Plano, TX
A 54-year-old male asked:
My latest ldl 88 hdl 46 trgl 115 tc 153, would you consider taking cholesterol medicine for these numbers such as 10 mg pravachol (pravastatin)..
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
A Verified Doctoranswered
31 years experience
Probably not, but...: Unless you are at very high risk for heart disease, your numbers are actually quite good. Very high risk patients have a history of heart attack or stroke, diabetes, or artery blockage or two of the following: smoker, high blood pressure, family history of early heart disease, or age >45 (men) or >55 (women). Your doc will know how to risk-stratify you based on your medical history.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. William Cromwellanswered
Clinical Lipidology 36 years experience
Depends on Particles: Cardiovascular (cvd) risk is related to LDL (ldl-p) and HDL (hdl-p) particle number. Because cholesterol in LDL and HDL particles is highly variable, ldl-c and hdl-c levels often disagree with ldl-p and hdl-p. When cholesterol and particle number disagree cvd risk tracks with ldl-p and hdl-p, not ldl-c or hdl-c. For high risk patients ldl-p goal is < 1000 (option < 800), otherwise goal is < 1300.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Mar 25, 2015
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