I thought this one was worth sending to the whole list!

BBA
-----Original Message-----
From: Harold L. Jones <[log in to unmask]>
To: Bruce Anderson <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Wednesday, February 17, 1999 6:05 PM
Subject: Re: 2 Quick Questions


>Bruce Anderson wrote:
>>
>> How bad is a cholesterol reading of 237, with an HDL of 41 and an LDL  of
>> 162.  I understand the first number should be 200 - it's the other 2 I
don't
>> know what they mean
>>
>> And can anyone recommend a non-narcotic, non-addictive pain killer
suitable
>> for back pain, probably muscular?
>>
>> THANKS !
>> B. Bruce Anderson (53, 5)
>> Schooley's Mtn., NJ
>> [log in to unmask]
>
>
>Bruce: I learned about cholesterol the hard way 10 years ago when I had
>open heart surgery-triple by-pass. Two arteries were 95% blocked even
>though my many cholesterol tests never put me over 160. My many tests at
>the well respected Lahey Clinic in Mass. never gave HDL or LDL. The
>thinking in those days was that they didn't require HDL or LDL readings
>if the regular was under 200.
>
>After surgery, a fasting test gave my HDL at 28. The ratio of HDL(28) to
>the regular (200) was 5.7 and the ideal at that time was 4.5 or lower.
>There isn't much to increase HDL other than exercise, so the regular can
>be reduced by excercise, diet and/ or medicine. My wife has had several
>cholesterol medicines and Lipitor seems to be working.
>
>They keep changing the thinking and 220 0r 200 seems to be a goal now.
>My doctor now says at my age of 70 , the ratio is less important than
>keeping the LDL below the high in the range. Most labs show low and high
>ranges for the various components on a blood test. These test results
>should be discussed with an internist or a cardioligist. I should
>mention my mother's family had a history of heart problems. My sister
>had an angiplasty last week for a blocked artery.
>
>ABC's Good Morning America had a section on cholesterol this week
>Charles Gibson and Diane Sawyer both admitted over 200 cholesterol. I
>think they will follow up and there must be a web page on this week's
>program.
>
>It is worth spending time on.
>
>Harold