Question:
I’d like to ask a question about my recent cholesterol test results. I had it tested for the first time ever recently. I am a 38-yr-old female, 5’3″ and 115 lbs, no known health issues. I do cardio exercise 4 -6 days a week for a half hour. My diet is fairly healthy, as I actively avoid high fat/high sodium foods (though I do not specifically eat ‘diet’ foods, I just limit my intake of the bad stuff, such as saturated/trans fats and sodium). I consider myself health conscious and fairly healthy. There is no heart disease or high cholesterol in my very large family that anyone is aware of.So I was very surprised to receive my cholesterol results in the mail and see that it is considered very high. Total Cholesterol: 250LDL: 162 (normal <130)HDL: 79 (normal >45)Triglycerides: 42 (Normal <150)As you can see, my HDL and triglyceride numbers appear to be very good, but I’m perplexed about the high LDL. As I said, high cholesterol and heart disease do not run in my family, and I do attempt to exercise and eat a healthy diet, and am far from overweight. What might account for this high LDL? Could I be eating too much of something else that I’m not paying enough attention to, such as sugar? Are there any nutritional deficiencies or other issues that could contribute? (I do have to keep getting tested for my vitamin D levels, which are continuously very low despite taking prescription doses.) Thyroid disease does run heavily in my family – is this in any way connected to cholesterol levels?
Answer:
There are 2 kinds of LDL cholesterol, A and B, of which B is associated with heart disease.
Most labs calculate LDL as follows:
LDL = Total Cholesterol – HDL – triglycerides/5.
This doesn’t explain the difference between LDL A (no risk) or B (at risk for heart disease).
Studies have shown that there is a strong correlation between a low triglyceride/high HDL level and LDL pattern A (good kind).
On the other hand, a high triglyceride/low HDL level is strongly associated with LDL pattern B (heart disease risk). Thus high triglycerides are an independent risk factor for heart disease.
From this you can calculate that in your situation a high LDL is mostly Type A (good), confirmed by a high HDL and low triglyrerides and that therefore there a very low risk of heart disease.
Having high cholesterol may still be healthy if good cholesterol levels, triglycerides, and other markers of cardiovascular health are good. You can calculate this here. People with high good cholesterol levels (60 mg/dL or more) and low levels of triglycerides (less than 100 mg/dL) may actually be at a lower risk for heart disease than people with normal cholesterol levels who have lower levels of good cholesterol and higher levels of bad cholesterol.
Hope this helps,
Dr T
Comments 54
I’m a 71 year old female, vegetarian since 1965. I’m 5 ft and weigh 107 lbs. For some years, I have had high cholesterol that hasn’t caused me concern. (My mother had high cholesterol through her adult life until toward the end of her life. She died at 85.) I know the Framingham and South Florida studies show that seniors with the highest cholesterol and highest LDL tend to live the longest. Even though my LDL is high, so is my HDL and my triglycerides are low. Last year I didn’t worry too much that my total cholesterol was (approx) 287 … LDL 178, HDL 107, triglycerides 74.
But now, a year later, those numbers have changed enough to concern me. My total cholesterol was just 343 — I really don’t like it being over 300. LDL 223 (it really went up), HDL 102 and triglycerides 88. The ratios remain good, though for the first time, one of them puts me at “average risk” but the others are “low risk”.
I think I know why it went up so high. This past year was far more stressful for a variety of reasons. My schedule is such that it’s been difficult to exercise, or do much that I enjoy. I used to eat a lot of oatmeal, but I ate very little oatmeal this past year and ate more eggs, cheese, and butter than usual. I think a combination of the above is what caused the problem. I have taken any medication for cholesterol. I take a low dose of Atenolol for blood pressure issues that aren’t really bad… in fact, periodically I wean off and don’t really need it for months. I go back on if I start to have issues.
In April 2019, I had open heart surgery to replace my mitral valve (which I knew since my 20s was prolapsed with regurgitation) and repair my tricuspid valve. Prior to the surgery, a cardiac catheterization was done and my cardiologist saw very little plaque in a couple of places.
