Fear over risk of CVD / Heart problems

[ScttH641]

Hi there,

I'm currently very lost in regards to how im feeling both physically and mentally. I thought i'd post this as I'm not getting much luck with GP's or Doctors recently or over the past year.

I have long suffered with mental health since I was about 15, I've always been someone who worries about different things, but in recent years, I've developed an almost obsessive fear with having a heart attack and dying young.

I think this in part is because my Grandma passed away from one very suddenly when I was 21. I was with her that morning and I've always regretted my last words to her being "dont be afraid, everything will be okay". She was my entire world, and the only person who I ever truly felt safe with.

for the next 9 years, I struggled between battling my own mental health, caring for my Aunt with Dementia, and trying to hold down a job. Let's just say in this time I didn't do much self-care, especially relating to diet, I would frequently get my cholesterol and BP checked at my 6 week check-ins related to my antidepressants, and everything always came back OK.

Unfortunatley during the past 12 months, since I had an ilness last June, everything has gone downhill, My GP whom I had since I was 17 left the practice, so I've been stuck with GP's I don't know. They only ever focus on my mental health and ignore everything else. I don't know why but physically/mentally I've never felt quite right since I was ill, I decided to persue some private blood testing to check my cholesterol etc. as I had manged to correct my eating habits and live a much healthier life in that respect. In Septmeber everything once again, absolutley fine.

However in May 2023, I again just felt off and decided again to check but this time get a full health check blood test, this is where things got scary, my total cholesterol, my LDL cholesterol had both jumped to borderline high, not enough to be on statins, but not in the optimal ranges.

I contacted a GP who said, "there not that bad, forget about it". Immediatley before suggesting I increase my antidepressants, which I'd been attempting to come off slowly.

I also took a PLAC test, as the site offering the blood tests said this was very good for checking CVD risk, from what I've read on line its a marker of inflammation in the arteries, but some places also claim it detects rupture prone plaque, which admittedly has me scared, as my results showed my levels of this marker was also high.

I'm just finding it difficult as, my problems now are self-inflicted, but it just hurts that I've battled so hard to overcome my problems to now be an increased risk of something I've always feared.

I've fallen back into a huge depression, whilst I'm still eating clean, and doing okay in that regard, I just feel like there's no point anymore, and I feel I can't get clear or helpful advice from GP's who for me seem insitent on antidepressants, and ignoring my worrys about HA/CVD risk. They always say as i'm 30 years old, these things are nothing to worry about.

Maybe I am overreacting, worrying for nothing, but I just wish I could find that peace of mind that seems to of eluded me all these years.

If anyone reads this, Thank you.

[Autumn_Leaves]

I’ve never heard of a PLAC test. It doesn’t sound like a standard test. You have to be careful with buying blood tests online as they exist to make someone else a profit and you have no way of putting these results into any kind of context

I’m not sure what you mean by “borderline high” cholesterol. In any case, in the absence of any known risk a normal cholesterol level is not considered a problem, and yours sounds very likely within the normal range. If you are motivated, you could look into adopting some of the recommendations of the Portfolio Diet.

If you do not have any symptoms other than health anxiety, I suggest you accept your GP’s opinion regarding your cardiovascular risk profile. I know that sounds harsh but chances are you’re OK at the moment. Don’t throw your life away on worry. You’re young enough to invest in a healthy lifestyle and hopefully prevent the chances of illnesses in the future. Eat well, sleep well, keep active, and maybe look into mindfulness or relaxation to control your anxiety. Maybe you could look into some kind of talking therapy for your health anxiety.

[ScttH641 in reply to Autumn_Leaves]

Hi Autumn_Leaves!

Thank you for your reply, the cholesterol readings were flagged as high for total cholesterol & LDL.

TC was 5.1

LDL was 3.6

they should be below 5.0 and 3.0 respectivley, from what I was told, but they was lisited as being in 'borderline high' ranges, I guess it's because there above optimal, but not high enough to be considered for medication etc.

In regards to other risk factors, with the exception of cholesterol, I have non. My BP which i check every now and then is always healthy, I am slightly overweight for my heaight by half a stone, but working on that. My Qrisk score is 0.6 for the next 10 years.

I do have therapy on a fortnightly basis, and I am eating much better, I think my fears have just been how much damage could be done whilst my cholesterol is high etc. I agree with you about the PLAC test though of, I saw it online and I thought it would give me peace of mind but has done quite the opposite, and nowhere I ask, be it the GP or the company what did the blood test, put the results into any context, the company just says, research shows eleveated levels are belived to indicate higher risk of HA or stroke.

I think being honest since losing my Grandma, and my original GP retired, I think I've lost those people I trusted and felt safe with. Then my fears around my health kicked in.

Thank you again for your response, I appreciate you taking the time to reply!

Take Care

[Autumn_Leaves in reply to ScttH641]

It’s difficult when we lose people we depend on to be there for us.

My husband has a similar cholesterol to yours. He’s older but he’s in good health, no problems at all, takes no medication for anything. His cholesterol isn’t seen as a problem. To my knowledge, it’s always hovered around those levels. The best thing you can do is live as healthy a lifestyle as you can and the the advice to avoid one condition is more or less the same for everything — eat more plant foods, get enough fibre, stay well hydrated, keep physically active, make getting to bed and getting enough sleep a priority, work on your stress levels and make sure you do at least one thing every day that brings you joy. Also, don’t smoke (very bad!!) and don’t drink alcohol excessively. But you probably know all that.

There’s nothing wrong with being concerned about your health and it maybe prudent to tweak your diet eg try one or two suggestions from the portfolio diet. I am always wary of recommending any dietary advice to anyone but in very general terms a plant predominant diet based on whole foods is probably a better choice for people concerned about their cholesterol levels.

[ScttH641 in reply to Autumn_Leaves]

Thanks for your reply Autumn_Leaves!

I have made plentiful changes as soon as I got the results in May.

I've adopted a more Mediterranean style diet as often recommeded, Mostly plant-based, with some salmon a couple times a week. Completley eliminated added sugars, such as soft drinks.

Fortunatley, I've never smoked or drank, so I've avoided the risks from that, It was really diet and mental health were my issues, Although I did always have quite active jobs, I did deliverys which I would walk at least 3 hours a day, and also worked in a warehouse which I was walking, lifiting and carrying all day. It was when I moved to sales, I was less active, and honestly more stressed, so It's maybe no surprise these issues have risen at the same time I was moved to full time sales...

I've activley tackled sources of stress in my life, such as looking for another job, I love the people, but the targets and the pressure of meeting them, I just can't deal with it anymore.

Thank you again for your replies, It really means alot that someone would take time to read and respond, I'm not used to that kind of kindess, so thank you!

Take care, have a great day!

[Winter4519]

No you are not. I understand when doctor's leave or retire. Mines did and I felt lost. However, you have come to right place for support. On here there are sites and information you can be tap into, also there is sessions on here were you can get advice from qualified heart nurses