Cholesterol Off the Charts - Am I Going To Die?? - High Cholesterol Message Board

davids34 · 08-05-2008, 10:43 PM

I have been sick with worry ever since I got my cholesterol tested last month.

I was expecting it to be high. I am 35, 6'4" 290 lbs, and I've always eaten a high fat junk food diet. Plus heart disease runs in the family. I had an uncle die from a heart attack at 45, and my dad had a major one at age 60.

I never thought I woudl have to start worrying about heart disease this early, but I started getting a lot of chest discomfort and pains. I have a history of chest pain related panic attacks, but there is no way to tell the difference between the panic attack and the real thing. So I had blood tests done and they checked my cholesterol.

I called the nurse and she told me that my LDL was so high that it could not be measured. It went beyond their highest scale at 575. The HDL could not be measured because it was so high. I was devastated. I understand that over 200 is high so now I feel like death is right upon me. The only positive is that I had eaten lunch soon before the test was done so maybe that messed up the results.

Oddly enough, the doc didnt feel concerned enough to put me on medication. I've been trying to lose weight and watch my diet. I eat oatmeal every morning and more fruits and veggies. I haven't touched eggs or bacon in months.

I also started taking Bayor cholesterol drug and Centium vitamin that lowers cholesterol.

Has anyone heard of someone having readings this high, and does it mean that a heart attack is right around the corner? Very scared here.

namelessme · 08-05-2008, 10:47 PM

I would suggest a fasting VAP lipoprotein test, c-reactive protein, homocysteine and vitamin D levels. Eating right before getting tested can throw the values off, so that test you took is probably worthless. And high HDL is a good thing, by the way.

The centrum vitamin isn't going to help a whole lot. If you require medication, you should look into a statin, niacin, or red yeast rice. Fish oil and possibly vitamin D would be a good idea too.

Trixibel · 08-05-2008, 11:58 PM

I am no expert but I heard that as long as your HDL/LDL ratio was right then it didn't matter how high or low the cholesterol was. You need to listen and trust your doctor. If he didn't put you on meds then he obviously knows what he's doing as long as he understands your family history.

I have panic attacks too, and a severe heart anxiety as there is heart disease in my family too. You're not alone.

HubbleRules · 08-09-2008, 06:20 AM

Don't panic - you're not going to die...

But you should cut way back on the fast-food restaurants and junk food and start putting better fuel into your body. When you're young you can pretty much get away with anything, but your body will remember when you're in your 40s what you did when you were in your 20s and 30s....

Cut back on the saturated fats and include more vegetables (especially the green leafy ones) and fruits... And cut back on sweets...

By the way, if you did not fast at least 10 hours before they drew blood for your test, then the results are pretty meaningless. Did you tell the nurse that you ate lunch before the test??? You really need to have another test before you get all worked up - tell the doctor that you did not fast - and tell him what you ate in the 10-12 hours before the test....

I'm sure he'll demand that you take another test.

HubbleRules

jungle jim · 08-12-2008, 04:30 AM

Hi there if your doctor did not think you needed medication, then for your own safety change your doctor, also he or she can only act on the info you give them.