Cholesterol Advice Needed!

[pettyone]

Hello Everyone!

In December, I went for my annual "well-woman" visit at the GYN...I had a cholesterol test performed & was called back with the following results:

HDL (good)= 34
LDL (bad) = 142
Trig = 61

Cholestrol from food shouldn't be a culprit, I've always been a label reader when I'm shopping...exercise is 3-4 days of 30 minute walks with 2 days of additional workouts at the gym...My Dad is a heart attack waiting to happen (on meds)...Mom's cholesterol is perfect...

What can I do to get myself out of the "moderate risk" category & to keep this from getting worse? No meds suggested at this point, but I don't want to go there if I don't have to. I've already been eating oatmeal for breakfast since January 1.

Please share your thoughts/experiences...thanks!

 

[Chuck-PA]

it sounds like you are doing the right things.
Cholestrol problems can be genetic. No matter how well you eat and exercise, you can still have high cholestrol. My wife is the same way. She now takes lipitor and within six weeks her cholestrol numbers dropped to great numbers.

 

[geetey]

Good luck, Tracy! It sounds like you are fighting the good fight. I was in the same boat as you and did everything I could to avoid meds. We eventually found out my high numbers are completely genetic but I am on the lowest drug/dose possible (Pravachol 10 mg) so some of my hard work pays off!

Here were some suggestions made to me (but I can't say they worked)
* eat 1 oz of almonds a day - healthy fat
* try adding sourdough to your diet - it has been shown to help reduce cholesterol numbers
* increase the intensity of your workout. Your HDL number should be over 40 - that's a reflection of your exercise. Your Tri's are awesome!

The ideal ratio is 3.5:1 (HLD:Total cholestrol number). PM me if you have any questions.

 

[pettyone]

Thanks a bunch for the info...I was feeling a bit clueless, even with all of the resources available...it helps to hear it from others who are actually dealing with it.