Upper Left side Chest Pain

[JDUB30]

I am a 30 year old Male. 5 feet 6, 140lbs with a family history linking to heart attacks, heart failure and many other things in that area. I just lost a cousin last Tuesday to a sudden horrible heart attack at the age of 40.

I lost another cousin at the age of 25 to a heart attack, and a uncle many many years ago to a heart attack.

I have had several moments to where my chest hurts so bad under my left breast that I have to stop what I am doing to clutch my chest. There are times when I take a real deep breath the sharp pain returns and now I am scared to even take a deep breath. No weird arm feelings, or leg, or left side pains. Maybe some tingle some times but nothing serious. I went and had blood work done back in Feb of 07. My Cholestral (Bad) was around 283, and the good was right where it needed to be according to my doctor. I have changed my diet some. I have chewed Skoal for 13 years, never smoked. Drink on occasion. Exercise a little with my kids on bikes, trampolines, and running around. Nothing set everyday. Anything I should do to help protect myself?

[CCF-M.D.-PPB]

Coronary artery disease and heart attack prevention starts with a good diet, low in fat and cholesterol, daily to 5x/ week exercise and no smoking or tobacco exposure.  Small amount of alcohol consumption is OK.  Over the years we have learned that family history is a powerful predictor of cardiovascular events, however, unfortunately, family history and your genes cannot be modified.  We, therefore, focus on modifying modifiable risk factors such as cholesterol, smoking, blood pressure and diabetes.  You should, therefore, make sure that those risk factors are well taken care of.  Your LDL (BAD cholesterol) of 283 is very high and diet alone will not reduce it to acceptable levels.  The GOOD cholesterol (HDL), even though normal in your case, does not offer enough protection to counterbalance the bad effects of the BAD cholesterol.  You should, therefore, be on a cholestrol lowering medication (statin), have a better exercise routine and completely eliminate tobacco exposure.

[Pepperliveson]

With an LDL at that level (283), it sounds like you have what I have, familial hypercholesterolemia.  I was fortunate enough to find this out when I was very young (5 yrs old) and I have been able to modify my risk factors for my whole life.  I am a 41 yr old woman.  I inherited it from my father and he stuggled with heart disease throughout his life and died from it at the age of 68 but he did not take good care of himself; for example, he smoked two packs a day and did not take any medicine.  His father died from a heart attack as did several of his brothers - so it sounds like your family.  I take 40 mg of Lipitor (statin) a day along with Zetia which inhibits cholesterol absorption from the diet.  The two together work wonders because my LDL before treatment was 330 with a total cholesterol of 399.  My LDL is now 107 with a total cholesterol of 172.  I can't emphasize enough how important it is for you to start taking a statin along with Zetia.  With a genetic underlying cause of your high cholesterol, all the diet and exercise in the world will not get it into acceptable levels.  Of course, that does not mean that you should not eat a low fat diet and exercise - you should do both.  You should exercise as much as your schedule allows.  Do you have any exercise-induced chest pain?  If so, you should see a cardiologist before beginning a regular exercise program.  You should eat a low fat/low cholesterol diet with plenty of fiber.  If you have any questions, please reply back.  It's not easy to live with the fear of heart disease looming over you but with the proper medication, exercise, diet and stress management, you can change the course of your life.

[Sajukuttan]

I dont have any comment to post, really i would like to raise a question here,
thank you