Cholesterol results!

Woo hoo! Last week I went in to have my fasting blood tests run and I just got the results in the mail today. My cholesterol has dropped about 40 points since the last time I had it checked (now 129) and my HDL/total cholesterol ratio is 2.9 (<3.3 for women is very low risk for heart disease). I think I'd like my HDL to be a little higher--it's 45 mg/dL, and while it's within the normal range (40-65 mg/dL), my LDL/HDL ratio is 1.6, which nudges me slightly out of the low risk category. According to what I was able to find on the 'Net, the best way to increase HDL is to exercise (need to do more, I think), lose weight (I am, I am!), and stop smoking (no smoking here). Anyway, I was glad to see that eating healthfully and exercising has made a positive difference in my risk for heart disease--since getting healthy was one of my prime reasons for starting this whole journey, it's nice to see it's paid off--and in 3 months' time, too!

Oh, and my triglycerides were low, too--57 mg/dL.

That's wonderful! We do a lot clucking about pounds and pant sizes but this is what it's REALLY all about - improving our health. Congratulations and thanks for sharing a real upper!!!

that is so exciting! I just got a blood test yesterday and cannot wait for the results! I found out from the at-work health screening last year that I had really high LDL.... so I'm looking forward to see how my healthy habits have influenced my blood :)

Bravo!  According to the head researcher for the Framington heart study, there has not ever been a reported case of a heart attack in a person with a total cholesterol of 150 or lower.  You are heart attack proof, congrats :D

Total cholesterol is not just a good predictor for heart disease, it also predicts cancer.  The consumption of animal protein is actually much more efficient at raising blood cholesterol than saturated fat or dietary cholesterol.  So in addition to the other things you're doing (which are fabulous) consider dropping animal protein out of your diet as much as you can and replace it with plant-based foods.  Consumption of as little as 7oz of animal protein per day has been shown to lead to an increase in both blood cholesterol as well as various cancers.  I'm not saying you eat animal products, this is just FYI information in case you do.

Congrats again!

Congratulations!

Mikelane, I have a question - what about a heart attack survivor whose total is less than 150?  I had a mild one six months ago and now with diet & meds my total is a terrific 134.