Need to Raise HDL and Lower Tri

[Songwriter]

I have heart disease. Got a stent 3 years ago. Got another one two weeks ago. This last one... a cath showed me 'clean' 18 months ago, so, this new blockage occurred in 18 months. I am determined to stop this process, I sure hope I can. My family history is dismal. I am 55 and appear to be the healthiest person you've ever seen.

My lipids in hospital recently.

TC 165
TGL 281
HDL 33
LDL 76

I have eaten a low carb diet, done very well for a year. I have continued to drink too much, 3-4 days a week but I don't stop at 2, I have 4-6. So, I have not had a drink since this last event and I suspect Triglycerides will fall, and hopefully, a LOT. Stopping the alcohol will also help me lose weight, which I'd like to do, even though I am 'slim.'

My HDL has never been sky high but it's been better than 33. That's lowest it's been. It's usually around 40; I think it has been as high as 57 during the past three years.

Doc wants me to take Pravachor statin but I am resisting; I think I can do it without drugs. I have been taking... multi-VM, coq10, fish oil, krill oil, curcumin, l-arginine, vit D. I am now adding aspirin and Plavix, a blood thinner. Fish/krill oil and curcumin, in addition to aspirin, are anti-inflammatory.

I am now adding Vit C once again. I also ordered EDTA for oral chelation but I have no idea if this is quackery or it can really work. Somewhat skeptical but hey, I really want to beat this. I figure it won't hurt me.

I will eat cold water fish regularly in addition to fish/krill oil.

Also, winter is about over here, I will again start my vigorous hiking program. Four days a week, 4-6 miles per.

My stress level on the job has been through the roof over the past year. Worst in my life. I am making changes there, reducing job stress load. Taking up golf again. Reducing hours on the job.

About all I have done "wrong" since three years ago is drink and have too much stress.

Anything else you guys know of that can lower TRIs and raise HDL? Not something you just heard about, something you think really works. I am somewhat skeptical of the entire lipids theory but hey, when you get two stents in three years, you're willing to bend a bit.

I am even considering taking the statin. However, supposedly, the only people a statin helps is people like me... men under 65 who have heart disease... but THE GAIN IN LIFESPAN IS NOT VERY MUCH AT ALL. So, I am not sure about the statin yet.

I also requested in the hospital that they measure particle size of my LDL. I don't have the results yet.

[Stevie Renee]

Please read every little scrap on this blog.
The Heart Scan Blog

Also, eliminate any/all processed foods especially wheat products. It looks like you have a good plan but as far as raising your HDL and lowering your tris, I think a good start is elminate those yucky carbs. I was going to cut/paste some stuff from that blog, but I would get carried away!

You know you need to cut the alcohol and I think by eliminating some of your work stress and hiking/golf, thats going to help get you into the swing of things.


Will be interested in seeing what your particel size is.

My two cents is that you know lc works, you did it for a year but now it is time to do it for life.

I want to say that Dr Davis has a web site - yes he blogs - but he has a program called Track Your Plaque. His program has helped lots and lots of people. With proof - by a tracking tool.

PM me if you wantmore details. But go look! Its worth it.

PS: Here is a little blog post from him if you live a wheat free diet:
Flat abdomen
--Rapid weight loss
--High energy
--Less mood swings
--Better sleep
--Diminished appetite
--Reduced blood sugar
--Reduced blood pressure
--Reduced small LDL and total LDL
--Increased HDL
--Reduced triglycerides
--Reduced C-reactive protein and other inflammatory measures


PSS: I am searching in Track Your Plack for this...Pravachor...coming up empty. Is it spelled right? And kudos on the asprin.

[Songwriter]

Thanks for that. I definitely eat grain free.

Sorry, I guess it is pravochol. with an "l." I am very suspicious of taking a statin but I am at least looking into it even further.

BTW, my docs were suspicious of my supplements, saying they are unproven, they have side effects, too... drugs are the only proven way... blah blah blah. But they did acknowledge fish oil and curcumin. Also acknowledged l-arginine but said it's "second line defense," drugs are first line. I was surprised they did not acknowledge coq10. I figured that one is a no-brainer for me to take, I was surprised. They said just wasting money. But I look at mainstream medicine docs with a wary eye. I wish it weren't that way.

[Leo41]

Does the doctor who prescribed the Plavix know about the fish/krill oil and aspirin? I ask because ALL are blood thinners and with most prescription blood thinners, you're advised to avoid supplements that thin the blood because they can lead to dangerous internal bleeding when combined with prescription medication (it's more difficult to control the dosage level with supplements).

[Songwriter]

Yes, he even wrote "fish oil and curcumin" on the order... for me to continue with those. As well as aspirin and Plavix. He is an Indian doctor; if he were WASP doctor, he would never have even acknowledged non-drug products.

I'd rather not take Plavix if I didn't have to (it's a drug and I prefer not to take drugs when at all possible, plus it's expensive). And I have no idea if I truly need to or not but until someone tells me I don't have to, I will take it.

[Stevie Renee]

Well some docs are just hard wired that supplements are ineffective. Find a new doc. lol

Hi Leo

[Leo41]

Songwriter-

He's probably adjusted your Plavix dosage to accommodate your supplements, so that's good. Like you, I prefer not to take any meds I can avoid, so if you're taking a lower dosage of Plavix to complement your supplements, that's a benefit to you.