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[Help] High cholesterol



PascalGroß Tips

Well-known member
Jan 29, 2024
548
So I'm not alone then! I had a similar thing, chest pains, etc, and one day I collapsed. I went for some tests, and got called in the next day for the op which they said was 'urgent' - and this was in the middle of Covid! I couldn't believe it when they showed me the x-ray just before fitting the stent, all my arteries looked like dressing gown cords except for the LAD which resembled a bit of cotton. I'm no gym bunny but on the other hand I'm not a couch potato who survives solely on takeaways. I too am on aspirin and 80mg statins.

Never mentioned to me about not letting the heart rate get too high - I'd better stop watching the Albion then!
My mate has shown me the video he took of his scan when the consultant showed it to him on the screen. It’s exactly as you describe. He had a check up recently with his consultant who said he can push his heart rate higher, but I think my mate is just being a bit ultra cautious.
 






Dick Swiveller

Well-known member
Sep 9, 2011
9,500
Oooh, why not statins? I've been going for regular checks (I'm 67) and despite having excellent blood pressure and all my cholesterol readings well within the limits, indeed at the lower end of the scale I got put on them a few years ago as I had a 'funny turn' which was caused by a blocked artery (left anterior descending: the 'widowmaker'). Had a stent and statins and I've been fine.

Haven't noticed any side effects *FgHHdh WRR*.
Apart from it being better to nor need drugs to control it, they can cause muscle aches. I had to change due to this. Been taking the new ones for a couple of weeks and had the pharmacist phone me today for the second time to see how I am tolerating them. Never had that for drugs before. Probably just as well I missed her call as I do indeed have aching arms, a dry cough and headaches at the moment. But even as a non medical person, I reckon that is my Covid!
 


Professor Plum

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Jul 27, 2024
532
59 and about 6 months ago the GP wellman check indicated high cholesterol for which I was prescribed statins. Blood test in a week to check if any change. I'm not that optimistic as I'm under no illusion that I need to watch my diet and do some moderate exercise.
A brisk walk to the Beatty Rd Cafe every morning for your monster fry-up would be a good idea 😏.
 






Weststander

Well-known member
Aug 25, 2011
68,966
Withdean area
No more than 2 eggs per week.
Pastry, like pies, pasty, sausage roll, etc. not more than one a fortnight.

Oh, and a daily Atorvastatin helps me too ....

Eggs in themselves are fine, in fact they’re good for you in quantity.

That was a 1980’s misconception, stemming from the unhealthy way they were cooked in fat and were part of unhealthy fry ups.
 










AmexRuislip

Retired Spy 🕵️‍♂️
Feb 2, 2014
34,613
Ruislip
As well as cutting out the cakes etc, there are foods that actively lower cholesterol;






Despite living a healthy-ish lifestyle, I struggle with cholesterol.

The main thing is don’t worry. And don’t fret about what you “could have done differently”

What’s done is done. We can only move forward.

You got this 👍💥
The thing with whole meal oats, is to buy jumbo oats, as the cheaper stuff is over milled and loses some it's purpose.


Other jumbo oats are available......
 


dazzer6666

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Mar 27, 2013
55,260
Burgess Hill
I'm 44, I run about 20 miles a week, i have run 2 marathons and 2 ultra marathons this year, I don't drink alcohol... but, just been told that i have High cholesterol. FFS!!! I do eat healthy-ish but, I've been a bachelor/divorcee for 4 years so i'm not always cooking the right things. I cook well when i have the kids but have been known to eat crap when they are not here. I can emotionally eat cake, biscuits ice cream etc. I like my bacon, sausages, pies etc.

Any tips? It's not really high but it's a worry. I have asked to have another test in 6 months and try and lower it with a change in my diet.
Your lifestyle sounds much like mine (at least until recently). Lots of long runs and lots of crap food. I got away with it - ’bad’ cholesterol was always slightly high but mitigated by ‘good’ cholesterol. Maybe it was the red wine that kept me within ‘acceptable’ limits.

