31F, how bad is it? If you have had similar numbers, what approach helped you?
So, I'm a 31F. I'm 5'4 and 163 lbs, single parent if that matters. I feel so lost right now. I went in for a regular check-up and to talk about family history with my new doctor. I was primarily concerned about my thyroid because I'm losing hair, my skin is dry, and some days I'm exhausted and fighting to stay awake. I mentioned how I've noticed my heart rate being slow, honestly believing it was a simple thyroid case. After mentioning heart disease in the family though, she started asking more questions about my heart. She became more concerned as I answered... EKG showed abnormal results.
I definitely have some weight to lose. I've lost about 17 pounds in the last 6 months. I think from August 2025 until April 2026 (232 days total), I worked out every single day, most days being 1 hour HIIT. I know I probably should have been able to lose more over this time for the amount of work I put in, but I didn't.
Most days I'd eat well, others I wouldn't. Salmon, rice, quinoa, sweet potatoes, 2 eggs for breakfast (daily), cooking with butter, spaghetti, sandwiches, sometimes I'd pick up a premade pretzel sandwich from the store and some chips for a "fun" dinner, etc. Either way, I'd be losing weight just to visit my parents and they'd order food in and I'd end up gaining the weight back. Usually, we call Friday our pizza night, so we'd order pizza in, or Banchan (japchae, fried chicken, etc).
My numbers are-
Cholesterol: 247
Triglyceride: 221
HDL Cholesterol: 38.7
LDL Cholesterol Calculation: 164
Non-HDL Cholesterol: 208.3
Total Cholesterol: HDL Ratio: 6.4
Hemoglobin A1c: 4.8 [the only normal one out of this bunch]
My doctor told me that my risk for a cardio event is high... I guess I want to hear from others who have similar numbers and what they've done. Doctor prescribed Lipitor (statins?).
Am I like... near death? lol. Like how bad is this??
I've been taking psyllium husk and switched to a Mediterranean diet (which low key has felt like the cure to depression because even though I LOVE food, I've been bored with it for awhile and this goodness makes me want to cry with joy lol)