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Taking Lilo 10mg To Control Cholesterol. Getting Chest Pain. Why Cholesterol Level Is Not Reducing?

Posted on Wed, 6 Feb 2013

Question: My husband is having cholestrol level little more than the high cholestrol range. He is taking medicine Lilo(10 mg)as per docter's advice so that cholestrol level doesnot increase.His height is 5feet and 9 inches and weight is close to 90 k.g. Even though he doesnot take very oily,fried or junk foods still his cholestrol level is not decreasing. Sometimes he gets chest bone and muscle pain at his right side chest. Is there any reason why he is hvaing cholestrol? is there any medicine which will redice the cholestrol level?

Answered by Dr. Anantharamakrishnan (34 minutes later)

Hi XXXXXXX,
Welcome to Health Care Magic
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The chest pain is probably non-specific.
However, get him examined by a physician to confirm.
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Only a part of the cholesterol is determined by diet.
Inheritance (transmitted from family) is an important factor.

Life style modification is most important.
Diet and drugs are the cornerstone of treatment.
Drugs come in addition – not instead of that.

Statins are the first line. LiLo is atorvastatin. The dose is 10 to 80 mg.

He can increase the dose to 20 mg. Repeat blood test after 6 to 8 weeks.

If still high add Ezetimibe 10 mg. This drugs helps to reduce absorption.

If still high, fibrates may be added instead of or in addition to Ezetimibe.
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He must reduce weight.
His BMI is 29.2 (over-weight) / 30 + is obesity / 40+ = morbid obesity /
He must consult a dietician – weight reduction + Low cholesterol diet. Several sessions are necessary to understand – calorific and biological values, macro and micro nutrients, saturated and unsaturated fats, and so on.
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Don’t worry
The levels will come down – it is a question of time / perseverance with diet, exercise and drug.
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Take care
Wishing speedy recovery
God bless
Good luck

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

Follow up: Dr. Anantharamakrishnan (23 hours later)

HI Dr,
Good morning.

I have few queries regarding cholestrol issue which is listed below:
(1)Is there any test to confirm what is the main cause of high cholestrol ?
(2) Is there any test which will confirm whether the cholestrol problem is hereditary or not?
(3) If it is hereditary then does it mean he had this problem from birth? Is there any solution to this hereditary cholestrol problem?
(4)is this cholestrol problem curable? I mean is there any medicine which if my husband takes for some duration then cholestrol problem will be cured and he will have normal range after that always .

Thanks in advance.

Regards,
XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Anantharamakrishnan (4 hours later)

Hi

- Lipo-protein electrophoresis can give some clues.

- Familial hypercholesterolemia resulting in high LDL is common. There are others like familial dysbetalipoproteinemia; familial combined hyperlipidemia; Hypoalphalipoproteinemia (low HDL) and so on. Some are single gene defects, some polygenic. It will need DNA sequencing. It can only be done in highly specialised laboratories. It is very complicated and not cost effective. It does not influence management.

- Yes, one is born with it.
The only solution is diet, exercise and drugs.

- It is NOT curable.
It is easily manageable with life style modification and medicines...

All the best

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

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