cholesterol monitor/candy statins!

[SteveWX]

ok peeps, I’m after a bit of advice, discuss , as I’m not quick to change which is good. But I do like information.

My story is I’ve just gone through 5 years after having 1 stent. And thankfully not had any further problems.

After seeing my cardiologist who put the stent in me, and after a nov 22 men’s health check where my cholesterol total was 2,9 we dropped my avorstatin from 80mg to 40mg. I did the men’s health check as I’m 52 to check for prostrate sbd that sort of stuff!

At the ripe age of 52 and after a pretty good run up to this point I’m not a big drinker of alcohol, I exercise daily, don’t smoke, don’t vape etc.

Now I generally feel about 80%, get tired and generally have a mild feeling of dogs…t most days and I put it down to the drugs I’m on, hence working privately with my cardiologist to balance out the meds.

Now not that I’m looking for medical advice, but I’m lucky in the fact that money isn’t a problem, so I was considering buying a £500-£700 cholesterol monitor and seeing over a 3-6 month period if I could keep my cholesterol in check through diet, exercise and healthy living as while these drugs are great we are only taking them for intervention. I wondered if anyone has an opinion on this, have done it themselves etc etc

many thanks in advance

Steve

[devonian186]

Are you concerned that dropping to 40g might have consequences unless you take adequate steps to ensure that your C level stays low? By doing it naturally you also hope that some of your other ailments might disappear?.

I have been on 80g for 18 months and my cholesterol is around 2.7 but as yet my GP hasn't suggested I reduce it. I agree that the various medicines might contribute to all sorts of things and if we can keep healthy naturally that must be a good thing.

I have googled monitors and there seems to be lots of different ones at different price points.

Are you hoping that testing will ensure that any lifestyle changes will bring your C levels down and thereby enable you to further reduce the statins and perhaps stop them if your C levels stay low and you feel better?

I would run it past my GP who might have a recommendation for a monitor, but in principle if you can satisfactorily keep your c levels low naturally and the statins were not having some other intended effect, then it sounds a worthwhile route.

[SteveWX in reply to devonian186]

Morning, I’ve dropped from 80mg to 40mg under the careful consultation of my cardiologist. Ultimately it would be much better for my head to be on zero but I appreciate the consequences of that could have a detrimental impact, therefore just discussing really.

Our bodies do seem pre disposed to our DNA and as example not all unhealthy overweight smokers are having heart problems. Hence cholesterol for me just might be that my body is never going to get it right naturally.

I’m happy to pay and see my cardiologist every 3 months if required under a plan as after 5 years I’m just in that explore phase in my mind because for me my heart attack was a combination of 24hr shifts for 30 years, eating the wrong things and smoking

[devonian186 in reply to SteveWX]

Yes, different phases of our lives require different responses, although our earlier activities will no doubt impact on the present, such as your 24hr shifts. There are many people here that claim they have been living a healthy lifestyle and were shocked to have a heart attack or other major health concern. So perhaps their lifestyle wasn't as healthy as they thought or that genetics play a major part.

I think what you propose to do is interesting and whilst I would run it past a GP first sounds as if its worth giving it a go.

[SteveWX]

cheers and have a good day Devonian 👍

[scentedgardener]

I think it would depend on whether or not you have any coronary artery disease. They would prefer you to stay on statins if you do, I think. It was explained to me that if there is plaque the statin alters it making it less likely for any bits to break off and cause problems. I can only repeat what a very nice doctor told me, but I can't back it up with any medical articles You could perhaps run it past your cardiologist.

[SteveWX in reply to scentedgardener]

Morning, yes that makes sense. If you talk to people there are cases where people have just stopped taking their statins but I don’t agree with that. Everything should be measured especially if you’ve had an event in your life.

I’m going to keep talking to the gp and cardiologist and will update, I just wondered if anyone else had taken that path

[High_fives in reply to scentedgardener]

I think that's right. As I understand Dr's think statins may have benefits to our arteries (assistance in reducing blockages & repair) beyond reducing bad C & increasing good C (which is measurable in our blood).