I’ll be seeing my primary doctor in a week or so, and she knows I’m resistant to taking medications and do not want to take statins. I have already started eating oatmeal again and will continue and intend to limit my intake of eggs, butter and cheese. I believe I can get my numbers back to what they were a year ago if I do these things ( and at least keep trying to return to exercise routinely, do I still work a part-time job and I’m fairly active — I mow my lawn, etc). I take garlic supplements and CoQ10. I don’t take turmeric or curcumin routinely, but wonder if that would help. Do you have any advice or recommendations? Thanks very much and God bless
Greetings Dr. T:
My blood was drawn on 10/17/2022. I had an appt with my GP on 10/24/2022. I’m 62 years old; 155lbs BP=122/80; no hypertension; not diabetic; only meds are Topamax 100mg (am) and 50mg (pm) daily for migraines. I take vitamins daily =A,B,C,D E, CoQ10, Zinc, Calcium/ Magnesium, Fish Oil, Flax Oil. I don’t eat red meat or pork. I eat mostly organic chicken and salmon and fish. Plenty of greens and red wine. Here’s my dilemma:
Blood test results were fine except for Cholesterol.
Test Name: TG
Result: 37 mg/dL
Ref Range: <149
—–
Test Name: HDL
Results: 117 mg/dL (H)
Ref Range: 40-73
—-
Test Name: LDL
LDL, direct not performed when TG <400 mg/dL
—
Test Name: Cholesterol
Result: 231 mg/dL
Ref Range 0-199
I'm sorry Dr. T., I should also let you know that I'm very active. I run, and walk and play Pickleball 3-4 times a week.
Please let me know your thoughts on my cholesterol. Should I be worried?? I'm concerned. Thank you so much!
Greetings Dr. T:
My blood was drawn on 10/17/2022. I had an appt with my GP on 10/24/2022. I’m 62 years old; 155lbs BP=122/80; no hypertension; not diabetic; only meds are Topamax 100mg (am) and 50mg (pm) daily for migraines. I take vitamins daily =A,B,C,D E, CoQ10, Zinc, Calcium/ Magnesium, Fish Oil, Flax Oil. I don’t eat red meat or pork. I eat mostly organic chicken and salmon and fish. Plenty of greens and red wine. Here’s my dilemma:
Blood test results were fine except for Cholesterol.
Test Name: TG
Result: 37 mg/dL
Ref Range: <149
—–
Test Name: HDL
Results: 117 mg/dL (H)
Ref Range: 40-73
—-
Test Name: LDL
LDL, direct not performed when TG <400 mg/dL
—
Test Name: Cholesterol
Result: 231 mg/dL
Ref Range 0-199
I’m a 59 yr old female, family history of high cholesterol. I’ve had high cholesterol but also high HDL (58+) since I was a teen. Also high HCT and HGB. I just tested TC 231, HDL 65, TG 60 and calculated LDL 154 – doctor gave me 3 months to reduce my cholesterol or else she’d put me on statins. From what I’ve been reading, LDL calculation may be off when TG are very high or very low. TC/HDL and TG/HDL are more indicative of CVD and diabetes risk (my 80 yr old mom is diabetic, as was her dad, my fasting glucose is 94)? My TC/HDL = 3.55, and TG/HDL = 0.92. I have recently started eating more whole grains (never ate much red meat or fat), and have decreased my egg consumption (which went up during the pandemic since we couldn’t sell our eggs) from app. 7/wk to 2/wk (in 2020 my TC was 197). Do you think statins are necessary?
Hello Dr T,
just had my results!
I’m a 44 yo male, non smoker, running about 100km per month, being careful with what I eat in general.
I was a little bit surprised when my numbers were:
Total cholesterol 242
HDL 74
LDL 155
TG 62
Blood sugar 99
blood pressure normal more or less.
What do you think?
Thanks!
