Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Support Group
Atrial fibrillation (AF or afib) is an abnormal heart rhythm (cardiac arrhythmia) which involves the two small, upper heart chambers (the atria). Heart beats in a normal heart begin after electricity generated in the atria by the sinoatrial node spread through the heart and cause contraction of the heart muscle and pumping of blood.
Well,
My triglyceride numbers came back, and they were 227...too high. Not 405 like they were a few years back, but not as good as the 147 from a year ago. So had an appointment today with my doc at Johns Hopkins Health. What can I do to get back to the 147 I had just a year ago? He asked if I was doing the fish oil as he suggested. I told him I was doing fish oil AND red yeast rice. Now, I had been warned about his by Hawkman, but I am one of those who, if they get information that they really don't like, just tries to ignore it....sadly, the doc today said the exact same thing that the Hawk tried to warn me about...he said "Oh, red yeast rice? May as well take Lipitor, cuz that is doing the same damage to your liver." Oh crap....I have a YEAR supply of the stuff. Ugh!
It doesn't seem to me that I am eating any crappier than normal, although with the post ablation fear of God I may have been doing a bit more exercise (well, after the EP nurse yelled at me to "Get off your azz") and eating more oatmeal. Anyway, the doc is recommending I read the book "Healing with Whole Foods" by a Dr. Pitchford. And he said to cut way down/eliminate meat consumption if I can. Problem is I am weak, and love my Big Macs, and this Friday is my first night to hit the Bengies Drive-In, and you MUST have the cheese steak sub from Pippo's to take into the movie....the movies just aren't as good without a Pippo's cheesesteak, a bag of UTZ, and a coke. Sorry, I am a man who honors tradition.
Oh, sorry, I am rambling...if anyone else out there is doing the red yeast rice thing to get your triglycerides down, just know that it isn't the best option.
Bill
P.S. Sorry I didn't heed your warning, Hawkman!
My triglyceride numbers came back, and they were 227...too high. Not 405 like they were a few years back, but not as good as the 147 from a year ago. So had an appointment today with my doc at Johns Hopkins Health. What can I do to get back to the 147 I had just a year ago? He asked if I was doing the fish oil as he suggested. I told him I was doing fish oil AND red yeast rice. Now, I had been warned about his by Hawkman, but I am one of those who, if they get information that they really don't like, just tries to ignore it....sadly, the doc today said the exact same thing that the Hawk tried to warn me about...he said "Oh, red yeast rice? May as well take Lipitor, cuz that is doing the same damage to your liver." Oh crap....I have a YEAR supply of the stuff. Ugh!
It doesn't seem to me that I am eating any crappier than normal, although with the post ablation fear of God I may have been doing a bit more exercise (well, after the EP nurse yelled at me to "Get off your azz") and eating more oatmeal. Anyway, the doc is recommending I read the book "Healing with Whole Foods" by a Dr. Pitchford. And he said to cut way down/eliminate meat consumption if I can. Problem is I am weak, and love my Big Macs, and this Friday is my first night to hit the Bengies Drive-In, and you MUST have the cheese steak sub from Pippo's to take into the movie....the movies just aren't as good without a Pippo's cheesesteak, a bag of UTZ, and a coke. Sorry, I am a man who honors tradition.
Oh, sorry, I am rambling...if anyone else out there is doing the red yeast rice thing to get your triglycerides down, just know that it isn't the best option.
Bill
P.S. Sorry I didn't heed your warning, Hawkman!
My ablation is scheduled for April 29th and I'm trying to eat healthy before and after, but it's a tough battle.
Oh YEAH Philly Cheesesteak! Cannot remember the name of the bar...my brother took me there about 25 years ago, place didn't use the "steak ums" sliced stuff, but a REAL chopped up steak...it was da bomb! Paul and I hit up a place in Philly last year that was also pretty nice. Good luck staying away from those awesome concoctions!
Monty,
Never heard of the berberine, but will run it by the manager of the naturopathic store I go to. Thanks for the suggestion!
Bill
No, no drugs to get to 147. After my ablation I was still having anxiety issues over my heart and wasn't exercising...then when I started, for about 4 months I was on the exercise bike for 3 hours a day, and eating lots of oatmeal...then the 147 number came in and I thought "Oh good, I have beaten the high triglicerides and blood sugar issues" (blood sugar went from 114 to 89)...so I went back to my old ways of eating...and a year later the numbers aren't so great again. Need to get back to more exercise and good old Quaker oats!
Bill