Just wondering

Hi was with cardiologist 2 weeks ago awaiting holter and event monitor ,have echo on Friday,blood pressure 135/95 per 24 hr monitoring and cholesterol 7.7 incl ldl 4.5 ,kidney ultrasound the other day for maybe kidney stone and sonographer called dr in and she lectured me about cholesterol and calcification if vessels in kidneys and scared me by saying this will happen in my legs brain etc if not medicated immediately,as gp and cardio are not rec meds fir bp or cholesterol should I be worried, cardio has PAF ? On my notes,my heart rate is reasonably normal but I feel exhausted and hb is out if rhythm for several episodes every day ,feel like my body is giving up on.me

SorryI know it all sounds a bit depressing. i

[Hidden]

Hi Marhayes, can understand why you are concerned. As we always say, we are not medically trained so we can only share the advice we have picked up over time. It sounds as though you are getting good advice and treatment for your heart, but not so good about your other health issues which clearly need to be addressed. As far as I know, consultants write to your GP about the outcome of your recent appointment so it's possible he/she will be aware of the issues you have, but I think you should see your GP as soon as possible to discuss your overall health issues. This forum is specific to AF so we are not able to comment on other conditions but these non AF issues need some quick attention, so I would make that appointment as soon as possible. These conditions can be treated, so try not to get too dispondent........

[CDreamer]

Hi Marhayes - I endorse Flapjack’s comments but would tell you of my experience. I had pressure to take treatment for high cholesterol for some years but statins are contraindicated for another condition.

I consulted a Nutritonist ( not dietician! ) who tweaked my diet and suggested I take a daily capsule of plant sterols for one month - did the the trick and brought total cholesterol down from 7.7 to 6.8 in a month - 6 months on it is now pretty stable and my ratio of HDL:LDL is excellent.

I would just point out that latest thinking on calcification is that the majority of the deposits come from he body, often bone breaking down and can be an indication of osteoporosis. You can ask for Delta scan for bone density. Certain supplements and vitamins can help slow the decline.

Cholesterol is also mainly produced in the body as a response to generic inflammation, little comes from diet unless you have Familial high cholesterol which is a genetic fault.

I was told to up my fat & protein content in my diet, reduce starchy foods to less than 5% of diet and to increase green veg to 70% of diet. Worked for me.

You might find the Cholesterol Support Group on HU useful on this subject.

My understanding was that kidney stones can be caused by several things one of which can be overdosing on VitD - which is often given as a supplement to help retain calcium within the bones.

Speak to your specialist, your GP, do a bit of research. Listen to everyone and then take your own advice. Statins can cause more problems than they solve and GPs are often strongly influenced to prescribe with financial incentives so be very sure before you go down that route that you REALLY need them. You will find about 50:50 split for:against on the HU site.

When you have more information from the tests and have digested come back regarding the Arrythmia.

Best wishes CD.

PS - make sure you get copies of letters between GP and Consultants.

[JaneFinn in reply to CDreamer]

I’m belatedly reading late this thread, and I’ve found your info so helpful, as always, CDreamer! Thank you 😊

I too am avoiding statins but cholesterol is high. Can I ask what plant sterol capsules you used? Assume they’re ok with anticoagulants?

Many thanks xx

[JaneFinn]

Hi Marhayes, I’ve only just read this post of yours from a month ago... wondering how you are? I do feel for you with that awful sinking feeling of your body giving up on you

Any progress on all this? And any AFib diagnosis yet? Really hope things are feeling more positive? Take care xx

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Hi all , thanks for advise , still awaiting holter and event monitoring , feeling better no episodes of whatever it is over past few days , am trying to clean up diet and starting slimmimg world tomorrow as losing weight should help , have cut out my favourite foods and most sweet things , feeling better positive for new year and just hope that as cardio suspects I may have PAf that it will be caught on monitors and dealt with , gp wants bp and cholesterol checked again in 12 weeks so if I'm good haha these will have improved hopefully, .

Thanks again

Happy New Year to all

Marhayes