I've had high cholesterol for at least 10 years. My overall cholesterol has been about 175. I had a CT scan of my heart to get a "coronary calcium score." My score was 0. Does that mean despite my high cholesterol number, I have absolutely no plaque in my coronary arteries and therefore don't need to go on a statin drug.
Is this true?
Over 200 is high.
It's the component numbers (LDLs and HDLs, plus Triglycerides) that tell whether you're healthy or not.
But the real answer is that it's not wise to come to a fuckboard for medical advice, or legal advice, or investment advice. Or anything but advice on fucking.
Don't make a decision based on council from the board.
Talk to your physician .
I'm kinda dealing with the same question. However my C is 220. At 220 I have a 10% greater chance of a heart attract or stroke. At 170 you are not , as I understand at great risk. Most don't get to concerned unless the # is 200 +. However , family history , genetics play a role.
Like I said , seek advice from your physician . From what you are saying it does not seem you are dealing with a serious medical issue. Certainly nothing worthy of panic. If you can avoid satins or at least postpone , good for you. The prob with statins is they might affect kidney's. And if you , like me enjoy a glass or 4 of wine most days it could be even more problematic.
In my case , at 220 I've decided to put together a diet plan along with exercise to see if I can get down to a lower score. Like , hmmm , say 170. If that's not achieved in the next couple months I'll opt for the pharms.
but know a bit about doctors. If I'm still concerned after an initial consultation, I'll go online to look for the best doctor possible. A great doctor is a wonderful thing.
I'll also look online for info about my concern. I like to be prepared with questions I'd like answered when we meet.
I only mention this because I've known "healthy" people with little experience with illness or specialists.
Btw ... sexercise is good for your health. Stay active. My office is conveniently located at ... yeah, right 😉
Talk to your physician .
I'm kinda dealing with the same question. However my C is 220. At 220 I have a 10% greater chance of a heart attract or stroke. At 170 you are not , as I understand at great risk. Most don't get to concerned unless the # is 200 +. However , family history , genetics play a role.
Like I said , seek advice from your physician . From what you are saying it does not seem you are dealing with a serious medical issue. Certainly nothing worthy of panic. If you can avoid satins or at least postpone , good for you. The prob with statins is they might affect kidney's. And if you , like me enjoy a glass or 4 of wine most days it could be even more problematic.
In my case , at 220 I've decided to put together a diet plan along with exercise to see if I can get down to a lower score. Like , hmmm , say 170. If that's not achieved in the next couple months I'll opt for the pharms.
Your calcium score identifies whether you have possible cholesterol plaques within your coronary arteries, since plaques typically contain calcium deposits within them. With a zero calcium score, the likelihood of having a plaque within your arteries is almost nil, and your risk for having a heart attack in the near future is also very low, so congratulations on that achievement. However, a zero calcium score does not tell me your risk for having plaques in other locations, like in the vessels to your kidneys or your brain, so your question on whether you should take a statin cannot be answered without additional information.
When we look at your numbers, we take into consideration the total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, and LDL numbers to further elucidate your future risk for atherosclerotic disease in any blood vessel anywhere in your body. Other factors such as age, diabetes, family history, body mass index, other comorbid conditions, and smoking also play into risk stratification and are used to determine whether the benefits of taking the medication outweigh the risks.
So, after a long-winded, but still incomplete, dissertation on whether you should or should not be placed on a statin, more information will be required before a recommendation can be made. A single, non-elevated value should not be used solely for the determination. That said, recent but long-term studies have shown that statins, in general, are beneficial to decrease the risk for future adverse vascular events, even in patients with zero coronary calcium scores. The studies are quite convincing that I have placed myself on a statin even though I too have a zero calcium score and no other medical conditions that increase my risk for heart attack.
their own worst patients? Are you a doctor and if so,
is the saying correct?
Interesting post for a fuck board...lo
My cholesterol went well over 200 about ten years ago and my doctor wanted to put me on statins, but I resisted because sex is such an important part of my life. I decided that sex was more important to me than french fries and potato chips, etc. So I cut them out of my diet and also reduced other saturated fat sources. The next year my count was under 200 again, much to my doctor's stupefaction.
Unless you were talking about LDL and not total cholesterol.
Total cholesterol over 200 is high.
LDL over 130 is high.
HDL under 40 is low,
However as STPHomer said, get your medical advice from a doctor, not a fuck board.
-- Modified on 12/18/2016 1:36:42 AM
As an overall cholesterol number and per hour rate. Unless that was ldl or the bad cholesterol
Is this true?
Shouldn't this be on the general board?
Total cholesterol of 175 is favorable - however it's important to know the fractions too [HDL and LDL] and those ratios. A CAC score of zero is also favorable indicating no calcified plaque in the coronary arteries. Nevertheless, it's still possible to have non-calcified or soft plaque present that is not detectable on imaging. Assuming you are asymptomatic [no chest pain or shortness of breath], have no family history of premature [under age 60] coronary artery disease, and have not had an abnormal stress test, your coronary artery risk profile is propitious. Eat healthy, exercise, and continue to monitor your blood lipids annually.
so maybe somebody has already said this, but seeking medical advice on this forum is not a great idea. That's not just my opinion it's also from Dr. Joe who often participates on the over 60 board. Go see a medical professional and get the guidance you need.