I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw this thread as just the other day I was thinking about starting one just like it myself. I thought that I might probably be the only one with cholesterol problems since so many PTers are younger than I. I didn't realize that age didn't play as big a part as I thought.

For years my cholesterol was a steady 180 and then about a year or so ago it went up and also my blood pressure, which was also normal in the past (actually low), went up to the point where I am on BP meds.

My bad (LDL) cholesterol runs almost a steady 216. My good (HDL) cholesterol is good according to the doctor but I don't remember the number. For that reason, he has asked me to try and reduce the number myself by eliminating dairy, fats, etc. I have also started taking fish oil tablets and red yeast rice. The doctor also mentioned drinking more grape juice (from red grapes) by day and having a glass of red wine at night. I am following his orders on this. I don't really have a weight issue although would be happy to lose about 10 lbs. as my clothes would fit better so I am really puzzled as to why all of this has just begun in just the last year or so.

There is a history of stroke in my family (father and father's sister) so I take all of this very seriously.