Re: Warning Signs??

Posted By Dan on August 06, 1999 at 16:34:24
Hi.  I am 30 years old and for the last few years I have made a habit of going for an annual physical exam.  The doctor performs standard blood tests, EKG, blood pressure, etc. all of which have been normal.  The only thing that has ever been a concern has been my cholesterol level, which at my last test was down to 220 (which shows you how high it had been before).  My question is this...my doctor looks at the cholesterol problem as something to be treated with medication only if I am unsuccessful in continuing to lower it myself through diet and exercise.  Given that I have a family history of heart disease, what would be a key warning sign that I would need medication?  My blood pressure has always measured between 110/70 and 120/80 but lately has been measured as high as 130/90.  Is this a signal that I need to increase my wariness?  The doctor said I was too young to be put on medication since I was also too young to have developed any serious arterial damage.  Will diet and exercise alone fend that off if I have a genetic predisposition?  Sorry if I seem worried needlessly, but I would appreciate your opinion.

[CCF CARDIO MD DLB]

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - DLB on August 06, 1999 at 18:02:07
Dear Dan
I would favor exercise and aggressive dietary modification. If after a few months of this your cholesterol were still high, I would start you on medication for your cholesterol. There are no specific warning signs of a high cholesterol, unless you develop coronary or carotid artery disease.
I hope this has been useful. I wish you the best of luck. Feel free to write back.
Information provided here is for general purposes only. Specific questions should be addressed to your own doctor. 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.











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Warning Signs?? Don           From Florida 8/07/1999
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Re: Warning Signs?? CCF CARDIO MD - DLB 8/09/1999
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