Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Re: Strategies for raising low HDL
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: Strategies for raising low HDL
by Robert-Baird, Jan 01, 1995 12:00AM
Posted By Robert Baird on April 25, 1999 at 09:20:36
I am a 55yo male with family history of heart disease, BMI=20, typical BP 120/80, not diabetic, quasi-sedentary, quit smoking 1/99. Typical cholesterol has been HDL under 35, total 200. Five weeks ago I had a MI and angioplasty for two 100% blockages. I have several blockages of 40-60%. Cholesterol test in hospital was HDL 34, LDL 137, VLDL 28. After 30 days on Ornish diet and 10mg Lipitor, my cholesterol tested HDL 22, LDL 87, VLDL 19. My HMO's primary care doctor suggests exercise for raising HDL. Though I recognize the many benefits of aerobic exercise, my understanding is that it is not likely to raise HDL more than a few points. How much should I aim to raise HDL and improve the HDL/LDL ratio? What's my best strategy for doing that? [My only other med is 50mg daily metoprolol.]
I am a 55yo male with family history of heart disease, BMI=20, typical BP 120/80, not diabetic, quasi-sedentary, quit smoking 1/99. Typical cholesterol has been HDL under 35, total 200. Five weeks ago I had a MI and angioplasty for two 100% blockages. I have several blockages of 40-60%. Cholesterol test in hospital was HDL 34, LDL 137, VLDL 28. After 30 days on Ornish diet and 10mg Lipitor, my cholesterol tested HDL 22, LDL 87, VLDL 19. My HMO's primary care doctor suggests exercise for raising HDL. Though I recognize the many benefits of aerobic exercise, my understanding is that it is not likely to raise HDL more than a few points. How much should I aim to raise HDL and improve the HDL/LDL ratio? What's my best strategy for doing that? [My only other med is 50mg daily metoprolol.]
Related discussions
-
Raising HDL & cardio CRP testing (8 replies):My MD & I have been trying for about 5 years now to rais...[more]
-
Need help on results!! (3 replies):I need some help on reading the results on my Cholestero...[more]
-
Raising HDL (2 replies):Just got back a blood work test and the results were out...[more]
Dear Robert, thank you for your question. I understand your concern regarding your HDL level since you certainly want to do whatever you can to make sure your coronary disease stays quiescent. Lipitor is one of the few lipid lowering medications that is known to raise the HDL level (by a modest 5%). Normally, we wait for 3 months after starting a medication like lipitor before rechecking the lipid profile, so it may be too early to determine the true effect of lipitor on your HDL level. Moderate, sustained aerobic exercise is known to raise HDL levels, but that also takes time to see the results. Women are protected with estrogen, which is another thing associated with increased HDL levels. There also is some anecdotal information that 1-2 glasses of red wine a day raises the HDL level, but that has never been proven. Therefore, I suggest that you speak with your physician regarding an appropriate exercise program, continue with the excellent diet you've started, and continue with your medications.
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.
Follow Ups:
Strategies for raising low HDL Dan 4/28/1999
(1)
Re: Strategies for raising low HDL CCF CARDIO MD - MTR 4/29/1999
(0)