Open heart surgery for Mike Matarazzo
- Thread starter Uk Boy
- Start date
Uk Boy
ENGLANDS FINEST
When I met him in Chicago in 2001 he ran down the aisle to where I was sitting. It was about 200 feet. He had to take a full minute before he could breathe well enough to talk. He'd only run for 15 seconds, this was the night after Night of Champions, and he was winded. So all this talk about what great shape he was in is BS. He's a wonderful man and I feel bad for him. But he's been using LOTS of AS for many years, not mild cycles, like they say in that article.
TwinTowers
New member
I met him back in 93 or 94. I was in the Miami airport with some freinds coming back from a cruise, Our flight from MIA to LGA kept getting cancaled so we sat around drinking. Me and a buddy of mine recognized him and went up to him and asked for a picture with him. He was like " sure guys" and put his arms around our necks and gave the double thumbs up. He could have been a dick because he probably could tell we had been drinking(maybe not) But he wasnt, he was cool about it. I still have the picture. I remember being shocked at how short he seemed.
Realgains
Community Veteran, Longtime Vet
I can't believe that he didn't know that he had a crappy lipid profile for years ....you simply cannot get plugged up coronaries without a shitty lipid profile.
I have said it for years ...the single worst side of roid use is a shitty lipid profile with a very crappy hdl.
So.....practise time on = time off to limit the time with a crappy lipid profile. I would also recommend no more than two 8-12 week cycles per year..after all how many of us make our living off of bodybuilding.
Other things that can help is cardio on a routine basis and supps like non flush niacin and policosinol. Some of you might even need to use a "satin" drug to lower total cholesterol.
My mentor, Mike Mentzer died at 50 of heart disease as well....and I can tell you for a fact that "Arny" had more then an aortic valve replaced with his open heart surgery.
RG
I have said it for years ...the single worst side of roid use is a shitty lipid profile with a very crappy hdl.
So.....practise time on = time off to limit the time with a crappy lipid profile. I would also recommend no more than two 8-12 week cycles per year..after all how many of us make our living off of bodybuilding.
Other things that can help is cardio on a routine basis and supps like non flush niacin and policosinol. Some of you might even need to use a "satin" drug to lower total cholesterol.
My mentor, Mike Mentzer died at 50 of heart disease as well....and I can tell you for a fact that "Arny" had more then an aortic valve replaced with his open heart surgery.
RG
At the risk of drawing 15 yards for piling on, there are some salient points to be made here from a medical perspective, and also because the author of that story has filed it with falsehoods and misconceptions (no matter how noble his intent).
Let there be no doubt that it is Mr. M's steroid use which caused his demise. A 39 year old with no family history or other serious disease (i.e. obesity, diabetes, etc.) simply does not develop the cardiac issues he did, irrespective of diet. I am not privy to what his actual dosing was, but there is no doubt there are members here who use just as much, if not more. Take heed, my Brothers!
While he did not have a heart attack, he certainly would have within hours, were it not for extraordinary medical intervention. He was clearly on the downward slope every doctor has witnessed far too many times to miss. Not being able to recline, because the fluid which is building up in the lungs from the failing heart would drown him, is a sure sign of that. How he could have been expectorating blood and serous fluids for so many hours before finally deciding to go to the ER was amazingly stupid. That is not something you can just "shake off".
On a side note, should anyone, or anyone you know, demonstrate these symptoms, or any other of a serious cardiac issue, take an aspirin IMMEDIATELY, not Tylenol. Tylenol should not be used by those who take orals anyway, anymore than you should take them for a hangover. The liver is already being beat up enough.
The story says he had open heart surgery. Bypass is usually performed with a heart-lung machine, but the actual organ is not opened. It has been suggested by a good member here that he had his aortic valve replaced. Were that the case, then they would indeed have compromised the heart to install same.
It is almost amusing, were it not for the trajedy of a fine young man losing his love and livelihood, to hear the "why me?" self-pity and self-denial drug addicts often express.
