How to manage elevated cholesterol without medication?

Question

Hello doctor,

My mom is 66 years old and leads a healthy life. She does not have any significant health complications, but she often complains of exhaustion after doing very little work. As a precaution, we decided to have her blood tested. The lipid profile reports indicate some issues with her cholesterol levels. I have attached two reports: one is the latest, and the other is from two years ago. Could you please review them and assess the situation?

The pathologist has recommended that she start taking the following medications: Aspirin 150 mg (one tablet daily in the afternoon) and Atorvastatin 10 mg (one tablet daily at night). There is also a tablet called Atorvastatin 20 mg—how does it compare to the other medications? Additionally, she has been advised to engage in brisk walking for one hour every day, consume flax seeds, and avoid desi ghee.

I have a few questions for you:

What do you recommend after reviewing the reports?
Which medications and other measures would you suggest for her?
Will she need to take these medications for a lifetime, or is it for a limited time?
What precautions should my mom take?
What lifestyle changes should she adopt moving forward?
What foods should she prioritize in her diet?
What is the purpose of the medications suggested?
Do you have any additional recommendations that could help her return to normal or healthier test results?

I look forward to your help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have evaluated your mother's reports (attachment removed to protect the patient's identity). Her cholesterol levels are high, and at her age, she should be started on medications. Her previous reports indicated elevated thyroid levels, and I would like to know the current status of her thyroid function.

Here are your answers: She should begin medications alongside lifestyle changes. A combination of Atorvastatin (a statin) and Fenofibrate is recommended. The need for medication will depend on her lifestyle. If she exercises, loses weight, and eats a healthy diet, she may not require medications for a lifetime. It is essential to avoid fatty foods, rice, oils, and sweets.

She needs to increase her physical activity and consume more fruits and green vegetables. The medications prescribed will help lower her cholesterol levels, but she must also engage in regular exercise to prevent further cholesterol production. Exercise and a balanced diet are key to improving her health.

I hope this information helps.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

To answer your queries more effectively, I need the following details:

Does she experience any chest pain?
Did your doctor explain why he prescribed Aspirin (an antiplatelet medication)?
Is she obese?
Has she already started the medications, or are you currently just gathering opinions?
Has your doctor performed an ECG (electrocardiogram)?
I need to understand why Aspirin was initiated. Were there any issues identified in the ECG?

Please provide the requested details so I can assist you better.

Answer 3

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Are you saying that you plan to start medications for your mother based on the recommendations of a delivery person? Do you have any idea about the educational background of these delivery personnel? They often provide advice based on their personal experience, much like a neighbor might. That is why I was concerned about how a doctor could prescribe Aspirin without first conducting an ECG.

Before starting any medications, I need to see your mother's ECG results. Please have her ECG done and write back to me with the report. I strongly advise consulting a doctor before taking any medications, especially for such sensitive issues.

Thank you.

Answer 4

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I am relieved to know that you have not started any medications yet. My recommendation would be to convince her to schedule a routine visit with a physician near you. The doctor will re-check her vitals, including pulse and blood pressure, and will also perform an ECG.

In general, I suggest starting her on Atorvastatin 10 mg. This medication helps reduce cholesterol levels and keeps the blood vessels clean. Please consult your specialist doctor, discuss this with them, and begin taking the medications with their consent. If she maintains a normal diet, I would not recommend any multivitamins.

Regarding her thyroid, the attached reports(attachments removed to protect the patient’s identity)indicate that her thyroid levels were high two years ago, which requires medication. However, I cannot find any recent thyroid report in the latest documents; the folder only contains a fresh lipid profile report. I would recommend repeating the thyroid profile for this purpose.

I hope this helps!

Thank you.