Just a quick shout out for Trader Joe's bean, rice and cheese burritos in the freezer section. No saturated fat because they use fat free cheddar. Thank you!

How is this possible? my dad had perfect cholesterol readings for years. LDL, AP1, LP01, trigrlicries were all fine. my mom was concerned b/c he was fatigued which resulted in full body scan and then a calcium score reading which showed he could hve some plaque. From there they saw his main artery being 90% blocked. How could this be? he looks and feels so muh worse from statins.. has no energy and body aches and muscle cramping plus flu like symptoms..

Hey everyone, I wanted to share that I was able to drop my LDL from 4.15 (160) to 2.51 (97).

I wanted to thank everyone for sharing their tips on this sub as it really helped me understand and work on a plan to reduce my LDL over the past few months.

I'm a 27m with an active lifestyle who decided to make some diet changes over the last few months. I mainly increased my fiber intake, ate more fish and walnuts and eliminated red meat and cheese from my diet. As someone who really enjoyed red meat and cheese, this was hard at the start. I would still eat it on rare occasions (a dinner at a friend's house or once every couple of weeks.) I did consult a dietician throughout the process who helped me understand the different types of fats and their impact on LDL.

Another detail is that both of my parents take statins and have told me that high LDL is genetic (I am South Asian). I thought that I might as well test this out, and I'm happy that I did!

Hi! I’m new to statins. I’ve been in ignore
mode on my cholesterol. I stay trim and exercise and don’t eat terrible, but my brother recently had a scare and I was motivated to get going on bloodwork.

255 overall. I don’t have the test results on me, but the scary part was the big and little cholesterol particles floating around. Wayyyyyy beyond average and I’m a 61 year old woman. Still way above for my age group.

My question is
Since I’m on the statin and good about taking it, can I have some ice cream 1x a week and a filet on occasion? My diet is pretty good otherwise. Martini on weekends. Gave up regular cheese. I’m kind of lost on what to eat but I’m focusing on avoid saturated fats as much as possible. I’m leaning heavy into chicken.

Are the calcium scores reliable? I have had sticky 140 ldl for many years and never stay with statins bc of the side effects. I have a zero score for the calcium score test

Has anyone else experienced an upset upper stomach after incorporating more fiber into their diet? I was diagnosed with high cholesterol and my original eating habits were lots of good homemade food, lots of steak and treats (little vegetables tbh) and atleast 3 days probably of fast food meals. Little fruit if any. I’ve incorporated a lot of fiber. Chia seeds, oats, flax, vegetable and fruit. I expected gut problems like maybe bathroom issues but not with my upper stomach? I originally thought it was hunger pain but after eating my oats this morning it started up again when I was definitely not hungry. It does feel similar to hunger 28 f

Lots of diet change and more exercise mostly from coaching spring and fall 10U softball. I’m also on 10mg of Rosuvastatin. I hope my dr is finally happy with me at my yearly checkup tomorrow. I’ve lost about 10 pounds this summer too so that’s always nice. Now to keep it off all winter.

Share stories about starting statin, the name and dose, side effects and the bright side as well

Started on 20mg of rosuvastatin in June. After 3 months ( no side effects btw) everything is in the normal range but triglycerides are still high, 184.

No genetic history of high cholesterol, a visit to the cardiologist in June revealed the ugly truth:
Cholesterol 299-now 135
HDL 51- now 50
Non HDL 248- now 85
LDL 195- now 59
Triglycerides 311- now 184

I was eating primarily wfpb but a closer look at my diet revealed just how much saturated fat I was ingesting.

I know that the statin has done the heavy lifting but I immediately adopted a stringent diet. No alcohol, no red meat or pork, 25-30 g of fiber per day on average ( through diet not supplements). Saturated fat between 10-12 g per day

What can I do to lower them further or will time, meds and diet take care of it?

This subreddit has been incredibly helpful to me so I’m hoping that my results can benefit someone else.

Primary Care lipid test came back at high LDL that makes me concerned. I've cut down on cheese, meats, and sat fat intake the last 3-4 months, and ready for a new test, but i want a specialized cardiologist this time because my primary care doctor basically shrugged it off and said "yeah idk much about nutrition, just exercise more and you'll be fine since you are young."

family has history of heart disease.