To say he "did not see it coming" is also nonsense, as is the statement he "showed no problems on labs". A Lipid Profile with virtually no HDL's is certainly cause for reevaluation of lifestyle. When does HDL begin to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease? When it drops below 60. That's right, 60!
It is also important to note that while orals ALWAYS damage the Lipid Profile, high dose injectables do as well. Appropriate testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) can lower HDL's, but that is because of increased reverse CHOL transport (so it's a good thing). Once you go above the top of normal range, the situation is much different. Even those of you who have chosen to do "TRT" through these Internet so-called "HRT Clinics" would be wise to pay heed. The guy who is getting rich by selling you all those drugs is not.
The misinformed who think that a small 8 week cycle will not damage the cardiovascular system should learn a little physiology as well. As I have said repeatedly, the amount of plaque which lines your vessels is a dynamic process--it is constantly being deposited and stripped off (until it becomes imbedded following formation of what are known as "foam cells"--WBC's which have absorbed so much CHOL that they have given up). I have seen an 8 week cycle blow the Lipid Profile for 5 months. During that time, you are fairly packing plaque throughout your entire cardiovascular system. And how many steroid users just do one 8 week cycle in their lives? Think of how large the coronary arteries are--and how small those which supply the penis (yikes!). After years and years of life on this earth, that amount you accumulated while on cycle may be the difference between living well and a heart attack. Think about it.
How tragic it is that such an incredible athlete, who once walked amongst the finest physiques on the planet, now would consider it a major victory just to climb a flight of stairs.
Perhaps this thread would make a good sticky.
Let there be no doubt that it is Mr. M's steroid use which caused his demise. A 39 year old with no family history or other serious disease (i.e. obesity, diabetes, etc.) simply does not develop the cardiac issues he did, irrespective of diet. I am not privy to what his actual dosing was, but there is no doubt there are members here who use just as much, if not more. Take heed, my Brothers!
While he did not have a heart attack, he certainly would have within hours, were it not for extraordinary medical intervention. He was clearly on the downward slope every doctor has witnessed far too many times to miss. Not being able to recline, because the fluid which is building up in the lungs from the failing heart would drown him, is a sure sign of that. How he could have been expectorating blood and serous fluids for so many hours before finally deciding to go to the ER was amazingly stupid. That is not something you can just "shake off".
On a side note, should anyone, or anyone you know, demonstrate these symptoms, or any other of a serious cardiac issue, take an aspirin IMMEDIATELY, not Tylenol. Tylenol should not be used by those who take orals anyway, anymore than you should take them for a hangover. The liver is already being beat up enough.
The story says he had open heart surgery. Bypass is usually performed with a heart-lung machine, but the actual organ is not opened. It has been suggested by a good member here that he had his aortic valve replaced. Were that the case, then they would indeed have compromised the heart to install same.
It is almost amusing, were it not for the trajedy of a fine young man losing his love and livelihood, to hear the "why me?" self-pity and self-denial drug addicts often express.
To say he "did not see it coming" is also nonsense, as is the statement he "showed no problems on labs". A Lipid Profile with virtually no HDL's is certainly cause for reevaluation of lifestyle. When does HDL begin to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease? When it drops below 60. That's right, 60!
It is also important to note that while orals ALWAYS damage the Lipid Profile, high dose injectables do as well. Appropriate testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) can lower HDL's, but that is because of increased reverse CHOL transport (so it's a good thing). Once you go above the top of normal range, the situation is much different. Even those of you who have chosen to do "TRT" through these Internet so-called "HRT Clinics" would be wise to pay heed. The guy who is getting rich by selling you all those drugs is not.
The misinformed who think that a small 8 week cycle will not damage the cardiovascular system should learn a little physiology as well. As I have said repeatedly, the amount of plaque which lines your vessels is a dynamic process--it is constantly being deposited and stripped off (until it becomes imbedded following formation of what are known as "foam cells"--WBC's which have absorbed so much CHOL that they have given up). I have seen an 8 week cycle blow the Lipid Profile for 5 months. During that time, you are fairly packing plaque throughout your entire cardiovascular system. And how many steroid users just do one 8 week cycle in their lives? Think of how large the coronary arteries are--and how small those which supply the penis (yikes!). After years and years of life on this earth, that amount you accumulated while on cycle may be the difference between living well and a heart attack. Think about it.
