Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
How To Avoid Increase In HDL Cholesterol Level?
Question: Dear Dr, my father is a diabetic and heart pateint, 68 years old, undergone open by-pass surgery 2 years back. In the recent test we found HDL Cholestrol result is 30. Our Dr. told this is very low and it needs to be increased and it can be done via regular exercise. you please suggest food habits for him. He is pure vegetarian. can he take apple, oats ? kindly advice
Brief Answer:
please see details
Detailed Answer:
Dear Sir
1. Before we go into discussion about raising HDL cholesterol, I would like to share a few facts with you. Last year XXXXXXX College of Cardiology published latest guidelines about cholesterol management. It stated that only "STATINS" (a class of cholesterol lowering drugs) have been shown to reduce mortality and morbidity significantly. Role of non-statin drugs is controversial. It also states that any patient who has undergone By-pass surgery, is a candidate for statins.
2. 30 mg% is low but not very low HDL cholesterol. Moreover its effect on patient's morbidity and mortality (those who are already taking statins) is not clear. Best non-pharamocological way to increase HDL is exercise and fish intake. Those who can not take fish due to various reasons, fish oil extracts may be used. Olive oil (and many other oils rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids) & alcohol (in moderate amounts) is known to raise HDL. Role of oats and other fibers is less clear with some of studies supporting its role and some suggesting otherwise.
3. I would recommend him to undertake supervised exercise (as per prescription) and stick to the medications prescribed by his doctor. A diet rich in vegetables, fruits, nuts and fibers is recommended in all such patients.
I would not use a drug, not even fish oils, to raise HDL in my patients who have undergone CABG and are on statins.
Feel free to discuss further.
Sincerely
Sukhvinder
please see details
Detailed Answer:
Dear Sir
1. Before we go into discussion about raising HDL cholesterol, I would like to share a few facts with you. Last year XXXXXXX College of Cardiology published latest guidelines about cholesterol management. It stated that only "STATINS" (a class of cholesterol lowering drugs) have been shown to reduce mortality and morbidity significantly. Role of non-statin drugs is controversial. It also states that any patient who has undergone By-pass surgery, is a candidate for statins.
2. 30 mg% is low but not very low HDL cholesterol. Moreover its effect on patient's morbidity and mortality (those who are already taking statins) is not clear. Best non-pharamocological way to increase HDL is exercise and fish intake. Those who can not take fish due to various reasons, fish oil extracts may be used. Olive oil (and many other oils rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids) & alcohol (in moderate amounts) is known to raise HDL. Role of oats and other fibers is less clear with some of studies supporting its role and some suggesting otherwise.
3. I would recommend him to undertake supervised exercise (as per prescription) and stick to the medications prescribed by his doctor. A diet rich in vegetables, fruits, nuts and fibers is recommended in all such patients.
I would not use a drug, not even fish oils, to raise HDL in my patients who have undergone CABG and are on statins.
Feel free to discuss further.
Sincerely
Sukhvinder
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
