Had a health visitor from work come in and do a health check and my cholesterol level is very high which has really worried me to the point of obsession. My diet is bad but i never knew just how much. Total Cholesterol 7.16. HDL Cholesterol 1.18. Total/HDL ratio 6.1. I am 36 years old male. 5ft 8. 64kg. Body fat 18.7%. Blood pressure 123/79. Pretty shocked, I don't think I ever had cholesterol tested before .
I have a 2 year old and another baby due April. Really frightened me.
OK, what you need to do is to go to your GP and ask for cholesterol and lipid blood test, when the blood test results are available ask for a risk analysis and life style change discussion.
You need to look at your life style, consider regular exercise and watching out for free and hidden sugar in your daily intake. You are 36, you can achieve working towards a healthy life.
Can I ask looking at the results above are they really really bad? He said I should see doctor straight away as they were on the high side of high and in the red zone, really put the fear of god into me.
Not need to worry at all, I am 57 my cholesterol level swings like a yo-yo my whole life, 5 years ago it was 6.4 then changed my diet reduced to 5.6, then I neglected my diet and it rose to 7.6 last April, changed my diet again and it came down to 6.4 in November. My experience tells me that if I continue with my diet, it will keep going down, if I don't then it will rise, simple as that. My changed diet consists of 80g of oatmeal every morning, cut out red meat completely but poultry and fish only (not deep fried), loads of vegs and cut down alcohol to recommended level. It is also important to cut out snacks contain "hidden" oil, such as crisps. Some doctors are keen to put anyone with cholesterol level over 5 with statin and in my case I was pressurised to do so but I flatly refused as I know I can reduce it with dietary change. Check how others reduce their cholesterol level on this forum might help too.
I am afraid I am not a medical person to offer an answer to the two numbers given. Stop worrying, wait for next blood test, traffic light health guidance, I am not sure?
You can start on your life style change now, control every thing that goes into to your mouth, watch out for free and hidden sugar. Eat smaller portion of food.
Stress is vey bad for heat's health.
Bad for someone without genetic problems but not ever so bad. Fix the diet, get some exercise (half hour of gentle cardio every day but really everyday - go for a walk ifneeded) and it'll probably get back into a reasonable range. That'll have all sorts of other benefits so I feel it's better than lipid-management drugs. Oh and take care but really don't worry too much: very high is double figures total IMO.
Well, it's a good wake-up call to get your diet and lifestyle on track, but at the same time I don't think you need to panic. Based on your biometrics, you do not appear to be overweight or have excess body fat.
Total cholesterol in and of itself is of little value in determining cardiovascular risk.
A more insightful blood test would be for ApoB and ApoA1. Ideally the NMR Lipoprofile test would give you a detailed breakdown of your LDL components which would provide you with the best insight. The measure of your Lp(a) would also be a good marker of cardiovascular risk. You may have to go to a private lab to get these done which you'll have to pay for.
Until you get these done - take this general advice.
Take 3,000 mg of Vitamin C daily, in divided doses of 1,000 mg with each of your main meals.
Vitamin C helps the body synthesize collagen which is a repair mechanism for blood vessel damage, among other tissues in the body. When your body has adequate collagen production, its cholesterol production is reduced, so this supplementation will reduce your cholesterol levels to a point.
Diet - in general - avoid sugars and simple carbohydrates - white flour products like white bread, pasta, pizza; white rice, and white potatoes. Whole grains are fine in moderation - look for quinoa, whole grain bread, whole wheat pasta and pizza.
Even better, replace your simple carbs with legumes (beans, lentils, chick peas) and lots of vegetables - lots of green - broccoli, spinach, kale, arugula. Tomatoes and apples should also be eaten daily as they have critical health benefits.
Avoid fried foods, and stay away from packaged foods at the supermarket. They tend to contain hidden sugars and excess salt.
Prepare your meals from fresh food. Limit animal protein to 3 oz per day and include fish twice a week. Try and limit red meat to once every 2 weeks.
Eggs are fine in moderation. Plain, unsweetened, Greek yogurt is a good source of protein. Goat milk and sheep milk are easier to digest and result in less mucous production.
If you want to learn more about my journey you can click on this link:
healthunlocked.com/user/sos007
Good luck.
My recent numbers, what would you say?
Low carb high fat diet effect on cholesterol
Cholesterol much too low - help!
follow up cholesterol of numbers
