What Do My Lab Test Reports Indicate?
Recently I have been diagnosed with high cholesterol, my total cholesterol is 285, HDL 41 and LDL 178. I know it is on the higher side , but is it so dangerous ? I am not overweight as I am 5'10, with 68 KG .
but my father had high cholesterol and I am a smoker.
Doctor prescribed me Novastat 20mg 0-0-1 , please let me know whether I need to continue medication for life long or I can reduce/stop it once the level is normal.
285 cholesterol and 178 LDL are high but not dangerous.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to health care magic,
Thanks for the query.
I would like to tell you that cholesterol of 285 with LDL of 178 are not dangerous although they are on a higher side but can be controlled by medications, some dietary measures and exercises.
You will have to be on lipid lowering agents like atorvastatin or rosuvastatin which are excellent drugs with a good safety profile.
At present you are taking Tab.Novastat which is a rosuvastatin, you can continue with that but liver function test should be monitored.
Considering your family history of high blood cholesterol, you may need to take this drug for a longer time but once lipids are controlled by medications, some dietary measures and exercises, it can be discontinued (after doing cardiac evaluation) according to your physician’s advice means it is not necessary that if your father had a high cholesterol and so you will have to take this medications lifelong.
Here are the foods to lower your cholesterol and increase your good cholesterol.
1. Avoid oily foods, especially deep fried.
2. Take lot of fiber diet, this lowers your cholesterol absorption.
3. Nuts and soy protein are good sources to reduce LDL levels and increase HDL levels,
4 Oilve oil is much better than coconut oil and palm oil.
5. Avoid junk and fast food like pizzas, burgers, pastas, etc
But only dietary measures won’t going to help much, Please engage in brisk walking, swimming or cycling for at least 30 min a day
Hope this detailed information will help you.
Regards,
Do you think atrovistat is safer than novastat? Considering the fact that i had high liver values i the past due to alchahol - i tested it again last week and everything is with in the normal limit
Novastat (rosuvastatin) is far better than atorvastatin.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for quick follow-up.
Here,Novastat is much better than atorvastatin in terms of more effective and comparatively lesser side effects.
If your liver function tests are normal then there is no need to worry.
But quit alcohol and smoking.
Regards,