Slightly Abnormal Stress Test, High LDL and Triglycerides

[Jenn1302]

My 60 year old uncle has had high triglycerides, cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels since he was in his 40's and he is also mildly overweight. Over the past few years he has been trying to lower his cholesterol levels naturally, but his cholesterol levels just keep rising. He exercises 3-4 times a week for an hour, takes Omega 3 daily and eats healthy (low cholesterol and low saturated fat) meals with lots of veggies and fruit.

Recently he had a stress test and it came back slightly abnormal. He also had a stress echocardiogram and it came back normal. I am concerned because from what I understand these results could mean that he may have clogged arteries. My grandmother (his mother) had high cholesterol and triglycerides and she had 2 heart attacks when she was in her 60's.

My uncle refuses to take statins claiming that they could hurt his liver. Is there some way to lower cholesterol and triglycerides and clear clogged arteries naturally without statins? Is my uncle at a high risk of developing a heart related condition? Can statins even help if the arteries are already clogged?

Thank you in advance.

[Jenn1302]

I'm sorry you're all going through this. Thank you so much for your help! I don't have the numbers or percentages, but I asked my uncle to get his records and I will post the numbers as soon as I have them.

[Flycaster305]

I agree with you.  My ldl's are below 80, my hdl's are above 65 taking statins, and basically eat a cholesterol/awareness diet.  That said, in a two year time segment, my bypass veins totally plugged up, with little increase in my native arteries.  I don't think there are answers, just questions regarding Cholesterol, and believe plaque development to be a seven headed monster.

[Occupant]

I had been taking Statins for almost 15 years and the liver was the least of my problem with them - I don't know why they always stress the potential liver problems with Statins, maybe it is to distract from other problems that you can develop while taking them. However, that you will not develop plaque while being on Statins is completely wrong - I am living proof of that.

[Flycaster305]

You haven't supplied numbers or percentages that would indicate your Uncle's actual condition, and a 'slight' problem with a stress test could mean no problem or a developing problem.
You will get possibly a lot of conflicting views of Statins, but I have taken them for almost 20 years and my liver is the healthiest organ in my body, and my cholesterol/trigs are considered ideal through a careful diet and use of statins.  That said, I have serious heart arterial blockages.  Genetics play a huge role, all we can do is the best we can for ourselves.  I'd consider the risk factor of taking a statin to be next to zero.  What he doing with exercise and diet is a huge plus.