What are High blood lipids ? My GP wants to speak to me about recent blood tests I had and says my blood test showed high lipids.

Ramipril High lipids

[cat3]

Dave, your doctor will be concerned about high cholesterol in your bloodstream and may ask you to take statins to lower cholesterol or what's called an ACE inhibitor (such as Ramipril) to lower your blood pressure by widening your arteries.

You can lower your cholesterol without medication by cutting down on fatty foods, smoking and alcohol, eating loads of fruit & greens and exercising regularly ; although if it's dangerously high, short term meds might be recommended until you've adjusted your diet/lifestyle.

Keeping cholesterol levels low is important in heart health and prevention of strokes, so listen to your doctor's advice as it's usually a straightforward issue to adjust. Take care, Cat x

[Hidden in reply to cat3]

Hi Cat, thanks for your reply. I am on ramipril 2.5mg once a day and have been for a couple of years. The blood tests were part of my meds review. I'm guessing the dose might need increasing

[cat3 in reply to Hidden]

Yes maybe. But I guess it depends whether your BP is stable or not. If it is, your doc might opt for a statin (or whatever he/she thinks appropriate) rather than risking bringing it too low.

My cholesterol was marginal a few years ago and, rather than take statins, I managed to cut back on sugar intake to bring it back down ; it took about three months but came down to 5.

Hope you get it back under control ; all the best Dave.... x

[Hidden in reply to cat3]

Hi I had my doctors call and he said my cholesterol had risen a bit since my last check a year ago. Advised to focus on my fat intake and have bloods done again in 3 months.

[cat3 in reply to Hidden]

For me it was mainly sugar. I had to have a dark choc-ice every night after dinner and I had two heaped teaspoons of sugar in tea & coffee and a general liking for sweet stuff.

My meals were really healthy by contrast ; loads of root & green veg, wholegrain cereal & bread and no red meat.

I stopped the choc-ices ( 7 per week..........really ??) and cut down to one rounded teaspoon of sugar in drinks (drink loads of tea & coffee). My cholesterol came down to an acceptable level in 3 months.

I'd smoked since a teenager and I think the chocolate intake was a substitute since giving up the ciggies after my brain haemorrhage.

You'll know what your 'guilty pleasures' are Dave. It could be something as simple as fizzy drinks (my son kept his fridge stacked with Lucozade claiming it kept up his energy levels 'til I reminded him it was mostly about high sugar content) 🙄 .

Good luck in cutting down on the culprits ; let us know how you get on ........if you dare ! (Seriously though, I know it's hard giving up stuff you enjoy). x

[New_beginning]

Avoid eating bananas though, maybe just 1 per week.

[cat3 in reply to New_beginning]

Mmm....my cardiologist advised me to eat one large banana daily as they're good protection for the heart ; containing fibre, vitamin C, higher B6 levels than potassium, and magnesium which helps lower blood pressure.

There are so many myths surrounding bananas I know, which is a shame as they're high on the list of foods which lower bad cholesterol (LDL) by means of soluble fibre expelling LDL from the body. I know there's talk of a high carb & natural sugar issue, but I imagine the benefits far outweigh these more minor issues.

I hope things are getting a little easier for you m'love.... 🌷x

[New_beginning in reply to cat3]

Its weird for 6mths on 10mg twice a day and others 8 times a day, gp told me to avoid bananas like you say so many different info.

Yes lovely surprise today from husband to thank me and what he had done is positive sign rehabilitation going well . We did hit bumps beginning of month , but he redeemed himself pulling this off today. Hes made me a safe haven space for when i collect my thoughts which i do before bed x

[cat3 in reply to New_beginning]

Oh that's such an improvement from only 2 months ago. Progress from brain injury seems to come in spasms -------a few steps backwards then an unexpected forward leap. There'll be blips still but this is so promising.

Starting to show consideration and empathy is a massive leap towards repairing a relationship threatened by the all too common behavioral issues.

Such good news m'love and I hope your man's progress continues onwards and upwards ! Stay in touch..... x

[New_beginning in reply to cat3]

He provided a brief glimpse of hope, but back to poor behaviour. Wishes he never survived, as he rather be dead to live this life. We have home visit tomorrow. I am so what been Defeated on his emotional cognitive behaviour.

[cat3 in reply to New_beginning]

Please try not to see this as the inevitable New_be. At 6 months he still has a long journey of re-learning and re-adapting before reaching a plateau.

Emerging from brain injury is notoriously one step forward and several steps back for the first couple of years at least, and your man has shown a capability for empathy which is such a positive sign of his rehabilitation.

SO hard for you I know, but please hang in there whilst he feels his way through a new & unfamiliar set of emotions and learns to perceive life much as he did as a child......tantrums and all....

Stay in touch ; thinking of you m'love.

I hope the home visit goes smoothly tomorrow. x