why has my husband got high cholesterol & what can we do ?

Question

he has been told his cholesterol is 5.9.
why is this, what can we do about it and what long term risks does it impose on his health?
Thank you

just to stop the tubby, who ate all the pies joke's - he is recovering from cancer & was at a specialsit appt when told, the specialist said he will write to our doctor but i was just wondering what it is & what we can do.

Answer 1

HDL ( high density lipoproteins) -normal Adult Rande is 120-240 mg/dl Optimal adult reading is 180. This is considered the good cholesterol.

LDL ( low density lipoproteins) - normal Adult Range is 62- 130 m/dl. Optimal Adult range is 81 mg/dl

Triglycerides - normal Adult Range is 0- 200 mg/dl optimal adult range is 100mg/dl

Cholesterol /LDL ratio
Normal Adult Range is 1-6 mg/dl Optimal Adult reading is 3.5 mg/dl

Your husband cholesterol/LDL ratio of 5.9mg/dl is slightly high as the targeted or optimal range of 3.5mg/dl is desired
This is insignificant or harm less.


However, in the presence of additional previous risks factor of obesity ;DM; , high blood pressure, kidney , liver and cardiac disease; previous heart attacks, genetic predisposition heart disease smoking; low HDL levels, age over 45 for men and over 55 for women. as well as a sedentary life style and high stress job- this is considered slighly high and needs to be addressed. .


Exercising and eating a diet low in saturated and trans fats can help you go a long way toward that goal. If you need more help, effective medications can take you the rest of the way.



Here's an Excerpt from this High Cholesterol Special Health Report put out by Harvard Health Publication:


In the early days of the cholesterol era, researchers naturally assumed that dietary cholesterol (the cholesterol in such foods as eggs, red meat, and dairy products) was the main villain in elevated blood cholesterol, and so they recommended that people stay away from cholesterol-rich foods. Eggs fell from grace as a good, healthful food.


As it turns out, dietary cholesterol isn’t the only food component responsible for raising the level of cholesterol in your blood, or even the most important. Another key culprit is dietary fat—particularly saturated and trans fats. Saturated fats are found in foods such as meats, whole-fat dairy products, and eggs. Trans fats occur naturally in meat, but today people usually get this type of fat in an artificial form contained in hydrogenated oils, used in margarine and many commercial baked goods;fried foods and processed foods.



It appears that high cholesterol levels ( hyperlipidemia) are an unfortunate result of the luxuries of modern life. Our bodies seem to be geared to the low-fat diets of our early ancestors, and we are poorly adapted, at least physiologically, to a life of inactivity and easy access to fatty foods.



Diet isn’t the only cause of high cholesterol. Your cholesterol levels reflect a combination of factors, including your genetic makeup. For some who are genetically predisposed, the amount of cholesterol they eat has relatively little impact on the amount that circulates in their blood. For most people, though, levels of blood cholesterol are closely tied to the amounts of fat and cholesterol in their food.


If left untreated high cholesterol would eventually placed him at high risks for stroke ( CVA) , heart attack or coronary aterial disease or CAD; it may speed up prostrate cancer.

Herbs and natural remedies to lower cholesterol:

Vit B3- Niacin
Artichoke leaf
Soluble fiber-

oats, barley, rye; legumes
fruits such as apples, prunes and berries
vegetables such as carrots, brussel sprouts, broccoli

Plant stanols and sterols

Other Supplements
Policosanol

Red Yeast Rice

Coenzyme Q10

Garlic

Pantothine

Hope I answered all of your questions. this involved a lot of research as well as my own nsg knowledge.and experience as a critical care nurse. I take care of cardiac patients and open -heart bypass pts.

Answer 2

The figure 5.9 says that it is high cholesterol. As advised by many, don't use kebabs, high fat diet, work out, consume more water, take statins
I would not recommend Statins or any chemical or synthetic drugs. I personally believe there are a lot of side effects of statins and other cholesterol lowering drugs. You can read about them at google before using them. I can suggest you to go for a wonderful herb - Arjuna. This is an ancient herbal remedy for cholesterol without any side effects. You can read about this at google. You can also consult various herbal health experts at www.planetayurveda.com The consultations is free there
The risk associated with high cholesterol are blockage in coronary arteries and other arteries within the body.So the treatment is essential.

