I was 6.3 when diagnosed with Angina (95% LAD block). Two stents inserted and medication. Hoping to get off the Beta Blockers as my hands are always freezing.
I’ve cut out the really bad foods (daily biscuits / milk chocolate / McDonalds / fry ups) and dropped 12lbs (not the intent)’to 9stone 10lbs. Which I’m told is ok BMI wise.
My total cholesterol today is 2.4. Which came as a bit of a shock. NHS rehab are very happy with it. But I’m a bit shaken - now wondering if I’ve overdone it all. My kidney / liver function all good and no obvious reaction to the statin.
I’m wondering if I should try coming off the statin - or accept that 2.4 is good and I’ve been fortunate. My weight loss must be a sign that diet is playing its role - I don’t think any of the meds could be have been responsible for that 12lb loss?
Eg: Is 2.4 with statins better than 4.0 without? Not that I know it’s even possible.
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DavidG1971
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Everything that comes from medical trials takes years to implement because it all has to be tested. I suspect that the reason that the NHS is ignoring diet is that when doctors are trained they get very little training in Nutrition so ignore it as a possible prevention or cure. Things are changing, slowly. My doctor recommended diet & exercise when he prescribed drugs for me. I am now off all but Clopidogrel.
As much as I think Dr Greger is an interesting character, and as much as I enjoy walnuts, I don’t think advising anyone to replace their prescribed medication with walnuts is a good idea. These suggestions are fine for people who are in good health and want to stay that way, but most of the people on this forum already have a know condition so that changes things quite significantly.
What you need to remember is that statins also reduce irritation (often a precursor to plaque formation) and stabilise any plaque. In my view you should discuss dropping to a maintenance dose to retain these benefits but keep a close eye on the both the total cholesterol and its breakdown.
You ever feel like it’s gone too low? I know we’re supposed to be under 4.0, not sure if 2.0/2.4 is even better or getting to an unhealthy level. I wonder if I’m better off with a 4.0 without statins than a 2.4 with them. Well done by the way.
No , the statins stop inflammation and other things , I have 3 blocked arteries and although they are bypassed they still have about 10 percent capacity so I don't want them clogging fully
So you have the by pass, but old arteries still functioning at 10% as well? I’d never thought of that. I’m lucky I guess - my bad block was stented and I’ve another 30% blocked.
Weird bit is that you had a block in the first place if your cholesterol was already below 4.0. Does suggest there’s more to the equation than low cholesterol.
You questioned how you got the block if cholesterol was so low?
I was poor at eating fruit / veg. But I also had a sweet tooth. Wonder if it was inflammation rather than cholesterol that kicked it off. So your story makes me curious.
Low risk based on a statistical model at the population level does not mean there’s no risk at the individual level. Health conditions are always multifactorial.
That’s an excellent question I’d love an answer to. Mine was 3.1 on the day of my HA at the end of January. It’s now below 2 but I’ve really suffered with muscle pain and brain fog. My consultant has dropped me from 80 to 20mg with more blood tests in 3monthts. I just hope the pains go soon! It’s interesting that I see some on here refer to statins reducing inflammation. Since the HA and starting statins there have been no changes in my CRP markers.
I've never had good HDL but as my LDL is low I was told it did not matter.
I'm in a similar position. I had stents fitted last week (two arteries at around 95% blockage) Doctor told me just before procedure that cholesterol has dropped from 5.4 to 2.4 as I have been on satins for past two months. I do need to continue on these for now.
Also told cholesterol is cholesterol and even if low, can affect arteries.
How much are you on? I'm on 80mg of Atorvastatin.
Perhaps ask your doctor if the doseage can be reduced?
I’ll definitely try. Wish there was a definitive way of knowing what the cause was / is. Frustrating to think of all this effort going into lower cholesterol when it might not be the cause.
I'm in the same boat as you as well. Had a stent fitted 2 years ago for a mid LAD blockage but no heart attack.
On 40mg atorvastatin my cholestrol is
Total - 3.2, Hdl - 1.8, Ldl - 0.9, Trig - 0.5.
I also have a 30% blockage in my RCA.
Studies that I have read suggest that you can halt the progression of atherosclerosis at on treatment ldl levels below 1.2mmol/L.
As well as this, statins can help stabilize existing plaques so in order to help my stent out and try to stop my other blockage from worsening I'm gonna stay on the statins. As I'm not a doctor I cannot offer you any advice but just wanted to let you know that I am in a very similar position to you and I will continue with the statins as in my case I think they are doing more good than harm. Cheers
Don’t worry. There are some people with genetically low cholesterol who are as low as that, and some even lower. The studies from UK Biobank looking at people with inherited genetic variants for low cholesterol that show no evidence of any health risks associated with lifelong low cholesterol. If you have any concerns, your own healthcare professionals are the ones whose advice you should seek. They know your history and your individual risk profile. Social media and internet searches won’t give any context to scare stories.
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