How to reduce cholesterol

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Replies

  • cstaszko
    cstaszko Posts: 1 Member
    whole food plant base diet
  • hjg0989
    hjg0989 Posts: 17 Member
    MommyMeggo wrote: »
    hjg0989 wrote: »
    I have high LDL, but everything else looks good. My doctor tried for years to put me on a statin but I refused. When I pointed out my ratios were good, my family history didn't point to heart disease and my LDLs were of the large, less damaging type, my doctor said she had to suggest statins in case I developed heart disease later (to protect herself from a lawsuit.) My only red flag was high LDL. Half the people who die from heart attacks have low LDL, so that is not a compelling reason to go on a statin. I eat healthy, keep my weight low, exercise a lot and question any medication my doctor suggests.

    How do you find out if yours are large- assume you mean the fluffy vs dense - that Ive been reading about...

    Like CharlieBeans said, there is a test the doctor can order. I knew my doctor didn't know what size particles I had so the last time she was pushing statins on me I asked her about my particle size. Her face got a bit red as she looked through my chart before admitting she didn't know. So, she ordered the test but she told me she didn't like to order it a lot because it was expensive and the insurance companies pushed back if she ordered it too much!!!!

    The insurance companies don't push back on statin drugs but they will push back on blood tests to see if the drugs are needed (according to my doc)....????

    I'm switching doctors, btw.


  • hjg0989
    hjg0989 Posts: 17 Member
    If I had previously had a heart attack or if I had heart disease I would take a statin, I think the science supports the benefits. However, the science is too muddy otherwise and statins can have side effects.

    This is one of many interesting articles that questions the effectiveness of statins in people whose only risk factors are high cholesterol. https://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4513492/
  • CharlieBeansmomTracey
    CharlieBeansmomTracey Posts: 7,682 Member
    hjg0989 wrote: »
    MommyMeggo wrote: »
    hjg0989 wrote: »
    I have high LDL, but everything else looks good. My doctor tried for years to put me on a statin but I refused. When I pointed out my ratios were good, my family history didn't point to heart disease and my LDLs were of the large, less damaging type, my doctor said she had to suggest statins in case I developed heart disease later (to protect herself from a lawsuit.) My only red flag was high LDL. Half the people who die from heart attacks have low LDL, so that is not a compelling reason to go on a statin. I eat healthy, keep my weight low, exercise a lot and question any medication my doctor suggests.

    How do you find out if yours are large- assume you mean the fluffy vs dense - that Ive been reading about...

    Like CharlieBeans said, there is a test the doctor can order. I knew my doctor didn't know what size particles I had so the last time she was pushing statins on me I asked her about my particle size. Her face got a bit red as she looked through my chart before admitting she didn't know. So, she ordered the test but she told me she didn't like to order it a lot because it was expensive and the insurance companies pushed back if she ordered it too much!!!!

    The insurance companies don't push back on statin drugs but they will push back on blood tests to see if the drugs are needed (according to my doc)....????

    I'm switching doctors, btw.


    thing is certain insurances will only cover certain things, some will make you prove its medically necessary before they will cover the procedure/med,etc. statins though seem to be one that they can push easily
  • CharlieBeansmomTracey
    CharlieBeansmomTracey Posts: 7,682 Member
    hjg0989 wrote: »
    If I had previously had a heart attack or if I had heart disease I would take a statin, I think the science supports the benefits. However, the science is too muddy otherwise and statins can have side effects.

    This is one of many interesting articles that questions the effectiveness of statins in people whose only risk factors are high cholesterol. https://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4513492/

    for me though Im at a high risk for a heart attack,stroke/etc if I dont watch my diet and take my statins. for those with regular high cholesterol they may not need statins or be at a high risk even with high cholesterol
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