Cholesterol: 30 Questions You May Ask Your Doctor

1. What are the factors that contributes to the cause of cholesterol imbalance?

Hereditary inheritence is considered the prime reason. Lack of exercise, obesity and intake of greasy foods are few other factors that cause cholesterol imblalance in human body. Besides these, thyroid problems too are found to increase the level of cholesterol in the blood.

2. It is widely believed that even those who have lower cholesterol levels are highly prone to heart diseases. If that is the case what are the factors that need to be considered when conducting a cholesterol level test?

Few things to be considered before conducting the cholesterol test are

Test shoud be conducted early in the morning in empty stomach (previous meal should be atleast 12 hours before.)
Those who take medicines for high cholesterol should have taken their previous day’s medicines. 
Besides, if there are some other defects like fever, diarrhea, fractured bones or a big wound, should wait until they are cured completely. It is preferred not to conduct the test until cured.

3. Are there any illnesses or other such conditions which influences the test results? 

Thyroid, adrinal, lever and kidney related diseases, use of steroids and excessive alcohol consumption influence the level of cholesterol in blood. Inform this to your doctor.

4. Why is it important to take a special note on triglycerides level?  What is the importance of triglycerides?

In few people triglycerides alone increases. This could be the initial symptom of thyroid related  issues. Alcohol consumption also increases this type of cholesterol. Diabetes also causes increase in triglycerides level. Moderate increase is generally ignored or not subjected to treatment. However if the  triglycerides are more than 500 mg treatment is required. Triglycerides can cause panchreatic disorders.

5. Does the increase in triglycerides level increase the chance of heart attacks?

Not only the LDL cholesterol but the increase in the triglycerides level increases the chance of heart attacks.

6. What is LVDL cholesterol?

This accounts for a very small percentage of cholesterol in the blood. Some genetic disorders combined with increased level of LVDL can cause heart failures.

7. For a normal man what is the proposed ratio of good cholesterol to bad cholesterol?

The latest studies over this topic suggest that there is no base for HDL – LDL ratio theory. The measure of each in the blood is more closely watched during the treatment.

8. Is it true that women hormones helps to control the cholesterol level in the blood? If so, does the cholesterol level increases after the menopause?

One among the many reasons for lesser rate of heart troubles in women is the presence of Oestrogen. Oestrogen is the female hormone that regulates the level of HDL cholesterol in blood. After menopause the level of oestrogen decreases which in turn increases the possibility of heart troubles. Scientists had tried many times in the past to counter this affect by administrating oestrogen tablets. However the attempts hardly showed any positive result.

9. Is there any connection between diabetes and cholesterol?

Obesity, diabetes, hypertension and cholesterol are normally found together. The reasons for these diseases are identical. Over eating, lack of exercise, etc. The cases where these four diseases are found together are called metabolic syndrome. Cholesterol is common in patients suffering from type 2 diabetes. More over the chance of high cholesterol is more in diabetic patients. The accepted cholesterol level for diabetes patients is lesser than what we call “normal” for normal people.

10. Obesity and cholesterol – Are they connected? If so what is the chance of high cholesterol in lean people?

High cholesterol is normally found in obese people. But the possibility of lean people to have high cholesterol still exist. Heredity is normally the cause of high cholesterol in such patients.

11. Can cholesterol be treated to normal in children and old people?

To an extend high cholesterol caused due to obesity and lack of exercise can be kept under control through regular exercise. Only when this prove unsuccessful do one have to turn to medicines. In such cases, once the medicines are stopped, the cholesterol is bound to resurface. So to prevent the high cholesterol from causing troubles, the patients should continue to take the medicines until otherwise prescribed by a qualified physician.

12. Is there any side effects if statin tablets are taken for prolonged duration?

Side effects are there for all medicines. But rarely do they surface. However, it will far better than the consequences caused due to high cholesterol. Muscle pain and weakness are the normal side effects. Besides that the regular usage of statin tablets may affect liver functions. In few people it is found to increase the level of liver produced enzymes. In these patients once the statin is stopped lever function return to normal. In almost 5 percentage people muscle pain and weakness are found. So it is better to conduct liver function tests such as SGPT SGOT and CPK after almost 6 weeks of statin intake.

13. How is atherosclerosis related to cholesterol? 

The cholesterol imbalance in the blood causes fat to accumalate in the coronary arteries of the heart. This state is called atherosclerosis. Diabetes, smoking, hypertension etc accelerate the process.

Increases in cholesterol level becomes the reason for  atherosclerosis.  This affects the blood vessels to the heart and the blockage in blood flow results in heart failure. If the arteries to the brain are blocked, result will be paralysis. This may affect the blood vessels to the eyes and legs as well.

