# OK, So I got my bloodwork back today??

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-i-got-my-bloodwork-back-today/498861>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [June 5, 2009, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-i-got-my-bloodwork-back-today/498861 "2009-06-05T18:35:08Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\
**Post date:** [June 8, 2009, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-i-got-my-bloodwork-back-today/498861/21 "2009-06-08T02:00:54Z")

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> [@gonzomax](#):
>
> Are the guidelines the same for other countries? The reason I ask ,is my brother works in Pharm and he was laughing a few years ago . He said pharm pressure and lobbying had convinced the AMA to lower cholesterol guidelines to a level that is difficult to reach without drugs. Cholesterol drugs are tough on the body and have tons of side effects. But pharm was going to make billions off the change.  
> He said the question was whether lowering the limits was helpful at all or necessary.

I’d say that claim is BS. There’s great evidence that lower LDL levels (70 or under) actually **reverse** coronary artery disease in folks that have it, and the evidence also shows that the statins (the commonest lipid lowering drugs) are a major factor in reversing the atherosclerosis. Fewer heart attacks, fewer angioplasties, fewer bypass surgeries, fewer deaths. One of the few areas where drugs have really been shown to have a _major_ beneficial effect.

I don’t keep track of other country’s standards, but frankly they’ve been pushing statins harder in many european countries for years longer than we have been over here.

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**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\
**Post date:** [June 8, 2009, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-i-got-my-bloodwork-back-today/498861/22 "2009-06-08T03:24:53Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> (4) Drag yourself to the gym 2-3 days a week and do 20-30 minutes of intense lifting or treadmill work – no more is necessary.

Or even without the gym membership, just go for a 20-30 minute walk around your neighborhood. The health benefits are the same, the scenery is often better, and it’s cheaper. You can even incorporate it into your daily routine: If the grocery store, or your church, or some other place you go to frequently is in walking distance, just walk there instead of driving. Or even walk to the fast-food place or the coffee shop, if you can’t cut back on those: It’s the worst of both worlds to drive to get your empty calories.

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