read a more important number than HDL is the TC/HDL ratio. The average is 4.5. < 3.5 is optimal. Anything at 5 or above is considered a risk. Yours is just at about 5.

Mine was 4.25 last year when I was on a low fat diet but jumped to this year to 5.8 as my TC increased somewhat. The effects of fast food splurges, cheese, and pizza over the past few months seem to have clearly showed up.

So I think my approach will be to get the ratio down again by going back on the same diet I was on. I suspect it is much easier to manage TC to bring down the ratio than it is to change HDL.

[theblind1]

Hi Nick ,
Dont wait for the heart attack to decide to do something about weight and fitness , Been there , had it and survived it due to being reasonably fit and healthy , as others are saying it can be inflamation (inflammation) and mine was due to a very small section in the rear circumflex artery , they tell me its not a good place to have it and even worse to try to place a stent . But all is well now and got a stent instead of a bypass , please heed the advice , its not hard , good food , good exercise habits , even 30 minutes a day , walking , riding , doesnt matter , just dont eat junk  , and I think it would be the worst thing possible to have been partially inebriated during my heart attack ,Check out the information on Grape , Blueberry juices etc . So eat well , sleep well and exercise in moderation :)  Keep smiling and enjoy life , your never sure of its value till you nearly lose it :)