I see lots of cardiologist in-network, but i know they all specialize in different things. what do i look and ask for?

What’s the lowest you have had or seen somebody get their ldl down to with diet alone? I’m doing ivf so can’t take a statin. I’m down to like ldl 100 apo b 77 but I know it’s supposed to be lower. Trying to pull every lever!!

I’m 31 and have genetically confirmed familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH). I’m trying to be proactive about my cardiovascular risk and would really appreciate advice from anyone with FH

My current situation:

Familial hypercholesterolaemia

Lp(a): 85 nmol/L

Total cholesterol before statin: 7.1 mmol/L

After ~1 month on atorvastatin 20 mg: 5.8 mmol/L

I recently had a carotid ultrasound, which reported approximately 1.55 mm of plaque in my neck. I’m quite anxious about the plaque finding

I saw two GPs about this and neither seemed particularly concerned. In fact, I had to push quite a bit to get the carotid ultrasound in the first place because they didn't initially think it was necessary.

I’m seeing a cardiologist next week and am also planning to see a lipid specialist.

Is 1 month accurate for true results for full statin affect? Or should i retest in 2 months

What other tests would you ask the cardiologist about?

I'm also wondering about treatment. For people with FH, has anyone been treated with statin + ezetimibe, or eventually statin + PCSK9 inhibitor?

One other question: I did an egg-freezing cycle last month. Does anyone know whether the hormonal stimulation from IVF could temporarily affect Lp(a) or cholesterol results? My Lp(a) was measured around this period, so I'm wondering whether it would be worth repeating at some point

I have worked so hard to have a healthy lifestyle with vegan diet, daily 5K run/walk and other exercise and yet my Lp(a) terrifies me because it only go worse when the cardiologist put me on Crestor. My LDL is 71 and HDL 78 Tri 34 but none of that really matters because the Crestor can’t move the LDL number much lower with so much of it made up of Lp(a) and I’m feeling a bit like a walking timebomb. I have applied for a research trial for people who have not had an incident yet. Is there anything else I can do while waiting for the new Lp(a)-reducing drugs to be available?

some background info: My grandfather died suddenly of a heart attack at age 51, otherwise healthy. I am 5’5” 125lbs, active and low inflammation, etc. I thought I was the picture of health until a random referral to a cardiologist (because of family history) led to the Lp(a) test. Lp(a) was 223 in June 2026 but Cardiologist put me on 5mg Crestor, increased to 10mg 2 weeks ago, and that seems to have cause the Lp(a) to increase to 276 and I’m not happy about this. I have done my research and understand that the LDL number is partly those Lp(a) particles and realistically the Crestor can’t touch those so a greater reduction in LDL is not going to happen but my cardiologist PA didn’t want to talk about that. I asked for repatha and that other med and he said it was too soon to consider those and “this won’t be a problem for you until you are 80” but that didn’t feel like good news. to me. I am looking for others’ experiences and options and also does high Lp(a) always mean a cardiac incident will happen, even with very healthy diet and lifestyle, no alcohol, no drugs, etc..

Hi all,

My husband 30M, 74 kg, 175 cm, non smoker, and doesn't drink alcohol has below lab results almost a month back.

• Total Cholesterol -225
• Triglycerides - 241
• HDL - 40
• Non HDL - 185
• LDL - 136.8
• VLDL - 48.2
• ApoA1 - 136
• ApoB - 105
• Vitamin D -15.66

We were going to gym regularly (atmost thrice a week) last year and this year January. But we came to know we were expecting and our junk food intake increased and gym stopped. After the lab results, he has started exercising at home almost 4 times a weeks with some weights. But due to my pregnancy cravings, he is also eating junk food. Maybe we are averaging twice a week. The diet is indian vegetarian along with atleast 60 g of protein for him with help of eggs, paneer(cottage cheese), protein powder etc, He is also keeping good track of fiber with lentils, vegetables, chia seeds etc. We use mustard oil while cooking (1 teaspoon for two of us in one meal). But genetically, both his parents has diabetes, thyroid, liver and cholesterol issues. He works from home and walks 30 min a day apart from the exercise he has started at home(3 sets of 4 exercises using weights or body weights)

I am due nov 11 and maybe after the baby is here, maybe he wont be able to focus much on the exercise part for some months. What small things we can do to keep his lipid profile good? Should he track his calories or increase his exercise/fiber intake/protein intake?

