Should I take a statin for borderline high cholesterol?

If your risk is very low, you probably won't need a statin, unless your LDL is above 190 mg/dL (4.92 mmol/L). If your risk is very high — for example, you've had a heart attack in the past — a statin may be helpful even if you don't have high cholesterol.

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Does borderline high cholesterol need medication?

Making simple changes in your lifestyle is often enough to bring borderline cholesterol levels down to the normal range. Some people may also need to take medicine for it. And keep in mind that other things, like diabetes, high blood pressure, and smoking, also affect your heart health; it's not just about cholesterol.

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Should I be concerned if I have a high borderline cholesterol level?

A high cholesterol level can increase your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. You have an even higher risk if you also have other risk factors, such as: Age over 45 for men and over 55 for women. Smoking.

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What to do if you have borderline cholesterol?

Lifestyle changes are essential to improve your cholesterol levels.
  1. Lose extra pounds. Losing weight can help lower cholesterol.
  2. Eat a heart-healthy diet. Focus on plant-based foods, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains. ...
  3. Exercise regularly. ...
  4. Don't smoke.

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Do you really need a statins for high cholesterol?

The current recommendation is that you should be offered statins if: there's at least a 1 in 10 chance of you developing CVD at some point in the next 10 years. lifestyle measures, such as exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet, haven't reduced this risk.

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My LDL cholesterol is over 200, what do I do?

40 related questions found

Is there a downside to taking statins?

While statins are highly effective and safe for most people, they have been linked to muscle pain, digestive problems and mental fuzziness in some people. Rarely, they may cause liver damage. If you think you're experiencing side effects from taking statins, don't just stop taking the pills.

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Why do some doctors not recommend statins?

Fear of side effects and perceived side effects are the most common reasons for declining or discontinuing statin therapy. Willingness to take a statin is high, among both patients who have declined statin therapy and those who have never been offered one.

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Is 6.5 cholesterol too high?

High cholesterol levels are considered: too high: between 5 and 6.4mmol/l. very high: between 6.5 and 7.8mmol/l. extremely high: above 7.8mmol/l.

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Is a cholesterol level of 5.5 high?

Total cholesterol levels should be lower than 5.5 mmol/L, if you have no other risk factors. If you have cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressure, pre-existing cardiovascular (heart) disease or diabetes, or you smoke, the aim for LDL cholesterol levels would be less than 2 mmol/L.

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What is the reason for borderline high cholesterol?

Many different factors can contribute to high blood cholesterol, including lifestyle factors like smoking, an unhealthy diet and lack of exercise, as well as having an underlying condition, such as high blood pressure or diabetes.

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What foods should I avoid with borderline high cholesterol?

What are the worst foods for high cholesterol?
  • Red meat, like beef, pork, and lamb, as well as processed meats like sausage.
  • Full-fat dairy, like cream, whole milk, and butter.
  • Baked goods and sweets.
  • Fried foods.
  • Tropical oils such as palm oil and coconut oil.
  • Butter.

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How long does it take to reverse borderline cholesterol?

It is possible for lifestyle changes to change cholesterol levels within weeks. However, it may take longer, usually about 3 months — sometimes more. Some doctors recommend adding a cholesterol-lowering drug if a person has not lowered their LDL cholesterol after about 12 weeks of lifestyle changes.

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How long does it take to reduce borderline cholesterol?

It may take between 3-6 months to reduce your cholesterol levels from borderline to optimal.

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At what level do you need cholesterol medication?

Your health care team may prescribe medicine if: You have already had a heart attack or stroke or have peripheral arterial disease. Your LDL cholesterol level is 190 mg/dL or higher. You are 40–75 years old and have diabetes and an LDL cholesterol level of 70 mg/dL or higher.

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What can I take instead of statins to lower cholesterol?

7 cholesterol-lowering alternatives to statins
  • Fibrates. Mostly used for lowering triglyceride levels in patients whose levels are very high and could cause pancreatitis. ...
  • Plant stanols and sterols. ...
  • Cholestyramine and other bile acid-binding resins. ...
  • Niacin. ...
  • Policosanol. ...
  • Red yeast rice extract (RYRE) ...
  • Natural products.

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Is 3.6 LDL cholesterol high?

LDL -cholesterol levels greater than 3.5 mmol/L are considered elevated for some people at low cardiovascular risk and most individuals at intermediate risk and may need behavior modifications and/or pharmacological treatment Note 5 (see About cholesterol).

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What is a normal cholesterol level in Australia?

A complete cholesterol test will measure your blood's total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and triglyceride levels. According to the guidelines provided by healthcare experts, normal total cholesterol levels in Australia for individuals at high risk are 4.0 mmol/L and 5.5 mmol/L for the general population.

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Is 4.7 A good cholesterol ratio?

The higher the ratio, the higher the risk. Most healthcare providers want the ratio to be below 5:1. A ratio below 3.5:1 is considered very good.

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Is 3.4 LDL cholesterol high?

Your LDL cholesterol number is: Optimal if it is less than 2.6 mmol/L (100 mg/dL) Near optimal/above optimal if it is 2.6 3.3 mmol/L (100-129 mg/dL) Borderline high if it is 3.4 4.1 mmol/L (130-159 mg/dL)

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What is stroke level cholesterol?

Levels of LDL cholesterol higher than 130 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) are linked to an increased risk for ischemic stroke.

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What should a 70 year old cholesterol be?

After having their cholesterol tested, seniors should be given a number between 190 and 260. Healthy seniors should keep their total cholesterol below 200 and their LDL cholesterol around 100. If your elderly loved one's LDL cholesterol level is above 160, he or she must start making sweeping lifestyle changes.

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Can you get off statins once you start?

If you've made lifestyle changes through diet and exercise that have lowered your cholesterol levels, you may not need to continue taking a statin. These changes can help reduce your risk of heart attack, stroke, or blocked arteries while allowing you to take one less medication.

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Why do doctors push statins so much?

Because many factors are involved, your cholesterol numbers may be considered normal and yet you may still be found to be at an elevated risk for heart problems. As a result, statin medications are now used to lower the risk of heart disease and heart events in most anyone found to be at high risk.

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What is the average age to start taking statins?

The average age at which patients started on statins was 62; nearly half (48.5%) of them were women. All had started treatment between 1990 and 2016. Any reduction in cholesterol below 40 per cent after two years of statin treatment was deemed to be a 'suboptimal' response.

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