I'm 57. Retired from the military (Air Guard) in 2012. 6yrs ago, right? (I'm so bad at math.)
I've always been in great shape - my best fitness test ever was when I was 50. Right now I'm fairly active (I've slacked off some recently). I get on a horse every chance I get. Climb on rooftops for work. Jog with the dog when he has the energy to run.
I don't smoke. I can fit in the same sizes I've always worn. Size 30-31. I will have a glass of something a few times a week. Not always.
I'm not usually very careful about diet, pretty much eat whatever I feel like. Just not to excess.
No fried foods. No fast food. I take plenty of vitamin supplements - have been for years.
A year ago I went to the local VA clinic for a physical. It had really been too long. At that time I got paperwork for lab work but never went. Later got more paperwork - never went.
So I get a call that I have an annual scheduled (who schedules a year in advance...I guess I did). "But the doctor wants you to do the lab work first."
okay....
I like this doc. His background is cardiology. He complimented me on how healthy I am BUT my cholesterol levels were too high (167). He wanted to put my on meds.
(<--how I felt. I've never been on anything)
"But I didn't fast! They said I didn't have to and I ate a sweet raisin roll before I had blood drawn."
"Fair enough", he says. "I'll send you again and you can fast this time."
Whew! Dodged a bullet. He called when he got the results. I was like:
"Did it go down?"
"No. It went up. It's over 170 now."
He went on to say it was hereditary. He's a triathlete and is on cholesterol meds. He cited heart disease and stroke as reasons to go on the meds. UGH. I want to argue but this is someone who won't make anything from pushing pharmaceuticals. And he knows hearts.
I started watching what I ate pretty well. The meds were mailed to me and guess what I got in the mail today? Took almost 2 weeks but that's the norm.
So now I read all the scary stuff that comes with. I thought I'd document this little trial.
btw - my other half had his second heart attack and has a stent. He's been on statins and went through the leg pain issue.