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High Cholesterol

I recently had my blood drawn as a poart of a physical to acquire life insurance.  I received my blood test last week to find out that all of my cholesterol levels were high risk.  Specifically, my cholesterol count was 249.  I am 33 years old, don't smoke, and weigh 155.  I have a history of high cholesterol in my family.  I haven't gone to the doctor in fear that he may prescribe Lipitor or other drugs I don't care to take.  Are there other remedies?  I have a friend in her 20's that takes Policosinal and it seems to work for her.  What should I do?
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242508 tn?1287423646
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
High cholesterol has been linked to the development of coronary artery disease and heart attack.  With family history of high cholesterol, it is very unlikely that dietary modification and life style adjustment (exercise, stress reduction, avoiding tobacco) are going to play a substantial role.  You have not provided me with your LDL, triglycerides, and HDL levels which are more important in deciding further care.  Also, it is important to know whether or not anyone in your family has suffered from a heart attack in the past or needed coronary interventions.  If you don't smoke and are not a diabetic and there is no family history of early CAD then based on your age your LDL cholesterol (not total) could be as high as 190.  On the other hand, if there is diabetes or other risk factors for coronary artery disease, in the worst case scenario, LDL of 100 or greater would warrant further therapy.  I think that at this point you probably should seek medical attention to figure out what you risk is.  Certainly, life style modification is the first step in this process no matter what and it won't hurt to start now.  
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Avatar universal
Please read:  " Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease "  by Caldwell B Esselstyn Jr. Good luck.
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