My current readings are:
HDL=32
LDL=57
Triglycerides=83
Total Cholesterol=106
I exercise everyday for at least 2 hours.
I do interval on treadmill for 30 minutes
Pre-core for 15 minutes
Then I usually do abs and weight lifting.
I eat extremely well.
I don't eat anything with hydrogenated oils or trans fat.
I rarely eat any meat. If I do I eat chicken and salmon.
I try not to eat anything with saturated fats if I do I limit my intake to no more then 3 grams.
I eat lots and lots of vegtables and fruits.
I eat lots of fiber. I try to eat foods with soluble and insoluble fiber.
I don't drink soda. Only water and tea
I don't drink alcohol or do drugs.
I take Effexor 75 mg in the morning.
I have had numerous EKGs, 1 Halter monitor done, 1 ecograph, and 1 stress test done.
I am 28 years old, 5'9, and 135 pounds.
Am I doing everything ok?
I am very worried with the low HDL.
I'm afraid of having a heart attack or stroke.
Answers needed.
Thanks Yes, you're doing very well as far as your risk for coronary artery disease is concerned. Why have you had numerous EKG's? Is it for chest pain, something else?
I take it you would have mentioned any risk factors for CAD if you had any, namely hypertension, diabetes, cigarettes or family history. It's not clear what your HDL means if your LDL is only 57. I don't believe anyone is sure if the ratio of LDL to HDL is more important than the absolute values of the two, but some clinicians emphasize the ratio rather than worrying about nominally low HDL like yours.
Not everyone can get their HDL that high, even with meds that push it up a little and lots of exercise like you do. Sometime this century researchers will figure out the genetics to that. In the meantime everyone knows that there are some genetic factors for coronary artery disease that can't be improved, hence family history is a risk factor that is independent of the other ones.
Coronary artery disease is not the only element of health. I would think mental health is even more important than physical health, so I wonder why you're so afraid of having a heart attack. If your doctor hasn't told you that your risk is as low as anyone's, assuming you didn't leave something out, you need a more reassuring doctor. If your doctor has tried to tell you you're doing fine and you don't believe it, why is that?
It's good for any of us to be as healthy as we can be in everyway, doing what we can to avoid heart disease, cancer, infectious disease, back problems, car accidents, anxiety, depression, boredom, a meaningless life, whatever. You've done a lot to minimize your risk for coronary artery disease. What about the rest? There's only so much to do for any of them. We all die eventually. Most of us suffer with something before we die. Why are you focused so sharply on your HDL?
You could try meds like niacin or others to raise your HDL a little. I wouldn't prescribe them for you. I don't see how you need a higher HDL. If I were your doctor I'd be wondering more about why you don't feel your low risk is low enough. It might just be misinformation, some non-physician saying that your HDL must be above some number to get you out of grave danger. If that's all it is, good, you're doing fine. If there's something else making you afraid, talk to your doctor about that. Your HDL
is a bit low, High HDL is better than low HDL. It is usually reported as a measured value. If HDL is less than 40 there is an increased risk of heart disease. A desirable level of HDL is greater than 40 mg and is associated with average risk of heart disease.
LDL
Elevated levels of LDL indicate risk for heart disease. Treatment (with diet or drugs) for high LDL aims to lower LDL to a target value based on your overall risk of heart disease. Your target value is:
LDL less than 70 mg/dL if you are at very high risk of heart disease.
LDL less than 100 mg/dL if you have heart disease or diabetes.
LDL less than 130 mg/dL if you have 2 or more risk factors* (intermediate risk for heart disease).
LDL less than 160 mg/dL if you have 0 or 1 risk factor* (low risk for heart disease).
[Note:
High HDL (60 mg/dL or above) is considered a "negative risk factor" and its presence allows the removal of one risk factor from the total.]
Conclusion:
You seem very healthy, so I am guessing that it
might the effexor. I would talk to you doctor about this. He could order a test to see how your body is handling the drug. Sometimes it's trial and error with antidepressants.
Good Luck! FORGET cholesterol
See all of razwell's posts and wiseowls. Too much exercise, possibly too intense. Weight lifting may push your BP too high, which can be bad for arteries. Don't lift too heavy, and use a heart monitor. The higher your pulse, the higher your BP when lifting. With cardio, if you work to "feel the burn", that may put too much carbon dioxide in your blood stream for that extended period you are in oxygen debt. That is potentially bad news for arteries. Keep breathing at a pace you can chat at least a little, never be out of breath.
LDL is preferred between 60-70. Have some nuts, 2-3 ounce a day. Pistachio, walnuts, peanuts, almonds, pine nuts, pecans, hazelnuts are best for good fats.
Chicken white meat will help boost HDL, as will other high niacin foods.
Steam your veggies, or stir fry ? I have heard no oil is healthy if highly heated. I had stir fry 4 times a week for four years. Later had a triple bypass. But I had a lot of trans fats, and dairy. Being slim and athletic did not help me.
Fruits are higher in antioxidants than veggies. Especially berries and pomegranates. Lots of good juices available with them.
Worry and stress are as bad or worse than smoking. Relax and enjoy life. Keep up most of your habits, read more, but RELAX !! |