I’d ought to consult with you here. Which is not some thing I usually do! I enjoy reading a post that could get people to think. Also, thank you permitting me to comment! lokapocile.tk Excellent pictures
Hi Dr,
I am a 51 y.o. female, 155 cm height, 55.6 kg weight. My latest numbers are as follows:
Blood pressure systolic 112
Diastolic 76
Total cholesterol 302
HDL 97
LDL 192
Triglycerides 65
Blood sugar 78
No family history of heart issues
My doctor is pushing statins, I am very afraid of taking them. I have apparently a history of familial cholesterol, withou cases of cardiovascular disease in the family. My father has a stroke at age 75.
What is your take based on my numbers?
Thanks,
Patricia
Conduit a cardiologist, I’m 66 yrs. I was worked up by a cardiology group in my 50’s,because a family doctor was pushing statins on me. After much testing, stress, Doppler, cos it was cinclued dragons would not tell me. I produce bad cholesterol but mybHDl was breaking down the bad LDL cholesterol. I had your numbers. High blood cholesterol, high Hal, high ldl, low triglycerides. I would tell you, based on my instruction from this cardiology group maybe see a cardiologist, but they told me not to worry. Watch you saturated fats anyway, just bad overall for everyone’s health.. More importantly cardio exercise is key to keep the HDL up, strong heart to clean out the bad keep your LDL low.
Hi, Patricia, I’m not a doctor, but I suggest you try statins. I also have high HDL, high LDL and low triglycerides. I went on statins in 2017 after I hit 260 TC, and LDL of 159. First I tried diet alone, and got down about 15%. My LDL was still 140. I went on 10 mg of daily statins, they are painless and effective. At age 71 my HDL is still 70, TG are 80 and LDL is 88, my TC is 195.
My older brother died of a heart attack at 66. My sister died post MI last July at 74. They both had poor dietary habits, but due to my sister’s death, I am getting a CT coronary calcium score next week.
Hello I am concerned of my EXTREMELY low triglyceride, 31!!!!! My LDL is 80 and HDL is 88, should I get a liver ultrasound? thank you
Hi, I am so confused!
I am a male, 36yrs, 155 lbs, 6.1″ tall. My total cholesterol = 249 mg/dl. My LDL is high 167!! However, my HDL is 65, my triglycerides is 91, and my LDL pattern is both B A. My LDL Small and Medium is high as well.
I don’t know if these numbers were calculated or measured. If I use the formula above to measure LDL, the math works out correct. But this does not seem right because, if my Triglycerides were high (e.g. 400), then this will calculate a normal LDL level. Should I increase my triglycerides to bring down my LDL?
My fasting sugar is 78, no ketones. BP 120/68, HR low 50’s
If LDL increases cardiac risk, then why is my triglycerides low and HDL above recommended? Is there a risk or no risk??
I run an average of 12 miles/week – being doing cardio for past 12-15 years. A while back left ventricle hypertrophy was detected as part of cardiac check that was done for something else. This is probably because my heart muscle was overworked all these years doing cardio. My morning heart rate is in mid 40’s. This goes upto 170-180 beats/min on the treadmill.
So my question on Cholesterol is, am I at risk or no risk? And why is my LDL so high? I eat red meat probably once in 3 months; maybe 2 egg yolk a week; I also drink a lot of milk (1% lactaid). I consume hemp seeds in my morning protein shake, walnuts and avocados in my afternoon salad, and use only olive oil in cooking. I have eaten probably 3 slices of pizza in 2019, and ate zero fries. I eat sweets, cookies and love UK chocolates and ice cream. I’m confused why so bad results.
Thanks
Hi Dr T,
Thanks for the info.
Mine Cholesterol level are ;
Total C: 249 LDL: 171 HDL: 38 Tri: 427 (41year male, healthy and fit, etc, although mother had diabetes issues from a 41 year age)
Would you advise me
Thank you!
Hi Dr T,
I am a 50 y.o. female (going through perimenopause). I got a blood test and these are my numbers:
Total cholesterol: 285 mg/dl
HDL : 84 mg/dl
LDL: 190 mg/dl
Triglycerides: 54 mg/dl
Should I be worried about the high cholesterol number? My doctor is suggesting I tale statins, and I really don{t want to.
