Statins and PV patients

Hi @bracha. If you’ve been diagnosed with PV (polycythemia Vera) that already puts you in a possibly elevated risk category for stroke due to potential blood clots from having an overabundance of red blood cells. Even if you’re on medications for PV to lower the risk, elevated cholesterol can still be another stroke risk.

Statins attack a protein or enzyme in the liver responsible for making bad (LDL) cholesterol. The drugs slow down the body’s ability to create the sticky stuff that clogs your arteries. From my understanding, statins can also lower inflammation in the arteries. While much maligned they do have positive benefits. Even though my Cholestrol was within ‘normal-ish) limits my transplant doctor has me on a low-dose statin. (Rosuvastatin 5 mg). I’ve been taking them for several years with really positive lab readings and no side effects.
Are you concerned about taking the statins?

Yes. I'm wondering if taking more care of my diet if I can assist the LDL cholesterol since by HDL number was 92 this time. It has been in the 80's for quite a while. I have tried to reduce my fat intake, use olive oil and am 5'5" and weight 120#. I do, however live at 6800' altitude which is a problem with PV.
I suppose I should find out about the side effects. I don't understand your comment about statins "being much maligned". Do they interact with other meds (which I don't have yet) or is there something I'm missing here.

@bracha Our diet plays a big role in helping control our cholesterol but so does our genetic history. Saturated fats and sugars can really torpedo efforts we make to keep it under control.
With your healthy diet, you’re a really doing a great job. It shows with having an HDL of 92! It sounds like you’re doing everything right. I always felt I did too but my doctor explained it’s more than just what we can do on our own to reduce cholesterol. Our genetics can factor in. My mom ‘ate like a sparrow’ but had high cholesterol. I guess I follow in her genetic trail. ☺️

My comment about statins being maligned was from the static I see ‘with a side eye-glance’ from comments I pick up online. I could have left that comment out of my reply, sorry about that! They’re the typical complaints from people who feel doctors are just pushing drugs. Personally, I am a firm believer in the benefits these medications can bring. I follow credible sources for the research and statistics of the success in lowering cholesterol and stabilizing plaque in the arteries, along with helping to reduce inflammation in the arteries.
Do you know if your parents had elevated cholesterol?