How To Control Cholesterol Levels?

Posted on Tue, 8 Apr 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 9 Apr 2014 Answered on

Tue, 29 Apr 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I'm a 54 year old male diagnosed with slight blockage in carotid arteries (29% in left and 37% in right). Recent labs are cholesterol of 191, HDL of 48, LDL of 111, and Triglycerides of 84. Average BP is 130 over 85 or 90. Not overweight, exercise regularly, but have a poor red meat and cheese based diet. GP suggested lowering cholesterol. What cholesterol levels do I need to achieve? Is cholesterol lowering medication necessary? GP wants to prescribe pravastatin, but with possible side effects I don't want to take statins unless necessary.

Answered by Dr. Anantharamakrishnan (9 hours later)

Brief Answer: Can start statin / Life style modification must Detailed Answer: Dear friend, Welcome to Health Care Magic There are subdivisions of cholesterol – LDL, HDL, and so on. HDL is good cholesterol – higher, the better… Your values are good. LDL (& non-HDL) is bad cholesterol – lower, the better. In the absence of any other risk factor 100 is ideal for LDL-C. In the presence of Diabetes or Coronary Artery Disease, 70 should be the aim. Yours is a little elevated… Keep your weight to normal / even a little less Quit smoking, if you are a smoker Do regular EXERCISE – say walking or jogging - 30 minutes a day / at least 5 days in a week. Isometric exercise (like bull worker) is bad. Healthy FOOD is a must. Avoid saturated fats – coconut oil, palm oil, butter, full cream milk...Avoid junk foods in particular – French fries have palm oil / Pizza has cheese /Change to Poly-un-saturated oil – like sun flower oil. / Include Mono-un-saturated oil – Olive oil. Repeat the test in 6 weeks. Cholesterol can still be high, in spite of diet and exercise – you need drugs / because it is also manufactured in the liver – and that is determined by heredity. Statin is the first choice. Some start statins straight away – even with normal levels, even without problems (Primary Prophylaxis). Because it has benefits beyond cholesterol – like anti-oxidant and plaque stabilisation… Take care Wishing all well God bless

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Anantharamakrishnan (2 hours later)

Thanks for the response. I understand lifestyle modification is a must. You stated that I can start statin now, but is there a significant downside to trying to reduce LDL with diet change etc. first? Thanks for your assistance.

Answered by Dr. Anantharamakrishnan (5 hours later)

Brief Answer: NO Detailed Answer: Hi No downside You have no associated morbidity like Sugar, pressure or heart disease You can well afford a trial of diet and exercise / it needs a strong motivation! Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar