How Long Can You Have High LDL before Plaque Builds? - High Cholesterol Message Board

smyrnaboy · 03-14-2006, 01:59 PM

I'm 32, male, 5'11", 170 lbs., no other health problems, but have persistent elevated LDL. Was diagnosed with high LDL a little over a year ago:

Jan. 2005:

TC-241
LDL-171
HDL-42

Sep. 2005:

TC-238
LDL-172
HDL-46

Trig's both times way normal. Will likely retest in 3 mos. after continuing my diet/exercise regime. DO NOT want statins unless absolute last resort, especially given my age. High cholesterol does run in my family. Thanks.

Stumper · 03-14-2006, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smyrnaboy

I'm 32, male, 5'11", 170 lbs., no other health problems, but have persistent elevated LDL. Was diagnosed with high LDL a little over a year ago:

Jan. 2005:

TC-241
LDL-171
HDL-42

Sep. 2005:

TC-238
LDL-172
HDL-46

Trig's both times way normal. Will likely retest in 3 mos. after continuing my diet/exercise regime. DO NOT want statins unless absolute last resort, especially given my age. High cholesterol does run in my family. Thanks.

Smyrn,

I think plaque can take some time to build. It doesn't happen overnight, but build it will.

If it is in your family has anyone had any heart related problems so to speak ?

enie · 03-14-2006, 06:00 PM

Everyone is different even if it runs in the family.
My Son was having heart symptoms last month and just found out this week that his LDL was 252 and his TCs are way over 400 and he is only 33. It took my husband three years from all normal readings to a heart attack from blocked arteries at age 53. It took my grandfather eight years from heart problems from bad plaque deposits to a major heart attack at age 78. All three of them had terrible diets. When my Dad was in his 70s, his ol’time Doctor told Dad his arteries were very diseased, and to expect a heart attack any time. Dad cut out cured meat, started taking longer walks every day, ate seeds all the time, plus dried fruit and lots of vegs. He never took statins and died at age 92 but not from heart disease.
exc.....
As for me, when I was able to walk I found that long walks caused my cholesterol to drop quickly and stay where it was supposed to be. The walking and a diet as close to heart healthy as possible, with no junk food or animal fat. When I stopped being able to walk that was all she wrote.
enie

NHone · 03-14-2006, 11:59 PM

There is no way of predicting. Some people will have high cholesterol and never develop heart disease. Some people will have low cholesterol and develop heart disease. A CRP (C-reactive protein), and an Lp(a) test would be able to tell you more.

smyrnaboy · 03-15-2006, 08:08 AM

Mother, father and brother (who is 41) all have high cholesterol. All have been on a statin at some point. However, all of them are moderately to severrely overweight, where as I am not. All do not exercise, and all have relatively poor diets.

I do exercise, do eat fairly well, and am not overweight. My thinking is that with vigorous exercise and the right diet, in an effort to keep the weight down, will allow me to do this naturally, but genetics will make it tough.

My family is a typical Deep South bunch of folks in that they like red meat, fried food, lots of sweet tea, generally don't exercise, and resist healthy eating. It's a cultural thing. Thankfully, most have lived past 65, some way past 65, and there is not a pattern of early cardiovascular deaths.