What do you think?
Thank you,
Pat
No Pat. In mu opinion, this means you consume healthy fats. Looking at your profile, your LDL appears to be a calculated value. 285-84-(54/5) = 190.2.
If the LDL pattern is type B only, then it there is a cause to worry. In your case, the LDL does not appear to be dense.
I am not a doctor, but stay away from statins.
Very helpful and well said question and answer.thank you!
God bless!😊
Hi Dr T,
Thanks for the info here. Would you recommend a CT scan based on the original poster’s results?
Mine are similar:
TC: 232 LDL: 150 HDL: 65 Tri: 80 (35yo female, healthy and fit, no diabetes etc, although maternal grandpa had heart issues from a young age)
I live in Sydney, Australia and cardiologist here recommended I have a CT scan to rule out blockages/plaque, despite good resting and stress test results.
Would you advise the same?
Thank you!
Hi Remy,
I would say you have good Cholesterol from those stats. Cholesterol gets a bad wrap and is commonly mistaken as the enemy. To explain as easy as possibe there are 2 types of LDL, type A pattern which derive from Saturated fats ( buoyant and large which allows these to bounce of arterial walls and not stick ) and type B pattern which derive from Sugar and Carbs ( small and dense which allows a greater risk of sticking to arterial walls causing plaque build up and a greater risk of heart disease. Generally in someone with High HDL + LDL and lower Triglycerides ( such as yourself ) they will usually fall into pattern A and someone with Lower HDL and higher Triglycerides will fall into pattern B which is where you don’t want to be. Higher Cholesterol does not equate to an increased risk of heart attack – Eating processed carbs along with sugars will as this will lower your HDL and increase your Triglycerides causing the LDL to actually stick to your arterial walls. Fat is not the enemy, Sugar and processed carbs are. By all means get a CT scan for peace of mind but an increased risk of heart disease/attacks is directly linked to inflammation, again caused by poor diet.
Dr L
Thanks you – super helpful!
Hi
I am a 57 year old female and just had some preop lab work done. I am 148 1bs and 5″6″
Should I be concerned with the following results?
Total Cholesterol 291
Triglycerides 119
HDL 103
LDL 174
Thank you
Lynne
These are the results of my most recent lipid panel: Total Cholesterol – 273, Non-HDL – 203, LDL – 175, HDL – 70 and Triglycerides – 139. My doctor stated that because my triglycerides are low, but my LDL is high this indicates genetic high cholesterol rather than related to diet. He immediately wanted to put me on statins. Is a low triglyceride number in combination with a high LDL number indicative of genetic cholesterol problems?
I am not a doctor (am a pharmacist) and have ultra high HDL 109, high total cholesterols 298, ultra low triglycerides 62 and LDL 176 all mmol/l. I have seen numerous published clinical studies which have compared the LDLs calculated using the usual Friedewald formula with the actual measured LDLs and found that the calculated values far exceeded the real values for subjects with very low triglycerides and high HDLs. The studies proposed new formulae to calculate the LDLs which gave results much closer to the actual LDLs. Mine using 2 of the proposed formulae gave lower LDL values than those from the Friedewald formula and within the acceptable range. I’m glad I didn’t go on statins just based on the laboratory results.
Hi Amy, where can I find the formula you mentioned?
Thanks!
Thank you! My blood work shows a similar profile to the letter writer, though I am 20 years older than she! My doctor has not put me on statins, nor even suggested it. In fact, he said he didn’t like my high LDL number, but all other numbers looked good and pointed to my obviously healthy diet! I have been fretting about the high LDL number ever since, but I can stop fretting now.
I only wish my doctor had understood my numbers the way you’ve explained them.
Laura
My child and I seem to be anomalies with low cholesterol and doctors seem to think there’s no problem, but we both struggle with hormonal issues and my child has several diagnosed mental health conditions that are depressive in symptomology. I’m concerned her abnormally low LDL is the cause of these conditions (PMDD and PDD). These numbers are with a high animal fat (250mg cholesterol), 250 mg cholesterol pill supplementation, and moderate carb diet. How can I raise her LDL?
