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Suggest Treatment For High Cholesterol Levels
Question: I'm a 32yo F, 5'7", 135lb. Healthy and active, but have had high cholesterol since I was around 10. Runs in the family on my Dad's side. I have 2 children, and I nurse my youngest (2) still. I had echos for both pregnancies towards the end due to a heart murmur. All fine. Last year I was having frequent heart palpitations and they did a holter monitor, my t-waves had inverted so they called for another stress echo, no problems. I know echos only show major blockages. But my concern is that looking on paper I've had high cholesterol for now 22 years. Some articles say high cholesterol alone is not going to cause blockages and heart attacks. But I constantly feel like im on the brink of death and it's debilitating. I have low BP, no other issues. I can't go on a statin because of nursing/possible future pregnancies. What is the likeliness I could have a heart attack or blockage from my cholesterol alone? I'll also note my Dad had a quintuple bypass at 52. He is overweight, has high BP etc.
Brief Answer:
Genetic factor present; young age; no statin
Detailed Answer:
Greetings and welcome to HCM. Thank you for your question. I understand your concern.
You have major protective factors, such as being a female and under 55 years of age. It is obvious you have a positive genetic factor for coronary artery disease, adding high cholesterol levels, they certainly make up two out of six major factors that may contribute to atherosclerotic plaques to form within coronary arteries. However, noone can tell for sure if there will definitely be coronary artery disease formed in you in the future. Try alimentary changes to fight high cholesterol, such as physical activity for 60 minutes a day, eating 300 g of green vegetables and fruit a day, not eating red or raw meat, but eating more chicken and fish etc.
All your tests are normal until now and not indicative of any clue of coronary artery disease. The rapid heart rate and extrasystoles happen from increased anxiety, the same happens during episodes of fear or startling situations. If this is really causing you distress and limitations in your everyday life, I recommend you to consult a psychiatrist, and you should be started a short course of anti-anxiety medication.
I hope you find my answer helpful. I am happy to help, if you have follow-up questions.
Best regards,
Dr. Meriton
Genetic factor present; young age; no statin
Detailed Answer:
Greetings and welcome to HCM. Thank you for your question. I understand your concern.
You have major protective factors, such as being a female and under 55 years of age. It is obvious you have a positive genetic factor for coronary artery disease, adding high cholesterol levels, they certainly make up two out of six major factors that may contribute to atherosclerotic plaques to form within coronary arteries. However, noone can tell for sure if there will definitely be coronary artery disease formed in you in the future. Try alimentary changes to fight high cholesterol, such as physical activity for 60 minutes a day, eating 300 g of green vegetables and fruit a day, not eating red or raw meat, but eating more chicken and fish etc.
All your tests are normal until now and not indicative of any clue of coronary artery disease. The rapid heart rate and extrasystoles happen from increased anxiety, the same happens during episodes of fear or startling situations. If this is really causing you distress and limitations in your everyday life, I recommend you to consult a psychiatrist, and you should be started a short course of anti-anxiety medication.
I hope you find my answer helpful. I am happy to help, if you have follow-up questions.
Best regards,
Dr. Meriton
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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