Mrs.Alkawari: I am in very hood health... - British Heart Fou...

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Mrs.Alkawari

Oatmilk123 profile image
16 Replies

I am in very hood health. Do not drink or smoke and BP 110 .over 60. Cholesterol total 6.1. Any alternatives to Statins?

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Oatmilk123
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16 Replies
Happyrosie profile image
Happyrosie

I think you are saying that, apart from raised cholesterol, your health is good. It is possible to make a small reduction in your cholesterol by tweaking your diet and if your doctor hasn’t already suggested this, and possible lifestyle changes, I’m a bit surprised. Unless your diet and lifestyle are already perfect?

Oatmilk123 profile image
Oatmilk123 in reply toHappyrosie

Many thanks dear Happyrose. I don't want statins and will reduce my ultra processed diet even more. No more cakes! I eat a broadly Med. Diet. 6.1 cholesterol. All my very best wishesJennie

MoretonCross profile image
MoretonCross

Well, you could look into supplementing with plant sterols available in tablet form by companies like "zipvit", for example. Check out the feedback on Amazon, do a YouTube search, etc. And don't be put off by the nay sayers, just have a look and make up your own mind. Good luck 👍 💓

Oatmilk123 profile image
Oatmilk123 in reply toMoretonCross

Thank you SO much by replying so kindly. I will order plant sterol by Healthsoan for sure. Good luck to you also dear MoretinCross

Wellington19 profile image
Wellington19

You may be able to get Bempedoic acid, otherwise not because of NICE restrictions

Davey77 profile image
Davey77 in reply toWellington19

Bempedoic Acid has just as long a list of "common" side-effects as Statins.

Oatmilk123 profile image
Oatmilk123 in reply toWellington19

I never heard of this and will research it. Is 6.1 dangerously high? No one in my daily had a heart attack under aged 78. Good luck dear Wellington19. GPS very quick to dole out statins

Oatmilk123 profile image
Oatmilk123 in reply toOatmilk123

Ah Davey 77 Therefore no to Bempefpic acid. I suggest reading the books on Blue Zones. Excellently healthy people. Worth a read. One us called "The Blue Zones ...lessons for living longer from the people who've lived the longest. Pub. By National Geograohic and written by Dan Buettner. I bought it on WOB which used to be World of Books. Free delivery in the UK. Brand new and much cheaper than bookshops. Good luck and many 😊 thanks

Lexi72 profile image
Lexi72

Michael Mosley on the bbc health programme said porridge and overnight oats said can help reduce cholesterol. Have tried it for a month but does not seem to have had much of an impact so far. Diet and exercise can help too a bit. I generally do what the doctor recommends so may go on statins best wishes

Oatmilk123 profile image
Oatmilk123 in reply toLexi72

Good luck Lexi. See my reply above Oatmilk123

RoyMacDonald profile image
RoyMacDonald

Statins are not to prevent a heart attack but deterioration of the small arteries in your brain. Keeping you better able to retain your faculty's as you age. My cholesterol level is 3.8 but that is regarded as very low by my Dr.

All the best.

Roy

Oatmilk123 profile image
Oatmilk123 in reply toRoyMacDonald

Thank you Roy. Very usefulOatmilk123

Lawburd profile image
Lawburd

Oatmilk, total cholesterol on its own can be fairly meaningless I think. It would be worth checking with your Dr but in my view of more relevance are your LDL and triglycerides levels. At 61 I have similar bp and am in excellent health, exercise daily with only a slightly lower total cholesterol level and follow a Mediterranean diet. The doctors I have seen tell me that my LDL levels and triglycerides are excellent and that it’s not worth considering statins. I’ve also had a carotid artery scan - one of the best indicators of likely vascular issues - which reveals no plaque whatever. I think you need to dive into the numbers a bit more before worrying about statins.

Oatmilk123 profile image
Oatmilk123 in reply toLawburd

Greatly helpful. I formation Lawburd. You sound like me! Ringing the GP....not my usual very nice one...and will.argue for the Sterol/better diet(less cake!) going forward. Best of luck and I wish you a very long and peaceful lifeOatmilk123

RoyMacDonald profile image
RoyMacDonald

Hi Oatmilk

You really need an MRI brain scan for your consultant to make a diagnosis as to whether you "need" statins or not. Mine recommended 5 mg 3 times a week after he saw mine, but my Doctor said my scan gave better results than hers did and she is only 41. I don't have any side effects and I'm over 80 now. I take the principal that anything that staves off deterioration of my faculties is a good thing. I think that is why statins are so widely prescribed. I also live mostly on vegetables, fruit and nuts, go for lots of walks, so keeping all bases covered.

All the best.

Roy

Oatmilk123 profile image
Oatmilk123

Thank you so much for your advice. I.think.you will be sending excellent advice at 100!X

Oatmilk123

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