High Cholesterol in your 20's??

• By gracie62
• Posted August 4, 2009 at 4:31 pm
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Welcome to WomenHeart. I did not have high cholesterol in my 20's, but I did develope high blood pressure at the age of 19 - not overweight, did not smoke and had no other risk factors other than a very strong family history of hypertension and heart disease. I went on blood pressure medication then and got my first stent at age 39 and went from there to 2 more stents, triple bypass surgery and a heart attack.

Have you checked your family history? There is a condition called familial hypercholesterolaemia that can genetically predispose certain persons to high cholesterol no matter their age. That said, hypothyroidism can lead to high cholesterol. Have you had your thyroid levels checked? My 16 year old daughter developed hypothroidism at age 11 with few symptoms at all. We wouldn't have known she had it if she hadn't developed a goiter and they said she had probably had the underactive thyroid for a while before the goiter developed.

I understand your doctor's hesitance to use statins at your age. However, heart disease is the number one killer of American women. You need to make sure your cardiologist knows your family history inside and out and understands your concerns. There are lifestyle changes you can make - common sense diet choices and regular exercise. Remember that the liver produces and processes cholesterol. Limiting alcohol intake keeps the liver healthy and functioning properly.

You are lucky that you discovered this while you are young enough to take charge and prevent build up of plaque in your arteries. Welcome again to WomeHeart.

Dianna

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• By grace5
• Posted August 6, 2009 at 4:19 pm
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Hi and welcome! Can I suggest that you google high cholesterol/heart disease?' You really need to read as much as you can before you start worrying too much. High cholesterol is just one possible marker. It's sounds to me like you take care of yourself pretty well and your cholesterol numbers would not have raised an eyebrow not so very long ago. I cut and pasted the following for you-

Inconsistencies over time. Another source of inconsistency is biological variability, or the natural variations in the amount of cholesterol in a person's blood at any moment. Changes in your average daily levels may reflect diet, smoking, illness, weight change, exercise, or certain medications. The number on the laboratory report reflects the level at a single point in time. One study showed that total cholesterol levels can fluctuate by as much as 11% over the course of a year. The researchers estimated that 60% of that variation was caused by biological fluctuations, and the remaining 40% by variations in the test itself. That same study found that triglyceride measurements can vary anywhere from 13% to 41%, and HDL levels from 4% to 12%. What all this means is that a small change in your cholesterol level from one test to another does not necessarily represent a real gain or loss — and an unusually high or low level may be a fluke.

What you can do. You can do something about biological variability. For routine total cholesterol measurements, try to have your blood drawn at the same time of day each time you have the test — and follow a similar eating, exercising, and medication-taking pattern. You can also improve the accuracy of a cholesterol test by not drinking alcohol for several days beforehand, sitting for at least five minutes before your blood is taken, remaining seated during the procedure, and informing your doctor of any fevers you've had recently or medications you've taken. Then, you and your physician can make an informed decision about the best way to bring any wayward cholesterol levels back in line.
In any case, one test is clearly not a solid basis upon which to make important decisions about therapy. If your doctor suggests drug therapy based on a cholesterol test, ask for a second test to double-check the results.

I agree with the last bit, if you are really worried follow the tips above then have another test.

Lidia xx

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• By Patybluetx
• Posted August 7, 2009 at 2:13 pm
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I have had high cholesterol since I was a little girl (what can I say I have the perfect genes for it) I am not obese, I've always watched my diet and still had high cholesterol. I'm with your dr. You should first try things like increasing your intake of omega 3's and antioxidants. You probably have a problem with your trigs so I would stay away from alcohol b/c they can go up with alcohol consumption. You might also want to try eating oatmeal everyday (to increase your fiber) and drinking hybiscus tea (I like it cold some drink it hot). Also, make sure and get in 45 mins of cardio everyday it's going to help you not only with your cholesterol but with overall heart health.
I tried everything but still ended up on statins. Currently I'm off statins b/c I'm trying to get pg again and they are not good for growing babies so I'm following all the advice I'm giving you to a 'T' b/c I don't want my cholesterol to run away from me. If you want to avoid medication I would follow the guidelines very carefully, esp the eating right and exercising...man exercising is super important! Oh! And it turns out eggs aren't that bad for you, they are actually more beneficial than they are harmful. Still if you want "lower cholesterol" egg I would go with Egglands Best...they are delicious and low on cholesterol!

