High cholesterol and gallstones - fed up

moneysaving_pharmacist · 5 January 2008 at 9:31PM

Cholesterol levels are one of many risk factors for heart disease - others include blood pressure, age, smoking status and sex. So if your cholesterol is high, but the combination of risk factors means that you are at low risk for heart disease over the next ten years then taking medication to lower cholesterol may not be appropriate. Statins do have risks as well as benefits, and the lower your chance of heart disease then the more the balance tips towards harm from statins (but not hugely). It would also cost the NHS a lot if anyone with high cholesterol levels recieved medication, regardless of their overall risk level.

The above relates to what's known as 'primary prevention' - preventing heart disease in those who do not have it yet. Secondary prevention is a different ball game and anyone who has already had a heart attack, has angina, has type 2 diabetes or peripheral vascular disease should really be on a statin - there was a large study in this country, the Heart Protection Study, which showed a substantial benefit in taking statins in these groups of patients.

noonesperfect · 6 January 2008 at 1:11AM

Ted_Hutchinson wrote: »

It looks very much like some people haven't read the links I've provided
How about listening to all of Malcolm Kendricks talks here.

Thanks for that Ted. My last cholesterol reading was something around 6.4 (I think, but no other CVD risk factors) Overall ratio of HDL:LDL 3:1 (which I'm told is excellent) stopped me panicking
about going back for a further test. This has reassured me further.

suzybloo · 8 January 2008 at 9:31PM

I have had problems with my gall bladder for a few years - just niggling away. However, last week after seeing an alternative therapist he suggested trying a diet called Eat right for your blood type. I started that last wednesday and by Sunday have had no more grumbling from my gall bladder. It is based on your blood type (mine is O) and it has advised that I cut out dairy products, wheat products, potatoes etc. I was very sceptical at first but like I say I do notice a difference and I am not waking at night with the discomfort that I had been for weeks. Possibly no dairy has helped . (Hopefully I will keep it up as have lost 4lb in the last week:T )