> I am somewhat concerned about being overweight, with a BMI of 29. Without
> running any elaborate tests, is there a simple method of determining the
> condition of my circulatory system?

> My heart rate is around 60 when sitting and around 62 when standing up. My
> BP is 130/70, without medication.  I huff and puff a little when I walk up
> the stairs in a 10 story building. Does this suggest anything about the
> condition of my arteries?

> I try to avoid doctors, if I possibly can.

> I am somewhat concerned about being overweight, with a BMI of 29. Without
> running any elaborate tests, is there a simple method of determining the
> condition of my circulatory system?

> My heart rate is around 60 when sitting and around 62 when standing up. My
> BP is 130/70, without medication.  I huff and puff a little when I walk up
> the stairs in a 10 story building. Does this suggest anything about the
> condition of my arteries?

> I try to avoid doctors, if I possibly can.

> Very good vital signs.  If I were you I'd think about trying to lose
> some weight.  The extra weight is increasing your risk of arthritis
> among other things.  Huffing and puffing when going up ten flights of
> stairs is normal for any age.  There is a simple test you can do to
> help determine the health of your arteries. (Warning! proceed at your
> own risk!) Climb up your ten flights of stairs and determine your
> pulse rate at the top. (count for 15 seconds and multiply by 4).  Wait
> exactly one minute and count your pulse rate again.  Has your pulse
> rate dropped by at least 12 beats?  If not, you need to see your doc
> and have a stress test.  There are some other good reasons to have a
> routine checkup - how is your cholesterol?  Have you had a scan for
> colon polyps in the last 5 years? At your age it's very important to
> find a doctor who you feel comfortable with and trust.  It's quite
> possible that a {*filter*} test now could head off serious problems later.

> > I am somewhat concerned about being overweight, with a BMI of 29.
Without
> > running any elaborate tests, is there a simple method of determining the
> > condition of my circulatory system?

> > My heart rate is around 60 when sitting and around 62 when standing up.
My
> > BP is 130/70, without medication.  I huff and puff a little when I walk
up
> > the stairs in a 10 story building. Does this suggest anything about the
> > condition of my arteries?

> > I try to avoid doctors, if I possibly can.

> Thank you for your suggestion. It is precisely the kind of simple test that
> I was looking for. I will try it tomorrow morning.

> Cholesterol is 122/35. The Hdl needs lowering and I will just simply have to
> get back to a BMI of  <25. Losing weight will probably solve that problem.
> Proper weight remains the essence of good health.

> Yes, I have colonoscopies every 5 years, after they found some polyps 20
> years ago. No more since then but, I am aware of the dangers of colon
> cancer.

> Thanks again for you kind advice.

> --
> Walter
> -


> > Walter,

> > Very good vital signs.  If I were you I'd think about trying to lose
> > some weight.  The extra weight is increasing your risk of arthritis
> > among other things.  Huffing and puffing when going up ten flights of
> > stairs is normal for any age.  There is a simple test you can do to
> > help determine the health of your arteries. (Warning! proceed at your
> > own risk!) Climb up your ten flights of stairs and determine your
> > pulse rate at the top. (count for 15 seconds and multiply by 4).  Wait
> > exactly one minute and count your pulse rate again.  Has your pulse
> > rate dropped by at least 12 beats?  If not, you need to see your doc
> > and have a stress test.  There are some other good reasons to have a
> > routine checkup - how is your cholesterol?  Have you had a scan for
> > colon polyps in the last 5 years? At your age it's very important to
> > find a doctor who you feel comfortable with and trust.  It's quite
> > possible that a {*filter*} test now could head off serious problems later.

> > > I am a 73 year old male. I have no complaints with my heart, except a
>  rare
> > > missed beat.

> > > I am somewhat concerned about being overweight, with a BMI of 29.
>  Without
> > > running any elaborate tests, is there a simple method of determining the
> > > condition of my circulatory system?

> > > My heart rate is around 60 when sitting and around 62 when standing up.
>  My
> > > BP is 130/70, without medication.  I huff and puff a little when I walk
>  up
> > > the stairs in a 10 story building. Does this suggest anything about the
> > > condition of my arteries?

> > > I try to avoid doctors, if I possibly can.

