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Medical Forum / General / Cardiology / October 2004Cholesterol Medicine question
I recently found this group and until recently (4 way bypass in July at age 50, my older brother had a 3 way at age 43) never took any type of daily medicines so I am new to all this. My question: My total cholesterol was 235, LDL 171, HDL 49. I was started on Zocor 40 mg. 2 months later my new numbers: Total 118, LDL 39, HDL 32. I met with the Dr's asst and due to the HDL numbers she prescribed me Niaspan 500 mg for 30 days then to 1000 mg for 30 days then 1500. Why didn't they just reduce the Zocor to 20 mg and see if the HDL numbers come up when the total number rises. On my report it shows my total cholesterol as "low." It showed the minimum cholesterol on the report as 140. Any thoughts on their approach? Any recommendations. Thanks. Andy > I recently found this group and until recently (4 way bypass in July at age > 50, my older brother had a 3 way at age 43) never took any type of daily > medicines so I am new to all this. My question: My total cholesterol was > 235, Optimal is less than 200. > LDL 171, Optimal is less than 70. > HDL 49. Optimal is more than 50. > I was started on Zocor 40 mg. 2 months later my new > numbers: Total 118, Optimal. > LDL 39, Optimal. > HDL 32. Not optimal. > I met with the Dr's asst and due to > the HDL numbers she prescribed me Niaspan 500 mg for 30 days then to 1000 mg > for 30 days then 1500. Why didn't they just reduce the Zocor to 20 mg and > see if the HDL numbers come up when the total number rises. On my report it > shows my total cholesterol as "low." It showed the minimum cholesterol on > the report as 140. Any thoughts on their approach? I suspect they are actually addressing your triglycerides which you did not provide but were probably elevated. > Any recommendations. Avoid trans fats. Exercise more if Ok with your doctor(s). > Thanks. > Andy You are welcome. All praises belong to my heavenly Father, Whom I love with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength :-) Servant to the humblest person in the universe, Andrew -- Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD Board-Certified Cardiologist http://www.heartmdphd.com/ ** Who is the humblest person in the universe? http://makeashorterlink.com/?L26062048 What is all this about? http://makeashorterlink.com/?R20632B48 Is this spam? http://makeashorterlink.com/?N69721867 "Andy Saunders" <saundersand@cox.net> wrote in part: >I recently found this group and until recently (4 way bypass in July at age >50, my older brother had a 3 way at age 43) never took any type of daily [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] >Thanks. >Andy I would suggest that, assuming that your triglycerides are high, you might consider adding fatty fish to your diet (or taking fish oil supplements) possibly along with avoiding too much starchy food and sugar. If your weight is high, that can also raise triglycerides (and depress HDL). You can also exercise more. If you make a dietary change or lose a lot of weight, I'd suggest getting a new lipid panel done to see what the effect is. (Not everyone responds the same way.) You might be able to reduce or eliminate one or more drugs. -- Jim Chinnis Warrenton, Virginia, USA |
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