Good luck!
Martha

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• By martzj
• Posted August 8, 2009 at 3:57 pm
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Hi EMCgirlMA,

While you are googling try 'triglycerides'. For some reason, low trig levels are more important in women than men and your levels may be radically altered by what you choose to consume. I've kept mine at bay by careful (but never boring : ) eating habits. You will need medications to force the levels down if there is a genetic component at work but the dietary component never ceases to be very important long term.

Are you pretty good about staying active? Exercise is a huge factor in raising HDL (the good cholesterol) levels. Muscles that are forced to move and grow force the body to create more HDL. I like to think of it as a 'nomadic diet'.....eating on the move, the way grizzly bears stand in the river waiting for salmon to jump into their mouths...browsing shrubs for blueberries. Eating almonds, walnuts. Triscuits are on the acceptable list too...can't find them in trees though : )

I hope you will keep a sharp eye out for the latest continuing research and medication advances regarding statins and women & cholesterol. It isn't at all out of the realm of possibility for medical breakthroughs to begin appearing fairly soon on many fronts. Nothing is going to stay the same forever.

take care,
Jaynie

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• By Queen_E
• Posted August 9, 2009 at 9:58 pm
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You have a cardiologist already?
I had elevated (low 200's) cholesterol since my early 20s (first time I got it tested, at the gym) and was able to drop it to 180's with diet and exercise. I kept exercising regularly until my mid-30s.
Then I slacked off. For about 7 years (kids!). I got a free test at work, like you - 268. Then, fall 2007, about 2 yr later I got tested again at the doctor during a physical. 252. 6 mo later, after changing my diet, losing 20 lb - 264. Jun 2008 - Zocor. 2 mo later - 198. Jan 2009 - Heart attack, 100% blockage in LAD, 2 stents.
So, don't mess around with the cholesterol. One risk factor is enough, apparently. Do try diet changes (fish, omegas, oatmeal, etc) and exercise for 6 mo. Then try the drug. If statins work to lower your number, then I say use them. It's a tool. Like Jaynie notes, there will be more science for us in a few years.
Good luck and stay healthy!

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• By mamaellie
• Posted August 11, 2009 at 12:08 am
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Hi,

My experience with what you have is indirect. My son was identified with high cholesterol at the age of 2 1/2. , Medically his condition is called
familial heterozygous hypercholesterolemia.

familial = family
heterozygous = carried only on one gene
hypercholesterolemia = high cholesterol

I attended countless sessions with dieticians to learn about his dietary yeses and nos and I enrolled him in numerous cardio vascular classes.

He took years of Tai Kwon Do.
Years of swimming
Years of playing ice hockey.
He did 4 years of cross country

At the age of 18 he began meds, simvastatine. He does 20 mg when he feels like it. What can I do ?

His issues are 100% hereditary/ Father's side.
He was tested at 2 1/2 because of the known hereditary condition. His father was not so lucky. He learned of his condition when he had a heart attack at age 29. After that because of his refusal to care for himself he has suffered numerous strokes.

Do you have family members who have high cholesterol? Early heart attacks? Strokes?

After my son was identified he was put under the the care of a pediatric cardiologist whose sub specialty is hypercholesteromia. his pediatricians wanted nothing to do with him.

But as an adult, his regular doc perscribes his treatment. Do you have other conditions other than the high cholesterol to be under the care of a cardiologist. Gotta Stop Now.
Wish you the best.

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• By MMaslek
• Posted August 11, 2009 at 10:02 am
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Cholestrol is tricky. Infants start forming buildup on their arteries at 6 months of age. My son's pediatric cardio told me that!! I had high cholestrol & went on a low fat diet to control it. Now my cholestrolis great but my triglycerides are through the roof. They are caused by sugar. The key to controlling those are losing sugars & grains & sticking with lots & lots of green leafy veggies... Problem is if you are on blood thinners, green leafy veggies are a no no. They change the blood thinning properties. So if I follow all the rules, I can't have grains, green leafy veggies or red meat. Whats left? I eat lots of chicken, some greens, some grains & take large doses of meds which make me feel lousy anyway. It a conundrum.

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• By ellen128
• Posted September 9, 2009 at 5:38 pm
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Not that I know of - I do not have any other condition than familial heterozygous hyperlipidemia - and I have been seeing cardiologists for several years.

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