HDL cholesterol confusion

[serenity2012]

Hi - I'm overall very fit and healthy and do a lot of exercise (12 hours a week). I eat very healthily and limit alcohol to 14 units a week. I've just been told my HDL is very high even though my LDL is normal range. I've been advised to take "lifestyle changes" to lower my HDL. I'm really confused as to what lifestyle changes I can make other than stop eating seeds and pulses that raise HDL, and stop exercising (that also raises HDL) - both of which seem very counter intuitive! I'm very confused and worried! Can any help with any advice as - everything I search for tells me there's no medication to lower HDL and to eat healthily, limit alcohol and exercise - which I do! Please help

[Hidden]

I suggest you ask your GP to refer you to a lipid clinic where they will have the specialist skills and knowledge that perhaps your GP does not possess. In the meantime do not worry!

[serenity2012]

-Hi - yeah, thanks for replying. My LDL was 2.2(mmol/L) and my HDL was 2.98(mmol/L)

[serenity2012]

Added detail - my LDL was 2.2(mmol/L) and my HDL was 2.98(mmol/L)

[Sljp0000]

HDL is your good cholesterol but 2.98 is quite high. Do you eat much oily fish? I was told by my hospital only to have one portion per week. Although we need good Cholesterol we don't need to over do it. Maybe reduce your seeds, nuts a little?

[Rosiemycat]

I had a blood test in the last fortnight that shows total cholesterol 3.9 but I asked for the LDL result and told 1.9 mmol/l which should be below 2 mmol/l which is fine and told HDL was 0.9 mmol/l and should be over 1mmol/l.

From what I understand under 1mmol/l for HDL is risky for risk of heart attack and strokes and as I had a previous heart attack in 2017 I need to try and raise my HDL somehow. I thought if HDL was much higher like yours it would be a good thing and wonder what is an acceptable HDL not too high or low

[serenity2012 in reply to Rosiemycat]

It's so confusing because the levels of LDL I was told by my doctor and on the heartuk site was that below 3.0 is good!

[serenity2012 in reply to serenity2012]

Sorry, just realised you've had a previous heart attack and that's why you're looking at below 2 as a target. Apologies

[serenity2012]

I take Omega 3 capsules every day - the algae ones. I'm wondering if I should cut down on them but - I don't want my LDL to go up as at the moment it's pretty good.

[Rosiemycat in reply to serenity2012]

I am on statins Atorvastin 80mg daily tablet since the heart attack and have had no side affects on them. Thank you I will try the Omega 3 capsules the algae ones and see if that helps and hope you find a way to lower your HDL

[Bigscar]

I was a very fit 30 year old high cholesterol ran in my family and I got angina and had a triple bypass age 31. Now nearly 77 I was put on quite a few drugs but my cholesterol is now much lower and although HDL to LDL isn’t as perfect as it should be I put the control down to statins. I know they do not seem to suit everyone but I’ve reached an age at one time I never thought possible and still have active pursuits. Has your doctor not looked at this aspect but then again to have good cholesterol outweighing the bad he probably won’t want to upset the apple cart.Do seek good advice be interested to know what are the bad ramifications of high good cholesterol seems a contradiction of terms!

[Rovelli]

I believe that the whole cholesterol thing is nonsense, but everyone is now too invested in it to admit it.Originally it was all supposed to be bad, then there was "good", then all the numbers had to be tweaked. It's a racket.

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Rovelli]

Are you suggesting the BHF is part of the ' racket' ?

They are one of the largest independent funders of research including research into the benefits of cholesterol to promote heart health.

[Rovelli in reply to Milkfairy]

Dr Aseem Malhotra is a current cholesterol sceptic. I just put it out there as a contrarian.

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Rovelli]

Dr Aseem Malhotra's views are not respected by the BHF.

thelancet.com/journals/lanc...

MP Andrew Bridgen a supporter of Dr Malhotra was suspended from parliament.

bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-...

[Rovelli]

It was a book that I read over 10 years ago, and stupidly did not make a note of it. It was written by someone who worked in the field of heart medicine. I don't think he was the only sceptic. If I ever track it down I will re-post.

[Rovelli]

Just to turn our interest to statins and stats: theguardian.com/society/201...

[Shar28]

Hi, the focus just on “good” and “bad” cholesterol has been updated as its more complex than that. You need to know your total, HDL and non- HDL cholesterol levels and the ratio between them. There are various articles on the BHF website, such as these ones that are useful

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

I think theres a cholesterol forum on here too who maybe able to help further.