HDL Help - Heart Disorders Message Board

tlsims · 02-22-2006, 08:58 PM

hi my husband 45 had a heart attack earlier this month, actually several . anyway when he went in for one week check up. the doctor said that is HDL was very low and she was concerned (it is L24 mg/dl) all his other are cholesterol 126mg/dl triglyceries 68 mg/dl LDL 88 mg/dl

she said he may have a disorder but i cant remember the name of it. it has something to do with the body not making the HDL .

any advice or what treatment is available if this is the case would be appreciated. he goes back march 23, for more blood work

ts

started04 · 02-23-2006, 09:53 AM

The medical community considers the ratio of chol/HDL to determine a heart attack risk. The expected and normal for less risk is a range of 3.5 to 5.5...high total cholesterol and a low HDL is medically undesirable. Your husband has a total of 124 and HDL 24 with a ratio of 5.25. That would be in the acceptable range according to my source...Range for HDL is 30-70 and 24 is low and apparently that is an issue for your doctor notwithstanding the normal ratio.

HDL is supposed to clear away the LDL and prevent a buildup of plaque in the arteries. If the ratio is not with specs, there may some inefficiency with the system to maintain a healthy artery. If HDL is very low there may be a problem with the liver (source). I'm not suggesting, alcohol will raise HDL, but too much can damage the liver!

tomah · 02-23-2006, 10:21 AM

I just talked to my dr. about this today. She is recommending Omega3 pills, 1,000 mg twice a day. I also drink a glass of grape juice (100% grape juice) because I don't drink alcohol (they say a glass of wine is good - but the grape juice does the same thing). Good luck!

tlsims · 02-23-2006, 10:27 AM

oh thank you so much, i have some omega 3 at home , now i just have to choke them down him,

i like the grape juice thing, i heard wine was good for you, but i just got him to quit smoking i dont want to have to trade that off for a whino LOL.

tlsims · 02-23-2006, 10:35 AM

kenkeith thank you for explaining that in terms i can understand. the more i try to read the more i get confused, making it short and simple helps me alot he has a complicated illness and i have ADD trying to read up on this can take me hours just for one bit of info.

thanks.
ts