Colesterol and statins

[rualexander]

Too high HDL is now also considered a risk factor for arterial disease.

https://www.heartuk.org.uk/genetic-conditions/high-hdl-cholesterol

https://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/good-cholesterol-too-high

Statins don't lower HDL though, they can slightly increase it.

 

[fossyant]

Remember, it's a balance...

 

[AlanW]

Too high HDL is now also considered a risk factor for arterial disease.

https://www.heartuk.org.uk/genetic-conditions/high-hdl-cholesterol

https://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/good-cholesterol-too-high

Statins don't lower HDL though, they can slightly increase it.

Good links, thanks

 

[DCBassman]

I'm already on Warfarin for life

Although it might not help with number of medications, can you not ask to transfer off warfarin to something like apixaban? Much easier to live with, and no constant testing. I don't know for certain if it's possible to swap, but got to worth a query.

 

[AlanW]

Although it might not help with number of medications, can you not ask to transfer off warfarin to something like apixaban? Much easier to live with, and no constant testing. I don't know for certain if it's possible to swap, but got to worth a query.

I was on Apixaban first for about six months while they were doing tests, but l still ended up with another blood clot!!

However, on the plus side, while they were trying to establish the cause of the blood clots they discovered that l had a PVT as well. You dont get any symptoms till its to late and basically your gut gets straved of blood and starts to die. Once that happens, the damage has been done and you are entering into a world of discomfort and operations Hence, Warfarin was really the only option.

At first l was having to have a blood test every day for about four weeks. Then it slowly got extended l'm glad to say. Now its about once every six weeks and my doseage has remained the same for weeks

I wasn't keen at the time, but the consultant said they can reverse the effect of Warfarin with a quick injection. So in the event of a serious bleed, one injection would take effect and thicken the blood again. Apparently that's not possible to do with Apixaban? So in his opinion, Warfarin was better to take?

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Just reading thru this thread as I've just had my results after a fasting blood test and the GP has sent me a text saying that he suggests it would be a good idea to start taking Statins. Like most people I'm not really keen as I'm already on Warfarin for life and don't really want to start popping even more pills. The GP's text didn't contain any numbers or reasons, it was more like a generic type text?

However, I have since logged into my NHS account and got all the numbers, but to be honest I haven't clue what they mean and wondered if a change in diet would help instead of taking Statins.

I'm certainly not overweight, I have decent enough diet, but accept that it could be better. Such as maybe cutting down on, milk, cheese, processed foods, cakes etc etc. My family have no history of high cholesterol either. As for exercise, I think my average weeks cycling for the year is over 300 miles per week, and I walk probably 10 miles a week to.

But before I jump in and start taking medication, I've made a face to face appointment to discuss it with the GP, but its not till the 10th December.

Serum cholesterol is 6.1 mmol/L - the normal range is below 5.2

Serum HDL cholesterol level is 2.7 mmol/L - the normal range is 1.0 to 3.0

Se non HDL cholesterol ratio 3.4 mmol/L - no range

Serum cholesterol/HDL ratio - 2.3 - no range

Serum triglycerides is 0.6 mmol/L - the normal range is 0 to1.7

Serum LDL cholesterol level - 3.1 mmol/L - normal range 0 to 2.5

But I've also noticed in my test results, the results of the"QRISK2 cardiovascular disease 10 year risk score", which was 9.9% but no range? There is a box for Health professional comment and that box is free of any text? I have no idea what that is all about and if its good or bad?

EDIT - after a quick search on Google:
QRISK2 score of less than 10%. This means that you have less than a one in ten chance of having a stroke or heart attack in the next 10 years. QRISK2 of 10-20%. This means that you have between a one to two in ten chance of having a stroke or heart attack in the next 10 years.

I have been on statins for 18 months now, with no impact on slightly over LDL.

Thinking of stopping them.

Plenty of info' from experts on YouTube anti statin use and their are big issues around the understanding of LDL by GP's.

Worth researching imo and then make your own mind up.

My annual test is in a few weeks time and I will make a final decision then.

 

[rualexander]

My LDL went down from 3.1 to 1.8 after I started taking a statin.
HDL remained at 2.1
Not sure of the timescale as it was nearly two years before they checked it again.

