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Should I Take Zocor For Reducing Cholesterol Levels?
Total cholesterol is 278. HDL-90, LDL-174 - First doc recommended low cholesterol diet. I am 5'3" 126 lbs. For the most part, I eat pretty healthy, low fat already. I was concerned if this was too high would I have to totally eliminate certain foods? She then suggested I take 20mg of Zocor. I haven't done that as I fear muscle & joint pain. I am soon to be 57, I do exercise on average 3 x a week - walk & do Jazzercise. I work part time & am active. Still have a 20 yr. old college student at home for the summer. Not sure what to do about the meds. Any suggestions or opinion would be greatly appreciated. T hank you
Thu, 6 Aug 2015
Hello. Thank you for your question. Welcome to HCM.
Being at the age of 57 years old, puts you on risk for high blood pressure and coronary artery disease. It is a very positive thing that your weight is within normal range and that you are physically active and eat healthy. But, it is not a rule that not overweight people have also normal cholesterol. This implies only for the overweight people, who have a clear tendency to have high cholesterol and triglycerides.
You must keep in mind that cholesterol higher than 240 mg/dL (various clinics accept different cholesterol normal ranges), and a LDL fraction of 174 mg/dL, are both independent risk factors for coronary artery disease - cholesterol plaque build up within these arteries, which narrow the passage where blood circulates to supply the heart with oxygen and nutrients. Therefore, I would also recommend you to start on a statin (hydroxy methyl glutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor: atorvastatin, simvastatin, rosuvastatin). Every medicine and procedure in medicine have their risks, but every doctor faces the careful weighing the benefits against the risks of a certain drug or procedure. In this case, the benefits from a statin are much greater than the risks. In the end, this is my opinion and recommendation, the choice is yours, of course.
Also, you should measure your cholesterol and LDL fraction levels, and AST and ALT, one month after you have started the treatment.
I hope I was helpful.
Kind regards,
Dr. Meriton
Being at the age of 57 years old, puts you on risk for high blood pressure and coronary artery disease. It is a very positive thing that your weight is within normal range and that you are physically active and eat healthy. But, it is not a rule that not overweight people have also normal cholesterol. This implies only for the overweight people, who have a clear tendency to have high cholesterol and triglycerides.
You must keep in mind that cholesterol higher than 240 mg/dL (various clinics accept different cholesterol normal ranges), and a LDL fraction of 174 mg/dL, are both independent risk factors for coronary artery disease - cholesterol plaque build up within these arteries, which narrow the passage where blood circulates to supply the heart with oxygen and nutrients. Therefore, I would also recommend you to start on a statin (hydroxy methyl glutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor: atorvastatin, simvastatin, rosuvastatin). Every medicine and procedure in medicine have their risks, but every doctor faces the careful weighing the benefits against the risks of a certain drug or procedure. In this case, the benefits from a statin are much greater than the risks. In the end, this is my opinion and recommendation, the choice is yours, of course.
Also, you should measure your cholesterol and LDL fraction levels, and AST and ALT, one month after you have started the treatment.
I hope I was helpful.
Kind regards,
Dr. Meriton
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