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Very Low HDL and Mitral Valve Prolapse

Very Low HDL and Mitral Valve Prolapse

Due to a well known 39 y.o. world-class athlete dying recently (asymptomatic and instantly) from atherosclerosis, I decided to get a full analysis. My good stats: BP: 117/68, Total Chol: 170, Calcium Score (ebt): Zero, CRP: Zero, Resting Pulse 50, EKG: Normal, Echo: Normal - did not show any signs of MVP (diagnosed 20 yrs earlier), I have no symptoms.

Despite the seemingly good results, I have a very low HDL level of 30, perhaps due to a lifetime of very high carbohydrate intake as part of being an endurance athlete. Everything I have read indicates that such an LDL/HDL ratio puts me at a much higher risk of CHD.  I am changing the carb intake, definitely don't need more exercise and am taking Nicitinic Acid, CoQ10 and Omega3 Oil daily, but here are my questions: 1) If my HDL level doesn't respond, but my otherwise good stats remain, should I consider additional testing? 2) Can MVP just go away?
Tags: hdl, Exercise, risk
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242509_tn?1196926198
Yes MVP can go away but only if misdiagnosed initially. The criteria for diagnosis during the 1980s were incorrect because of technical issues regarding the saddle shape of the mitral anulous.
Having a low HDL, especially in an athlete can be worrisome. You should continue taking the Niacin, as there is both evidence that it can raise it and also that it imparts improved survival outcomes in patients such as yourself.
Other ways to improve this include one glass of red wine daily and cessation of smoking. It is not clear to me that Coq 10 or the omega three fatty acids can change their levels in any appreciable manner, but they have other good properties which may prevent arrhythmic events.  
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