Heart disease is the number one killer of women and men in the United States. One of the many risk factors that leads to heart disease is having high cholesterol. Cholesterol, which is a waxy, fat-like substance, is found in the blood and can build up in the walls of the arteries over time. Too much cholesterol can cause hardening of the arteries, which inhibits the blood’s responsibility of carrying adequate oxygen to the heart. When the cholesterol settles within the arteries it can lead to the vessels becoming narrowed, decreasing blood flow and potentially causing a blockage. When the blood flow is decreased or blocked, that is when a heart attack can occur.
There are two types of cholesterol found within the blood: high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). HDL is also known as the “good” cholesterol, since it brings all the excess cholesterol to the liver for excretion. LDL is considered “bad” cholesterol because rather than removing the excess, it deposits cholesterol throughout the circulatory system. High cholesterol can be associated with the “bad” LDL cholesterol.
Having awareness of your cholesterol can help decrease the risk of a heart attack or stroke. Screening is a great way to detect high cholesterol, since there are usually no symptoms until the first heart attack. Blood tests are able to measure HDL, LDL, triglycerides (another form of fat in the blood) and total cholesterol levels. The National Cholesterol Education Program recommends that adults aged 20 years or older have their cholesterol checked every 5 years. The recommended goals are as followed:
- Total cholesterol 200 mg/dL
- LDL cholesterol <100 mg/dL
- HDL cholesterol >60 mg/dL
- Triglycerides (TG) >150 mg/dL or less, (150-100 mg/dL are considered borderline high)
There are tips to prevent and to treat high cholesterol, such as diet compliance, weight maintenance, physical activity and termination of cigarette smoking. Individuals who are overweight have a higher risk for developing high cholesterol and heart disease. If you are working to reduce your cholesterol, it is important to consume the proper therapeutic lifestyle change diet, which is comprised of foods low in cholesterol, saturated fat and trans fat. Look for key words such as “lean,” “reduced sodium,” “reduced/low fat,” “low cholesterol” and “fat free” on the food labels. Setting up an appointment with a Registered Dietitian can help you create healthy weight loss goals and meal plans for weight maintenance. Adding moderate physical activity for 30 minutes at least five times a week can also reduce your risk of heart disease and high cholesterol and help maintain a healthy weight.
High cholesterol can be life-threatening if left unchecked. Be sure to make an appointment to have your cholesterol checked today!