How tragic it is that such an incredible athlete, who once walked amongst the finest physiques on the planet, now would consider it a major victory just to climb a flight of stairs.
Perhaps this thread would make a good sticky.
Last edited:
Drveejay11
I am banned!
Realgains said:I can't believe that he didn't know that he had a crappy lipid profile for years ....you simply cannot get plugged up coronaries without a shitty lipid profile.
I have said it for years ...the single worst side of roid use is a shitty lipid profile with a very crappy hdl.
So.....practise time on = time off to limit the time with a crappy lipid profile. I would also recommend no more than two 8-12 week cycles per year..after all how many of us make our living off of bodybuilding.
Other things that can help is cardio on a routine basis and supps like non flush niacin and policosinol. Some of you might even need to use a "satin" drug to lower total cholesterol.
My mentor, Mike Mentzer died at 50 of heart disease as well....and I can tell you for a fact that "Arny" had more then an aortic valve replaced with his open heart surgery.
RG
Agreed!!!
Drveejay11
I am banned!
Good stuff Swale!
Drveejay11
I am banned!
Uk Boy said:
Uhhhh....define "mildly".
Nevertheless, I wish Mike the BEST!!!
Realgains
Community Veteran, Longtime Vet
[ It has been suggested by a good member here that he had his aortic valve replaced. Were that the case, then they would indeed have compromised the heart to install same.
I was referring to "Arnold" bro....not Mike M.
To say he "did not see it coming" is also nonsense, as is the statement he "showed no problems on labs". A Lipid Profile with virtually no HDL's is certainly cause for reevaluation of lifestyle. When does HDL begin to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease? When it drops below 60. That's right, 60!
YUP......and will that be an eye opener to many here!
AND.....total holesterol to hdl ratio is the single greates risk indicator for heart disease according to one report I read a couple years ago....and mine has been a crapy as 15 to 1 and it's suppose to be at least 5 to 1....3.5 to 1 is best.
It is also important to note that while orals ALWAYS damage the Lipid Profile, high dose injectables do as well.
Thats for sure....and even low dose injectables will knock almost everyones hdl to shit.
The misinformed who think that a small 8 week cycle will not damage the cardiovascular system should learn a little physiology as well. As I have said repeatedly, the amount of plaque which lines your vessels is a dynamic process--it is constantly being deposited and stripped off (until it becomes imbedded following formation of what are known as "foam cells"--WBC's which have absorbed so much CHOL that they have given up). I have seen an 8 week cycle blow the Lipid Profile for 5 months. During that time, you are fairly packing plaque throughout your entire cardiovascular system. And how many steroid users just do one 8 week cycle in their lives? Think of how large the coronary arteries are--and how small those which supply the penis (yikes!). After years and years of life on this earth, that amount you accumulated while on cycle may be the difference between living well and a heart attack. Think about it.
AMEN....and this is why a shitty lipid profile is the worst side of steroid use....too bad you can't "see" a shitty lipid profle lke you can see the "who gives a shit sides" of hair loss and ance.
RG
I was referring to "Arnold" bro....not Mike M.
To say he "did not see it coming" is also nonsense, as is the statement he "showed no problems on labs". A Lipid Profile with virtually no HDL's is certainly cause for reevaluation of lifestyle. When does HDL begin to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease? When it drops below 60. That's right, 60!
YUP......and will that be an eye opener to many here!
AND.....total holesterol to hdl ratio is the single greates risk indicator for heart disease according to one report I read a couple years ago....and mine has been a crapy as 15 to 1 and it's suppose to be at least 5 to 1....3.5 to 1 is best.
It is also important to note that while orals ALWAYS damage the Lipid Profile, high dose injectables do as well.
Thats for sure....and even low dose injectables will knock almost everyones hdl to shit.
