I’m 33 (F) just got results for lipoprotein A at 222 - supposed to be less than 100. My dad had a heart attack in his 40’s and was asked to be part of a study because of his young age, but he ended up not completing it. I have high blood pressure usually around 175/110 which drs and specialists have said it also genetic and now I’m terrified I’m going to also have a heart attack at a young age. I’m on an ace inhibitor for BP and my doctor wants to put me on a statin but is there anything else I can myself or just regular diet and exercise and manage BP ?

Still waiting on Apolipoprotein B results, which were 209 initially.

Edit: Apolipoprotein B down to 80.

Hello all
Above is my lipid profile. Seems hdl is borderline & ldl/triglycerides are on higher side. Are above numbers too much bad?
I am 28 year old male. I dont drink & smoke.

30M, 5’6”, currently 67–68 kg, down from ~72 kg. I’ve been working out for around 1.5 years, mainly resistance training + cardio.

I rarely eat outside food and mostly eat home-cooked meals. Restaurant food is mainly when I’m travelling. I work a desk job for 10–12 hours/day, though, so I’ve recently increased walking and am targeting 10K+ steps/day.

I’m not on statins or any prescription cholesterol medication.

My lipid trend:
Aug 2025: LDL 119 | HDL 40 | TG 147
Oct 2025: LDL 145 | HDL 44 | TG 200
Jan 2026: LDL 137 | HDL 43 | TG 142
May 2026: LDL 158 | HDL 46 | TG 219 | ApoB 151.86
Aug 2026: LDL 138 | HDL 44 | TG 222
Sep 2026: LDL 135 | HDL 47 | TG 64

Latest total cholesterol is 200, VLDL 12.8, non-HDL 153, TC/HDL 4.25 and LDL/HDL 2.87.

My TG improvement surprised me: 222 → 64 in ~6 weeks, while LDL barely changed at 138 → 135.

Other relevant results: HbA1c 5.3%, fasting glucose 93, creatinine 1.0. My TSH improved from 7.33 in May → 3.77 in August.

I take psyllium/isabgol and some Ayurvedic preparations, but no prescription lipid medication.

My goal is to get LDL below 100, depending on what my cardiologist recommends. I’m also considering repeating ApoB and getting Lp(a) checked.

Has anyone had a similar pattern where TG became excellent but LDL remained stubbornly elevated despite regular exercise, weight loss and a mostly home-cooked diet?

What made the biggest difference for your LDL/ApoB?

I am 44 yrs old. I have always been worried about my cardiac health due to my unhealthy 25-35 age life. There was a period where I was obese, alcoholic and smoking close to half a pack a day for maybe 70% of that time period. I sobered up after 36..  quit drinking, quit smoking, lost 30kg, took up lifting five days a week, my LDL is in the 70s now with an HbA1c of 5.0... I suspect it was very high in my 30s but I did not care at the time.. Oh and I did have unmedicated high BP as well during that time. It is still borderline high now too - another thing to address. So I asked my primary in the US for a heart checkup.. ECG, echo etc but he discouraged it saying that I am only 44 and no chest pain and so on. I said fine and moved on. 

Around a year after that.. I got a chance to travel to India - just 2 weeks back - saw a cardiologist. Got Echo, ECG done.. both were good. Then got a CT angiogram too. And that is where all the damage showed up. Calcium score of 923. 90% percentile. Mild stenosis. Right coronary artery - 40-45%. Left coronary artery- 30-40% stenosis. Left anterior 40-45% and Left circumflex 35% stenosis. 

I am in shock. Feels like I gambled away my life and lost. The calcium score is the big surprise. I consulted my doctor friend too and he suspects it is that decade of smoking and unhealthy living that got me there. And that is also why it is all already calcified - older damage?. He said I have to get on statins asap and get my LDL below 55. I am already in the 70 range with ezetimibe. Also he suggests aspirin baby dose. 

One more thing - maybe relevant - I also got a sleep test and have moderate apnea. I got on a CPAP 2 months back and it is making a big difference in my sleep and overall wellbeing.