> Why are you taking a cholesterol-lowering drug?

> Mel

> > Hi Brad

> > Thank you for your suggestion. It is precisely the kind of simple test
that
> > I was looking for. I will try it tomorrow morning.

> > Cholesterol is 122/35. The Hdl needs lowering and I will just simply
have to
> > get back to a BMI of  <25. Losing weight will probably solve that
problem.
> > Proper weight remains the essence of good health.

> > Yes, I have colonoscopies every 5 years, after they found some polyps 20
> > years ago. No more since then but, I am aware of the dangers of colon
> > cancer.

> > Thanks again for you kind advice.

> > --
> > Walter
> > -


> > > Walter,

> > > Very good vital signs.  If I were you I'd think about trying to lose
> > > some weight.  The extra weight is increasing your risk of arthritis
> > > among other things.  Huffing and puffing when going up ten flights of
> > > stairs is normal for any age.  There is a simple test you can do to
> > > help determine the health of your arteries. (Warning! proceed at your
> > > own risk!) Climb up your ten flights of stairs and determine your
> > > pulse rate at the top. (count for 15 seconds and multiply by 4).  Wait
> > > exactly one minute and count your pulse rate again.  Has your pulse
> > > rate dropped by at least 12 beats?  If not, you need to see your doc
> > > and have a stress test.  There are some other good reasons to have a
> > > routine checkup - how is your cholesterol?  Have you had a scan for
> > > colon polyps in the last 5 years? At your age it's very important to
> > > find a doctor who you feel comfortable with and trust.  It's quite
> > > possible that a {*filter*} test now could head off serious problems later.

> > > > I am a 73 year old male. I have no complaints with my heart, except
a
> >  rare
> > > > missed beat.

> > > > I am somewhat concerned about being overweight, with a BMI of 29.
> >  Without
> > > > running any elaborate tests, is there a simple method of determining
the
> > > > condition of my circulatory system?

> > > > My heart rate is around 60 when sitting and around 62 when standing
up.
> >  My
> > > > BP is 130/70, without medication.  I huff and puff a little when I
walk
> >  up
> > > > the stairs in a 10 story building. Does this suggest anything about
the
> > > > condition of my arteries?

> > > > I try to avoid doctors, if I possibly can.

> I misspoke when I said I needed to *lower* my cholesterol. During the last
> 20 years my *HDL* has been consistently around 35. It needs to be *raised*
> by using a statin (Mevacor or Zocor). It probably would not hurt if the
> statins can also reduce the LDL below 100. Maybe I should use something like
> Niacin, instead? In the meantime I am trying to raise my HDL by losing
> weight and exercising (up and down those ten stories). Hopefully, I can stop
> the statins when my BMI is back to normal.
> --
> Walter
> -

> > Why are you taking a cholesterol-lowering drug?

> > Mel

> > > Hi Brad

> > > Thank you for your suggestion. It is precisely the kind of simple test
>  that
> > > I was looking for. I will try it tomorrow morning.

> > > Cholesterol is 122/35. The Hdl needs lowering and I will just simply
>  have to
> > > get back to a BMI of  <25. Losing weight will probably solve that
>  problem.
> > > Proper weight remains the essence of good health.

> > > Yes, I have colonoscopies every 5 years, after they found some polyps 20
> > > years ago. No more since then but, I am aware of the dangers of colon
> > > cancer.

> > > Thanks again for you kind advice.

> > > --
> > > Walter
> > > -


> > > > Walter,

> > > > Very good vital signs.  If I were you I'd think about trying to lose
> > > > some weight.  The extra weight is increasing your risk of arthritis
> > > > among other things.  Huffing and puffing when going up ten flights of
> > > > stairs is normal for any age.  There is a simple test you can do to
> > > > help determine the health of your arteries. (Warning! proceed at your
> > > > own risk!) Climb up your ten flights of stairs and determine your
> > > > pulse rate at the top. (count for 15 seconds and multiply by 4).  Wait
> > > > exactly one minute and count your pulse rate again.  Has your pulse
> > > > rate dropped by at least 12 beats?  If not, you need to see your doc
> > > > and have a stress test.  There are some other good reasons to have a
> > > > routine checkup - how is your cholesterol?  Have you had a scan for
> > > > colon polyps in the last 5 years? At your age it's very important to
> > > > find a doctor who you feel comfortable with and trust.  It's quite
> > > > possible that a {*filter*} test now could head off serious problems later.

