Very LOW HDL, and Cardiac risk ratio vey high

[mikediser]

I am 30 y.o. male, 5'6", 157 lbs, i am non somker and i rarely drink alcohol (1 drink a week or 1 drink in 2 weeks). what brings me here is my HDL is very LOW, yesterday i had my lab screening and here are my numbers:

Triglycerides: 132 mg/dL
Total Cholesterol: 157 mg/dL
HDL Cholesterol: 19 mg/dL
Cardiac Risk Ratio:   8.3
LDL Cholesterol: 112 mg/dL

i am really concerned about the LOW HDL, last year my HDL value was 29 md/dl, i am really concerend about my HDL value, is this a very high risk? what should be my next step of action to control this. please advice.

[erijon]

You need to remember what HDL does, it binds with LDL to take it back to your liver to be eliminated or recycled. The less you have, the more LDL gets left in your blood and the higher your risk. Your ratio is very high and is a good indicator of possible problems later in your life. My HDL can be as low as 37 but my LDL is 74 so my ratio is good, I can get by with less HDL because my LDL is so low.

The best way to increase HDL is exercise and Niacin, but you should talk to your doctor before starting either one.

Good luck,

Jon

[jrbon]

My advise is to check with your doctor to see if there is a reason for that and how you can increase it.
A check of your liver, thyroids, vit. D  and detailed cholesterol test,  including particle size can be relevant.
As per the cardiac risk I would not worry too much,  there are many other aspects that influence  it and that, if you really worry, could be analized.

Exercise of the large muscles  of the body (eg upper legs) have demonstrated to increase hdl.

Jesus