The misinformed who think that a small 8 week cycle will not damage the cardiovascular system should learn a little physiology as well. As I have said repeatedly, the amount of plaque which lines your vessels is a dynamic process--it is constantly being deposited and stripped off (until it becomes imbedded following formation of what are known as "foam cells"--WBC's which have absorbed so much CHOL that they have given up). I have seen an 8 week cycle blow the Lipid Profile for 5 months. During that time, you are fairly packing plaque throughout your entire cardiovascular system. And how many steroid users just do one 8 week cycle in their lives? Think of how large the coronary arteries are--and how small those which supply the penis (yikes!). After years and years of life on this earth, that amount you accumulated while on cycle may be the difference between living well and a heart attack. Think about it.
AMEN....and this is why a shitty lipid profile is the worst side of steroid use....too bad you can't "see" a shitty lipid profle lke you can see the "who gives a shit sides" of hair loss and ance.
RG
In fact, nearly everyone who takes them will experience negative side effects to some degree. Doctors are just now learning we need to not only ask about muscle pain (which occurs much more frequently than is reported)--a sign of myopathy ("muscle disease") but also simple fatigue.
Statins raise the risk of cancer, probably due to their effect of dramatically lowering Vitamin D.
They elevate Lp(a)--a serious marker for generalized inflammatory response as well as cardiovascular disease.
I have seen doctors lower CHOL into the 120's, and think nothing of it. Droppingbelow 140 causes hypogonadism, becasue the body does not have the raw material to make not only the sex hormones, but other important bioactive substances as well.
CHOL levels that low also induce polyneuropathy--especially dangerous for diabetic patients.
They also deplete CoQ10, which causes muscle failure--especially dangeorus to the heart. Anyone on a statin drug should take CoQ10.
It is not WHAT level your CHOL and LDL reach as much as it is HOW they get there. If you remove the trans fatty acids, for instance, the same CHOL and LDL level becomes much less significant. That is because LDL's are not oxidized as much. And really only oxidized LDL's are dangerous.
FISH OIL! FISH OIL! FISH OIL!
Just some food for thought.
Statins raise the risk of cancer, probably due to their effect of dramatically lowering Vitamin D.
They elevate Lp(a)--a serious marker for generalized inflammatory response as well as cardiovascular disease.
I have seen doctors lower CHOL into the 120's, and think nothing of it. Droppingbelow 140 causes hypogonadism, becasue the body does not have the raw material to make not only the sex hormones, but other important bioactive substances as well.
CHOL levels that low also induce polyneuropathy--especially dangerous for diabetic patients.
They also deplete CoQ10, which causes muscle failure--especially dangeorus to the heart. Anyone on a statin drug should take CoQ10.
It is not WHAT level your CHOL and LDL reach as much as it is HOW they get there. If you remove the trans fatty acids, for instance, the same CHOL and LDL level becomes much less significant. That is because LDL's are not oxidized as much. And really only oxidized LDL's are dangerous.
FISH OIL! FISH OIL! FISH OIL!
Just some food for thought.
Last edited:
Realgains
Community Veteran, Longtime Vet
Here is some good info.......
What Are Healthy Levels of Cholesterol?
Your total blood cholesterol level
Your total blood cholesterol will fall into one of these categories:
Desirable — Less than 200 mg/dL
Borderline high risk — 200–239 mg/dL
High risk — 240 mg/dL and over
Here is some more explanation about each of these categories.
Desirable
If your total cholesterol is less than 200 mg/dL, your heart attack risk is relatively low, unless you have other risk factors. Even with a low risk, it's still smart to eat foods low in saturated fat and cholesterol, and also get plenty of physical activity. Have your cholesterol levels measured every five years — or more often if you're a man over 45 or a woman over 55.
Borderline high risk
People whose cholesterol level is from 200 to 239 mg/dL are borderline high risk. About a third of American adults are in this (borderline) group; almost half of adults have total cholesterol levels below 200 mg/dL.
Have your cholesterol and HDL rechecked in one to two years if:
* Your total cholesterol is in this range.
* Your HDL is less than 40 mg/dL.
