Looking for low HDL anecdotal information

[mas2782]

I feel like I've posted this a couple times already and never really gotten the answer I was looking for...maybe it doesn't exist.

I understand, obviously that HDL under 40 for a man is an "independent risk factor" for CAD. However, are the any board members who are over 40 or 50, with "low HDL" but no evidence of CAD?

I know of the Apo-A1-Milano study and that special gene in Milanese people who have low HDL but no heart disease...but I'm interested to see if there are individuals out there with low HDL and no CAD.

I'm doing the diet, exercise, and Niacin rout to try and raise my HDL right now. I'm hopeful it will improve my numbers.

However, it's discouraging to read that (1) low HDL is seen in such a large percentage of CAD patients, (2) I can't find any info of people with low HDL and no CAD, (3) treatment for improving HDL is not very adavanced compared to LDL treatment.

Thanks

[mas2782]

bump...to see if anyone has any info

[Sweetwaterguy]

I believe you answered your question when you suggested there are no answered.  The Milano focused on one extended family who were blessed with a very unusual genetic makeup.  We all know the significance of that because it pointed clearly to genetic makup as a protective factor.  I am not aware that another family group has been found.  
   There are all kinds of risk factors for CAD.  A risk factor is not a guarantee it will happen.  The advantage of persons like yourself is that you know far in advance of your elevated risk.  I strongly believe that if people with risk factors start a heart healthy lifestyle early, there is every reason to expect a normal life expectancy and beyond.  There are only two choices--live right or don't live right.  It's all a gamble, but I do like the odds of doing the first choce.

[MysteryChemist]

I was 53 at the time of my heart attack 2 years ago. My HDL was 33.

"However, are the any board members who are over 40 or 50, with "low HDL" but no evidence of CADCoronary heart disease?"

I don't think that you will find many on this board with those characteristics.  My guess is that most people on this board have heart disease or have  a spouse or loved one with heart disease. The members of this board have already been chosen, so to speak.

However, I have read that 1/3 of the US poplualtion has low HDL.  They are not going to post here for various reasons (lack of interest, etc.)

"However, it's discouraging to read that (1) low HDL is seen in such a large percentage of CADCoronary heart disease patientsKidney diet - dialysis patients, (2) I can't find any info of people with low HDL and no CADCoronary heart disease, (3) treatment for improving HDL is not very adavanced compared to LDLLdl test treatment."

All of these statements are unfortunately true. It is easy to get disourage over a low HDL.  However, keep in mind that med researchers are working on this problem.  Also, merely rasing HDL does not always help as witness the torcephib disaster where people died when their HDL was increased.  It now looks like thereare serveral forms of HDL- some good, some not so good. I haved read 1-2 cases of people with very high HDL (100) who had CAD so having high HDL is not a magic bullet. In fact, I was one reading a blog comment today by one cardiologist who claim that statins work very well in protecting people with low HDL, and he therefore did not see the need to prescibe Niaspan.

My advice is to continue doing what you are doing(diet, excercise, niaspan) and see  if it helps raise your HDL.  (Check to make sure you are not overweight). If it works, great;if it doesn't,it's not the end of the world. Who knows what the Drs will be able to do in 10 or 15 years!!

[mas2782]

Thanks guys...you both have been a huge help through this whole issue. It's been hard being 30 and feeling like I have dealt with a new area of heart questions back to back to back for two years...palps, then a-fib...then mild MVR...then HDL. I know none of these will likely present imminent danger...just hard to learn about them all at once.

I will take both of your advice and continue with my plan...thanks again.