Just diagnosed with high cholesterol at 29 :( HELP!

[WyattsMomma]

I just got a call from my doctor and she said my bloodwork came back normal (she wanted to check my blood, I didn't ask) OTHER than I have High cholesterol, I am only 29 This has thrown me into a panic. I don't eat a lot of red meat, I don't like cheese. It can't be my diet, because I actually do eat relatively healthy most of the time. She said it was most likely genetic and that I need meds for it. What caused this? What can I do? I refuse to Google, so can anyone further explain what all of this means please? I was so freaked out my mind went blank and I couldn't think of questions to ask and now her office is closed for the day

[Noahs Mom]

Sometimes these things are just genetic... I have a friend who is so extremely healthy - she's in great shape, runs at least 5 miles a day, looks amazing, does everything right, but her cholesterol is high.  She started eating more fiber - started by having a Fiber One bar and then incorporating more fiber rich foods into her diet.  She monitors it closely with her doc 2 or 3 times a year and has brought it back down to a normal range.

Maybe you can use a tool like MyFitnessPal.com to monitor your fiber/cholesterol to get a better picture of your diet.  I thought I ate healthy before I  started tracking on there... yeah - SOOOO not healthy!

[sweetblubrry]

I am thin, 125 lbs and I have had high cholesterol since I was 23. I have had it in the low 200s by exercising, eating better, etc. they wanted to put me on meds too and I refused!! My diet was small changes.... No ice cream only frozen yogurt, a pinch of cheese (asking if ordering lets say tacos out) or remove it myself before eating. I do not eat meat, only chicken. Switched to 1% milk and exercise, exercise, exercise. This runs in my family and no one has ever had a heart attack. Just had it checked again in January and it was down to 161!!! It does pay off! You'll be fine just cut back on those things I mentioned and exercise a bit. I also agree w the above poster. Stuff is way more unhealthy than you think. I have surprised myself many times. Saturated fat is the main thing you have I watch for, keep it as low as possible. I honestly think that contributes more to high cholesterol than cholesterol itself! I know for sure that was my problem.

[WyattsMomma]

Thank you both! I am 5foot6 and weigh in at 132. Doc says in normal range. Not tiny, not overweight. Does anyone have a "safe" non scary site which tells what foods are bad/good? She wants me on meds, but I have heard that cholesterol meds are HORRID. Also my dad, mom, 3 aunts and one cousin have HC. Both grandmothers had it before death. My dad has had multiple surgeries for clogged arteries And he had a heart attack last March. His mother had a massive heart attack and died young, so obviously, I am scared

[kazoo]

High cholesterol can be definitely hereditary.  I do not know if diet alone will drop it, because you haven't said how high it is.  Personally, I find that my cholesterol numbers are always high (I am 5 foot 5, 132 pounds, 49 years old), but a better diet can change the RATIO of bad/good cholesterol.  So even though my total cholesterol is high, as in 250 (ranges from 230 to 270), my ratio is a spectacularly good 3.0. That's because my good HDL is 82; anything over 60 is considered a negative risk factor (good; cancels out a bad risk factor)  Therefore my doctor isn't even concerned and I am not on medication.  Ratio is more important than the total, you see.  Do you know what your ratio is? If not, it does seem like you should find out.

As far as diet goes, I personally find that eating fewer carbs makes your triglycerides drop, and it alters the ratio for the better.  It's sort of the opposite of conventional wisdom, which says fat is the culprit... not in my experience. 

It sounds like you have a family history of heart problems, and that is something to consider.  So, based on what your ratio is, medication may be an option, although you are sort of on the young side for it.

[Boy_Wiz]

I'm sorry to hear about your cholesterol being higher than you had hoped.

If you have a minute, though, check out this webpage on the Paleo diet (http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2010/10/04/the-beginners-guide-to-the-paleo-diet/). It's a pretty good primer to a lifestyle that can absolutely turn your cholesterol around if you take it seriously.

I've been doing paleo for almost a year now, and have never felt better. I used to have issues with daily headaches, stomach aches, random pains, all sorts of things. I just felt like my body was totally messed up. And then I found paleo. It definitely goes against the grain of health knowledge in the US, but if you're willing to give it a try for 30 days, you might be pleasantly surprised to find your cholesterol lowered.

Sorry if this sounds almost like a spam post, haha. I truly believe in the paleo diet so much, so I wanted to share it with you!

Keep your head up -- you will be alright!! :)

[Slangevar]

My doctor brother-in-law says high cholesterol in younger people is always genetic. It's totally unfair, but keep in mind that most people are dealing with something. My husband has high cholesterol; I can eat two cheeseburgers and my cholesterol stays low. BUT I can't handle sugar, whereas he could eat a bowl of candy and be fine.

My BIL says most people with genetically high cholesterol will need to go on statins or some kind of cholesterol-lowering plan. He doesn't believe you can fix it with diet and exercise, but my husband actually did... here's what we incorporated:

1) Exercise regularly
2) Stay away from high-cholesterol AND sugary, high-carb foods (the sugar makes the cholesterol stick)
3) Eat nuts (especially walnuts... eating a handful after a meal will flush the cholesterol out of your system) and a Mediterranean diet (avocado, salmon, olive oil, tomatoes, garlic, etc.)
4) Take fish oil supplements

[WyattsMomma]

Thank you all for helping me. I do not know how high it is (when I called back my doc was gone for the day, the nurse said she wasn't sure but since my doc called in the meds for me, pretty high she would guess. I will ask tomorrow all the numbers.   As far as the paleo diet, I have heard of it. My cousin is HUGE into Paleo/crossfit. I will look at the site. Thank you so much!

[beth0277]

My doctor brother-in-law says high cholesterol in younger people is always genetic.

I don't necessarily agree with that. I am 28 and have been teetering with high-ish cholesterol for a few years. I went last November and it was pretty dangerously high. I made drastic changes in my diet and was able to lower it naturally. It still isn't perfect, but it hasn't been that long either. I was a healthy weight and thought I ate okay, but when I learned about which foods have an effect on cholesterol, it is so much more than meat and eggs and such. Do your research and try to lower it naturally first, is my opinion.

[marc]

There are many things that influence cardiovascular risk. Many people with normal cholesterols have heart
attacks (not at your age). Inflammation and many factors influence risk. I am older and I have taken Omega 3's and
red yeast rice for a long time which keeps my numbers good.