* You don’t have other risk factors for heart disease.
You should also lower your intake of foods high in saturated fat and cholesterol to reduce your blood cholesterol level to below 200 mg/dL. Your doctor may order another blood test to measure your LDL cholesterol. Ask your doctor to discuss your LDL cholesterol with you. Even if your total cholesterol is between 200 and 239 mg/dL, you may not be at high risk for a heart attack. Some people — such as women before menopause and young, active men who have no other risk factors — may have high HDL cholesterol and desirable LDL levels. Ask your doctor to interpret your results. Everyone's case is different.
High risk
If your total cholesterol level is 240 or more, it's definitely high. Your risk of heart attack and stroke is greater. In general, people who have a total cholesterol level of 240 mg/dL have twice the risk of heart attack as people whose cholesterol level is 200 mg/dL.
You need more tests. Ask your doctor for advice. About 20 percent of the U.S. population has high blood cholesterol levels.
Your LDL cholesterol level
Your LDL cholesterol level greatly affects your risk of heart attack and stroke. The lower your LDL cholesterol, the lower your risk. In fact, it’s a better gauge of risk than total blood cholesterol. Your LDL cholesterol will fall into one of these categories:
LDL Cholesterol Levels
Less than 100 mg/dL Optimal
100 to 129 mg/dL Near Optimal/ Above Optimal
130 to 159 mg/dL Borderline High
160 to 189 mg/dL High
190 mg/dL and above Very High
The key point to remember is, the lower your LDL cholesterol, the lower your risk. Your doctor may prescribe a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, regular exercise and a weight management program if you're overweight. If you can't lower your cholesterol with these efforts, medications may also be prescribed to lower your LDL cholesterol. Check these categories and the goals for treatment that can lower your risk of heart attack.
LDL level at which to consider drug therapy
LDL Level
Goal
People without coronary heart disease and with fewer than two risk factors
190 mg/dL or higher*
160 mg/dL or lower
People without coronary heart disease and with two or more risk factors
160 mg/dL or higher
130 mg/dL or lower
People with coronary heart disease
130 mg/dL or higher**
100 mg/dL or lower
*In men less than age 35 and premenopausal women with LDL cholesterol levels of 190 to 219 mg/dL, drug therapy should be delayed except in high-risk patients such as those with diabetes.
**In coronary heart disease patients with LDL cholesterol levels of 100 to 129 mg/dL, the doctor should consider whether to initiate drug treatment in addition to the American Heart Association Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) diet.
If you don't know if you have other risk factors for heart disease, check out the American Heart Association's list by clicking here.
Your HDL cholesterol level
In the average man, HDL cholesterol levels range from 40 to 50 mg/dL. In the average woman, they range from 50 to 60 mg/dL. HDL cholesterol that's less than 40 mg/dL is low. Low HDL cholesterol puts you at high risk for heart disease. Smoking, being overweight and being sedentary can all result in lower HDL cholesterol. If you have low HDL cholesterol, you can help raise it by:
* Not smoking
* Losing weight (or maintaining a healthy weight)
* Being physically active for at least 30–60 minutes a day on most or all days of the week
People with high blood triglycerides usually have lower HDL cholesterol and a higher risk of heart attack and stroke. Progesterone, anabolic steroids and male sex hormones (testosterone) also lower HDL cholesterol levels. Female sex hormones raise HDL cholesterol levels.
Cholesterol ratio
Total blood cholesterol is the most common measurement of blood cholesterol. It's the number you normally receive as test results. Cholesterol is measured in milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dL). Knowing your total blood cholesterol level is an important first step in determining your risk for heart disease. However, a critical second step is knowing your HDL or "good" cholesterol level.
Some physicians and cholesterol technicians use the ratio of total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol in place of the total blood cholesterol. The American Heart Association recommends that the absolute numbers for total blood cholesterol and HDL cholesterol levels be used. They're more useful to the physician than the cholesterol ratio in determining the appropriate treatment for patients.
