Diet for high cholesterol and weight loss

[Heartsore65]

Hi I had a heart attack and two stents but no matter what meds I was given I have bad side effects which I can't live with so stopped. I'm trying to get my cholesterol down and loss the weight I put on while on the meds however internet not helpful it's do this no don't, eat this no don't. To put it mildly I'm confused.

[Pollypuss]

Well as I have said from my previous posts I could not tolerate any of the prescribed medicines apart from aspirin after my triple bypass. They did all sorts of tests in hospital and came up with Statins. I wouldn’t recommend you stop them but I use Benacol and every yearly blood test comes up ok ( four years ) . I do follow a very strict diet but have the odd chocolate cake etc at times . I’m really sorry about how you feel . When people ask me about the bypass all I can really remember is the very embarrassing trips to the loo and feeling sick . Good idea to have a chat with your doctor

[Happyrosie]

if you need serious and researched advice as to what to eat and how much, and what to take only a little of, then there are two charities that give good advice. The British Heart Foundation and Blood Pressure UK.

With the advice they give, you can put anything you read into context.

And don’t forget exercise!

[Heartsore65 in reply to Happyrosie]

Hi I'm in South Africa so trying to figure out if there is a way of becoming a patient

[Happyrosie in reply to Heartsore65]

Wherever you are in the world, the information given on either or both of these website is appropriate to you as far as diet and exercise are concerned.

[nicknack999]

Sorry to hear you're having a rough time. I want to offer you some hope as I'm just coming out the other side. Meds have been horrible but I stuck with them and now, after 5 months, I've finally got used to them and no more feeling rough, fatigue, nauseous, dizzy, headache, etc. I take rampiril, bisoprolol, clopidogrel, atorvastatin and aspirin after 4x bypass in January. Hang in there. I did find reducing doses under advice from cardiac rehab team and changing when taking some of the drugs - from morning to evening- helped. Good luck

[Heartsore65 in reply to nicknack999]

I tried and tried but I could not function and I can't go back to the dramatic side effects. I live on a farm in South Africa and my partner on contact in Zimbabwe. So I have to be Functional tried three different combinations of meds and doses, basically until I was bitten by a black widow spider I was never sick, never took even a disprin for a head ache, probably took 3 in my life prior. I'm on herbal which seems to work for me. I'm active eat what I think is healthy since adding a few things like spice, flaxseed, lentils and changing my breakfast to savory. I have lost the weight mostly tummy I put on after meds, gained muscle and energy levels right back up, sleeping, sugar spikes down, blood pressure perfect and mental health great. Prior to sorting out sugar spikes I thought the sugar spikes effect and heart palpitations where my heart which scared me. I haven't had the chance to check cholesterol levels but will do next time I'm in town but in the meantime reducing inflammation with diet. I am getting back to me and my previous fitness level.

[Autumn_Leaves]

If it’s do-able and sustainable for you, then I suggest taking a look at the Portfolio Diet.

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Alternatively, the ultimate cholesterol lowering diet at Heart UK website, which is similar to the Portfolio Diet but probably easier and more achievable.

Adding more nuts and seeds is an easy win, as well as adding more soluble fibre. Psyllium husk is a good one. I use it for my colon issues, but it’s recommended in the Portfolio diet for lowering cholesterol. Flaxseed and lentils definitely tick the boxes so you’re already on track. Just stick with it and keep going. It will all help.