> > > > > I am a 73 year old male. I have no complaints with my heart, except
>  a
>  rare
> > > > > missed beat.

> > > > > I am somewhat concerned about being overweight, with a BMI of 29.
>  Without
> > > > > running any elaborate tests, is there a simple method of determining
>  the
> > > > > condition of my circulatory system?

> > > > > My heart rate is around 60 when sitting and around 62 when standing
>  up.
>  My
> > > > > BP is 130/70, without medication.  I huff and puff a little when I
>  walk
>  up
> > > > > the stairs in a 10 story building. Does this suggest anything about
>  the
> > > > > condition of my arteries?

> > > > > I try to avoid doctors, if I possibly can.

> Have you had a bypass?

> I think it is kind of drastic to use a statin drug just to raise HDL.
> Your HDL may be slightly on the low side because there isn't the need
> for more "garbagemen" to remove the bad cholesterol if your LDL is
> under 130. My understanding is that oxidated LDL is the real culprit
> and the measured or calculated LDL does not tell us how much of the
> bad LDL we have in our body.

> There are those who believe that cholesterol levels too low can be
> dangerous and possibly cause cancer.

> Mel

> > Thanks for your interest

> > I misspoke when I said I needed to *lower* my cholesterol. During the
last
> > 20 years my *HDL* has been consistently around 35. It needs to be
*raised*
> > by using a statin (Mevacor or Zocor). It probably would not hurt if the
> > statins can also reduce the LDL below 100. Maybe I should use something
like
> > Niacin, instead? In the meantime I am trying to raise my HDL by losing
> > weight and exercising (up and down those ten stories). Hopefully, I can
stop
> > the statins when my BMI is back to normal.
> > --
> > Walter
> > -

> > > Why are you taking a cholesterol-lowering drug?

> > > Mel

> > > > Hi Brad

> > > > Thank you for your suggestion. It is precisely the kind of simple
test
> >  that
> > > > I was looking for. I will try it tomorrow morning.

> > > > Cholesterol is 122/35. The Hdl needs lowering and I will just simply
> >  have to
> > > > get back to a BMI of  <25. Losing weight will probably solve that
> >  problem.
> > > > Proper weight remains the essence of good health.

> > > > Yes, I have colonoscopies every 5 years, after they found some
polyps 20
> > > > years ago. No more since then but, I am aware of the dangers of
colon
> > > > cancer.

> > > > Thanks again for you kind advice.

> > > > --
> > > > Walter
> > > > -


> > > > > Walter,

> > > > > Very good vital signs.  If I were you I'd think about trying to
lose
> > > > > some weight.  The extra weight is increasing your risk of
arthritis
> > > > > among other things.  Huffing and puffing when going up ten flights
of
> > > > > stairs is normal for any age.  There is a simple test you can do
to
> > > > > help determine the health of your arteries. (Warning! proceed at
your
> > > > > own risk!) Climb up your ten flights of stairs and determine your
> > > > > pulse rate at the top. (count for 15 seconds and multiply by 4).
Wait
> > > > > exactly one minute and count your pulse rate again.  Has your
pulse
> > > > > rate dropped by at least 12 beats?  If not, you need to see your
doc
> > > > > and have a stress test.  There are some other good reasons to have
a
> > > > > routine checkup - how is your cholesterol?  Have you had a scan
for
> > > > > colon polyps in the last 5 years? At your age it's very important
to
> > > > > find a doctor who you feel comfortable with and trust.  It's quite
> > > > > possible that a {*filter*} test now could head off serious problems
later.

> > > > > > I am a 73 year old male. I have no complaints with my heart,
except
> >  a
> >  rare
> > > > > > missed beat.

> > > > > > I am somewhat concerned about being overweight, with a BMI of
29.
> >  Without
> > > > > > running any elaborate tests, is there a simple method of
determining
> >  the
> > > > > > condition of my circulatory system?

