Sign in

or Register now

CholesterolNetwork.com

See all of our health sites at www.HealthCentral.com
Thursday, July, 09, 2009
  • Font size

CAD heart risk calculators?

RJMROCKS
06/19/08

My cholesterol numbers are 149TC, 29 HDL, Less than 100 LDL.  I am a smoker but I am not diabetic or on HBP meds.  BP is around 135 or so. Triglycerides are around 300. 

 

When I do all the risk calculators I come up at 4%.  Which seemed low to me because my doctor is freaked out by my HDL level.  I am currently on Lipitor 20mg and Niaspan 1000mg.

 

Are these calculators accurate?  Do I need to be more concerned?

Answer This
Answers (1)
Martin Cane, M.D.
Martin Cane, M.D.
Close
Physician - Internal Medicine

Monday, June 23, 2008

RJMROCKS,

 

Thanks for your question, which is difficult to answer.  I assume these results were obtained while taking the medication.  Many physicians feel that the HDL is very important, and a reading less than 40 is an indication of a higher risk for heart and vascular disease.  Your Cholesterol and LDL numbers are acceptable, assuming there is no history of heart disease in your past.  Also need to take into consideration: family history, age, other underlying medical conditions.

 

If you're looking at risk factors, it would be ideal to get the HDL up a bit.  Some of the lipid meds on the market also target HDL and raise it with therapy.  A regular exercise program has shown to raise HDL, as well as red wine (in moderation). 

 

And obviously, a major risk factor for heart and vascular disease is smoking.  It's clear that you have concern about your blood levels of Cholesterol, HDL, and LDL.  You should have the same concern about smoking, and give serious consideration to elliminating this risk factor. 

 

There are several things you can do.  First of all, discuss all of this with your physician who can best advise you on the lipid levels (medical term for Chol, LDL, HDL).  He can also assist you in overcoming the withdrawal symptoms of smoking cessation, should you decide to undertake this endeavor.  In addition, please review the smoking cessation area of our website which will provide much information on this topic, with tips to be successful.  Other areas of this cholesterol section will help you learn more about the different lipids in the blood, and how to improve them with nutritional efforts.  Please take advantage of these aids.

 

I hope this has been helpful.

 

Martin Cane, M.D.

Answer This

Managing Your Triglycerides

Steps to manage these numbers while on a statin drug.

Download Guide
This video animation shows how cholesterol behaves in the blood stream. Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like, waxy substance found in the bloodstream and in all your body's cells.

Ask a Question

Get answers from our experts and community members.

View all questions (1089) >

Important:
We hope you find this general health information helpful. Please note however, that this Q&A is meant to support not replace the professional medical advice you receive from your doctor. No information in the Answers above is intended to diagnose or treat any condition. The views expressed in the Answers above belong to the individuals who posted them and do not necessarily reflect the views of The HealthCentral Network. The HealthCentral Network does not review or edit content posted by our community members, but reserves the right to remove any material it deems inappropriate.

  • Font size
  • Bookmark
  • Save