Just wondered if anyone knows their level?

 

Not bad at all Paul, I have a medical problem which means I have to keep mine well down. It used to be over 6 but came down to 3.4 with pills and careful eating.

Les

 

Thanks Leslie........could you just give us a rough idea of

1.What not to eat.
2.Whats ok to eat.

 

Just reading HERE it says under 5 is okay.

Also there is this high density/low density stuff.

 

Mines 6.9 and I`m fin.................................cough...wheeze ...slump

 

Paulr- What with your blood pressure thread and now this thread are you worrying about leaving us early, like magepaster just has?

I look forward to your "can you feel your limbs" thread in a week or two.

 

I turned 40 last month.

As for my limbs,they are fine.Great stuff that titanium...

....

 

I registered with a new Doctor quite a few years ago in Taunton. Had a blood test etc. went back a few days later and got a result of 7.2. (age 22)

They were ever so slightly concerned about that

No idea what it is now, but did get it down into the 5's.

 

it tends to be less about what you eat as opposed to your genetic make up although a nice healthy, balanced diet will help.
My grandparents both had heart probs, my old mans Cholesterol level was around 13. odds !! . He got it down with the use of medication and tweaking his diet to around 7 iirc.
Mines was sitting around 8 so I have to keep an eye on it. TBH it is more of a prob if you have a double threat ie. high blood presure too.

 

Paul

Keep off the saturated fats as far as possible, lean meat and vegetables and certain kind of cheese are alright, I think you have to keep eggs down to a moderate amount too.

Yes there are two types of cholesterol, high and low density, but the NHS don't distinguish in their tests. The low density stuff is not harmful they say.

Les

 

Food plays only a small part in blood cholesterol levels.

It is determined, by and large, by your genes. Fact.

</David Brent>

 

IIRC the standard cholesterol tests give a ratio between high/low density lipoproteins.

You need to ask for a test that can meaure HDL (high) and LDL (low - the bad stuff) individually. High HDL levels, but low LDL levels would be the thing to aim for.

It's LDL's (Low Density Lipoprotein) that can lead to deposits in your arteries and the increase risk of heart problems.

Stefan

 

TelBoy,

That's true to a point, but an unhealthy diet will exagerate any genetic problems. If you come from a family with a history of heart disease then you should have it checked. What you do about lowering it (if it's found to be a problem) will depend on the cause - poor diet, genetics, sex, age, alchohol, obesity, lack of exercise, etc..

Don't let anyone get the idea that there's absolutely nothing you can do about it.

Stefan

 

Agree, you can do something, but many scientists believe it's just tinkering. People with a family history of heart disease need to do two things first and foremost - eat less, period, and stop smoking. Obesity and smoking, rather than the detailed make-up of a diet, are the real killers.

 

I assume by tinkering you're only referring to diet. IMHO lack of exercise, smoking and alchohol are probably the most important factors in managing any problem.

Everyone should have theirs checked and if it's high, then they need to look at ALL the possible causes. Scotland has the highest rate of heart disease and by far it's smoking, alchohol, lack of exercise and diet that's the culprits. Our genetics are that bad.

Stefan

 

Agree, and i think you have that list in about the right order of importance....

 

Genetics can and do play a role in cholesterol levels, I have familial hypercholesteroleamia which basically means unless I eat like a rabbit (literally ie virtually no fat) I will have high cholesterol (actually LDL the bad kind) as my body cannot remove it from my blood as quick as a normal person. I take statins to control it, these are drugs which block the production of LDL in my liver and keep my level at 4.8 (2.6 LDL 2.2HDL ideally the LDL should be lower than the HDL :-( ). I was 7.2 when first tested at 29 (8 years ago).This condition is common in Ireland and scotland (my dad is irish) and in Scandivian countrys so it is thought that the people who have it now are descended from viking raiders. Without treatment your arterys are generally donald ducked by your forties, my grandfather had his first heartattack at 36 and was in the ground at 48 after suffering 3 altogether. my Dad has been on treatment for the last 20 odd years but his cholesterol level was 13 when they started to treat him and he had a, thankfully very mild, heart attack last year at 57. One of the spurs of the artery that supplies his heart muscle had become blocked but they put in a stent to open it which appears to have worked really well.

 

Looks like I got the HDL and LDL the wrong way round. I think Telboy is largely right, it is genes which determine how the levels go generally, and smoking is seriously bad in that respect. Keeping your weight down and avoiding the worst kinds of saturated oil containing foods or high carbohydrate levels can only be a good thing in that respect though. It is certainly true that the lower you can get the cholesterol levels,the better your chances. A daily aspirin-the 75 Mg little one is good for keeping the blood thin and they also recommend a daily glass of red wine. Full fry ups every day and junk food is not good for sure! The Avorstatin pills which they are advocating to be available off prescription eventually are a life saver too in the way they lower cholesterol levels.

Les

 

Bit of a dim question - do I just ring my GP and ask for a test?

Or are DIY tests available/any good?

My elder brothers (50+) in the states have both had tests and one was very high

Phil

 

my mum who is a nurse brought home a pin ***** and digi reader test but the doc will take a blood sample and get the "all singing, all dancing" test done.

 

Had mine done recently and scored 6.9 I think or was it 7. something. Suggested range was 3 to 5.

I've never smoked and I've now cut out alcohol so I presume I survive for a few more years?