Anonymous wrote:NP. Just got my cholesterol results - LDL and triglycerides skyrocketed since my last doctor's visit 2 years ago. And I haven't changed my diet or my exercise routine. Going back to the doctor next week, so we'll see what she says. Total cholesterol is 278 - and I fasted for 12 hours before my appointment.

I don't have anything to add, just good luck to you, OP, and I'll check back in with this thread once I've seen my doctor for the follow-up.

Did you eat steak the night before?

I’m 56 year old female. My BMI is in the normal range. My father died of a heart attack and his two siblings have both had open heart surgery. My cholesterol was high and I have high Lp(a). I have been on a statin for several years and my current dose is 80MG. I do not have any side effects.

Anonymous wrote:Absolutely no reason to take it at 178. Just monitor it every year.

My cardiologist said I could wait taking it even though my cholesterol is 240 because my LDL is 168, ratio is 2.95, and my calcium score was 0. I also had a scan to check for plaque, and I had a tiny bit in my ankle and one other place, can't remember.

I know I will need to take statins at some point in the future, but I am going to wait as long as I can.

What kind of scan showed plaque in your ankle?

Crestor/rosuvastatin nearly made me diabetic. Switched to Pravastatin and back to normal.

Anonymous wrote:How do you get a cardiac calcium score?

It's a scan you have done. Painless and fast but often not covered by insurance.m

How do you get a cardiac calcium score?

Anonymous wrote:My DH got the side effects. He tried the different versions and had side effects which each. Insurance won’t cover the last option, which is an injection. So, he’s just not taking them.

I don’t take statins but if I did, I feel confident that I would have no issues.

what were his side effects if you don't mind sharing.

Absolutely no reason to take it at 178. Just monitor it every year.

My cardiologist said I could wait taking it even though my cholesterol is 240 because my LDL is 168, ratio is 2.95, and my calcium score was 0. I also had a scan to check for plaque, and I had a tiny bit in my ankle and one other place, can't remember.

I know I will need to take statins at some point in the future, but I am going to wait as long as I can.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I really don’t understand the fear of them. They are extremely effective with very few side effects.

Person with cholesterol of 400. I don't see why OP would start taking a daily medication, probably for life, as an initial step before seeing if a few dietary changes address her relatively minor issue, which is she just on the boundary of normal for LDL.

It is not a “minor issue.” High LdL leads to heart attacks. Period. We have decades of studies proving this.

Of course high LDL leads to heart attacks. But 100 LDL is not high in that context. Statins are recommended if your LDL is over 190 or, in some cases, over 160. They are also recommended if you are over a certain age and have diabetes.

OP did your doctor calculate your 10 year risk of heart disease? You can do this online. See this site for all the latest recommendations for statins and a link to an online calculator for your 10 year risk of heart disease. If, based on this site, you are not finding statins recommended, I suggest 1) making dietary changes to increase soluble fiber and decrease saturated fat, then restesting after three or four months and/or 2) seeking a second opinion.

https://www.brownhealth.org/be-well/new-treatment-guidelines-high-cholesterol-what-you-should-know

Anonymous wrote:I really don’t understand the fear of them. They are extremely effective with very few side effects.

I had three valves replaced in 2014 and have been on a statin ever since, with no side effects. I'm skinny and have low blood pressure.

My DH got the side effects. He tried the different versions and had side effects which each. Insurance won’t cover the last option, which is an injection. So, he’s just not taking them.

I don’t take statins but if I did, I feel confident that I would have no issues.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I really don’t understand the fear of them. They are extremely effective with very few side effects.

Person with cholesterol of 400. I don't see why OP would start taking a daily medication, probably for life, as an initial step before seeing if a few dietary changes address her relatively minor issue, which is she just on the boundary of normal for LDL.

It is not a “minor issue.” High LdL leads to heart attacks. Period. We have decades of studies proving this.

Adding to my post above, if you have a family history, doc might want your number under 70. Soluble fiber and decreased saturated fat might work.

L(p)a and ApoB are also good labs to track.

Depending on age, a CAC scan might be useful. I held off on a statin until a carotid ultrasound showed some mild plaque. My LDL dropped 60 points on 5 mg rosuvastatin. No side effects.

We started with the lowest dose of rosuvastatin because that one seems to have the least side effects and I was worried about muscle damage. Given how effective it is, I could probably go lower if that were available.

Anonymous wrote:You really don’t need a statin. My cholesterol and triglycerides were high and Dr prescribed Wegovy because of fear of statin side effects. It’s worked very well in just 3 months!

Sounds like you need a statin and Wegovy.