12 y/o:
Total cholesterol 90 mg/Dl
HDL 46 mg/Dl
LDL 34 mg/Dl
TG 51 mg/Dl
non-HDL 44 mg/Dl
For myself, I’ve struggled to increase TG’s and LDL, plus reduce my HDL. I follow a low carb diet that is very high in animal fat, but the numbers just keep going the opposite way that I need. I currently consume about 500-700mg of cholesterol a day. How can I reduce my HDL and increase my TG’s (animal fat is only reducing it more)? Do I need to eat a higher carb diet?
40 y/o
Total cholesterol 173 mg/Dl
HDL 119 mg/Dl
LDL 42 mg/Dl
TG 39 mg/Dl
non-HDL 44 mg/Dl
ApoB 45 mg/Dl
Lipo(a) <10 nmol/L
I am a 66 year old female whose cholesterol report read as follows: Total cholesterol 265; LDL 180; HDL 69 and Triglyceride level was 78. I was told that I should go on Lipitor. How can I avoid this?
My hdl is 31.3
Ldl is 145
Tri is 195..
What do u advice …Do I have any heart problem
Hello Dr. T
I just turned to 64, female, still full time employee, regularly excise, eat health. BMI 22. Non smoker.
TC 257
HDL 96
TG 83
LDL 144
Glucose 89
My numbers look Ok to you?
How to distinguish A or B type of LDL?
Thanks!
There is a blood test for particle size which will give you the pattern size
I have a very high HDL cholesterol of 162, LDL was around 60 I believe, Triglycerides 114, ratio 1.5.
HDL is the good cholesterol but it is still concerning how high it is and it brings my total cholesterol above 200.
What can cause this? Is there anything I should be concerned about?
I am 20 years old, 66 inches and 140 pounds. Have two grandparents with heart disease but they both suffered from alcoholism and were smokers.
I’m a 36 year old male, 5’10” 183lbs with a family history of heart disease. My TC is 171. HDL 53. LDL 104(Martin Hopkins calculation). Triglycerides 46. Glucose 96, CRP .4. I work out multiple times a week. Non smoker. Good eating habits. Father had a heart attack at 55. He is also a non smoker and avid workoutaholic however overusage of NSAIDS and other anti inflammatories that were pulled off the market. Should I be concerned about my LDL levels with such low triglycerides? My HDL hasn’t changed a single point in years even with better eating habits and losing 30lbs.
Here are my figures:
Total cholesterol: 9.96
HDL : 2.58
LDL : 6.89
Triglyceride. : 1.08
I’m 52 years old male, non smoker, hypertensive with meds, usual bp 110/70. I am an endurance athlete and very lean. I am on a high fiber, low carb diet. I have no family history of cardiac arrests. My ten year risk is 5.8 (acceptable is 5). Should I take medications?
Thanks in advance.
Hi, I’m a 56ys female and I take an health diet with light-moderate physical activity. Surprisingly I recently found
Tot Chol 282
HDL-C 115 (calculated LDL-C 155)
TG 61
In this uncommonly high HDL-C condition, cardiovascular risk assessment varies from longevity to high risk.
Is it possible to understand more? Thanks
Can you please advise where I can locate the studies you referred to regarding high LDL/low trig? I’m an RN and have subscriptions to Elsevier and other pubs if that helps. Thx!
Hello doctor,
TC 269
HDL 39
TG 89
LDL 179
39 years old male
1.66 cm
67 KG
bmi 24
Do i need to be on Statin to lower LDL
Im ex smoker- healthy diet and some exercise.
My total Cholesterol is 296. LdL is 192, hdL is 94 and triglycerides are 50. Dr gv me a statin prescription and SD I’m a heart attack waiting. Last yr my LDL was 108, HDL 121 and triglycerides 42. Dr SD she never saw LDL go up 90 pts in a yr. I didn’t take the statins. Is that wise?
