Cholesterol High Cholesterol the Blood Test Results
Chapter Six

How I learned about Cholesterol, the good HDL, the bad LDL, and the necessity to control "it" before "it" takes control of you.

The results are in a day or two later, the doctor calls me, and says in an alarming tone of voice
"Mr. Green".
"Yes".
"This is Doctor S. how are you today?"
"Okay fine."
"We just got back your blood test results."

"Ahem".
"It doesn't look good".
"Why? What is wrong?"

Your Cholesterol is sky high!

"Your total cholesterol is sky high for a person your age."
"Okay. That's all, great!."
"This is serious. You better watch your diet . I am not kidding."
"Okay. I hear."
"You have 270 over 40. Your LDL, the low density lipoprotein, which is the bad cholesterol is too high. Your HDL the high density lipoprotein which is the good cholesterol is to low.
"Ahem. Yes."
"The ratio of LDL to HDL is nearly 7 to 1; the Ratio should not be should not be more then 4 to 1".

You better watch your diet or else!

A pause, quiet, a still moment we are both thinking� all is still.
I felt the alarm and the concern in his voice. It was palpable.
"What am I supposed to do?"
"Quit smoking, and stop eating red meat. Begin to watch your diet."
"Okay, I will. From today on I will follow a strict diet."
He sensed my cynicism.

"Okay, I will. From today on I will follow a strict diet."

"I am warning you now, if you don't stop smoking, and if you don't start watching your diet, you will get a heart attack within ten years. I am serious. This is no joke."
"Okay sure".
"If you want your kids to have a father as they grow older, heed my warning, I really mean it."
I couldn't wait for him to get off the phone. "Thank you. Sure. I will. Of course I will. Bye doctor." "Bye"

My immature reaction

I hung up the phone, thinking to myself. "Yes right, sure I am going to quit smoking, and sure I am going to give up red meat". What does this doctor want, for me to starve? He is ridiculous.

Sensing my reservation, my immaturity, and my cynicism, the doctor then proceeded to call my wife.

Continue to next chapter. A conversation with my wife