Question 1

I've got some concerns about my cholesterol levels and was wondering if I should start taking statins. My total cholesterol is 196, LDL is 130, HDL is 35, and triglycerides are 101. I weigh 60 kg, my height is 169 cm, and I exercise regularly while sticking to an oil-free diet. I'm on Thyronorm 50 for hypothyroidism. I don't usually feel bad, but I get breathless climbing 2 or 3 floors. All my tests like ECG, 2D echo, and TMT have come back normal. Should I be worried about starting medication?

Accepted Answer

Based on your total cholesterol of 196, LDL of 130, HDL of 35, and triglycerides of 101, along with your symptoms of feeling breathless when climbing 2 to 3 floors, you may benefit from taking a statin drug to help lower your LDL cholesterol levels and reduce your risk of cardiovascular events. Since you are already taking Thyronorm 50 for hypothyroidism, it is important to consider any potential drug interactions with statins. I recommend discussing with your doctor about starting a statin medication such as Atorvastatin 20mg once daily to help improve your cholesterol levels and reduce your risk of heart disease. Remember to continue your regular exercise and oil-free diet for overall heart health.

Question 2

I've been taking some medication for high blood pressure and a high heart rate, which was prescribed for a month. After just a couple of days, my BP and heart rate are back to normal. Do I still need to keep taking the tablets for a full month even if everything seems okay now? Is there a chance the medicine could make my blood pressure and heart rate drop too low?

Accepted Answer

It is important to continue taking the medication for the full duration as prescribed by your doctor. Abruptly stopping the medication can lead to a sudden increase in blood pressure and heart rate. The medication is likely helping to regulate your blood pressure and heart rate, so it is important to complete the full course to ensure long-term control. It is unlikely that the medication will cause low blood pressure and low heart rate now, especially if your levels are currently normal. However, if you experience any unusual symptoms or side effects, it is important to consult your doctor for further evaluation and guidance.

Question 3

I'm really concerned about some recent findings on my coronary vessels. I've got an 80% lesion in the LAD vessel from the proximal to the mid-long segment, and then a 70% lesion in the distal long segment. Plus, there's a 90% lesion at the ostium of the D1 small vessel. On top of that, my RCA vessel has a total 100% blockage, but it's still somehow filling via bridging collaterals and retrogradely through the left coronary injection. Should I be worried about these percentages and the way my heart is compensating? What kind of treatment might be recommended in this situation?

Accepted Answer

The condition you have described is quite serious and involves multiple blockages in your coronary arteries. To address the blockages, a combination of medications and procedures may be necessary. For the 80% lesion in the ostial portion of the LAD 3 vessel, a stent placement procedure may be considered to improve blood flow. Similarly, for the 70% lesion in the proximal to mid long segment of the LAD 3 vessel, another stent placement or angioplasty may be recommended. The 80% lesion in the distal long segment of the LAD 3 vessel may also require intervention such as stenting. For the D1 small vessel with a 90% lesion, a stent placement or angioplasty may be necessary to restore blood flow. The RCA vessel with a 100% lesion in the mid portion may require more aggressive treatment such as bypass surgery. In the meantime, medications like aspirin, clopidogrel, statins, beta-blockers, and ACE inhibitors may be prescribed to manage your condition and reduce the risk of further complications. Regular follow-up with your cardiologist is crucial to monitor your progress and adjust your treatment plan as needed.

Why do most heart attacks occur in the morning?

Our body has Carcadian system and this rythm dips and raises throutout the day. This system sends out PA1-1 cells which blocks the blood clots from breaking down. Another reason is when we wake up, brain floods the heart with hormones which increases the load on the heart .

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