I feel the need to reply because your numbers don’t seem alarming. Check out the work of Dr. Ted Naiman who explains in great detail actual risk factors. Your numbers aren’t similar to the cholesterol numbers of the people ending up in hospitals with heart disease.
Hi,Good morning
I’m 47 yr’s & suffering from renal problem. Reports r as follows :
CBC- Hemoglobin-12g/dl, RBC count-3.97m/ul, ESR-28mm/hr, glucose fasting 91mg/dl, cholesterol -191mg/dl, Trig.- 131mg/dl, HDL 31.2mg/dl, vldl-26.2mg/dl , chol/HDL ratio-6.1, SGPT-37iu/l, SGOT-26 u/l, blood urea-29.0mg/dl, CREATININE-2.09mg/dl, uric ACID-8.4mg/dl, IRON-54micro gm/dl, micro Albumin-123.1mg/L, microAlbumin/creatinine ratio 810.4mg/g, T3-86.59ng/dl, T4-8.2, TSH-6.14 ,HBA1c-5.7 & mean plasma glucose -117mg/dl, vitamin D-13.2ng/ml, B12-228pg/ml, BP-130/80 ,glucose fasting-91, feeling well but what should I do for improving these test reports. I’ll be highly oblised you if guide me…..
Thank you.
Author
That is for your doctor to advice!
Sorry,
Dr T
Thank You
Dr. T,
My husband is 55 year-old. 5’4″ height, 130lbs weight. His lipid panel shows high triglycerides. His Triglycerides was 800 a few year back and he was referred to a specialist who said his liver has not function well. He did CT scan on liver and was seen a benign cyst and luckily it shows no sign of growing. The doctor put him on Fenofibrate and Lovaza. After taking them for two years, his TC, LDL, and Tri have been lowered to bottomline high level. But CT scan showed his liver was a bit larger than normal, which it was considered as fatty liver or infection. So he stopped taking Lovaza to see if the liver would get back to normal size. And Yes, liver size is normal now. He has been taking Fenofibrate for 5 years now. TC and Triglycerides are still in high level as shown below. I am so worried as it seems that his liver is not functioning well. What else can he do to lower his Tri and LDL?
TC 229
HDL 51
LDL 127
Tri 255
AST 41 IU/L
ALT 56
His diets are considered ok as he eats high protein, low carbs, low sugar. But he doesn’t drink water but fruit juices. Normally he eats what I eat, but my blood results are good as my TC is 225, HDL 125, LDL 129, Tri 53. I always have very high HDL.
Recently, my mom aged 76, had a lipid profile report. Her cholesterol was 128 and HDL was 62. Doctor says, it’s fine and good report. However, when I asked about the High HDL cholesterol, he said, why you want to lower the good Cholesterol? It’s of no worry at this level. Now, I would like to know is HDL at this level, OK? Or should she gain some weight & bring cholesterol levels upto 150 or so? I am confused. Please explain. Thank you.
Hi Dr.T, I really like your blog. I am here to ask you for my husband. He is 39 year old, weighs 150 lb, 5.9″. he got diagnosed with Hyperlipidemia in 2000. he started taking Statin from 2008.he is very against to that medicine,it gave him insomnia , fatigue and increase in his glucose level . He stopped taking it since July 2017. we did a blood work after three month-Nov 1st.
TC-269 mg/dl
LDL-199mg/dl
HDL-42mg/dl
TG-140mg/dl
HBA1c-6.2
he watches his diet very strictly but no self motivation with his exercise, on the top he is so against to this statin. Is it ok for him to take Baby aspirin once a day? I don’t know what to do, please help me.Thanks!
Author
From the numbers I suspect he has other cardiac risks such as smoking. If not he may have a congenital cholesterol problem and treatment should be considered depending his other risks including the presence of heart disease in his family history.
Hope this helps,
Dr T
Good info.
I’m 32 y/o male and just recently had my health screening done for work which included a finger stick test that measured TC/HDL/LDL/TGs as well as blood glucose. When I took the test, I had just finished a 45 min plyometric workout that morning and was on a 12 hr fast.