The ratio is obtained by dividing the HDL cholesterol level into the total cholesterol. For example, if a person has a total cholesterol of 200 mg/dL and an HDL cholesterol level of 50 mg/dL, the ratio would be stated as 4:1. The goal is to keep the ratio below 5:1; the optimum ratio is 3.5:1.
Your triglyceride level
Your triglyceride level will fall into one of these categories:
Triglyceride Level Classification
Less than 150 mg/dL Normal
150–199 mg/dL Borderline-high
200–499 mg/dL High
500 mg/dL or higher Very high
Many people with high triglycerides have underlying diseases or genetic disorders. If this is true for you, the main therapy is to change your lifestyle. This includes controlling your weight, eating foods low in saturated fat and cholesterol, exercising regularly, not smoking and, in some cases, drinking less alcohol. People with high triglycerides may also need to limit their intake of carbohydrates to no more than 45–50 percent of total calories. The reason for this is that carbohydrates raise triglycerides in some people and lower HDL cholesterol. Use products with monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.
Links on This Site
Test Your Cholesterol IQ
Common Misconceptions About Cholesterol
Cholesterol Tracker
Risk Factors for Coronary Heart Disease
Special Message for Women
105 million Americans have total cholesterol of 200 mg/dL or higher, a level at which cardiovascular risk begins to rise.
read more...
Privacy Statement | Use of Personal Information | Copyright | Ethics Policy | Conflict of Interest Policy
©2004 American Heart Association, Inc. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use prohibited.
What Are Healthy Levels of Cholesterol?
Your total blood cholesterol level
Your total blood cholesterol will fall into one of these categories:
Desirable — Less than 200 mg/dL
Borderline high risk — 200–239 mg/dL
High risk — 240 mg/dL and over
Here is some more explanation about each of these categories.
Desirable
If your total cholesterol is less than 200 mg/dL, your heart attack risk is relatively low, unless you have other risk factors. Even with a low risk, it's still smart to eat foods low in saturated fat and cholesterol, and also get plenty of physical activity. Have your cholesterol levels measured every five years — or more often if you're a man over 45 or a woman over 55.
Borderline high risk
People whose cholesterol level is from 200 to 239 mg/dL are borderline high risk. About a third of American adults are in this (borderline) group; almost half of adults have total cholesterol levels below 200 mg/dL.
Have your cholesterol and HDL rechecked in one to two years if:
* Your total cholesterol is in this range.
* Your HDL is less than 40 mg/dL.
* You don’t have other risk factors for heart disease.
You should also lower your intake of foods high in saturated fat and cholesterol to reduce your blood cholesterol level to below 200 mg/dL. Your doctor may order another blood test to measure your LDL cholesterol. Ask your doctor to discuss your LDL cholesterol with you. Even if your total cholesterol is between 200 and 239 mg/dL, you may not be at high risk for a heart attack. Some people — such as women before menopause and young, active men who have no other risk factors — may have high HDL cholesterol and desirable LDL levels. Ask your doctor to interpret your results. Everyone's case is different.
High risk
If your total cholesterol level is 240 or more, it's definitely high. Your risk of heart attack and stroke is greater. In general, people who have a total cholesterol level of 240 mg/dL have twice the risk of heart attack as people whose cholesterol level is 200 mg/dL.
You need more tests. Ask your doctor for advice. About 20 percent of the U.S. population has high blood cholesterol levels.
Your LDL cholesterol level
Your LDL cholesterol level greatly affects your risk of heart attack and stroke. The lower your LDL cholesterol, the lower your risk. In fact, it’s a better gauge of risk than total blood cholesterol. Your LDL cholesterol will fall into one of these categories:
LDL Cholesterol Levels
Less than 100 mg/dL Optimal
100 to 129 mg/dL Near Optimal/ Above Optimal
130 to 159 mg/dL Borderline High
160 to 189 mg/dL High
190 mg/dL and above Very High
The key point to remember is, the lower your LDL cholesterol, the lower your risk. Your doctor may prescribe a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, regular exercise and a weight management program if you're overweight. If you can't lower your cholesterol with these efforts, medications may also be prescribed to lower your LDL cholesterol. Check these categories and the goals for treatment that can lower your risk of heart attack.
