High triglycerides helped by diet and exercise

August 21, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: Is there anything I can do to lower my triglyceride levels? My doctors have tried medications, but every one gives me heart issues. The heart specialist I was sent to says I can’t take any of the cholesterol-lowering medications presently on the market. I now take niacin daily and am also trying to change my diet. I walk three miles a day. I am 52, 45 pounds overweight (I’ve lost 20 in the last year) and am disabled from a bad back. I had spinal cord surgery in 2003, so my workouts for weight loss are limited.

DEAR READER: Triglycerides are a type of fat (along with the various forms of cholesterol) found in the blood. They are converted by the body from calories that aren’t used or needed immediately. They are stored in the fat cells until hormones release them for energy between meals. Individuals who regularly consume more calories, especially from carbohydrates and fats, than are burned may develop hypertriglyceridemia (high triglycerides).
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Get answers about statins

December 24, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I am a 71-year-old female in good health. I take 40 milligrams of diltiazem, and my blood pressure is under good control. A recent blood test revealed my cholesterol to be 286, my HDL 82, LDL 188 and triglycerides 81. My doctor prescribed 40 milligrams lovastatin, but I would prefer not to take this medication. My total cholesterol has been 200 or higher since I was 40, and my HDL has been over 80. May I have your opinion?

DEAR READER: High-cholesterol levels in the blood are considered to be a major risk factor in the development of coronary-artery disease, heart attack and stroke. When cholesterol accumulates in the walls of the arteries and combines with cellular debris, plaque forms, impairing the flow of blood. Eventually, clots may form, the arteries become blocked, and problems occur.
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Finding alternatives to statins

August 10, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I would appreciate your advice. I am a 72-year-old Caucasian female with treated high blood pressure and high cholesterol (362)/triglycerides (403). Using a statin drug, I am able to get them down to 231 and 288, respectively. My problem is that I react poorly to statins. My legs have become weak, I have a nightmare of leg cramps, my muscles hurt, and I cope with nausea and gas. The cramps have spread to my hands and chest muscles.

I formerly was walking two miles a day; now I can barely walk a half-mile, and that is with stops. I have tried niacin and red yeast rice. I am currently taking omega-3 and flaxseed-oil capsules.
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Don’t sweat it out

February 26, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I am writing to you about a problem my husband has been experiencing for several months. He wakes up in the middle of the night covered in sweat. It is similar to night sweats experienced by many menopausal women.

He is 41, in great physical shape, has high triglycerides and takes several medications (Niaspan, half an 81 mg aspirin, and Pravachol). He also has borderline hypertension that he is trying to control with diet.

The sweats happen whether he takes his medication or not. They seem to appear more on days when he has exercised very hard. Is this a sign of some type of health problem? What can he do about it?
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Fosamax for osteoporosis, not high cholesterol

January 31, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I am 80 years old and take only one prescription, Fosamax for high cholesterol. A year ago my triglycerides were very high despite taking Fosamax for several months. A nurse told me to avoid white potatoes, white rice and white flour. I had been eating my fair share of white potatoes despite the fact they seem to cause some throat tightness. I prefer wheat bread and brown rice and had not had the white version in quite some time. I did however eat cookies made with white flour.

DEAR READER: There are several issues here.
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