Cholesterol Test

[zeldalithgow]

I asked for a cholesterol test last week, and I've just had a letter saying that my risk of developing heart disease in the next ten years is 10-20% and I've to have a repeat test in a year, now is this good or bad.

What can I do to lower my cholesterol, we are already eating a low fat diet, if I can loose weight that will help, and take more exercise that will help, anything else?

[dalesponyrider]

Omega 3 - fish oil - a good quality one from the flesh of the fish - not the liver.

[greydales]

I suppose you could look at it as a one in ten or one in five chance, which sounds a fair risk - although doctors do tend to give you the worst case scenario! Losing weight and exercising I'd say would be the best way to try and reduce cholesterol - however some people as they get older have a naturally higher cholesterol level anyway even if they lead healthy lifestyles - my mum's is high and she is not overweight and eats very moderately.

Many people are given medication for it but if it was me I'd try to avoid taking tablets and see what I could do naturally to help myself. There are probably certain foods which help more than others, maybe do a search and see what comes up?

But most importantly DON'T WORRY about it!! Dave's cholesterol was quite high but he has lost weight combined with exercising and the level has gone down to almost normal.

[harleydales]

Something in my head says oats are good for lowering cholesterol.

[loopylou]

Don't eat to many eggs, they increase your Cholesteral level if you eat to many.

[knight]

Gill's right Zelda, don't get too worried, there are lots of things that can help lower it. Losing weight & exercise are indeed good, just wish I had better success at these. I did get mine lowered alot with taking Omega 3 fatty acid supplements, I use fish oil and flax seed oil. And eating oatmeal every day can help too. Good cause I love oatmeal. See if you can get the info from the doctor on what your LDL and HDL levels, more than just what the total number is as the HDL is the bad colesterol that you want the number low and HDL is the good kind you want that number high. You will be able to change it quite a bit, you'll see.

[harveydales]

I wouldn't get too worried either. I had mine checked about 10 years ago and was told it was on the high side of normal which is quite high really, plus it runs in my family. Nancy is right, a cholesterol test is meaningless unless they seperate out the HDL and LDL. At that time I was very fit, exersisng loads, eating a good diet, underweight rather than overweight, take omega oils, porridge for breakfast etc etc. Actually, I thought eating eggs was OK - they contain a lot of cholesterol but the dangerous cholesterol running round your arteries is manufactured in the body from other fats you eat. I hope that is right because I love eggs.

Things like changing diet etc can help a bit but I believe the medical view is that if your cholesterol is really on the high side then only taking statins will bring it down significantly. Your GP would have suggested this if he/she thought you were at serious risk. Try not to worry.

[nars]

Zelda,
do you know if the cholestral was due to a lot of genetic debris, or a lifestyle thing?

In our family, we don't have the gene that can deal with cholestral and as a result we are all on statins. My test was 8.4 at one point, which is horrendous and 2 yrs on I am trying to get below 5.0 If you are missing the gene,no amount of diet and exercise makes a difference; it has to be controlled via drugs. If it is a lifestyle thing, then you can have some impact on the readings. Your practice nurse should be able to explain it in detail.

Oats are very good for the diet if cholestral is a problem. Cutting out butter, cream, etc is also recommended.

[zeldalithgow]

I phoned them up today and it is 6.2 no idea what HDL and LDL are or if it is genetic I would think it is possibly lifestyle but I have changed a lot since Toms heart attack but not quite as much as Tom did. I have in the past 3 weeks cut out butter, crisps, choc and lots of other rubbish think I may have lost just a very tiny amount of weight but the depressing thing is the vast amount I need to lose (6ish stone ).

I've a Dr appointment at the beginning of Jan so will be able to discuss things then, I got some omega 3 today and am having porridge for brekkie tomorrow

[jec248]

My husband takes tablets to lower his cholesterol levels. Why not ask your doctor about them?

When I went for my eyes tested a few months ago I was told I had high cholesterol levels and was told to see my doctor. Must remember to do so!!