I have just gotten blood tests back indicating that my cholesterol is at the "risk level" (very high). I was on an introductory dose of statins, and now my GP is doubling the dose. I know this sounds silly, but I'm feeling very fragile today. Heart disease does run in my family and they are saying I possibly have "familial hypercholesterolemia" (fancy word for genetics). I'm going to do some lifestyle changes, especially with my diet. I am overweight and need to lose a bit. I'm just a bit anxious today and wanted to reach out.
Joyce
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JoyceMary
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We all have these anxious days I have more that are anxious than not and it is good to talk about it
Any test results that come back that are not reading as good as we would like can trigger these feelings this is quite normal but you know about it your Doctor is going to increase your meds which hopefully will work you know you have to make some lifestyle changes so you can hopefully get this under control
I hope as the day goes on you can reason with these anxious feelings and tomorrow is a better day x
It’s understandable that you’re feeling frightened and anxious; I would say that’s normal.
I know it can be difficult but be proud that you’re looking at making positive changes to do something about it. Acknowledging that there is a problem is half the battle!
When I’m feeling really anxious I try to find one positive thing in my day even if it’s that I liked the smell of my washing when I got it out the machine or I made it through the day 🙂
Keep us updated with how you get on, if you feel up to it.
JoyceMary I found out I had very high cholesterol (over 9) about 25 years ago, likely genetically linked, and apart from an initial dalliance with lifestyle changes which got it down to 6.5 but then went back up, I have been on statins ever since. I was on 40mg Atorvastatin for 20 years then after a 'mild' NSTEMI heart attack nearly 6 years ago the dose was increased to 80mg. Also, at my request, I am now on 10mg Ezetimibe which has reduced my cholesterol to about 3.8, plus the bad cholesterol, LDL, is also well within recommended limits, all of which I am happy with. My high dose of statins seem to be doing their job because two angiograms, one immediately after my HA and a second last year, have shown no further deterioration in plaque laydown.
Anyway that's my story, so for you, be much encouraged that just because you may have FH there is a medical armoury of medication now available, plus the well documented lifestyle measures you must take on board including diet, exercise and body weight management plus alcohol and smoking guidelines, all to reduce your heart disease risk from where it was before you were diagnosed. Added to which if you have FH you will no doubt be dispatched to a lipid clinic (which I have never been offered, no such thing 25 years ago) for specialist treatment.
In short, rejoice that you are in a better place than before you were diagnosed, and get on with life without being overly concerned about your condition. 👍
Exactly as others have said - knowing about this now means you can avoid ill effects. I am a fit and healthy 39 yo (heart defect aside...) and genetic high cholesterol was picked up in March. I was shocked but started on 80mg stains and my Cholesterol went from 6.1 to 2.9 in 9 months.
There were a few chaps in my cardiac rehab group who wished they'd started statins 20 years ago as it might have been the intervention that spared them a heart attack.
It's an unwelcome brush with your status as a normal, mortal person but I promise it will become Normal and OK. Xxx
Like you I have just found out through a routine blood test that my cholesterol level is borderline and has been like that for a little while. My lifestyle is healthy, but we all know it’s not just lifestyle that causes these problems. Statins were suggested to me and I was toying with the idea, shall I, shan’t I. But after reading replies from some very nice people in these posts that have similar problems, my mind was made up. I would rather be safe than sorry, and glad for the blood test.
similar situation for me, only recently put on a blood pressure tablet and statin. I don’t feel good about it, lots of strong emotions for me as well, including fear as there is a strong family history
On the plus side I’m using that to drive me. I’ve cut out most of the saturated fat, given up salt and lots of healthy cooking too. Cut down on alcohol and cut down massively on the sweet tooth. No salt being added to anything. I’m surprised at how quickly I’m adapting
And the big one. Swimming lessons booked for next week. I’ve already been to the pool twice this week too. I read a study (numbers might be off here). Something like 91 people over 60 years of age, who had either high normal or grade 1 hypertension, swam for 30 mins, 3 times per week, for 3 months. They all demonstrated a substantial drop in blood pressure. Exercise, as well as a healthy high fibre diet, lowers cholesterol too
So, that’s my story. These strong negative emotions we are feeling may help to drive you to positive changes.
My diet was healthy anyway, I’ve just cut some stuff. Effectively I’ve done one thing there- cut the crap!
Exercise- I’m active anyway but needed an all body cardio workout. So, I’ve done one thing there - started swimming.
My advice is go for one or two strong positive changes at a time. Stick it for three months and then take it from there
The higher dose of statins sound good. Since being on them my cholesterol has gone down to 3. I think genetics is a much more significant factor than people realise. My mum had heart attack at 50 and triple bypass. Gran had 2 heart attacks on her 50's and my dad had triple bypass at 60. I was 50, not overweight and fit and diet was ok. Started getting chest pains. Cardiologist said he doubted anything was wrong but needed things checked due to history.
Had an angiogram and found out I needed a stent. Hopefully now I am on statins etc will slow or stop things getting worse
Hello Joyce, I understand how you are feeling. Its normal to get a bit anxious when something is not right on any test we have. But being positive, its good that they are checking it, and they have found out about your cholesterol results. I went thru something similar, but in my case, unfortunately my GP never prescribe me with statins. And it was only when I had an appointment with a private cardiologist, that I realise how high my cholesterol was. After angiogram, it was showing damage to my arteries, something that for my age (at that time, 47) was not normal. He put me straight away on statins, 40mg, BP tablets, Angina tablets. I felt really angry, as why my GP never had this checked, knowing there is similar issues in the family. Recently I moved to Spain, and my cardiologist has increased my statin dose to 80mg. I am also making changes, on a strict diet with the help of injections, also trying to walk every day, no alcohol, and to stop smoking. All these changes have to be made by us, and it will make us feel better and healthier. Nothing else we can do. When feeling anxious, think that you are being checked, you are taking medication, and making changes. Hope you feel better soon. Sorry for very long response. Take care and Merry Xmas.
I would look deeper into the cholesterol levels as there is good cholesterol too. They said mine was too high but when looking into it, it was actually under borderline when taking into account good cholesterol.
I would look deeper into the cholesterol levels as there is good cholesterol too. They said mine was too high but when looking into it, it was actually under borderline when taking into account good cholesterol.
I’m writing to let you know that there is hope. Statins have worked wonders for my husband, but alas I couldn’t tolerate any of the statins we tried. After the doctors found a significant blockage in an artery, the surgeon let me know that I had no choice but to be on cholesterol medication, and he assured me that there are some very good new non-statin medicines out now. He put me on Repatha. (It’s an injectable medication and it can be expensive. My surgeon’s staff located a bit of a discount for me.) But there are other good ones, including one mentioned by a responder to your post (Ezetimibe). On Repatha, my cholesterol levels dropped by a whole lot the first month—so much that my cardiologist was wowed and even sent me a message saying so). I look at this hurdle as I’m so very grateful to have caught it and know about the challenges my body has been facing alone—and to be living! Now I can help my body out and do what I can to live better and longer…and so can you🫶.
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A bit nervous about angiogram
Feeling better 
Feeling bit jittery .
Bit of a wobble 
Feeling a bit shell shocked & raw
