Need advice

[MBB]

Because my dad lives in a foreign country, communication is a big problem when he visits the doctor.

He had a triple bypass 6 years ago. General feeling of unwell for last 2 years. Lately, bouts of light-headedness. 2 weeks ago, vision affected for an hour - could not see to the left out of both eyes. 1 week ago, happened again for half an hour. Saw neurologist - had brain scan which was clear.

(Q1)Is this likely to be a problem with his bypass surgery or a seperate problem in the arteries leading to the brain?

(Q2)He has been referred to a radiologist for "two tests". No details given - what tests will be done?

Thank you.

[Cleveland Clinic]

mbb,

thanks for the post.

While there are a few different things that might have caused your dads symptoms, the most serious would be a stroke or what some people refer to as a mini-stroke -- a transient ischemic attack or TIA which means that the stroke symptoms are reversible or resolve.  The alarming thing is that these can be a warning sign of a future larger event.

For simplicity, there are 2 basic groups of strokes 1) those caused by emboli from elsewhere such as cholesterol pieces from the carotid artery or blood clots from the heart 2) those caused by direct damage to the blood vessel causing damage and often rupture of the vessel in the brain such as from hypertension or congenital or acquired weakness in the blood vessels.

1)  Given his surgery was 6 years ago, this is not directly related to the surgery.  However, the process that formed blockages in the artery can predispose him to stroke risk.

2)  I'm not sure exactly what test they are doing.  Some things might be an MRI (more sensitive looking for strokes), a carotid ultrasound(looking for cholesterol plaque), or a Transesophageal echocardiogram(looking for clots or holes in the heart) although the latter are usually performed by a cardiologist..


hope this is a start

[Erik36]

I have really worked to get my HDL up. I had it up to 42 six months ago. I just got my Lipid profile yesterday and here it is.

Total cholesterol: 102
LDL: 54
HDL: 32*
Triglycerides: 81
VLDL: 16
Ratio of Total/HDL: 3.2
Ratio of LDL/HDL: 1.7



I know my numbers are all good except for the HDL. I know if I raise Total Cholesterol, my HDL will go up as well. Why can't I raise my HDL without affecting my other numbers? This is frustrating. I don't know if I am at increased risk for CAD because of my low HDL if my total and LDL are so low. Anyone have any thoughts? How can I raise HDL?

[Gaspipe]

I assume you are on a statin????

[Marilyn (runner)]

Hey gaspipe, you've got to be kidding - to even suggest someone take a statin drug with a total cholesterol of 102 ???   I wouldn't care what my HDL was - if I had a total cholesterol of 102 !!!  I wouldn't take any drug..  and I don't think any cardiologist could convince me to take a drug if my total was 102? and his HDL isn't bad at all with a total of 102.  I question the side effects and risks I would put myself into taking drug and the balance of good would have to far outweigh the bad..  

How much could a total cholesterol of 102 actually put you at an "increased" risk of CAD?  I  mean 'really' - and if they could increase a persons HDL without their total - then don't you think that would be like finding a 'cure' for heart disease for some people?  

Konopka1955

[Gaspipe]

Calm down!! I meant that with numbers that low I assume he is on a statin which is in turn lowering HDL as well as ldl etc

[I'mallheart]

my good cholersterol os 21 is that too low..i am 28 male..my overall is good the doctor said..i take 12.5 of atenolol every day for anxiety induced tachycardia. i am having trouble with my weight also...i lost 25 ibs a year ago and kept it off for 8 mos..its now back..havent really changed any eating habits..i am though more tired and sleep alot during the day
please help all.

[Erik36]

Yes, I already take Zocor. If I didn't take a Statin my HDL would be 24. It has gone up since taking the Statin. However, the lower my Total gets, the lower my HDL gets. If I let my Total go up to 140 then my HDL climbs to 42. My ratio always stays the same. Marilyn is right when she says that one could cure heart disease if they could raise HDL without raising the total cholesterol. I would like to regress any of the plaque that already might have built up in my arteries. I am 36 years old with a normal blood pressure. Before I took a Statin, My Total was 175 and my HDL was 27. The Zocor has helped my ratio and modestly raised my HDL. I need something to raise my HDL. I want to prevent heart disease from ever happening.


Erik

[Gaspipe]

There is much talk about that new combo drug for lipid control and its benefical effects on plaque stabilzation and regression also may have benefical HDL effects . Can't think of the name but your doc would know. Also I'am sure you know about the positive effects of excersise , red wine and maybe even fish oil on HDL.

[runnertom]

My HDL had dropped from 60 to 50 when I switched from Lipitor to Pravachol. My lipid specialist suggested that maybe I was not getting enough fat in my diet and to try eating an ounce or two of almonds daily for the high mono-unsaturated fat content. I did and HDL is now 67. This may be only anecdotal, but I am still eating my almonds. There are a number of studies showing the beneficial effects of nut consumption.