Background: Although I do not remember the specific numbers, I know that I have always had somewhat low HDL. My mother says that both her and my grandmother do too. However, we have no early heart disease (or really, any heart disease that I know of) on either side of my family. Since I am fairly young and healthy, I havent worried too much about this in the past. However, on a whim, I decided to take advantage of a freee cholesterol screening at a local clinic in my community. I havent had it tested in a long time, so I decided - why not?
Here are my numbers (fasted for 10+ hours except for a cup of black coffee morning of) -
Total: 101
HDL: 21
TRI: Less than 50
LDL: Unable to calculate
I guess that because everything was so low, the machine couldnt calculate LDL. However, no matter how you slice it, it has to be extremely low with the other numbers.
I am 38 yr old male, no significant family history of CAD, my blood pressure is usually below 120 systolic and below 80 diastolic. I dont smoke. I dont drink any alcohol. I exercise occasionally, but not regularly. My BMI is about 24. 12 months ago I had a negative stress echo. This test was order because of some atypical chest pain I was having. Diagnosis ended up being GERD and I now take 40 mg of Nexium daily. Over the last 12 months, I have also aggressively changed to a south-beach /low carb oriented diet. I lost approximately 30 lbs.
My questions:
1) given my low risk factors in general, should the low HDL worry me? I intend to make some lifestyle modifications to get it up - exercise more, fish oil, daily glass of red wine. But should I be running to my doctor, ER, etc.? I just dont know how to interpret such a strikingly low HDL amount. It has me panicked.
2) Obviously related to the first point, should this be treated. I.E. Niacin, etc.?
Thanks for your opinion.