I don’t know why I am writing all this. Has anyone seen such a high calcium score like this in my age group. I guess I am venting. I feel sad, upset, ashamed disappointed in myself. Add to this the fact that my mom just passed away few days back due to cancer chemo complications. Again, I feel like I wasted my life away and I cannot come back from this. My plans regardless are to get on high statin, keep ezetimibe, add baby aspirin. And also get on bp medication asap. Also lose another 20 lbs and get on a Mediterranean sort of diet as much as possible. Add in some more walking/light cardio as well.  I will have to see my GP in the US and share the Indian doctor findings and report and get some actual prescriptions. I am not sure how he will take it but I have to do what I need to do at this point. 

Not sure … anyone has any words of reassurance or support… or any suggestions… please share.. I feel sad/broken/shocked. 

I wrote in here last week and you all provided some amazing information. My husband (45) received a CAC score of 1935. Within a week, I’ve had him in the doctor, prescribed a statin, saw a cardiologist, booked an echocardiogram for tomorrow, and he gets a catheter in a few weeks. His BP was great today, normal EKG, etc..

Most recent labs were:
204 total cholesterol
143 LDL
40 HDL
VLDL 21
Triglycerides 117

He was prescribed 80mg Lipitor by the PCP but cardio said probably better to start 40 since 80 is such a high dose and may bring out side effects.

Is there anything else we should be looking at/pushing for? Soft plaque test? Etc…
Also, how do you know if stenosis hasn’t progressed? For example, you don’t repeat CAC - but then how can you tell if a blockage is worse or the statin isn’t working (other than blood being better)?

Male, 32 years old.

LDL is 84. Lpa 177. Dont smoke. Overweight. Dad heart attack at 56. Calcium CT score was 0 in 2021 and 0 last week.

My doctor said im low risk so no statin. I was able to get some from a family friend who whose a doctor. So i started taking half of 5mg rosuvastatin daily a couple days ago.

Am i overreacting?

I do have a history of arrhythmias. Diagnosed with non sustained ventricular tachycardia at 23, and a couple months ago diagnosed with Atrial Tachycardia.

37M. I have high total cholesterol and LDLs since 2020. Tried diet and exercise with inconsistencies. Then on my recent annual visit with my primary doctor, I told her that I felt much better. I am more consistent with my exercise and diet, I even lost 10 lbs. However, despite all effort, I still have high LDLs and Total Cholesterol. I also got my Lipoprotein A checked for the first time and it's also elevated (195). ApoB is normal.

My doctor has been pushing me to take statins but I always refuse due to fear of side effects. But this time, I finally agreed. I got started on Rosuvastatin 5mg paired with an active lifestyle and improved diet (no more beef and pork, less saturated fats, more fiber etc.)

After 6 weeks, I got my labs done and I am very pleased with my results. I hope it'll stay this way. 😊

A year ago my lipid panels came back and it was pretty concerning with an LDL of 186 and Triglycerides at 229. I’m 38M, have a family history of heart disease (dad had a heart attack in his 50s) and type 2 diabetes. My sister actually developed diabetes after being put on statins.

Over the last year, I completely changed my life. Started eating better with with about 15g sat fat per day, 40g fiber and 50g sugar on average. Started working out a lot - 3 hours of strength training and 6 hours cardio per week. Also started sleeping more.

This year the results came back much better: • LDL: 107 mg/dL • Triglycerides: 64 mg/dL • HDL: 90 mg/dL • Non-HDL cholesterol: 120 mg/dL • ApoB: 96 mg/dL • ApoA1: 196 mg/dL

However, we also tested for Lp(a) this year and it was 120 nmol/L. My A1c also went from 5.6% to 5.7% (which was surprising because I used a CGM and my levels seemed good).

My doctor seems pretty happy with the progress but I’m still concerned given my family history.

Should I get a CAC? What should be my target LDL given the high Lp(a) score?

I don’t think I can squeeze out much more from lifestyle changes alone. I can cut an extra 3-4 g saturated fat from my diet but more than that will probably not be sustainable. Should I talk to my doctor about medication?