14. Is it true that high cholesterol causes blurry vision?

If the block occurs in the retinal artery the result can be a complete loss of sight.

15. Is there any chance for a person to become susceptible to heart failures just because he has high cholesterol?

Chances of heart attack depends on factors like heredity, smoking, exercise etc. Cholesterol is just one among them.

16. Does any form of chest pain indicate a possibility of high cholesterol?

Chest pain can be a symptom of heart attack. It does not mean that all chest pains are caused due to heart diseases. However chest pain is not neccessarily a symptom of high cholesterol.

17. What is the chance for a person who controls cholesterol levels to become suspectible to heart failure?

If the cholesterol level is kept normal, then the susceptibility rate of that patient will be at par with a normal man.

18. Are the treatment methods same for all age groups?

Treatment is different only for children below 10 years. The dosage of medicines however varies according to the level of cholesterol. Beyond this there is no connection between treatment and the age of a patient.

19. Does olive oil decreases cholesterol? Name some oils that helps reduce the level of cholesterol in blood?

Olive oil is found to have many qualities that resist heart diseases. However it is not found effective in regulating cholesterol levels in the blood. But one thing is certain, all oils are harmful. So try to regulate oil consumption.

20. Can a cholesterol patient eat egg? Is there any problem drinking milk or eating ice- creams?

The yolk of egg is not good for a cholesterol patient. However eating the white of egg is not harmful. It is better to avoid drinking milk. An occasional ice-cream won’t increase the level of cholesterol. But those patients who find it difficult to control cholesterol through medicines should be more careful.

21. How can we identify high cholesterol in children?

Some hereditary abnormalities can cause cholesterol imbalance in young children. In such patients the cholesterol is often found accumalated under the skin and below the eyes in the form of minor swellings. The heart disorder symptoms shown in the old age patients could well be found in children having high cholesterol. These could possibly be the initial symptoms. Latest researches suggest that the initial stages of atherosclerosis begin during early ages. These become more visible during the later stages of growth. If the cholesterol level is even a bit high in a child, then when he grows up the fat accumulates in the arteries and cause heart failures when he ages. Children who eat without control and those who lack physical activities are more prone to high cholesterol. In most people who suffer from high cholesterol chances are high that they had cholesterol during their adolescence.

22. What are the chances of high cholesterol in people who consume sweets in excess?

Sweet is a part of the diet. If the food we consume is more than what is required for the day, it gets converted into the fat and settles around the stomach. These fat may affect the cholesterol level in the blood in long run. If the question is, whether sweet alone cause increase in cholesterol level, then the answer is no.

23. Does regular consumption of oats and soyabean decrease cholesterol?

Inclusion of oats and soyabean in your daily diet decreases bad cholesterol(LDL). However more reserches are being conducted involving more people to identify whether these two have the ability to reduce the chance of heart failures.

24. Cholesterol free labelled products are available in abundance in market. What are their specialities?

This only suggests that the fat content is less in those food products.

25. Does cigarette smoking increase the cholesterol level?

Cigarette smoke decreases the level of good cholesterol (HDL) in blood. It also increases the chance of blood clot. Besides, when they roughens the otherwise smooth surface of arteries, the chance for heart failure increases. The oxidants found in tobacco increases the LDL cholesterol level in the blood.

26. What sort of tests do you recommend to those who prepare themselves to exercise inorder to reduce the cholesterol level?

Aged people should check their sugar level and blood pressure. In some cases a test might be required to ascertain whether the exercise is causing problem to the lever.

27. What is the ideal time for taking of medicines for cholesterol?

It is better to follow the doctor’s prescription on this. Few medicines are taken after dinner. Rest  of them can be taken anytime during the day.

28. Is there any diet specifications to be followed while having medicines for controlling cholesterol? Is it possible to stop the medicines once the cholesterol level becomes normal after few doses?

These are common questions cholesterol patients likely ask their doctors. But never stop medicines without consulting your doctor. 
Deep fat fried food should be completely avoided. Red meat, egg yolks etc should be avoided. Amount of food intake should be regulated. Never consume in excess. Medicines, diet and exercise, all three are required to keep the cholesterol level under check. Only 50% of LDL cholesterol is reduced through medicines. So, along with the medicines, lifestyle changes too are mandatory. Proper care should be given to the diet.

29. Is it true that moderate level of alcohol intake regulates cholesterol level?

Moderate level of alcohol intake increases the good cholesetrol (HDL) level and there by decreases the chance of heart diseases. Regular use, not unto the level of imparting kick, is only subjected to the studies. Since alcohol invites some dreadful disease like cancer, it is not yet a recommended method to control cholesterol level.

30.  Is there a disease condition caused due to decrease in level of cholesterol?

Such cases are rarely found but do exist. It is known as tanglers disease and is normally found in children.