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Suggest Ways To Reduce Cholesterol Levels
Question: The DR. says the only way to reduce my colestrol is to take ATORVASTATIN 80 MG.
There has got to be another way. Right now I have about 150 bad colestrol and since I HAD A STROKE ABOUT 10 YEARS ago he said I should be less than 100.
Any help would be apprerciated.
There has got to be another way. Right now I have about 150 bad colestrol and since I HAD A STROKE ABOUT 10 YEARS ago he said I should be less than 100.
Any help would be apprerciated.
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for asking on HCM!
I understand your concern and would explain that these doses of Atorvastatine are really high. Lower doses may be tried, to avoid possible adverse effects.
Your LDL cholesterol levels seem to be above the normal ranges. Although they are not a good indicator of your cardiovascular risk. The ratio Total cholesterol / HDL cholesterol would be a better indicator of this risk.
Could I have some more information on your blood lipid profile, in order to be able to calculate this ratio?
Besides statin treatment, I would also recommend some lifestyle modifications which could help reduce your cholesterol levels:
- a healthy diet (avoid saturated fat and increase omega 3 rich food like fish, seafood, fish oil, olive oil, nuts, etc.).
- a lot of physical exercice (walking, aerobics) would be helpful
- a reduce in your body weight would help reduce your cholesterol levels.
As you have suffered a stroke before, I would recommend taking aspirin 80mg daily for a secondary prevention too (if you can tolerate it).
Besides, a modification of other possible cardio-vascular risk factors would be helpful in this situation:
-avoid alcohol and smoking
-closely monitor your blood pressure.
You should discuss with your doctor on the above issues.
Hope to have been of help!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for asking on HCM!
I understand your concern and would explain that these doses of Atorvastatine are really high. Lower doses may be tried, to avoid possible adverse effects.
Your LDL cholesterol levels seem to be above the normal ranges. Although they are not a good indicator of your cardiovascular risk. The ratio Total cholesterol / HDL cholesterol would be a better indicator of this risk.
Could I have some more information on your blood lipid profile, in order to be able to calculate this ratio?
Besides statin treatment, I would also recommend some lifestyle modifications which could help reduce your cholesterol levels:
- a healthy diet (avoid saturated fat and increase omega 3 rich food like fish, seafood, fish oil, olive oil, nuts, etc.).
- a lot of physical exercice (walking, aerobics) would be helpful
- a reduce in your body weight would help reduce your cholesterol levels.
As you have suffered a stroke before, I would recommend taking aspirin 80mg daily for a secondary prevention too (if you can tolerate it).
Besides, a modification of other possible cardio-vascular risk factors would be helpful in this situation:
-avoid alcohol and smoking
-closely monitor your blood pressure.
You should discuss with your doctor on the above issues.
Hope to have been of help!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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