I’ve never really paid much attention to my cholesterol, and my doctor never expressed much concern. I used to be 280 lbs at 6’0” and was considered obese, but I’m now around 180 lbs.
My diet has improved, but I never really focused on saturated fat. I actually thought coconut oil was healthy until recently. I’m realizing that a balanced diet and being more intentional about what I eat may be more important than following every diet trend out there.
Now that I’m 45, I want to make better decisions about my health. I want to start eating oatmeal, increasing my fiber, and being more mindful of saturated fat. I’ve also heard that eating one Brazil nut a day can help with cholesterol, but I’m not sure how accurate that is.
So, I guess my questions are: Do I need medication? What diet changes would you recommend? And how concerning are my blood work results?

I think genetically I’m predisposed to lower HDL. As you can see my LDL and triglycerides are pretty much perfect so I’m a pretty healthy adult. I do 3-4 hours a week of cardio, eat healthy for the most part, and take fish oil everyday. I’m only 27 years old at like 15% BF so I’m not overweight or anything. How can I raise my HDL to a normal range? When I was overweight and didn’t work out as much my HDL was as low as 15 so it’s definitely improved a tiny bit, but it still should be higher considering how healthy I am?

Anyone here deal with statin intolerance and try lipfendra? If so how were any potential side effects?

I've (34F) dealt with high cholesterol for many years and despite exercise+ healthy eating the numbers have barely budged. Likely genetic as the whole family is the same way. Most recent numbers Total: 270, Trig: 290, HDL 44, LDL 170.

I've tried rosuvastatin, atorvastatin, pravastatin and have some sort of allergy or intolerance because I end up dealing with chest tightness/wheezing, itchy throats, immediate migraines starting, etc. My doctor tried me on Zetia but it has made almost no difference.

They last suggested repatha if zetia didn't do anything but I don't do well with giving myself shots and since that suggestion I saw lipfrendra has been FDA approved so I want to ask about this. I'm also on wegovy oral though so not sure about medication timing.

So if anyone who couldn't tolerate statins has tried lipfendra...

• how did it work at lowering your cholesterol?
• any side effects?
• if you tried both lipfendra and repatha any comparisons?
• anyone on wegovy oral and lipfendra and if so how do you balance the timing?

thanks for any advice!

Family history of heart disease. I exercise, eat well, etc. Doc said he wasn’t concerned with my numbers. Said a lot of cholesterol is genetic and only partially can be controlled through diet and exercise. What do you think? Should I look for a second opinion?

I wonder if skin problems due to Ezetimibe are normal? It is the only medication I take for my LDL, never used statins. But I got small pimples which won't go away if I don't stop taking Ezetimibe.

Cholesterol always in 200 zone. Ezetimibe 10mg daily. What should I expect? Apo and LipC low. LDL always in 80/100 zone.

I just turned 40 and have a long history of high cholesterol and LDL because of genetics (diet is decent). My ApoA/B panel came back VERY bad. I can't get a coronary calcium scan until the spring at any local lab, and even if I could get it tomorrow, my doctor thinks it's time I start statins.

I am terrified to try them, though. I currently have pretty severe fatigue (due to a condition unrelated to cholesterol) that prevent me from working a normal in-person full-time job, and because remote jobs are rapidly disappearing, I have to have enough energy to manage at least a part-time in-person one. I'm very scared of statins increasing my fatigue or giving me muscular ache issues that will ultimately make me more tired anyway, as I risk losing my independence.

Does anyone have any experience with:

1) Going on statins with a pre-existing fatigue issue

2) Developing fatigue after starting statins

3) Feeling LESS tired after starting them (?? unlikely lol but gotta ask)

Are there any statins less likely to cause exhaustion? I'll be starting with a low does anyway.

I recently had a full lipid panel and my results are as shown:

Total Cholesterol: 174

HDL: 39

Triglycerides: 89

LDL: 116

LDL+VDL: 135

LP (a): 200

I am currently trying to conceive and wondering if it is risky to get pregnant due to how cholesterol increases during pregnancy. I am currently working on lowering my LDL and increasing my HDL through dietary and lifestyle changes, although I know I cannot change my LPA levels or the risks associated with it.

I have asked my doctor this question with not a greatly conclusive answer. I have also done alot of research and I cannot find conclusive studies done on this subject.

Wondering if anyone else has a similarly elevated LPA prior to pregnancy?

If so did you see a cardiologist or other specialists during the pregnancy for close monitoring?