My numbers were
TC-288
HDL-79
LDL-192
TG- 87
Glucose-94
I am not as concerned after reading this article, however, I have a couple questions about the results. Can intense exercise in a fasted state raise LDL temporarily? Also, are finger stick lipid tests reliable?
Author
Finger stick tests are often inaccurate and results may vary widely.
Hope this helps,
Dr t
Hi Ben,
What we’re finding out is that exercise and fasting can raise LDL a lot in lean, healthy people. Whereas these same factors will tend to lower LDL (at least at first) in high-risk individuals. Recently Dave Feldman has shown that the more fat a lean, healthy person eats before a cholesterol test, the lower their LDL will be.
From this it seems that LDL cholesterol levels in the past have been based on populations of middling fitness, eating conventional diets, and correlations drawn from them may not be accurate at all for anyone outside this demographic, for example the low carb, crossfit generation. TG and HDL, meanwhile, continue to behave much as expected – sugar will increase TG and (eventually) lower HDL in anyone.
Hi
I am 33 years old female, i have just had a regular check up for lipid profile i asked for
HDL: 52
Trig.: 112
Total Cholesterol 227
LDL: 152!
I exercise three times weekly for 30 minutes
I was 94 kilos lowered that to 76 kg during 10 months by following healthy diet and exercise. so i am shocked why do i have high LDL?
also i am concerned regarding my platelet count it is 445 is that normal?
I am 57 year old female, 5’2″ 125 lbs. Just retired and am a fitness trainer for the past 6 months. Working out moderate-high each week (as apposed to sitting at my desk prior to retirement for 31 years). I am surprised to see my cholestrol report this year, too.
Total Cholestrol 230
LDL 145
HDL 64
Triglyerides 107
I try to eat healthy (stay away from fried foods/fatty foods). High cholestrol runs in my family, but my levels have been under 200 for the past several years.
Can you please help me understand? I am taking vitamins, also black cohosh for hot flashes, and drinking vinegar water once a day (supposed health benefits).
Not sure why my increased activity now but my cholestrol level has gone up. My HDL has also gone up from about 40’s to 64 this year, too.
Thank you!
Hi, so got my first high cholesterol report ever. I’ve always had a really Good reading. I’m a 57 yo very active female. High intensity exercise 4x a week. Also walk my dogs 2 miles a day. Eat very healthy. Lots of fruit & veggies. I’m 5’7” weigh 123 lbs. I’m shocked
61 triglyceride
237 cholesterol
94 HDL
131 calculated LDL
chol/HDL ratio 2.5
Author
The combination of high cholesterol, high HDL is more common in women and does not increase your risks, particularly if combined with a heart healthy lifestyle such as yours!
Hope this helps,
Dr T
Hello and thank you for the good information you have shared. I am 64 yo male. 6.2. and 180 lbs. Hiker and I walk ever day. LDL 206, hdl 56 , triglyceride 95 and vldl 19 how high is my risk, I have a family with history of heart disease buy I have not had any symptoms as of yet. Thank you for your time
Author
Hi Adam,
Your risk is about 9% to develop heart disease w/i the next 10 years vs. 8% in an “optimal patient”, but it doesn’t take into account your weight (BMI=23=optimal), diet and regular exercise, very important for the prevention of heart disease. If you don’t have diabetes, smoke or have hypertension you are an “optimal patient”!
You can calculate this here:
https://www.cardiachealth.org/questionnaires/ten-year-risk-assessment/
Hope this helps,
Dr T
Hello Dr T,
My doctor is pushing me to go on statins and I’m not thinking it’s a wise move, so I’m looking for more information:
Female age 54
Blood pressure systolic 110
Diastolic 68
Total cholesterol 342
HDL 70
LDL 255
Triglycerides 87
Blood sugar 86
No family history of heart issues
Low carb, avoid sugars & processed, Tran fats
Statins scare me, looking for safer way!
Thanks in advance
Gwen