Cholesterol levels

Exactly growstuff. I was expecting a telephone appointment with the gp, so assume he was from the surgery he didn’t say. but to prescribe statins over the phone he shoukd have had more information with him.

I have it on my to do list, but to get in touch with the surgery isn’t easy these days,

silverlining48

Thanks growstuff but I have no idea who the pharmacist was, I was told I had a phone appointment and hadn’t expected it to be a random pharmacist - who couldn’t give the percentage likelihood of me having a stroke.
If only it were as easy as it used to be to get in touch with a surgery. I managed, after a long wait, today and was told I woukd have to speak to a pharmacist, but there were no appointments available in the firseesnke future. I coukd not see a gp.
Had just wondered if anyone else over 75 with no health issues has been prescribed statins for the first time.
This isn’t urgent, I was just curious.

There's no way a pharmacist could give the percentage likelihood of having a stroke without having other details, such as your weight, family and personal medical history, your blood pressure, the amount you exercise, smoke and drink and what your diet is like.

pascal30

silverlining48

Yearly check up? I wish!

The GP contract with the NHS specifies that everyone over 75 should have a yearly health check.. I have been getting one because I have a heart condition. I would contact your surgery for one Silverlining..

Patients over 75 should have an annual health check anyway. Those from 40 to 74 should be invited to have a five yearly assessment unless they already have regular check ups because they have a chronic condition.

Test results should be available to all patients on the NHS app. If you don't have the app, ask reception for the full results in written form. They have to get a GP to sign them off, but they should be ready in a day or so.

I will give it a try pascal. Thanks.

silverlining48

Yearly check up? I wish!

The GP contract with the NHS specifies that everyone over 75 should have a yearly health check.. I have been getting one because I have a heart condition. I would contact your surgery for one Silverlining..

Yearly check up? I wish!

Years ago I was seen by a heart consultant he said my cholesterol was high but well balanced he didn’t advise statins. Time went by and at 75 someone decided to test for cholesterol. All hell broke out it was 8.6 the pharmacist phoning every other day statins prescribed. I was so worried I just took them and felt very ill. They were changed and I take a minute dose. The cholesterol is down but I have had colds and aches and pains ever since.
I now read this morning that someone thinks butter, milk, cream etc is really good for you.

I overheard a conversation between two elderly men today. One was telling the other about his high blood pressure. His mate replied “don’t you talk to me about that. I had mine checked at the pharmacy and he said I could lower mine in a day if I stopped drinking tea. You get more sense out of a vet.” 🤣

This just demonstrates how confused doctors are. Last time mine was tested I was told, 'Well it's lower than last time but as we now have a different way of assessing it, it's too high'.....and then they try to persuade you to take statins which present their own problems!

When I asked if I could have a well woman test I was told they don't give them after 70
I also asked about cholesterol and the nurse said don't worry about that at your age .I'm 81 no big health problems.heart BP etc. Is normal.but was curios as haven't had any health checks for years
Recently saw a Dr as I gave a painful swollen knee and ache from hip when I walk
She sat and yawned all the time and gave me ibuprofen gel which I could have bought and had trued previously
I'm sure they don't care when you are over 70

If you have had your yearly check up for over 70’s

My recent check up, had one at 60, another at 65.5, then last one at 71. Was told I would get next one in another 5 years.

Obv my GP practice doesn’t offer them annually, and only had this last one because I asked about it.

Ooops! definitely not caused by

PS. I don't have high cholesterol. I was taken off statins about two years ago and my ratio is consistently 3.2 or 3.3, which is well within the healthy range and is definitely caused by alcohol.

Joseann

Then there's the French studies which suggest that a glass of red wine (especially Merlot) reduces cholesterol. Sounds good to me! 🍷

Suit yourself! I'm not suggesting you drink too much, but alcohol could explain the erratic blood pressure.

Then there's the French studies which suggest that a glass of red wine (especially Merlot) reduces cholesterol. Sounds good to me! 🍷

silverlining48

Thanks growstuff but I have no idea who the pharmacist was, I was told I had a phone appointment and hadn’t expected it to be a random pharmacist - who couldn’t give the percentage likelihood of me having a stroke.
If only it were as easy as it used to be to get in touch with a surgery. I managed, after a long wait, today and was told I woukd have to speak to a pharmacist, but there were no appointments available in the firseesnke future. I coukd not see a gp.
Had just wondered if anyone else over 75 with no health issues has been prescribed statins for the first time.
This isn’t urgent, I was just curious.

I was called in by my GP pharmacist yesterday and he ran through all the options for statins and has now referred me to the lipid clinic.. I would definitely try to get an appointment with your GP practice pharmacist... they are so knowledgeable. If you have had your yearly checkup for over 70's they should offer you an appointment if your cholesterol is high. I would speak to the practice manager..

It's why I gave up alcohol completely in 2017. I never really enjoyed alcohol that much anyway, so it wasn't a big deal. I now have about three or four small glasses of wine a year.

I still take very low dose BP tablets, but my blood pressure is now never high, even when taken by the dreaded practice nurse.

Joseann

You're like me, Kate1949! Out comes the BP machine and sky high it goes. Half an hour later with a glass of wine in hand, it's right down again! Drugs won't treat that!

Alcohol decreases blood pressure initially (up to 12 hours after ingestion) and increases blood pressure after that. Alcohol consistently increases heart rate at all times within 24 hours of consumption.

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8130994/#:~:text=Thus%20alcohol%20decreases%20blood%20pressure,within%2024%20hours%20of%20consumption.

I've read other studies which support that ie. alcohol decreases blood pressure in the short term, but raises it long term.

Joseann. Mine's been that high and higher. I don't take it now unless the GP sends for me. I just have to look at that machine and it's sky high. I take my meds and hope for the best.

AreWeThereYet
Ain’t that the truth. The only medication I have is my B12 injection bi monthly. I am grateful every day for my good health.

*

Think of the thousands of statins I have not taken unnecessarily over 20+ years.

My Dad lived to 86 and was as fit as a flea until he went on statins at 80. Mum lived to 97 and never took a statin in her life. Neither had any heart problems.

I know we need to be aware of potential health issues, but sometimes we seem to spend do much time just worrying about everything….

I've never had any routine tests done. I know a lot of people who seem to spend a large chunk of their life trying not to die when they have no real reason to think they are going to die any time soon.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202404/medium-986365-20240305-134622.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202404/medium-673617-20181113-091725.jpg

You're like me, Kate1949! Out comes the BP machine and sky high it goes. Half an hour later with a glass of wine in hand, it's right down again! Drugs won't treat that!

I was happy to go on statins. My husband and sister have been on them for years with no problems. However, they gave me severe nosebleeds. My BP shoots up when I see the machine!