# Cholesterol: How Will It Kill Me? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 12, 2003, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cholesterol-how-will-it-kill-me/181360 "2003-06-12T16:29:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2003, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cholesterol-how-will-it-kill-me/181360/1 "2003-06-12T16:29:03Z")
Let me count the ways . . . Just got a message from my doctor that “we have to talk” about my recent blood tests. I assume this means my cholesterol has skyrocketed again, despite the zocor and the gym. When I first got it tested, it was _360_—I inherited a bum liver from my father. I had to get my _mother’s_ nose, though . . . So—barring Islamic terrorists and runaway taxicabs—it looks like my cholesterol will be the death of me. What should I expect, a heart attack or a stroke? ---
**Author:** ![tanookie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/48db29/32.png) [@tanookie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tanookie)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2003, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cholesterol-how-will-it-kill-me/181360/2 "2003-06-12T16:54:20Z")
Well when you find out let me know. For me it is a race between my cholesterol and my kidneys! My unmedicated cholesterol level is 480. When on Lipitor and at my recommended weight (a little difficult at the moment being pregnant and all) it hovers around 250. Good luck… maybe a different medicine is in order? Also I used to take this horrendous orange crap that was little powder packets that you stirred into juice. It didn’t work systemically like the lipitor but absorbed the cholesterol as the medicine worked through your digestive tract (a cholesterol sponge if you will 🙂 My doctor told me they’ve reformulated it into a capsule now and he suggested I may want to give it another shot if things remain too high. Has your doctor tried this? I can’t remember the name but can ask when I go see him in July if you’d like. ---
**Author:** ![toadspittle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c0e974/32.png) [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2003, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cholesterol-how-will-it-kill-me/181360/3 "2003-06-12T16:58:06Z")
Probably a heart attack … although arterial plaque can also break off and form deadly clots (stroke material). Assuming high cholesterol automatically = clogged arteries. There’s a lot of room for debate in that conclusion. But while I have a serious problem with drug companies (oh … and doctors) advocating statins for anybody whose total cholesterol isn’t 135 … a cholesterol of 360 (and higher now?) is pretty hard-core. As an aside, how are the ratios looking? HDL? Triglycerides? And do doctors do angiograms without direct suspicion of cardiac problems (i.e., chest pain)? ---
**Author:** ![tanookie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/48db29/32.png) [@tanookie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tanookie)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2003, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cholesterol-how-will-it-kill-me/181360/4 "2003-06-12T17:25:22Z")
I can’t speak for eve but my ratio is pretty good but my triglycerides are off the chart. I’ve never had an angiogram either. Oh and I’ve been on all this stuff since I was 23. Always fun when you take more pills than the little old lady next to you who is lamenting how she misses being so young healthy and carefree like I am. The irony kills me but I just nod and smile. ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2003, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cholesterol-how-will-it-kill-me/181360/5 "2003-06-12T17:29:34Z")
Well, a _lot_ does depend on the LDL to HDL ratio. Even a very high LDL level can be offset by similarly elevated HDL level. One thing to remember: Cholesterol is but one of many risk factors for heart attacks, strokes, etc. In isolation, its effects can be minimal. Keep fit, watch your blood pressure, don’t smoke, and, most importantly, choose your parents carefully. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2003, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cholesterol-how-will-it-kill-me/181360/6 "2003-06-12T17:38:42Z")
Damn, I forgot to ask my ratio—I’ll have to fax him, and also ask about **tanookie** ’s little orange pills. Anyway, my cholesterol is back up to 270, so I have to double my meds, and “I don’t want you eating anything that tastes remotely good—it’s sticks and twigs for you, missy!” In another month, I’ll be _wishing_ for a good swift heart attack . . . ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2003, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cholesterol-how-will-it-kill-me/181360/7 "2003-06-12T20:48:03Z")
If you’re interested in some delicious sticks and twigs that are ultra-healthy, try [Flax Meal](http://www.naturalhealthweb.com/articles/weil3.html) Here’s how I eat it: 4 tbs ground flax meal (that’s 2 servings) 2 tbs sugar free protien powder (1 serving) 2 tbs half & half 2 tbs sugar free maple syrup 4 tbs water Mix up dry stuff first to avoid lumps. Add wet stuff, stir well, microwave 35-45 seconds. DELISH! ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2003, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cholesterol-how-will-it-kill-me/181360/8 "2003-06-12T22:29:37Z")
[shudder] Our art director said, “Why don’t you have a nice salad?” at which I had to inform her that the words “nice” and “salad” had no business in the same sentence. ---
**Author:** ![SnoopyFan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d07c76/32.png) [@SnoopyFan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SnoopyFan)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2003, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cholesterol-how-will-it-kill-me/181360/9 "2003-06-12T22:41:07Z")
I’ll tellya a niceass salad: Wendy’s Mandarin Chicken. It whomps ass. I don’t even like salads and I’ll eat this particular one.