HDL

[Hiker in Hawaii]

Many studies suggest HDL should be > 40...I've been on various meds. (ie: Niaspan, etc.) for about 2 yrs. for the sole purpose of trying to increase it...The other numbers have always been good...
Latest readings are typical: total cholesterol-118 LDL direct-67 triglcerides-92 & HDL-26....I probably walk about 20-25 miles per week, non-smoker, ideal weight...Ok, I do drink about 8 cans of Coke a day (I have to have some splurge!)..Can that much caffeine cause PVC's?.....But back to my main concern HDL, since the other numbers are normal, does having a low HDL have the same significance?....Should note to that there is a family history w/father, who died at 48 of heart attack.....I do blood work again in about 6 weeks, but since being on various meds., HDL has dropped along with the other numbers.....Is there anything more that can be done to try to raise HDL?..
One quick BP question...IF patient is in 135/85 range, do you typically order treatment, or is over 140/90 still the benchmark for prescribing treatment for hypertension?...
Thanks very much for your help..

[sirunning]

I posted this on a previous thread. It may be something that you want to try. Not only did it lower my total cholesterol but it increased my HDL by over 14% in just three months and improved my HDL/CHOL Ratio and my TG/HDL Ratio significantly.

______________________________________________________________

I am a 46 year old male who has struggled with high cholesterol since I first was tested 20 years ago. My levels have always been in the 260 to 295 range. I also was diagnosed with SVT last year but that is unrelated to this post.

I have tried different approaches to lowering my cholesterol over the years; diet change, garlic, fish oil, and flax seed oil, among others; but I was never able to significantly lower my numbers. I have tried Lipitor twice for a short period of time and it worked, but I am not comfortable taking statins due to the possible side effects.

I am writing now because I believe that I have found a way to lower my cholesterol using a natural product that has been studied extensively, though not necessarily in this country, has been found to be safe, and is as at least as effective as the current crop of pharmacueticals that are on the market today.

The product is Policosanol. It can be purchased at any health food store, is relatively inexpensive.... and it works!!!

On 11/19/05 my lipid profile was:

Total Cholesterol - 294
Triglycerides - 116
HDL - 49
LDL - 222
HDL/CHOL Ratio - 6.00
TG/HDL Ratio - 2.36

I took 20 mg of Policosanol (derived from sugar cane, not beeswax, there's two different kinds) each evening after dinner, along with 3 - 800 mg fish oil supplements, for three months, with no other diet changes. I had another blood test on 2/17/06 and the results were:

Total Cholesterol - 221
Triglycerides - 61
HDL - 56
LDL - 153
HDL/CHOL Ratio - 3.90
TG/HDL Ratio - 1.09

After reading many studies on the internet which have shown similar results, and reviewing my results, I am convinced that this is the supplement/treatment that I have been looking for.

Go to Google or Yahoo, do a search on policosanol and read the studies. It is effective, it is natural, and there are no side effects. I can't wait for my next test in three months.

Rich

[LynnSB]

the glycemic index of pasta varies by WHAT IT IS MADE OUT OF. If you are eating good ol' white flour pasta, it has a higher glycemic index, but still a lot better than white bread and a lot of other food choices.  I personally would advise only eating whole wheat pasta, though. check these out( from this article http://www.runningplanet.com/articles/article_detail.asp?article_id=430):

The numbers indicate the glycemic index.. 100 is equal to glucose. I don't know if the article is accurate but here's what they have for different kinds of pasta. If this is accurate, go for the whole grain spaghetti ( that's what I eat and it's terrific!):

Pasta

[Jjc2005]

This HDL stuff makes me crazy.  Mine is low.  34.  But my TC is only 124, LDL was 80 and triglycerides at 36.   My bp averages 108/60.  I walk daily for at least 45 min plus a 30 minute workout at CURVES.  I had open heart surgery for an aortic root aneurysm last May and before the surgery they did a heart cath and said I have no CAD.   I am a 60 year old female, slightly overweight, BMI 26.   My surgery recovery went very well and fast and my cardiologist said my numbers are great except for my HDL.  I eat a healthy diet but I can't seem to get the HDL up. If all my other numbers are good, should I just let that one number go?

[Hiker in Hawaii]

Really?, pasta is NOT the good type of carbs (I don't eat the wheat kind)....I thought eating plain old pasta w/marinara sauce was good, heck, I've been eating pasta 3x per week for over 15 years...What irony, I think I'm eating a low fat dish, which in turn would help to increase HDL, & perhaps all this pasta is not good after all...

[LynnSB]

If you HAVE to have caffeine ( and heaven knows, I understand !) go ahead and drink coffee ( does have some health benefits like substantially lowering the risk of Parkinson's disease)  or iced tea. No, pasta is NOT "a good carb" UNLESS YOU GET THE WHOLE WHEAT KIND -- readily available now. The regular kind is a high glycemic food and your body will react almost like you are taking in sugar.

