High cholesterol yet no action.

[Unforgettablefire]

Hi all. I just had a blood test and my serum cholesterol is 8.3 and serum HDL cholesterol level is 2.8.
From what I’ve been reading it’s very high and I’m quite frightened.
Even more frightening is the comment by a health worker or whoever it is just says “normal -no action”

Should I be asking for statins? We have a lot of early deaths from strokes and heart attacks on both sides of the family.

There are lots of other numbers as well that I haven’t looked up yet but I’m really worried.
Thanks for any advice.

It goes on Q risk now.
Google QRisk3 and complete the questions. If your risk score is above 10% you need statins. The risk increases with age though, so advisable to make dietary changes now to reduce cholesterol so you aren’t high risk by age 60.

What are your triglycerides?

Thanks @MrsGrowl ill
post the screenshot. It’s hard to understand the numbers I’ve never had this test before

Interesting, my reading was 6.0 and I was put on statins today.

Probably best to contact your doctor to discuss though

Your triglycerides are normal, you have a good store of HDL, the ratio between the two isn’t too high. Can you make dietary changes, lose weight, reduce alcohol and increase exercise? That all has a huge effect on total cholesterol levels.

@whatisthegoddamnholdup are you diabetic and/or on hypertensives? How old are you? Those things count (along with weight) when working out the risk of someone developing CVD in the next 10 years. Statins reduces that risk, even if your cholesterol was under 5 you’d be offered a statin if any of the above increased your risk score.

Yes I would be discussing statins with your gp.

The ratio is the important thing. If ratio is OK then I wouldn't go on statins. If unsure I would ask for referral to a cardiologist, if possible. But that's because I would be avoiding any unnecessary meds..obviously if necessary I'd take them. My cholesterol is high but ratio is optimum. Dietary changes is more about adding the good stuff than going low fat, which used to be the approach. Also exercise, fast walking up hills, decent distance etc (as advised by a cardiologist).

I would recommend a bit of research before you reach for the Statins. Then make an informed choice.

Thanks all I’m taking it all in this is new to me.
My weight is ok I’m not overweight. Don’t drink alcohol, but my diet has been pretty poor up until I got these results. Too much filling up on all the wrong stuff and rarely any fruit and veg but I’m changing that. I thought it was just dairy that caused high cholesterol but it seems it’s just about everything that I’ve been eating. I don’t eat meat and because I take vitamins I thought I was pretty healthy 🤦🏻‍♀️

I bought some scales that measure your bmi and other things, my body fat is 35% and says I’m obese. I’m nine stone so I’m guessing all that fat is in my arteries and heart 😳

Oh wow... that's a fright for sure but I'd question the accuracy.

So you need to add fruit and veg especially cruciferous, walnuts and almonds, oily fish, cheese and yoghurt now actually thought to be beneficial.

And exercise!

Peas, pulses, porridge used to be the mantra. So, increase foods containing soluble fibre. Increase your veggie intake. Reduce the amount of refined carbs in your diet. Exercise/increasing activity can help too.

Just to say that three years ago (age 64) I had high cholesterol, it was nearly 7. My ratio was 3 and no other risk factors like HTN, diabetes etc. I do have Atrial Fibrillation though, which is well controlled at the moment. I immediately thought statins but didn't want to take them at all. I have friends and family members who had awful side effects, and one whose liver enzymes went crazy and they were taken off them. Plus I think docs can be far too quick to put us on statins when the benefits are not all that high in the long run for those without a huge cardiac risk.

Anyway, as part of the Afib treatment/work up I had a cardiac calcium CT scan. This measures the amount of calcium in the arteries (which leads to plaque). Because of my high cholesterol score they were checking this because I had Afib. My score was ZERO, the best it could be. So no statins for me. Just goes to show that a high cholesterol reading doesn't automatically mean an imminent heart attack! I do eat well and have the odd treat, don't drink alcohol, and low sugar consumption. I don't know what works anymore as there is so much conflicting advice out there. At my age I'm just glad there's no major damage done so far...

My cholesterol was over 9. I was slim, fit, vegan, no alcohol. I was sent to a hospital lipid clinic and put on statins. It’s now dropped to about 6 and that is deemed acceptable. I see the specialist once a year.

Well I’m off all the food that’s bad. I’ve had no chips, crisps, chocolate or any of that kind of stuff at all now for a week.

I’m so hungry. I’m vegetarian and hate pasta, hate plain rice, hate pulses so it’s awkward making meals I’ve always lived on processed veggie food but always with chips. And had cakes, butter and cream but not anymore. Can I have crap food as a treat once a month or is it best to have zero trans fats and dairy forever?

I’m peri menopausal and have an underactive thyroid which I’m on thyroxine for, they’ve had to up the dose a bit as the levels are a bit low I’ve heard your thyroid levels can affect cholesterol.

Thanks for all the comments they’re really helpful. How long does it take to go down does anyone know? Does anyone use a home testing kit I’m thinking of buying one?

Six months I think for an aspirate retest.
You'll have to find new foods that you can eat and enjoy. I would say yes you can have the odd treat for sure. Dairy is now being seen as good - namely yoghurt and cheese. Look into it.

If I were you I would be getting in touch with my GP to ask about the outcome of the comment "Refer to NEELI regional lipid guidelines...." Especially in the context that you have a family history of early strokes and heart attacks. It may be appropriate for you to be referred to the Lipid clinic as a pp referred to. It's possible your levels are so high because of genetic reasons. Of course it's reasonable to overhaul your diet and exercise regime and test again in 3 months. But for a comment of "normal-no action" I'm surprised to say the least!

Mine dropped quickly within a month or so - but that was with statins.

Hi, OP -

My American friend under the care of a renowned cardiologist says that ‘non HDL cholesterol’ is now being touted as perhaps the most significant measurement by his doctor. Yours is high.

I have also always had great HDL (and an excellent ratio) and good triglycerides, but when my total cholesterol and LDL numbers were somewhat less than yours I was offered a low dose statin on the NHS. I’ve had no side effects and it has been very effective. I do also eat more prudently but I plan to remain on the statin for the long term.