Niacin and HCM

[Reinhard]

Anybody familier or had any experiences with taking niacin as a supplement with HCM? My cardiologist suggested to take 250 mg ( along with some omega 3's ) to bring down the LDL levels a bit. From what I know, niacin expands or relaxes the blood vessels, which causes flushing. Is this wise :?:

Reinhard

[Bruce]

Very bad experience with Niacin pre-ICD implant. Don't know for sure it was the cause but I was in a-fib within a week of taking niacin. Had to have cardioversion and put on Amioderone. Omega-3 (seal oil) on the other hand has helped lower my LDL and raise my HDL. I have had no side effects.

[Sarah]

vaso-dialators are not recommended. you should explore other methods of lowering your cholesterol like a low-fat, high fish oil diet.

s

[Reinhard]

Thanks all.
That's what I kinda thought myself. The cardiologist down here told me to take niacin with out even giving it a second thought. Makes you wonder, doesn't it ??

Reinhard

[Sarah]

I have had two doctors in the last 3 months write me a script for Xanax --and the PDR clearly states that people who've had a stroke shouldn't take it --and both doctors knew that I'd had one!

I've had many doctors write scripts for many things that were not good choices and only my religious reading on the subjejct has kept me from following the way of my father --whose doctor didn't know that taking too much albuterol would kill him.

www.intellihealth.com has a very good drug index to research medication side effects and interactions/contraindications.