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Does Stress Elevates Cholesterol Level?

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Posted on Mon, 26 May 2014
Question: My husband passed away in Nov, 2013. My recent blood work showed my total cholesterol to be around 300 with the overall ration over 400. My dr wants me to take Lipitor, and I am reluctant to take a statin drug. Is it possible that the stress of my grief has elevated my cholesterol and that I should "give it some time"?
My cholesterol was within acceptable levels 1 yr before this death. I have lost about 20 lbs since the death, so it is definitely not my diet.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Anantharamakrishnan (19 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
TAKE Lipitor

Detailed Answer:
Dear friend,
Welcome to Health Care Magic

You should take the drug

The level is rather high – not likely to be controlled by life style changes alone
Stress alone cannot account for this
[LDL is bad cholesterol – lower, the better / 100 is ideal; 70 should be the aim.]
Cholesterol can still be high, in spite of diet and exercise…
Because it is also manufactured in the liver – and that is determined by heredity.

Statin is safe and time tested… It also has effects beyond cholesterol like plaque stabilisation and antioxidant properties. So much so, many people have started taking it with normal cholesterol levels (Primary Prophylaxis)!

Take care     
Wishing all well
God bless
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
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Answered by
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Dr. Anantharamakrishnan

Cardiologist

Practicing since :1966

Answered : 4505 Questions

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Does Stress Elevates Cholesterol Level?

Brief Answer: TAKE Lipitor Detailed Answer: Dear friend, Welcome to Health Care Magic You should take the drug The level is rather high – not likely to be controlled by life style changes alone Stress alone cannot account for this [LDL is bad cholesterol – lower, the better / 100 is ideal; 70 should be the aim.] Cholesterol can still be high, in spite of diet and exercise… Because it is also manufactured in the liver – and that is determined by heredity. Statin is safe and time tested… It also has effects beyond cholesterol like plaque stabilisation and antioxidant properties. So much so, many people have started taking it with normal cholesterol levels (Primary Prophylaxis)! Take care Wishing all well God bless