Another Cholesterol Factor?

[eytonxav]

This article suggests your cholesterol may be higher in the Winter. I'll have to go back and see if any of my blood tests would confirm this finding.

Weather Linked to Changing Cholesterol Levels, Study Finds : Experts : Counsel & Heal

[Stanley]

Quote:

but they did not find whether these changes contributed to heart diseases or other complications.

An interesting finding. Thank you for posting this.

[rbmrtn]

Seems plausible. I have read elsewhere blood pressure is higher in winter ( cold ) and more heart attacks in winter.

[Animorph]

Looking back at my tests, it could be. However they're more like spring and fall tests than summer and winter. I'll have to start delaying my physical into the summer and see if it helps.

[eytonxav]

In reviewing my past blood tests, I can't come to any conclusion, probably due to differences in diet. In fact I found my lowest reading of all time was in Winter a few years ago.

[NanoSour]

Speaking of Cholesterol, just watched this mockumentary of Supersize me. Lots of great information on the cholesterol debate. I for one will not touch a statin and don't buy into the cholesterol myth.

Fat Head - YouTube

[Felix Mulier]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NanoSour I for one will not touch a statin and don't buy into the cholesterol myth.

My doc tells me that first, cholesterol is easy to measure, so they do. Second, that 90% of your cholesterol level is genetic and has nothing to do with what you eat. I was on statins for a while then learned what they can do to you. (Our local pharmacy has been offering free refills on generic Lipitor if you can believe that!)

I started taking niacin (nicotinic acid - 500mg) and my cholesterol test was as good as when I was on the statins. Then I cut the niacin down to 250mg and the tests stayed level.

Sure am enjoying those eggs and that cheese again!

[NanoSour]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Felix Mulier My doc tells me that first, cholesterol is easy to measure, so they do. Second, that 90% of your cholesterol level is genetic and has nothing to do with what you eat. I was on statins for a while then learned what they can do to you. (Our local pharmacy has been offering free refills on generic Lipitor if you can believe that!) I started taking niacin (nicotinic acid - 500mg) and my cholesterol test was as good as when I was on the statins. Then I cut the niacin down to 250mg and the tests stayed level. Sure am enjoying those eggs and that cheese again!

Don't forget to throw in some bacon every now and then. A day without swine is like a day without sunshine.

[Dawg52]

Hopefully my Mevacor keeps it in check during the winter. But the study makes sense as I eat lighter during the warm months and walk more then.

[ERhoosier]

Interesting article from OP. Adds to other info that cholesterol measurements are somewhat variable even in same person, so statistics suggests that multiple measurements are prob needed to document a significant change (e.g. with diet, exercise, meds, whatever).

BTW- Supersize Me was entertainment, not real science. While not the whole story, cholesterol risk is NOT a myth. But it is now known the story is more complicated that just gross cholesterol level. It is types of cholesterol (LDL, VLDL, HDL, etc.) that more closely correlate with cardiovascular risk, and most evidence indicates control can affect that risk. Recent info from Cleveland Clinic (inc many references)-

Cardiovascular Disease Prevention

[timeasterday]

I haven't had my blood tested for 10 years or so but recently donated blood and got an email stating my cholesterol was measured at 137. I'm not sure how accurate they are, especially since it wasn't a typical blood test where you have to fast beforehand. But that's a big drop from the past where I always hovered around 170. Sometime this year I'll go in for a full workup. Now that I'm getting into my mid-40's I need to start keeping an eye on this.

[ziggy29]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Felix Mulier My doc tells me that first, cholesterol is easy to measure, so they do. Second, that 90% of your cholesterol level is genetic and has nothing to do with what you eat.

I have a family history which is very unusual in its extreme lack of heart disease. Going back at least four generations, I can see no ancestors whose cause of death appears related to heart disease or heart attacks.

And while my cholesterol is not low (the total number is usually in the "borderline high" range, between 200 and 240), both my HDL levels (usually 65 to 70) and ratio of total cholesterol to HDL (between 3 and 3.5) are very favorable. I have to think that's a bit of genetic "good fortune" that at least partially explains our lack of heart problems in the family's medical history.

Obviously that doesn't mean I throw caution to the wind, but it does add a data point to suggest just how much of this may be genetic.

[timo2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbmrtn Seems plausible. I have read elsewhere blood pressure is higher in winter ( cold ) and more heart attacks in winter.

I thought this was because of closer proximity to family in the winter months

Actually, when I was in the ICU with my heart attack (the week before Thanksgiving, 2004), one of the nurses told me that the major holidays have higher emergency room heart attack arrivals, because people start having symptoms, but don't do anything because all the family is there, etc., and they end up being hauled off to the emergency room.