> > > > > > My heart rate is around 60 when sitting and around 62 when
standing
> >  up.
> >  My
> > > > > > BP is 130/70, without medication.  I huff and puff a little when
I
> >  walk
> >  up
> > > > > > the stairs in a 10 story building. Does this suggest anything
about
> >  the
> > > > > > condition of my arteries?

> > > > > > I try to avoid doctors, if I possibly can.

> Maybe one can really be too thin, too rich or too low in Cholesterol :-)

> --
> Walter
> -

> > Have you had a bypass?

> > I think it is kind of drastic to use a statin drug just to raise HDL.
> > Your HDL may be slightly on the low side because there isn't the need
> > for more "garbagemen" to remove the bad cholesterol if your LDL is
> > under 130. My understanding is that oxidated LDL is the real culprit
> > and the measured or calculated LDL does not tell us how much of the
> > bad LDL we have in our body.

> > There are those who believe that cholesterol levels too low can be
> > dangerous and possibly cause cancer.

> > Mel

> > > Thanks for your interest

> > > I misspoke when I said I needed to *lower* my cholesterol. During the
>  last
> > > 20 years my *HDL* has been consistently around 35. It needs to be
>  *raised*
> > > by using a statin (Mevacor or Zocor). It probably would not hurt if the
> > > statins can also reduce the LDL below 100. Maybe I should use something
>  like
> > > Niacin, instead? In the meantime I am trying to raise my HDL by losing
> > > weight and exercising (up and down those ten stories). Hopefully, I can
>  stop
> > > the statins when my BMI is back to normal.
> > > --
> > > Walter
> > > -

> > > > Why are you taking a cholesterol-lowering drug?

> > > > Mel

> > > > > Hi Brad

> > > > > Thank you for your suggestion. It is precisely the kind of simple
>  test
>  that
> > > > > I was looking for. I will try it tomorrow morning.

> > > > > Cholesterol is 122/35. The Hdl needs lowering and I will just simply
>  have to
> > > > > get back to a BMI of  <25. Losing weight will probably solve that
>  problem.
> > > > > Proper weight remains the essence of good health.

> > > > > Yes, I have colonoscopies every 5 years, after they found some
>  polyps 20
> > > > > years ago. No more since then but, I am aware of the dangers of
>  colon
> > > > > cancer.

> > > > > Thanks again for you kind advice.

> > > > > --
> > > > > Walter
> > > > > -


> > > > > > Walter,

> > > > > > Very good vital signs.  If I were you I'd think about trying to
>  lose
> > > > > > some weight.  The extra weight is increasing your risk of
>  arthritis
> > > > > > among other things.  Huffing and puffing when going up ten flights
>  of
> > > > > > stairs is normal for any age.  There is a simple test you can do
>  to
> > > > > > help determine the health of your arteries. (Warning! proceed at
>  your
> > > > > > own risk!) Climb up your ten flights of stairs and determine your
> > > > > > pulse rate at the top. (count for 15 seconds and multiply by 4).
>  Wait
> > > > > > exactly one minute and count your pulse rate again.  Has your
>  pulse
> > > > > > rate dropped by at least 12 beats?  If not, you need to see your
>  doc
> > > > > > and have a stress test.  There are some other good reasons to have
>  a
> > > > > > routine checkup - how is your cholesterol?  Have you had a scan
>  for
> > > > > > colon polyps in the last 5 years? At your age it's very important
>  to
> > > > > > find a doctor who you feel comfortable with and trust.  It's quite
> > > > > > possible that a {*filter*} test now could head off serious problems
>  later.

> > > > > > > I am a 73 year old male. I have no complaints with my heart,
>  except
> > >  a
> > >  rare
> > > > > > > missed beat.

> > > > > > > I am somewhat concerned about being overweight, with a BMI of
>  29.
>  Without
> > > > > > > running any elaborate tests, is there a simple method of
>  determining
>  the
> > > > > > > condition of my circulatory system?

> > > > > > > My heart rate is around 60 when sitting and around 62 when
>  standing
> > >  up.
> > >  My
> > > > > > > BP is 130/70, without medication.  I huff and puff a little when
>  I
> > >  walk
> > >  up
> > > > > > > the stairs in a 10 story building. Does this suggest anything
>  about
>  the
> > > > > > > condition of my arteries?

> > > > > > > I try to avoid doctors, if I possibly can.