Answer 3

The confusion about the number is that 5.9 mmol/L is in International (SI) Units not American Units. 5.9 mmol/L is 228 mg/dL. A total cholesterol value by itself has little meaning. It is necessary to know the LDL and HDL cholesterol values. Cholesterol levels are determined by genetics, diet, and level of physical activity. A total cholesterol of 5.9 mmol/L or 228 mg/dL may not be all that high and may not require specific intervention if your husband does not have other cardiovascular risk factors - but it should be followed. There is no true normal cholesterol value. Normal is based upon an assessment of cardiovascular risk.

Answer 4

Most of my family have high cholesterol theirs is hereditary and have been prescribed pill from the doctor to maintain this, if the doctor has not given pills you can lower it with diet change and eating spreads and yoghurts for lowering cholesterol which can be bought at any supermarket. High cholesterol is not good for your heart so best to try to lower it.

Some people are saying that 5.9 is not a cholesterol figure, I assure you it is, my husband in 5.2 and his doctor told him not to worry about it. My parents were over 7.0.

Answer 5

Cholesterol levels are a combination of diet and inheritance. In isolation they do not give a clear risk indication. Also you need to know. LDL and HDL levels. In you have these numbers put them, together with the other info in to a cardiac risk calculator, this will give a better idea of the problem level.

http://www.bhsoc.org/Cardiovascular_Risk_Charts_and_Calculators.stm
These are a bit complex but will alow you to perform the calculations.

Answer 6

One of the many import roles cholesterol plays in our lives is as an antioxidant. This is propbably why as we age, our 'cholesterol' levels increase, aging is basically due to free radicals, In fact numourous studies have shown that in the twilight of our lives, higher cholesterol equates to a longer life.
http://www.westonaprice.org/moderndiseases/benefits_cholest.html
On the other hand, low cholesterol levels are an indicator of imminant death among those suffering serious diseases such as aids and cancer.
http://www.westonaprice.org/askdoctor/lowcholesterol.html
So to me, to see high levels of cholesterol in someone recovering from cancer is probably a good sign, as the body is producing and utilising this antioxidant.
The exception to this would be if he is eating a high carbohydrate diet, as this will elevate cholesterol levels. Cancer also just just loves glucose, which carbs are broken down to when digested. When having a PET scan, the patient is often fed a glucose drink, as this will attract cancer cells like seagulls to a chip.
Contrary to the drivel that many want to regurgutate, cholesterol does not cause heart disease.
http://www.thincs.org/Malcolm2.htm#sep16-2004
It's appearance in artery plaques is part of the process in response to an injury. It is actualy one of the last things to appear.
http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/6/4/481

Answer 7

I'd get this checked out again,you may have the wrong reading,if his cholesterol reading was high ,I feel sure your doctor would have put him on statins,these are tablets that keep cholesterol low. A few years ago I had a heart attack,the doctors now check me regularly, they put me on statins even though my cholesterol readings have always been low,a preventative was the reason they gave. This is why I feel that your husbands reading may not be correct or you have read the wrong part of the report,surely if there was a problem they would have put him on statins.

Answer 8

I think you are referring to his Total Cholesterol/HDL Cholesterol ratio. That is an important number, but it isn't the only one to truly determine his risk factors. But the long term risks MAY put him at higher risk for heart disease, stroke, circulatory problems into the legs...basically any problems dealing with the circulatory system.

What to do about it? Here's probably the most important things...

- Exercise...with his doctor's approval
- Eat a low fat / low cholesterol diet
- Eat lots of veggies, good quality lean protein, and fruit
- Try to take in about 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil everyday
- Drink a glass of red wine or grape juice every day
- Take a scoop of Metamucil or some other generic equivalent of a psyllium bulking agent every day

Answer 9

Many common natural remedies are claimed to have blood sugar lowering properties that make them useful for people with or at high risk of diabetes. Learn here https://tr.im/ZA9Ml

A number of clinical studies have been carried out in recent years that show potential links between herbal therapies and improved blood glucose control, which has led to an increase in people with diabetes using these more 'natural' ingredients to help manage their condition.

Answer 10

Right, keep his diet healthy now! Cut out things with high saturated fats such as fry ups, crisps, chocolate etc and get him eating plenty of fresh vegetables, nuts (no salt) and oily fish. For snacks, stick to nuts and a bit of dark chocolate every now and again and fruits. Make sure he drinks plenty of water and Good Luck!
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=515
http://allrecipes.com/Recipes/Healthy-Living/Low-Cholesterol/Main.aspx
http://www.recipezaar.com/recipes/low-cholesterol

Answer 11

THe numerical for cholesterol is off must be something else that they have tested for the numbers could run from xample 100 to250 the higher the more severe