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Should I Take Lipitor, Or Lose Weight?

Posting Date: 12/11/2000

Q: I am 62 years old and my cholesterol is 232. My doctor wants me to take Lipitor to bring it down. I am 5'8" and weigh 135 pounds, giving me a body mass index of 20.5.

I eat a very low fat diet and run and walk three miles six days a week plus work out with weights after running. My HDL is 87, LDL 133 and triglycerides 61. Should I take Lipitor or take off some pounds?

I don't like to take medicine if there is an alternative. My mother is 90 and in good health; my grandmother lived to 104 and my great-grandmother lived to 97.

A: You are obviously taking very good care of yourself, exercising and keeping your weight under control. Your family history is fabulous.

Many cardiologists now think that the ratio of total cholesterol to good HDL cholesterol is more important than the single measure of total cholesterol. Anything below 4.5 is considered good. At 2.67, your ratio is terrific.

Our Guide to Heart Health describes how to calculate cholesterol ratios, interpret lab results and lower risk factors naturally.