My cholesterol is 250. I don't want to take statins. I am wondering what could happen if I don't take anything. I have stomach issues and read that Lipitor and all the statins cause stomach problems. I already have that. Why would I want to add to this problem? My LDL is high like 170 but triglicerides are fine. I am concerned but don't want to make my stomach condition worse. I was going to try 5 mg of Lipitor to see if caused any problem, but still fighting the urge. I was on red yeast rice which lowered the number to just about 215 but developed heartburn. Any suggestions or comments? would love someone's input. Can having a number such as mine really cause heart problems. Is it that high? Do our doctors overreact to these numbers? :confused:

High cholesterol is not the only risk factor for heart disease, but the scientific evidence is clear to me that it is a risk factor that needs to be considered. How old are you? Are you overweight? Do you exercise or are you a couch potato? Do you have diabetes, or so-called "pre-diabetes"? What is your family history of heart disease? Is your "good cholesterol" (HDL) under 40? What is your level of stress? These are only some of the many risk factors for heart disease.

If I remember correctly, my highest cholesterol reading was 239 and I had a 99% blockage of my LAD at age 53. I also had several other risk factors.

If I knew 5 or 10 years ago what I know now, I would not hesitate taking a statin to reduce my numbers, assuming I had tried other "natural" techniques like diet and exercise first without success.

Have you tried some of the other alternative measures? I take flush niacin and I have very good numbers from doing so.

I have stomach issues and read that Lipitor and all the statins cause stomach problems.

lola's mom,
Stomach problems are very rarely a concern with Lipitor. I've taken it for 8 years without so much as a burp!:D

I have IBS and I took Lipitor for 5 to 6 years and it will mess with your stomach. I had gas/bloating, indigestion and acid reflux from it. Once off of it, all those things went away.

I advise you to educate yourself to all the side effects as there are many not listed on their material and try other methods of lowering it if that is what you want to do. Personally, mine is 253 and I am tickled to death with it... When on the statins it was 167 and I was in horriable shape. I discovered my body does better WITH cholesterol.