Cardiologist Called Today - More Results...

[nervouslady]

Hi all,
Man, this is a never ending rollercoaster ride regarding this heart stuff.  She said they finally got the event monitor results from the U of MN hospital and concur that the couple of longer runs were indeed v-tach.  But she said they were somewhat 'irregular' and that everyone agrees they are very benign.  My cholesterol levels of LDL (bad cholesterol) and total cholesterol were elevated, and on the print out I got it said mine should be below 70 (my number was 144 for LDL!) but on the phone she said, no, if I can get it under 130 I should be fine.  Whew, how the heck was I going to cut that number in half w/just diet and exercise.  She also said that they look at particle size, and that the majority of my LDL particles were large, which is good because the large ones are less sticky and less likely to adhere to the walls of your arteries, etc.  Man, I didn't know they looked that closely at the particles, etc.  So she seemed not as concerned about the readings, and didn't think I'd need medication or was in any danger with these numbers, but wants me to change diet and up the exercise.

I also asked about the goofy echo results compared to the normal MRI results and she said that my sternum is deformed from the sternectomy, and that my heart sits differently in my chest as a result of the heart surgery, so they were not able to get good pictures due to this, but none of this affects my heart function in any way and everything looks good.  

So, all in all, more good news today.  I've really been worried about my cholesterol numbers, so I feel somewhat better.  She said diet and exercise were not going to bring the numbers down below 100 (which is optimal).  She thought this was largely due to genetics.  I asked her if the fact that I didn't get a full 12 hour fast prior to the blood draw affected my numbers and she said maybe slightly, but probably not much for the LDL because those numbers take a long time to get high.  If anything, it would have affected my triglycerides and those numbers looked good.

[jkfrench]

More great news!  My doctor has the same thought process as yours.  Because my hdl and trig are so good it balances out the not so good numbers and the ratio is fine.  Your hdl is really good and that is due mostly to exercise.  My hdl is also very high.  (75)

It is so nice to have more reassurance isn't it.  I would like it every day.  I guess that is why I visit the forum.  

I have to go feed lunch to the kiddos so you have a great day and relax!!!

Frenchie

[nervouslady]

Wisconsin - I called a couple of weeks ago regarding my elevated cholesterol numbers (which was info I got in the mail) but I guess my dr was out of the office for the past couple of weeks so she just got back to me now.  Since we were on the phone she wanted to make sure I got all of the other info, too - the event monitor results had not been faxed over to Mayo yet when I was there last so the drs did not get a chance to review the episodes that were thought to be v-tach (and I guess are v-tach).

[nervouslady]

John - Thanks and I hope you get good results from your monitor!  I know they are a pain to wear, but oddly after awhile you get used to the thing.  I felt weird after I took mine off!

Jerry - I guess the printout I got assumed I had some kind of heart disease or other risk  factor, which would bring my optimal numbers down, but in fact my heart is just fine so because of that I can get away with a higher number.  That and the fact that the majority of my LDL particles were the large, less harmful kind made her not concerned.  I also have high HDL and low triglycerides, so she thinks I should be able to get to or under 130 w/just diet and exercise changes and all would be good.
She doesn't want me on any meds because I'm trying to get pregnant and these cholesterol lowering drugs are contraindicated for pregnancy.  She also said I am fine with getting pregnant with my numbers where they currently are, though pregnancy does have a tendency to raise cholesterol (and your risks of everything else.  Whee, good times).

I'm glad to hear the medications are working for you - that is a huge jump! It's good to know that, if my numbers keep going up instead of down, there is something that I can take to get it where it needs to be.  My doc said we can revisit that after a couple of years.

[Wisconsin2007]

I didn't realize there were going to be more conversations with your cardio (or was this a surprise?).

I'm so glad for you that the news was good.  Hopefully that will afford you some peace as you move forward.

[Jerry_NJ]

I don't understand why you are not on a cholesterol control drug.

I had a total at or above 240 for years, may have led to some of my ongoing heart problems of recent years.  But, I went on a prescription drug, now on the generic Zocor formulation and my numbers are real good..and I haven't done any serious exercise since my heart surgery over a year ago.  I mean I an ambient and do walk and do house/yard work, including show removal, but I no longer go to a gym and run on a tread mill or run outside.  My last total was 156 with an LDL (of only) 59, and an HDL (almost equal to the LDL) 57.  I attribute it all to the effectiveness of the drug.  I had similar results with Lipator but changed to the generic to reduce my cost for the medication by 90%.

[Johnbo34]

Nice Nerv...
  I am glad you had good news today. I myself am on day 4 on a 21 day monitor test myself...Bah

Anyway, glad for ya once again.