Anecdotally, hearing from various friends/sources that statins are being prescribed left, right and centre atm, even for mildly elevated cholesterol and not giving the patient any time to make other changes
 




Lord Charles

Member
Oct 16, 2010
39
Bedford
I've only been on 20 g Atorvastatin for a couple of months. Is that the average dose?
That's what I was originally prescribed but didn't get on with them .... After I mentioned the persistent aches I got, the GP reduced the dose to 10mg and changed the brand to Rosuvastatin. Still get a few aches but not as bad and the main thing is I'm within 'normal' limits now. Small diet and exercise changes have also helped. (y)
 


SkirlieWirlie

Active member
Jan 6, 2024
106
Your lifestyle sounds much like mine (at least until recently). Lots of long runs and lots of crap food. I got away with it - ’bad’ cholesterol was always slightly high but mitigated by ‘good’ cholesterol. Maybe it was the red wine that kept me within ‘acceptable’ limits.

Anecdotally, hearing from various friends/sources that statins are being prescribed left, right and centre atm, even for mildly elevated cholesterol and not giving the patient any time to make other changes

Unfortunately, prescribing and popping a pill (not just for cholestorol) has all too often become the quick and easy fix* (also see antibiotics, antidepressents, etc) due to a lack of time / support / investment in dealing with the numerous underlying causes :-(

* I'm not saying they don't have a place, but shouldn't be the go to for everyone.
 


Jim in the West

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Sep 13, 2003
4,943
Way out West
Interesting stuff. A friend of ours (who's a consultant pathologist) is adamant that when the Total Cholesterol level goes above 5, you should be on statins. He's been on them himself for many years. After speaking to him recently I had a blood test, and my TC is 5.5 (but according to my GP, that's "normal")
 




keaton

Big heart, hot blood and balls. Big balls
Nov 18, 2004
9,953
The thing with whole meal oats, is to buy jumbo oats, as the cheaper stuff is over milled and loses some it's purpose.


Other jumbo oats are available......
Aldi Organic Jumbo Oats £2 for 1kg.
 


nwgull

Well-known member
Jul 25, 2003
14,532
Manchester
The thing with whole meal oats, is to buy jumbo oats, as the cheaper stuff is over milled and loses some it's purpose.


Other jumbo oats are available......
And jumbo oats make tastier porridge with a nicer texture as well.
 


AmexRuislip

Retired Spy 🕵️‍♂️
Feb 2, 2014
34,613
Ruislip
And jumbo oats make tastier porridge with a nicer texture as well.
Aldi Organic Jumbo Oats £2 for 1kg.
I could never eat porridge up until a few months ago, as was put off as a yoof.
It was like eating wallpaper paste.
So decided to try jumbo oats with🍌 🫐 and 🍯 lovely stuff
Plus there was an incentive to try, as my MIL needed to start eating this for cholesterol purposes 😅
 


Anger

Well-known member
Jul 21, 2017
503
I'm 44, I run about 20 miles a week, i have run 2 marathons and 2 ultra marathons this year, I don't drink alcohol... but, just been told that i have High cholesterol. FFS!!! I do eat healthy-ish but, I've been a bachelor/divorcee for 4 years so i'm not always cooking the right things. I cook well when i have the kids but have been known to eat crap when they are not here. I can emotionally eat cake, biscuits ice cream etc. I like my bacon, sausages, pies etc.

Any tips? It's not really high but it's a worry. I have asked to have another test in 6 months and try and lower it with a change in my diet.

I’d give up the Marathons. With high cholesterol they could give you a nasty turn.

Sorry, I am not a Doctor. You should probably listen to what @Harry Wilson's tackle has to say about this instead of me.
 






Alba Badger

Well-known member
Mar 14, 2016
1,608
Straight outta Felpham
Thanks for all these posts, kingmaker me feel a little more like it's not the end of the world, so thanks!

Re porridge, i'm a wee bit of a snob when it comes to oat breakfast!

Oats should be jumbo, in processed and organic if possible, refined milled or the microwave stuff has loads less fibre so not as good at lowering cholesterol. Honestly, water is the way forward. I never make my porridge with milk.

I recommend trying oats (I like tesco jumbo organic oats) cooked with water and a pinch of salt. Put the oats and cold water in pan, heat slowly, i add pinch of salt, cinnamon (seems to make it taste sweeter) Then add fruit, apple, grapes, blueberries and seeds. I like Chia and Flax seeds as well as sunflower and pumpkin seeds.

Apparently oats souk up pesticides more than any other grain and they also require loads more pesticide that other grains. So organic is a good option as the non organid ones can contain toxins. Apparently.
 


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