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.