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What Causes Severe Muscle Cramps In Legs When LDL Is 179?

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Posted on Mon, 1 Aug 2016
Question: My cholesterol LDL is 179 my HDL is 75 my ratio is 4. I stopped statins because it gave me intense cramps in the muscles of my legs hindering me from working out and sleeping. Being that my ratio is under 5 am I protected from a cardiovascular incident since I do not eat any cholesterol products my weight is good and I do work out when I can if the cramps are not too intense?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (29 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
You don't need to take statins.

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!

I carefully passed through your question and would explain that your blood lipid profile is within the normal ranges.

From the other hand, a Total Cholesterol/LDL ratio of 4 means that you have a low cardio vascular risk related to your cholesterol and you do not need any treatment.

So you do not need to take stations.

I recommend continue a healthy lifestyle (low fat diet, low cholesterol, food rich in omega 3, and a lot of physical activity).

Hope to have been helpful!

Feel free to ask any other questions whenever you need!

Kind regards,

Dr. Iliri


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (31 minutes later)
You say my blood lipid level is within the normal range when everything I read about LDL should be lower than 100. Is it my ratio of 4 that makes me a low cardiac risk since my total is 29? I also have high blood pressure that is managed by medication.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (16 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
My answer as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello again!

I would explain that total cholesterol/LDL ratio is a more reliable indicator of your cardiovascular risk compared to LDL levels.

So, when considering statin therapy, the decision should be done based on the ratio values and not on the absolute levels of LDL.

Regarding high blood pressure, it does not impose a higher cardiovascular risk if it is maintained under control with antihypertensive therapy.

So, if your blood pressure values are most of the time below 135/85 mmHg, everything is OK and you should continue on your actual therapy as your blood pressure is well managed.

Otherwise, you should discuss with your doctor on the possibility of making further changes to your therapy, in order to manage it better.

Hope to have been helpful!

Best wishes,

Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Ilir Sharka

Cardiologist

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 9541 Questions

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What Causes Severe Muscle Cramps In Legs When LDL Is 179?

Brief Answer: You don't need to take statins. Detailed Answer: Hello! Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM! I carefully passed through your question and would explain that your blood lipid profile is within the normal ranges. From the other hand, a Total Cholesterol/LDL ratio of 4 means that you have a low cardio vascular risk related to your cholesterol and you do not need any treatment. So you do not need to take stations. I recommend continue a healthy lifestyle (low fat diet, low cholesterol, food rich in omega 3, and a lot of physical activity). Hope to have been helpful! Feel free to ask any other questions whenever you need! Kind regards, Dr. Iliri