 

[PaulSB]

@AlanW I take a low dose of Atorvastatin and have done since a cholesterol induced heart attack 10 - 12 years ago. At the time it was commented that given my high cholesterol levels* action should have been taken years before the heart attack. Several years before the heart attack I'd had a single blood test showing a level of 6+. When I queried this with heart team the response was basically this. "Given your exercise levels, 200+ miles/week and general high fitness, it was probably not considered a problem." Please keep this in mind to balance against your own thoughts.

Some will call me naive but my choice is to follow professional medical advice. I don't spend time researching drugs so I can debate with my GP. I choose to trust her. I did once ask my GP to discuss using lamotrigine to control my epilepsy. I wanted to stop. I've had four fits in 70 years. Her response was this. "You're taking the lowest dose of the longest established drug. We can wean you off it but consider this. You're approaching retirement, we live rurally and the bus service is poor. What happens if you lose your driving licence?" This was a well considered and good answer for me. I take a statin, aspirin and a BP drug as precautions since my heart attack. I have no side effects and live a happy, active and fit life.

* After my heart attack I realised I had been having small warning signs of the cholosterol build up for perhaps 10 years before the heart attack. I didn't know these were important and dismissed them.

 

[DCBassman]

I was on Apixaban first for about six months while they were doing tests, but l still ended up with another blood clot!!

However, on the plus side, while they were trying to establish the cause of the blood clots they discovered that l had a PVT as well. You dont get any symptoms till its to late and basically your gut gets straved of blood and starts to die. Once that happens, the damage has been done and you are entering into a world of discomfort and operations Hence, Warfarin was really the only option.

At first l was having to have a blood test every day for about four weeks. Then it slowly got extended l'm glad to say. Now its about once every six weeks and my doseage has remained the same for weeks

I wasn't keen at the time, but the consultant said they can reverse the effect of Warfarin with a quick injection. So in the event of a serious bleed, one injection would take effect and thicken the blood again. Apparently that's not possible to do with Apixaban? So in his opinion, Warfarin was better to take?

Fair enough!

 

[teeonethousand]

@AlanW

* After my heart attack I realised I had been having small warning signs of the cholosterol build up for perhaps 10 years before the heart attack. I didn't know these were important and dismissed them.

Curious as to what turning signs were…..would you mind sharing please?

 

[Mo1959]

Curious as to what turning signs were…..would you mind sharing please?

Me too. From what I’ve read, I didn’t think there were any warning signs until you actually had a heart attack or signs of angina.

 

[potsy]

LDL is the bad one. TBH I have it and it's hereditary, and I take a very low dose (when I remember). No side effects here but you are on a much more controlled drug that needs monitoring, so I wouldn't be too bothered as you need warfarin ! Playing it safe as you are on a blood thinner.

My LDL has just been given as 3.2
No statins discussed yet but another blood test in 3 months.

 

[vickster]

I have been on statins for 18 months now, with no impact on slightly over LDL.

Thinking of stopping them.

Plenty of info' from experts on YouTube anti statin use and their are big issues around the understanding of LDL by GP's.

Worth researching imo and then make your own mind up.

My annual test is in a few weeks time and I will make a final decision then.

Discuss alternative cholesterol medications to statins with GP?
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/high-cholesterol/medicines-for-high-cholesterol/
My father took something else as he couldn’t tolerate the muscle side effects from statins

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Discuss alternative cholesterol medications to statins with GP?
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/high-cholesterol/medicines-for-high-cholesterol/
My father took something else as he couldn’t tolerate the muscle side effects from statins

I will be after my test results next month.

 

[CXRAndy]

I stopped taking statins several years ago. My mental sharpness improved . My research has lead me to believe higher levels as we age help defend against dementia. I'm not concerned with HDL, LDL or cholesterol levels, as it's a low risk factor to early death.

Blood glucose, insulin resistance, pre and full type 2 diabetes carries far more risk to early death.

I eat far more protein, saturated fats, eggs than ever before now. Try and limit my eating to a 6 hour window per day. Also keep carbs under control or eat them directly after consuming fats/proteins