You need,in my non-MD opinion, to try a low glycemic diet and NO refined sugar. Try it as an experiment. I'd bet anything you see a rise in your HDL!

Lynn

[Hiker in Hawaii]

Pasta is the good type of carbs, correct?....

I eat about 3 pieces of fruit per day & rarely eat any red meat...

[Hiker in Hawaii]

I'm in my mid 30's & weight is 148lbs. on a 5'10 frame...

[Rambus]

Well, your BMI is perfect! I managed to increase my HDL from 34 to 48 without drugs by eating:-

1. complex carbs (brown vs. white) & avoiding foods/drinks with added sugar;
2. lots of fruits, nuts & veggies;
3. significantly cutting back on red meat;
4. lots of exercise.

Actually my objective was to reduce my TG (which went down from 350 to 140). It so happened that my HDL went up as well. The only thing I didn't cut back on is beer (about 10 cans/week).

Try reading this article on preventive nutrition from the latest issue of American Family Physician:

http://www.aafp.org/afp/20060115/257.html

[Rambus]

You didn't mention your age & weight. Is your body-mass-index in the normal range?

At 140 calories per can, your coca cola consumption contributes 1,120 calories per day (entirely sugar). That's about half your daily calorific requirements!

Focus on foods with low GI (glycemic index) & high fibre & you'll definitely see improvements. Unfortunately, it's easier said than done.

[Hiker in Hawaii]

I've tried the caffeine free brand, & I can't stand it...I don't drink coffee or tea either, just the Cokes are what constitue my caffeine.....

How often do you have your blood work done, as you mentioned you have family history?....I've had 2 cardio CRP's done, first was .7, & second was .6 so hopefully I can stay <1....

I have another round of blood work in 6 weeks, so we'll see where it's at, so while medication have decreased all the other numbers, they also have lowered HDL to....My HDL WITHOUT medication was typically in 32-38 range, & overall cholesterol was in 170's & LDL about 105 without anything....Just need to get that HDL up though...

[woodbeegood]

when does high BP become dangerous-i mean warrant a trip to ER? at a routine hypo thyroid check up w/my endo(Dec 2005)for the first time ever my BP was high @ 148/90 since then i have several readings even higher with the highest @ 189/108 also had a reading @ 111/85 after that high can the numbers get too close together? I bought a home BP machine & it seems like when my BP goes up that high it stays that way for a few hours then comes back down & about 50% of the time it's within normal limits. I have an appt @ the end of the month with internal med dr to see what's going on. in the mean time what signs should i look for that would indicate things have gotten out of hand so to speak? 45 yr old female, normal weight, eat decent, exercise, i do smoke (bad i know, working on that one)thanks for any insight yall can give me.

[Hiker in Hawaii]

I know, I know, that is alot of sugar in all those Cokes...But, I don't eat any chips, candy or things of that nature...Also, in addition to the recent lipid profile, we ran a complete metabolic profile & that was good,(ie:Glucose=76) so I figure I can have one splurge on a junk item...

Thanks for that link about HDL & sugar, I will definitely check it out.....

[LynnSB]

GET SUGAR OUT OF YOUR DIET! It's worth a try. Several studies have shown more sugar = lower HDL. Here's an article that mentions one: http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1608/is_4_18/ai_84153430

[Cleveland Clinic]

HIker,

Thanks fro the post.

There is increased recognition of the impact that HDL cholesterol has as a risk factor for CHD. In the latest update and guidelines the level of higher risk for low HDL was lowered. This is due to a linear relationship between lower levels of HDL and increased CHD risk. At 26, you would fall into the low HDL category for risk.

It is important to remember there are a lot of factors known and unknown that go into the overall risk profile. Thus your LDL is good, but your family history is not. As we identify more and more risk factors, we are becoming better at pinpointing who is at highest risk.

Just as low HDL is identified with a higher risk, newer guidelines suggest more a more active approach to therapy. The major approaches for treatment include lifestyle modifications and phamacologic therapy. Varios lifestyle modifications include smoking absinence, exercise and dietary modification (low and reduced fat, caloric restriction).  Varios pharmacologic therapies include in order of HDL efficacy (niacin, fibrates, estrogen, and statins).

Caffeine can have an effect on PVCs through many of the expereices seen in others in this forum.

Hypertension guidelines are related to your overall risk. Unless you have a compelling indication such as diabetes or kidney disease, generally treatment is not institued unless your BP is above 140 systolic.  

Overall, I would continue your followup with your physician and perhaps given your low HDL and family history consider seeing a preventive cardiologist.

good luck