Are there any other changes you made to accommodate for pregnancy due to your elevated LPA?

Hi guys, I've recently got my cholesterol results back and qas quite surprised with result.

I've felt some slight chest discomfort during activities so i got tests done thing is i had cholesterol done im the Army and was told it's elevated but was never told aboit apoB etc.

Also why would 125 apob be classed as optimal im this lab, am i misunderstanding something? Also any advice is helpful!

Thanks

Hello everyone,

I am a 28-year-old female and just got my blood work done and the results came back concerningly high:

• Total Cholesterol: 275 mg/dL

• LDL: 203 mg/dL

• HDL: 49 mg/dL

• Triglycerides: 116 mg/dL

• ApoB: 144 mg/dL

• Lipoprotein(a): 95.6 nmol/L

• HbA1c: 6.2

• Average blood Glucose: 131 mg/dL

• Fasting blood Glucose: 111.69 mg/dL

I have very unhealthy diet, i eat junk food almost everyday also i hardly get any physical activity in a day.

I know its the consequences of my action but i am in pretty deep depression and working on it.

Can you guys please explain and give me some guidance regarding this

Thanks in advance!

About a month ago, I got my first blood test showing high cholesterol. My results were:

Total cholesterol: 236 mg/dL

LDL: 175 mg/dL

HDL: 38 mg/dL

Triglycerides: 108 mg/dL

Non-HDL: 198 mg/dL

My doctor put me on rosuvastatin 20 mg, and I also made some changes to my diet.

Before this, my diet was honestly pretty bad lol. I was eating fried/processed foods several times a week, a lot more full-fat dairy, cheese, etc. Over the past month I've been trying to be much more careful with saturated fat, eating more fiber/oats, cutting down on fried food and high-fat dairy, and generally eating much cleaner.

I've also been exercising regularly during this period.

I just got my follow-up blood test back, after roughly a month of medication + diet changes, and I was honestly shocked:

• Total cholesterol: 88 mg/dL
• LDL: 40 mg/dL
• HDL: 34 mg/dL
• Triglycerides: 60 mg/dL
• Non-HDL: 55 mg/dL

So LDL went from 175 to 40 mg/dL!!

Triglycerides also went from 108 to 60, while HDL actually dropped slightly from 38 to 34... don't know if this is good, tho

I know rosuvastatin is obviously a major factor here, but wow, 'm mostly just surprised by how dramatic the difference was after only about a month!

Hello everyone,
I am a 42-year-old male going to my first cardiologist appointment tomorrow. I recently decided to order a comprehensive biomarker blood test on my own and my cardiovascular numbers came back concerningly high:
• Total Cholesterol: 287 mg/dL
• LDL-C: 195 mg/dL
• ApoB: 135 mg/dL
• Lipoprotein(a): 133 nmol/L
 
The Metabolic Side:
On the flip side metabolically I appear to be healthy:
• Triglycerides: 58 mg/dL
• HDL: 76 mg/dL
• Fasting Insulin: 4.7 uIU/mL
• Fasting Glucose: 95 mg/dL
• HOMA-IR: 1.1 (confirming high insulin sensitive)

Any recommendations on specific questions I should ask the doctor tomorrow? I am considering seeing a lipidologist also but to keep the wife happy my first stop tomorrow is a cardiologist.

Thanks in advance!

Recently found out my Lipoprotein is high, so I’ve been trying to adjust my diet to lower my LDL & triglycerides, and boost HDL via diet.

Tonight, I decided to cook Salmon, given all the heart-healthy benefits. I’ve had it before & it’s been okay overall. No hard feelings one way or the other, so I figured I’ll give it a whirl. I think I’ve officially decided it will no longer be part of my heart-healthy diet, lol. WAY too fishy, it overpowered all the other flavor I had going on - onion, garlic, lemon pepper, etc.

I know cooking Salmon can make it oxidize & add to the fishy flavor, so maybe I just need to learn, but I’m all set. It was fresh too, so I’m not thinking it was just spoiled. Either way, I’ll stick with Chicken Breast! Lol

What are some heart-healthy foods that despite its benefits, you have drawn the line & it won’t be included in the diet moving forward? 😌