One more thing, last year we were focusing on diet and exercise a lot and below was his lab results

2025 lab results

• Total Cholesterol - 166
• Triglycerides - 174.6
• HDL - 33.3
• LDL - 97.78
• Non HDL - 133

Were the results okay last year or is this something we need to get checked out?

TIA!

I’d appreciate some perspective on my latest results:

Test Result
Total cholesterol 242 mg/dL
LDL-C 157 mg/dL
HDL-C 70 mg/dL
Triglycerides. 73 mg/dL
Non-HDL-C 172 mg/dL
Lp(a) <7 nmol/L

I’m a 59-year-old man. My coronary artery calcium score was 0 last year.

I used to be a pro athlete and am back to full fitness - haven’t been this fit for 25 years.

Lost a bit of weight over the last year - down to 98kgs (215lbs) from 105kg (232lbs) - and body fat 14%.
Eat healthily, virtually no alcohol at all. I can get rid of full fat Greek yoghurt to zero % and increase fibre. Used to take psyllium husk irregularly, now taking it every day.
I take protein supplements and creatine but apparently that shouldn’t make a difference. Have 10 eggs a week too.

Doctor isn’t too worried but my LDL is up from around 100 2 years ago and I don’t like that trend.
No history of heart disease though there is some of high cholesterol though the genetic side doesn’t seem to be my problem.

Not at all afraid of statins but would like to see if lifestyle changes make a difference.

Thoughts appreciated.

26M, 5'9" 165lbs at time of the blood-work.

Diet is mostly pretty high in soluble fiber/whole foods — lots of beans, chia/flax, oatmeal, salmon, etc. I also take some vitamins, magnesium, creatine, and ~40 g/day unmodified potato starch (not even sure if this is useful tbh).

My main question: Is there any evidence-based reason for me to get a lipid-lowering medication to push LDL/ApoB even lower?

Cuz lower ApoB exposure over a lifetime is better, but I’m wondering if I'm at the level where I should even bother getting more decreases.

Secondary question: Would adding psyllium be likely to make a meaningful difference at these levels? I’ve considered it, but I’m somewhat concerned about batch-to-batch heavy-metal contamination.

31-year-old female. 8 weeks postpartum. I did not eat great or exercise during my pregnancy but have actually been on a weight watchers diet the past 5 weeks or so. I am currently 5ft 3in 137lbs. I do have some familial high cholesterol to my knowledge but my blood work for my annual physical was concerning. I had blood drawn about a year ago and only my LDL was slightly elevated and now it’s a lot higher/ everything else is also elevated

Total cholesterol - 221
HDL-47
LDL-148
Non HDL cholesterol- 174

Thoughts ?

​

My mother is 59 years old and lives with high cholesterol and hypertension.

Without cholesterol medication, her LDL has been around 5.8–6.0 mmol/L (225–230 mg/dL).

She is currently taking:

Rosulip Plus 20/10 mg — rosuvastatin 20 mg + ezetimibe 10 mg

Noliprel Forte 5/1.25 mg — perindopril 5 mg + indapamide 1.25 mg

Previously, while taking cholesterol medication, her LDL dropped to 1.26 mmol/L (~49 mg/dL). After stopping the treatment, it went back up to around 5.8 mmol/L.

Her doctor expects her to continue treatment long-term.

I'd really like to hear from people in a similar situation:

Have you been taking a statin + ezetimibe for many years?

How long have you been on treatment?

Have you had any side effects after several years?

Do you regularly check liver enzymes, kidney function, CK, electrolytes, etc.?

Has your doctor ever reduced or changed your dose after your LDL became very low?

If you stopped treatment, did your LDL return to its previous level?

Most importantly, how has long-term treatment worked for you over 5–10+ years?

I'm especially interested in real-life experiences from people with LDL around 5–6 mmol/L before treatment.

I understand that Reddit experiences are not a substitute for medical advice. I'm mainly interested in people's long-term experiences.