have just had a telephone consult with my gp he tells me my cholesterol is 5.63 good and bad chol 3.69 can anyone tell me what this means? is it high - he wants me to go on statins and i am already on warfarin
Hi, there are two types of lipproteins, HDL and LDL – that carry cholesterol. LDL cholesterol is considered the “bad” cholesterol because it contributes to plaque, a thick, hard deposit that can clog arteries and make them less flexible. HDL cholesterol is considered “good” cholesterol because it helps remove LDL cholesterol from the arteries. Experts believe HDL acts as a scavenger, carrying LDL cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver, where it is broken down and passed from the body.
Most people should aim for a LDL level below 130 mg/dL (3.4 mmol/L). If you have other risk factors for heart disease, your target LDL may be below 100 mg/dL (2.6 mmol/L). If you're at very high risk of heart disease, you may need to aim for a LDL level below 70 mg/dL (1.8 mmol/L). In general, the lower your LDL cholesterol level, the better. Having a high level of LDL cholesterol is potentially dangerous, as it can lead to a hardening and narrowing of the arteries (atherosclerosis) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Statins are a group of medicines that can help lower the level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the blood. Eating healthy diet, low in saturated fat, exercising regularly, stopping smoking and moderating your alcohol consumption could help further.Hope it makes sense.
Well, but why you are asking here instead of just going on statins? Definitely you have some doubts, right?
Generally speaking your LDL level is too high indeed, but it is all not so simple.
In order to give you any kind of advice or at least a direction of further research it is very important to obtain much more information like following:
- Why you are on warfarin?
- What is your level of triglycerides?
- How old are you?
- What do you do for living?
- Do you have any diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure etc?
- What is your weight, level of physical activity?
- How your daily diet looks like?
- Did your immediate family had heart and blood vessels problems?
Etcetera...
As you see there are a lot of accompanying questions and I am not sure you want to discuss at open society. But without having the whole picture any given advice would be wrong.
So the best way would be to find a smart, thinking and open-minded physician and to dicuss statin's question.
Just FYI - I am NOT a physician!
For some reason my reply has been moderated not sure why, I posted no links or used any profanity?
Perhaps it was my stance on anti statins?
so this time I'll simply say. If you do decide to take statins please be vigilant re side effects. Read enclosed leaflet thoroughly