What are my risks?

[Pisme]

I just had a cholestral count done and my results were total 222, HDL 37, LDL 159 and trig 128.  I am 46 year old female, about 80# overweight, do not exercise, non smoker/drinker, with occasional palipatations and fastheart rate, however, both parents had heart disease, but typically not until their later years (after mid 70's).  My mom died at 83 with congestive heart failure and my dad is still going at 85 with angina and alot of blockage, but is maintaining.....My doctor wants to put me on cholestral lowering medication and possibly beta blockers. My problem is I am really scared to start taking this type of medication, but also scared not to take it.  What do you think my risk is of heart disease at my age.  Isn't a risk factor for family heart disease only if the parents had it early in life or died early.  I guess because mine made it until their 80's I'm banking on that I will too, yet he has me concerned because of all my other factors.  Thx for your advice.

[Joanne Hothersall]

I received a phone call from my doctor today with my annual physical blood test results.  My good cholestral is 250 and my bad cholestral is 189.  I am 42 year old, with a history in my family of heart attacks/angina at fairly young ages.  For the past 6 months I have been eating rather healthily, (because I wanted to lose weight).  I am really nervous now and my doctor says to do exercise daily and stay away from those fatty foods (which I have been avoiding anyway!!!)and take another blood test in three months.

Should I be doing more than this?  Will exercise make a big difference?  Help!

[Gail Tissier]

Need to know where I can order Cholestin,capsules 600mg.

Thanks for your help!

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Total cholesterol is broken down into different categories.  High density cholesterol (HDL) is the "good cholesterol" that acts as a cleaning cholesterol.  Low density cholesterol (LDL) is the "bad cholesterol" that clogs up arteries throughout the body.  LDL is not usually measure directly but is calculated from the following equation: LDL=Total-HDL-triglycerides/5.  If the triglycerides are too high the LDL calculation is not valid.  Triglyceride is another type of cholesterol whose significance is not well established.  Very high levels (>1000) can lead to pancreatitis and other health problems.   Cholesterol should be measured after an 8 hour fast.

Guidelines have been established as to the treatment of high cholesterol.  It has been recommended that everyone over that age of 25 has their total cholesterol and HDL measured.  If these are abnormal a full cholesterol panel should be done.  Guideline for the treatment of cholesterol depend upon the risk factors that the person has.  Risk factors are a family history of heart disease, high blood pressure, male >45 yrs or female >55 yrs, diabetes (counts as two risk factors), smoking and obesity.  Someone at low risk should have a goal LDL cholesterol less than 130 and should be on a special diet if LDL is greater than 160 and on medication if it is  greater than 190.  Someone with one or two risk factors should start medical treatment at 160.  Someone with more than two risk factors or with established heart disease should have a goal LDL of less than 100 with medical treatment started at 130.

[Margaret Kubos]

What is the good cholestral and what is the bad cholestral.  For a 40 yr. old female who is 90 pounds over weight, what should ones cholestral be?  Recently I had blood work done and mine was 213/163.

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

I think, as your doctor said, it is optional whether you take it or not.  Therefore if you don't want to take medications I would avoid it.

[Pisme]

My dr was giving me the beta blocker because I keep having occasional heart pals and a rather fast heart rate.  He also gave me the option to take it or not...that is why I'm hesitating.  I'm just scared of taking it and the side effects.  My heart rate normally runs around 90 but every now and then it will shoot up to 120-130, sometimes after eating or physical activity.

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

The current guidelines would recommend an LDL of < 130 for you.  It would not be unreasonable to try diet and exercise for 4-6 months prior to starting cholesterol lowering medication.  I'm not sure why your doctor wants to start the beta-blocker. Perhaps for high blood pressure?