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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Re: Concerns with GOOD Cholesterol
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve Prolapse, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests.
Re: Concerns with GOOD Cholesterol
by CCF Cardio MD - MTR, Jan 01, 1995 12:00AM
Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - MTR on December 19, 1998 at 17:41:39:
In Reply to: Concerns with GOOD Cholesterol posted by Kristine V. on December 17, 1998 at 12:50:11:
Hello
I have posted here before, I am a 26 year old female with two children. I have always been told, since I was 17, that I have low HDL. This concerns me since this is the good cholesterol. Also my father died at the age of 72 of an "Acute Myocardial Infarct". My mother is now 60, but at the age of 56 she had to have surgery to clear one of her carotid arteries. The doctor has always told her that she as a very healthy heart, considering her other health concerns (high BP, CAD) she now has to take medication for her BP and cholesterol level. With my family history in mind, I am now afraid that this GOOD cholesterol level of mine might bring me some trouble down the road (my level was only at 29 the last time it was checked 6 months ago) my overall Cholesterol was around 185. I realize there are many ways to lower the BAD cholesterol....but is there any way to bring the good one up? I have heard exercise...but is there any other way...or am I doomed to have problems with this for the rest of my life? Thank you so much for your help. Kristine :)
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Dear Kristine, thank you for your question. While I agree with some of what Dave wrote in his response to your question, you must remember that he is not a physician. If your LDL cholesterol is below 130, then your low HDL is not as much of a concern. However, it certainly helps to have a high HDL since this form of cholesterol is protective. Generally, we like to see the HDL cholesterol above 35. The most effective ways to improve your HDL cholesterol are exercise and a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet. Dietary supplements, vitamins, and alcohol have never been proven to raise the HDL cholesterol. If you are not exercising regularly, then I recommend that you start a regular aerobic exercise program for 30-45 minutes per day. At your age, it's unlikely that you've developed atherosclerosis in your coronary arteries, so if you work hard now to change your cholesterol profile, you should see sustained benefits down the road. Finally, it goes without saying that you should completely avoid all tobacco products.
I hope you find this information useful. Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only. Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies. Please feel free to write back with additional questions. Good luck!
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart
Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.
In Reply to: Concerns with GOOD Cholesterol posted by Kristine V. on December 17, 1998 at 12:50:11:
Hello
I have posted here before, I am a 26 year old female with two children. I have always been told, since I was 17, that I have low HDL. This concerns me since this is the good cholesterol. Also my father died at the age of 72 of an "Acute Myocardial Infarct". My mother is now 60, but at the age of 56 she had to have surgery to clear one of her carotid arteries. The doctor has always told her that she as a very healthy heart, considering her other health concerns (high BP, CAD) she now has to take medication for her BP and cholesterol level. With my family history in mind, I am now afraid that this GOOD cholesterol level of mine might bring me some trouble down the road (my level was only at 29 the last time it was checked 6 months ago) my overall Cholesterol was around 185. I realize there are many ways to lower the BAD cholesterol....but is there any way to bring the good one up? I have heard exercise...but is there any other way...or am I doomed to have problems with this for the rest of my life? Thank you so much for your help. Kristine :)
-
Dear Kristine, thank you for your question. While I agree with some of what Dave wrote in his response to your question, you must remember that he is not a physician. If your LDL cholesterol is below 130, then your low HDL is not as much of a concern. However, it certainly helps to have a high HDL since this form of cholesterol is protective. Generally, we like to see the HDL cholesterol above 35. The most effective ways to improve your HDL cholesterol are exercise and a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet. Dietary supplements, vitamins, and alcohol have never been proven to raise the HDL cholesterol. If you are not exercising regularly, then I recommend that you start a regular aerobic exercise program for 30-45 minutes per day. At your age, it's unlikely that you've developed atherosclerosis in your coronary arteries, so if you work hard now to change your cholesterol profile, you should see sustained benefits down the road. Finally, it goes without saying that you should completely avoid all tobacco products.
I hope you find this information useful. Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only. Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies. Please feel free to write back with additional questions. Good luck!
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart
Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.
