Raising HDL's

Recenly had LDL's and HDL's tested.  Total was 211.  HDL was 33.  BP is 110/70.   I'm not overweight (6', 189lbs).  Was exercising (run) 4 times a week from 30 to 40 minutes. 51 years of age.  I'm puzzled that my HDL's are so low.  My father had heart disease in 70's and lived to 81, but he had high blood pressure for quite some time and never exercised.  My brother and sister are both fine (63 and 61 respectively).  Both are dedicated to aerobics.

I started increasing length of exercise (run 40 minutes walk 20) to 60 minutes 3 times a week, and 30 minutes (run) with weight lifting 2 times a week.  I'm going to try and lose another 10 pounds.  Also I'm eating almonds and walnuts, one glass a wine (dont' really like the stuff), and I'm going to start taking Omega-3 (don't like eating fish).  My diet is pretty normal.  Don't eat junk food.  Hardly any fries (maybe once every two weeks I'll get an urge).

How long does it take for HDL's to go up?  LDL's to go down?

What would you say general over all risk of Heart Disease is?

Thanks.

[Cleveland Clinic]

dquenzer,

thanks for the post. Some think that therapies aimed at HDL will be one of the biggest areas in cardiology in the future.  As such, there are several drugs in the pipeline targeting the HDL axis.

You are doing some of the right things to try to increase your HDL. You didnt mention if you are on niacin which can have positive effects on HDL. Also, increasing the amount of fiver in your diet and watching the trans fat content of your diet can help. Overall, some effects can be seen over a few weeks in your HDL levels.

The Framingham risk calculator estimates the likelyhood of having a heart attack in the next 10 years. This risk calculator is applicable to adults aged 20 and older who do not have heart disease or diabetes.

A calculator can be found at:

http://www.clevelandclinic.org/heartcenter/pub/guide/prevention/framingham.htm

good luck

[momto3girls]

Hi there,

I have the same problem...low hdl.  Mine is in the 28 region and my cardio doctor is not happy about it and highly recommends that I go on niacin, like the CCF dr. suggested.  She says you gradually increase the dose every couple of weeks and then do a liver function test to be sure the high dose isn't affecting it.  

Anyhow, I'm doing the same as you...exercising more, lifting weights, fish oil and nuts (I love pistachios).  The South Beach Diet is a good one too since it aims to lower ldl and try to raise hdl (which I hear is hard to do if it's a genetic issue).  Oh, I read too that flaxseed is good thing to add in as well...lots of fiber and they say it has a positive effect on your cholesterol.  Take care and best wishes (:

[PikaPika88]

How about the vitamin E?  It wrote a lot of goodies for the heart at the bottle!  I realized my flickers fade a bit after taking it.  I don't know my cholestrol level at the moment but I'm still taking the Simvastatin 20mg every night.

[Gerrid]

You guys ought to try Bios Life. It's been proven in clinical studies to raise HDL cholesterol by 29-85%

You can learn about it here - www.BiosHealth.com

Best wishes,
Gerrid

[Gerrid]

One of the studies was actually at the Cleveland Clinic.

[Gray Wolfs Gaze]

I have had a problem for years of High triglycerides sometimes ranging over 1000. My doctor put me on Niaspan which is a perscription Niacin now my triglycerides are in the high 300 but my HDL is still at 25 and has been for years. The doctor wants me to raise my HDL and lower triglycerides. I am exercising 6 days a week and eating healthy. I was told by one doctor a long time ago that the triglycerides were cause by a gene but no one can tell me how to control them or rase my HDL. Can anyone help.