All GS Doctors-Cholesterol levels

Lifestyle Health & Fitness
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Re: All GS Doctors-Cholesterol levels

I will disagree with inspiron slightly in that HDL/good cholesterol levels play a a significant role in determining good cardiac health and are looked at by cardiologist when choosing diet, medication regimens for patients. while, the body does regulate its HDL, there is such a thing as too low HDL which can actually increase your risk of heart disease.

physicians looks at total cholesterol, as well as “good” HDL" and bad “LDL” cholesterol. Cardiologist also look at triglyceride levels in addition to HDL,LDL
In USA, testing for cholesterol is based on age and risk factors.
In most patients who are diabetics and /or have heart dz, cholesterol (total,HDL,LDL) is tested annually at a minimum and sometimes as frequently as 6 months.
Targets (based on recommendations of American Heart Association) for cholesterol control are as follows …

Total = less then 200mg/dL

HDL in men = 60mg/dL and above … Less then 40mg/dL is considered low and causes INCREASED risk of heart disease.
HDL in women = 60mg/dL and above … Less then 50mg/dL is considered low and causes INCREASED risk of heart disease.

LDL; less then 100mg/dL in folks who already have heart dz or have high risk factors.

As I said earlier, there is such a thing as low HDL/not enough HDL (good cholesterol). It is known to increase risk of heart disease and it is level followed/kept track of by cardiologist.
reasons for low HDL (off the top of my head … most common) are
smoking
lack of exercise
obesity
high triglycerides
uncontrolled diabetes
certain medications (androgens) …
high dose Beta blockers … this is a medication that most folks with heart disease are on
high dose thiazides … these are meds that are diuretics (make you pee a lot) and used for blood pressure control. A lot of cardiac pts are also on these meds.
renal (kidney) disease
certain genetic conditions

Overall though, sounds like your father is on the right track. exerecise, healthy eating is the key to improved cardiac health. HDL levels are not somthing to obsess over but its good to know where those levels are. Have another chat with your cardiologist … I cant imagine one who would disagree with the latest guidelines. :slight_smile: … errr at least in USA.