I'm not even sure if the mechanism of this assistance is known, but statistically it seems some benefit is received. And it's up to the individual & Cardiologist to weigh up the benefits with any risks (side effects) of each case.

[DasyB]

Hi Steve, yes high cholesterol levels do have a genetic component - that is partly why they ask about family history of heart problems. It is my understanding that statins keep existing cholesterol where it is ( less likely to cause a stroke) and help prevent the accumulation of more cholesterol, with higher levels of HDL cholesterol helping to remove LDL. Plus diet maybe - although I really work on that and no effect on weight in the last year.

I am in the same boat as you really: on 80mg Atorvastatin and Ezetimebe and they want me on an injectable something as well. My cholesterol was 4.5 last December, before the Ezetimibe, so I am holding out for a blood test first. I have looked into paying for tests, because annual checks don't seem enough to me. It seems they don't like the paid for ones as they are a pinprick and then a judgement call on the colour of the reagent. The test where they take blood and actually examine it is more reliable, and also costs more, and is hard to get. Any leads would be appreciated though!

[SteveWX]

Hi Dasy, Yes I have the same issue around losing weight, I literally have to starve myself to get anything off and when I eat normally I just sit in the maintenance zone. To give you an idea I have a bowl of rolled oats (small) with a banana for breakfast, rice with veg and generally chicken for lunch and then a variety of normal evening meals, sometimes I have a 200 cal ice lolly in the evening. But that's it. My pre heart attack weight was 125kilos which is big, but I am 6'3 and an ex rugby player. I'm currently 117kgs.

I'm going to continue to pay privately with my cardiologist and do a blood test prior to seeing him so I can keep on top of things, I would like a calcium check but after an echo and cardio stress test he is happy with my ECG readings as there was no difference in my ECG from resting up to 160bpm.

I've just turned 52 years old so I want to be proactive as otherwise I've hopefully got a lot of years taking tablets.

For your information my exercise program is anything from a 5-7.5km dog walk every day at a reasonable pace, being pulled along by a golden retirever and then anything from circuits, body pump, cross trainer of Ebiking for 40km and I defintiely do that 3 times a week and sometimes more.

My honest feeling is that I want to push everything in consultation as while the NHS is great its a reactive service and I want to be proactive about my health.

My cardiologist told me the other day that he thinks I can come off of my bisopromol as when I had my stent fitted all myt other arteries were fine and with my general level of health etc etc, that in itself scared me haha but I am going to work slowly with this.

I am lucky as I don't work a job as such so I can concentrate on me. you certainly realise how precious life can be when these events happen and I'm thankful for the air I breath.

I'm next seeing the cardiologist in October/November

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Hello,

My GP monitors both my cholesterol blood levels and HbA1c ( the blood marker for diabetes). I have my bloods taken every 3 months at the moment.

My Cardiologist has increased my Rosuvastatin to 10mgs a day as he has advised that my LDL cholesterol level should be below 1.8 mmol/L.

I am now borderline for prediabetes, my father was diabetic and I was borderline for gestational diabetes during my pregnancies.

I thought about getting a home monitoring kit, however I decided it would add unhelpful extra stress for me.

We're all different and there is no right or wrong way just what helps you most as an individual without causing more anxiety.

Have you considered paying a private laboratory to test your cholesterol blood levels for you or having your blood checked at a Pharmacy?

Perhaps discuss with your GP which would be the most accurate option home testing, testing by a Pharmacist or private laboratory.

[SteveWX]

Hi Milkfairy,

I'm going to phone BUPA as I have this cover and ask them about proactive health care and blood testing with them as TBH it makes sense even for them to help me be on top of it. cheers

[DasyB]

Be interested to know how it goes/how it went SteveWX. Also - every 3 months Milkfairy? I get annual bloods - now I'm getting annoyed! I would love to be pill free but it doesn't look likely, a pharmacist is currently managing my medication. I'm hoping to get off the bisoprolol first, then look again at cholesterol. Good to chat tho, thanks.