Any relation between CLL and Atherosclerosis

[FiddleMD]

Hi All, I am in CLL remission for three years and had a stroke in June, 2023. The diagnosis is Atherosclerosis and since June the arteries in my brain have further occluded. Based on my lifestyle and physical condition Atherosclerosis was the furthest thing on my mind. My question is whether others have a similar history and if anyone knows of a link between CLL and Atherosclerosis. I have read there is limited connection between the two, but no hard studies. Thanks in advance. John

[lankisterguy Volunteer]

Hi FiddleMD,

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I don't know anything about your conditions, but here is a link to the 6 previous times it was mentioned in a posting (out of 38,045 postings) :

healthunlocked.com/cllsuppo...

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Len

[FiddleMD in reply to lankisterguy]

Len many thanks for the info. John

[neurodervish]

Hi FiddleMD,

I hope you're a luthier or a doc who plays the fiddle (or both). 😀

I've had higher cholesterol ( LDL of 184, found in 2022). I have always exercised daily, eaten a very healthy diet, don't smoke and have low blood pressure.

After 2 years of mostly rabbit food & green smoothies, I managed to get my LDL down to (a still too high) 143 and was officially diagnosed with hyperlipidemia. I decided to pay out of pocket for a cardiac CT scan and it showed mild arteriosclerosis, so I threw in the towel and went on a statin. Now my LDL is 64.

I was trying to figure out if it was related to CLL, but in the end, it doesn't change either. I reckon it's just the luck of the draw. I was diagnosed with CLL in 2013 and spent the first few years trying to figure out how it happened and how I could improve my chances—I wanted info & agency. I've since learned (here on HU) that informed patients have better health outcomes: ✔️ and that diet & exercise help improve CLL health: ✔️

[FiddleMD in reply to neurodervish]

neurodervish thanks for the reply and stay well. I'm just a wanna be fiddler.

[LeoPa]

As far as I know atherosclerosis has everything to do with ones diet and little with anything else. But there could be things I don't know about. Actually I am sure that there are a lot of things I don't know about 😁. Sorry to hear about the stroke. I hope you will get better and no permanent effect remains.

[FiddleMD in reply to LeoPa]

LeoPa thanks for the reply and stay well.

[Edalv]

I am not sure that CLL has anything to do with atherosclerosis… I think lifestyle is a very important factor, but some of us have predisposition to higher cholesterol no matter what. I have avoided statins, but at almost 72 years old, I am thinking to introduce a preventative low dosage of statins into my schedule. My total cholesterol is not high, about 180, but my LDL is in the 130 range. I would feel more comfortable if I can get it under 100. I increased my exercise routine and introduced citrus bergamot tea to my daily routine. I will have my doctor check again in a couple of months to see if there is any improvement…

[FiddleMD in reply to Edalv]

Edalv thanks for the reply

[CoachVera55]

I don’t know about CLL & Atherosclerosis link. But like everyone has said lifestyle plays a major role, nutrition & fitness. But family disposition definitely does & so does age, its just an unfair fact.

I had a 60yr old heart attack patient & the nurse giving me report told me that he was very angry. When I spoke with him, he had lost both parents in their 50’s to heart disease. He intentionally did everything right, Great Clean Nutrition, No Red Meat, Stay Hydrated, No Alcohol & ran 5 miles a day.

I had to break it to him that he could not out run his genetic disposition. I also asked him what healthy ways do you deal with stress, maybe that is an area that still needs work. Also all he did, did save his life so know that & be proud…

[FiddleMD in reply to CoachVera55]

Thanks for the reply Coach