|
What is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in the blood, cells, and in foods of animal origin such as eggs, milk, cheese, and meat. Cholesterol is also produced by the liver. The human body requires some cholesterol to maintain cell membranes, bile production, hormones, and other tissues, but too much cholesterol in the blood is unhealthy and can increase the risk of heart disease.
How Does High Cholesterol Cause Heart Disease?
Cholesterol constitutes a major component of the plaque build-up that occurs in arteries. Plaque narrows the arteries and restricts blood flow to the heart. This blockage can result in a heart attack. Diets high in fat, especially saturated fat, an inactive lifestyle, smoking, being overweight, age, heredity, and gender also influence cholesterol levels.
Cholesterol Tests
High cholesterol does not exhibit symptoms, so it is important to find out your cholesterol numbers. The American Heart Association and National Institutes of Health recommend that everyone age 20 and older have a fasting lipoprotein panel (including LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, total cholesterol and triglycerides). If results are within a healthy range, you do not need to be checked again for 5 years. If the results are high or abnormal, your doctor will decide when it is appropriate to test again. What is a healthy cholesterol panel?
- A total blood cholesterol less than 200 mg/dL is desirable. If your cholesterol level is greater than 240 mg/dL, it is definitely high and your risk of heart attack and stroke is greater.
- High Density Lipoproteins (HDL) are known as the “good” cholesterol. HDL cholesterol provides protection against heart attacks and carries the “bad” cholesterol away from your arteries. An HDL level less than 40 mg/dL places you at high risk for heart disease.
- Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL) can slowly build up on the walls of the arteries that feed the heart and brain. LDL is known as “bad” cholesterol because a high level is associated with a high risk of heart disease. In fact, LDL is an even better determinant of risk than total cholesterol. An LDL level less than 100 mg/dL is optimal. The lower your LDL, the lower your risk.
- Triglycerides are a type of fat in the blood. High triglycerides often appear with higher levels of total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol and low levels of HDL cholesterol. High triglycerides are linked to coronary artery disease and may also occur as a conseqence of untreated diabetes. A normal triglyceride level is less than 150 mg/dL.
High Risk Populations
Men and women who have low HDL cholesterol and high total cholesterol have the highest risk of heart attack. The risk for a heart attack in men is highest when HDL is 37 mg/dL or lower and 47 mg/dL or lower in women regardless of total cholesterol levels. Additionally, people that are overweight or have diabetes are at risk for high cholesterol levels.
Prevent High Blood Cholesterol
Controlling blood cholesterol levels is important because as blood cholesterol levels increase, the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke increase. Many factors can affect your cholesterol level that you have no control over such as age, gender, and heredity. Therefore, it is important to lead a healthy lifestyle by:
- Carefully selecting foods. A high fat diet, especially in saturated fat, contributes to high cholesterol. Reducing both saturated fat and cholesterol by choosing lean meats, low-fat dairy products, and whole grains, fruits, and vegetables will impro
|
