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Dr. Fusco's Cholesterol
A few years ago, my LDL "bad" cholesterol began to rise. During my annual September checkup, I was surprised to learn that it had risen to 190, at least 60 points above normal. With my family history of premature strokes, I knew this was not a good situation. Having such a high LDL increased my personal risk of premature stroke and heart disease. I also knew that I was a few pounds overweight and like most Americans, my diet was high in fat. So I went on a strict low fat diet and was able to lose some weight. Despite my best efforts, I was only able to reduce my LDL to around 165, still too high. I found it frustrating to be on such a strict diet and see so little benefit. To a large extent, it seems that my high cholesterol wasn't so much because of what I was eating, but rather an overproduction of bad cholesterol within my liver, a common genetic condition. My mother has the same problem.
Knowing my family history, it was decided that more aggressive treatment was needed. The statin drug Lipitor was begun - one small tablet every day. I have not experienced any side effects. I couldn't even tell I was taking Lipitor, until my blood tests were repeated.
The results were dramatic. In just a few short months, my LDL cholesterol was down to 111. Now a few years and few more pounds lighter, I am proud to say that my LDL is now down to a very healthy 81. My HDL is 41. While I don't advocate statin therapy for everyone, I am grateful for the scientific advances of modern medicine. I am sure that this little pill has potentially added many productive years to my life.
For me, it is "better living through chemistry."
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