LDL level at which to consider drug therapy
LDL Level
Goal
People without coronary heart disease and with fewer than two risk factors
190 mg/dL or higher*
160 mg/dL or lower
People without coronary heart disease and with two or more risk factors
160 mg/dL or higher
130 mg/dL or lower
People with coronary heart disease
130 mg/dL or higher**
100 mg/dL or lower
*In men less than age 35 and premenopausal women with LDL cholesterol levels of 190 to 219 mg/dL, drug therapy should be delayed except in high-risk patients such as those with diabetes.
**In coronary heart disease patients with LDL cholesterol levels of 100 to 129 mg/dL, the doctor should consider whether to initiate drug treatment in addition to the American Heart Association Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) diet.
If you don't know if you have other risk factors for heart disease, check out the American Heart Association's list by clicking here.
Your HDL cholesterol level
In the average man, HDL cholesterol levels range from 40 to 50 mg/dL. In the average woman, they range from 50 to 60 mg/dL. HDL cholesterol that's less than 40 mg/dL is low. Low HDL cholesterol puts you at high risk for heart disease. Smoking, being overweight and being sedentary can all result in lower HDL cholesterol. If you have low HDL cholesterol, you can help raise it by:
* Not smoking
* Losing weight (or maintaining a healthy weight)
* Being physically active for at least 30–60 minutes a day on most or all days of the week
People with high blood triglycerides usually have lower HDL cholesterol and a higher risk of heart attack and stroke. Progesterone, anabolic steroids and male sex hormones (testosterone) also lower HDL cholesterol levels. Female sex hormones raise HDL cholesterol levels.
Cholesterol ratio
Total blood cholesterol is the most common measurement of blood cholesterol. It's the number you normally receive as test results. Cholesterol is measured in milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dL). Knowing your total blood cholesterol level is an important first step in determining your risk for heart disease. However, a critical second step is knowing your HDL or "good" cholesterol level.
Some physicians and cholesterol technicians use the ratio of total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol in place of the total blood cholesterol. The American Heart Association recommends that the absolute numbers for total blood cholesterol and HDL cholesterol levels be used. They're more useful to the physician than the cholesterol ratio in determining the appropriate treatment for patients.
The ratio is obtained by dividing the HDL cholesterol level into the total cholesterol. For example, if a person has a total cholesterol of 200 mg/dL and an HDL cholesterol level of 50 mg/dL, the ratio would be stated as 4:1. The goal is to keep the ratio below 5:1; the optimum ratio is 3.5:1.
Your triglyceride level
Your triglyceride level will fall into one of these categories:
Triglyceride Level Classification
Less than 150 mg/dL Normal
150–199 mg/dL Borderline-high
200–499 mg/dL High
500 mg/dL or higher Very high
Many people with high triglycerides have underlying diseases or genetic disorders. If this is true for you, the main therapy is to change your lifestyle. This includes controlling your weight, eating foods low in saturated fat and cholesterol, exercising regularly, not smoking and, in some cases, drinking less alcohol. People with high triglycerides may also need to limit their intake of carbohydrates to no more than 45–50 percent of total calories. The reason for this is that carbohydrates raise triglycerides in some people and lower HDL cholesterol. Use products with monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.
Links on This Site
Test Your Cholesterol IQ
Common Misconceptions About Cholesterol
Cholesterol Tracker
Risk Factors for Coronary Heart Disease
Special Message for Women
105 million Americans have total cholesterol of 200 mg/dL or higher, a level at which cardiovascular risk begins to rise.
read more...
Privacy Statement | Use of Personal Information | Copyright | Ethics Policy | Conflict of Interest Policy
©2004 American Heart Association, Inc. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use prohibited.
Realgains
Community Veteran, Longtime Vet
SWALE said:
Good info bro! As for me I try to avoid trans fats big time and I take "udo's oil' daily!
Here's some good info on fats.....go to the FAQ's at Udo's site.
www.udoerasmus.com
RG
