low blood pressure, high cholesterol

[redrhodie]

I just went to the doc. My blood pressure was 102/60, and my cholesterol was 224, LDL 139, HDL 59, Triglycerides 127 (I didn't fast, and in fact, ate 2 eggs before the test). Even so, is cholesterol this high something I should worry about if I have no other health problems?

[OakLeaf]

I'd have it re-done fasting. If it comes back the same, then I'd worry, but most likely it's because you ate before it. IANAD, etc....

[redrhodie]

IANAD, etc....

Heh, I had to look that up.

Well, at least it's making me make better choices today. Baked potato instead of chips. I love chips. I guess this could not be a blip.

[ny biker]

You HDL is high. I also just got blood test results, and the doctor said anything over 40 is good. So you're in good shape there.

I've had some cholesterol tests in the past where they felt the overall was a bit high (205ish) but the HDL and ratio of HDL/LDL were high, so the doctor said not to worry.

My doctor also said that triglycerides should be < 150, so you're good there, too.

Since you're about to go for your first mammogram, I'm assuming you are in your late 30s-early 40s, in which case, I would probably wait until next year and fast before the test then. If you're older, you might want to retest sooner. Also if there is a family history of high cholesterol, you might not want to wait.

(I am also NAD.)

[redrhodie]

You HDL is high. I also just got blood test results, and the doctor said anything over 40 is good. So you're in good shape there.

I've had some cholesterol tests in the past where they felt the overall was a bit high (205ish) but the HDL and ratio of HDL/LDL were high, so the doctor said not to worry.

My doctor also said that triglycerides should be < 150, so you're good there, too.

Since you're about to go for your first mammogram, I'm assuming you are in your late 30s-early 40s, in which case, I would probably wait until next year and fast before the test then. If you're older, you might want to retest sooner. Also if there is a family history of high cholesterol, you might not want to wait.

(I am also NAD.)

I'm 44, and a procrastinator to the max!

I think it's the eggs. I eat a lot of them. I love them. I keep hearing differing opinions on whether they're good or bad cholesterol, so I think I can eat as many as I want. I used to eat more oatmeal, and my cholesterol was low, so I guess that's what I'll go back to.

[Crankin]

Your numbers are not that bad, and the ratio is really the most important thing. My cholesterol has gone from a total high of 245 pre-cycling to 217. My HDL at one point was 80, and more than one doctor told me that was the highest s/he had ever seen, which is good. Last year it was still in the high seventies. My LDL and and triglycerides are average, so my PCP always says the numbers are great. My ob-gyn always tells me to talk to my pcp about it, but I am not concerned, after again, I learn my ratio is excellent.
And, I wouldn't put that much stock in a test done without fasting.
Eggs don't make your cholesterol go up; fat does. I eat a ton of eggs and my numbers haven't changed a bit.

[KnottedYet]

You ate before the test.

That invalidates the test.

Your clinic should have told you it requires an 8 hr fast before blood draw. You should be able to repeat the test without charge.

[redrhodie]

You ate before the test.

That invalidates the test.

Your clinic should have told you it requires an 8 hr fast before blood draw. You should be able to repeat the test without charge.

This was just the in-office skin prick test. A full blood panel has been ordered, but I'm waiting a week to eat more oatmeal before that one.

[maillotpois]

This was just the in-office skin prick test. A full blood panel has been ordered, but I'm waiting a week to eat more oatmeal before that one.

You're a doubly good procrastinator now!



(Says the woman who still has the stool sample kit on her desk from this summer and hasn't been able to bring herself to read the directions.)

[redrhodie]

You're a doubly good procrastinator now!



(Says the woman who still has the stool sample kit on her desk from this summer and hasn't been able to bring herself to read the directions.)

We all have our gifts. Lucky me, this is mine.

[pll]

Add some red wine and salmon to your dinners next week. And salads with olive oil. We might be related....

[Biciclista]

your numbers are close to mine. I think they're fine. there's a ratio that they go by, ask your doctor what it is.
OTOH, be sure to not get dehydrated, because you will find yourself with REALLY low BP and freak your doctor out (and maybe black out too)

[bmccasland]

Those quickie tests have pretty big margins of error. The numbers you need to pay attention are from the actual blood draw. Eat right, exercise, stay hydrated - and DON'T eat 8 hrs before your blood draw! You can have water, take any meds, but no eating.