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Important information about statins that I’m going to ask my doc about
Aging Well | Last Active: 18 minutes ago | Replies (198)Comment receiving replies
I've always told my doctor No to Statins! I find if I stick to trying to get at least 5 servings of a combination of fruits and vegetables a day, that helps reduce my LDL level. To reduce Triglycerides I take salmon oil gel capsules because it's easiest for me. Fortunately my HDL levels always seem to be on the higher side of normal which I'm told can offset a slightly high LDL level. Now if that intake if fruits and veggies could result in a weight decrease I would be a happy camper. 😁 Alas, my constant battle is with hypothyroidism.
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Welcome to Mayo Connect. Whether or not to take statins to lower cholesterol levels is a complex and highly personal question.
I resisted for years, arguing that I had reached age 65 without any evidence of the heart and artery diseases that plague my family. I reluctantly tried a couple of statins then on the advice of a cardiologist and found then intolerable so I turned to diet and exercise. Suddenly at age 70, my Cholesterol and LDL levels began an upward trend anyway, so again I agreed to try statins - 2 different ones caused severe symptoms, no matter how low the dose.
This September a sharp Nurse Practitioner spotted an irregularity in a routine ECG that led to the ER, testing, and diagnosis of a heart blockage. Shortness of breath, chest tightness and low energy I had been attributing to my lung diseases were diagnosed as angina! Now I am taking Repatha as well as two heart medications. My Lipid panel looks great, the pain is gone - we shall see if this is enough to avoid having stents placed.
My takeaway? If your numbers are high and your thyroid doesn't function perfectly (mine does not) consider having a cardiologist take a look at your total risk profile. I might have avoided the plaque that has buikt up in my arteries if I had only listened 12 -15 years ago.