Hi

Your advice would be appreciated.

I am a 50 year old female. My Dad passed last Xmas from a heart attack and my Mom has problems also. Given an age of early 70's I wasn't unduly worried. My brother has angina, aged 42, but then he is a heavy smoker. I have recently been getting slight chest twinges and my circulation is poor as in pins and needles every time I wake.

My doctor is dismissive but a blood test shows my cholesterol at 7.5.

Some 15 years ago, I had high readings and normal diet changes did not help. The GP was reluctant to prescribe medication because of the cost.

Now however, I am worried and any info. on your own experiences would be very useful.

Many thanks, Gay

I would recommend that you get a complete breakdown of your cholesterol level (fasting lipid profile) - the LDL, HDL, VLDL, and the LDL to HDL ratio. Cholesterol is a tricky lab - your liver processes cholesterol & it is needed by the body for many things especially for adequate hormone production. In my experience, the LDL to HDL ratio gives you more information on your risk of heart disease. If you are a diabetic, your risk for heart disease is higher. A high blood sugar level and taking insulin will increase your chances of having a high triglyceride level (and sometimes a high cholesterol).

The cholesterol binding medications are very expensive! And they have several dangerous side effects, especially on the liver. I would not take the medication unless there was no other choice. This LC WOL should help bring down your cholesterol & triglyceride levels. It may take 6 - 8 weeks before you see any changes. So keep on the LC plan & have a fasting lipid profile done in about 2 months. I hope this helps. Good Luck to you.

eatright

Thanks for the reply EatRight.

I have my figures now.

Chol 7.5, Trigl. 1.6, HDL 1.2, LDL 5.6, Ratio 4.7, Total HDL 6.3

My GP has prescribed Lipitor (Atorvastatin calcium) 20mg.

Now I am in a quandry. I really don't know whether to take it or not.

Sigh, life is never easy.