> > Thanks for your input. I appreciate it.

> > Maybe one can really be too thin, too rich or too low in Cholesterol :-)

> > --
> > Walter
> > -

> > > Have you had a bypass?

> > > I think it is kind of drastic to use a statin drug just to raise HDL.
> > > Your HDL may be slightly on the low side because there isn't the need
> > > for more "garbagemen" to remove the bad cholesterol if your LDL is
> > > under 130. My understanding is that oxidated LDL is the real culprit
> > > and the measured or calculated LDL does not tell us how much of the
> > > bad LDL we have in our body.

> > > There are those who believe that cholesterol levels too low can be
> > > dangerous and possibly cause cancer.

> > > Mel

> > > > Thanks for your interest

> > > > I misspoke when I said I needed to *lower* my cholesterol. During the
>  last
> > > > 20 years my *HDL* has been consistently around 35. It needs to be
>  *raised*
> > > > by using a statin (Mevacor or Zocor). It probably would not hurt if the
> > > > statins can also reduce the LDL below 100. Maybe I should use something
>  like
> > > > Niacin, instead? In the meantime I am trying to raise my HDL by losing
> > > > weight and exercising (up and down those ten stories). Hopefully, I can
>  stop
> > > > the statins when my BMI is back to normal.
> > > > --
> > > > Walter
> > > > -

> > > > > Why are you taking a cholesterol-lowering drug?

> > > > > Mel

> > > > > > Hi Brad

> > > > > > Thank you for your suggestion. It is precisely the kind of simple
> >  test
> >  that
> > > > > > I was looking for. I will try it tomorrow morning.

> > > > > > Cholesterol is 122/35. The Hdl needs lowering and I will just simply
>  have to
> > > > > > get back to a BMI of  <25. Losing weight will probably solve that
>  problem.
> > > > > > Proper weight remains the essence of good health.

> > > > > > Yes, I have colonoscopies every 5 years, after they found some
>  polyps 20
> > > > > > years ago. No more since then but, I am aware of the dangers of
>  colon
> > > > > > cancer.

> > > > > > Thanks again for you kind advice.

> > > > > > --
> > > > > > Walter
> > > > > > -


> > > > > > > Walter,

> > > > > > > Very good vital signs.  If I were you I'd think about trying to
>  lose
> > > > > > > some weight.  The extra weight is increasing your risk of
>  arthritis
> > > > > > > among other things.  Huffing and puffing when going up ten flights
>  of
> > > > > > > stairs is normal for any age.  There is a simple test you can do
>  to
> > > > > > > help determine the health of your arteries. (Warning! proceed at
>  your
> > > > > > > own risk!) Climb up your ten flights of stairs and determine your
> > > > > > > pulse rate at the top. (count for 15 seconds and multiply by 4).
>  Wait
> > > > > > > exactly one minute and count your pulse rate again.  Has your
>  pulse
> > > > > > > rate dropped by at least 12 beats?  If not, you need to see your
>  doc
> > > > > > > and have a stress test.  There are some other good reasons to have
>  a
> > > > > > > routine checkup - how is your cholesterol?  Have you had a scan
>  for
> > > > > > > colon polyps in the last 5 years? At your age it's very important
>  to
> > > > > > > find a doctor who you feel comfortable with and trust.  It's quite
> > > > > > > possible that a {*filter*} test now could head off serious problems
>  later.

> > > > > > > > I am a 73 year old male. I have no complaints with my heart,
>  except
> > > >  a
> > > >  rare
> > > > > > > > missed beat.

> > > > > > > > I am somewhat concerned about being overweight, with a BMI of
> >  29.
> >  Without
> > > > > > > > running any elaborate tests, is there a simple method of
> >  determining
> >  the
> > > > > > > > condition of my circulatory system?

> > > > > > > > My heart rate is around 60 when sitting and around 62 when
>  standing
> > > >  up.
> > > >  My
> > > > > > > > BP is 130/70, without medication.  I huff and puff a little when
>  I
> > > >  walk
> > > >  up
> > > > > > > > the stairs in a 10 story building. Does this suggest anything
> >  about
> >  the
> > > > > > > > condition of my arteries?

> > > > > > > > I try to avoid doctors, if I possibly can.