September

Cholesterol in Check?

Autumn’s here — time to turn over a new leaf (and lower your LDL)

National Cholesterol Education Month seeks to inform the public about the dangers of high cholesterol and its connection with the leading cause of death around the globe, heart disease.

High cholesterol is one of the most common and commonly misunderstood health risks in America. It can be caused by an unhealthy diet and exacerbated by smoking and a lack of exercise, and since it is symptomless, it can be hard to diagnose. It is a serious condition that affects nearly 102 million Americans over the age of 20.

Five facts about cholesterol

1. High cholesterol has no symptoms, making it difficult to diagnose.

2. More than 35 million Americans have cholesterol high enough to put them at risk for heart disease.

3. The National Cholesterol Education Program suggests people over 20 years old get their cholesterol checked every five years.

4. Lifestyle changes such as exercising regularly, having a diet low in fat and high in fiber, and not smoking can help lower cholesterol.

5. Most people don't need added cholesterol from their diet; their bodies make enough on their own.

What it is?

• Blood cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance made by your liver. Blood cholesterol is essential for good health. Your body needs it to perform important jobs, such as making hormones and digesting fatty foods. Your body makes all the blood cholesterol it needs. Experts recommend that people eat as little dietary cholesterol as possible.

• Dietary cholesterol is found in animal foods, including meat, seafood, poultry, eggs, and dairy products. Learn more about preventing high cholesterol by making healthy eating choices.

What do blood cholesterol numbers mean?

Cholesterol is measured in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). When you go to a healthcare professional to get your cholesterol checked, this test will usually check the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in your body. (A cholesterol check is also called a lipid panel or lipid profile.)

• Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or "bad" cholesterol. Having high levels of LDL cholesterol can lead to plaque buildup in your arteries and result in heart disease or strokes.

• High-density lipoprotein (HDL) or "good" cholesterol. HDL is known as "good" cholesterol because high levels of it can lower your risk of heart disease and stroke.

• Triglycerides. Triglycerides are a type of fat in your blood that your body uses for energy. The combination of high levels of triglycerides with either low HDL cholesterol or high LDL cholesterol levels can increase your risk for heart attack and stroke.

• Total cholesterol.  This is the total amount of cholesterol in your blood based on your HDL, LDL, and triglycerides numbers.

What problems does high cholesterol cause?

• Having high blood cholesterol can lead to a buildup called "plaque" on the walls of your arteries (a type of blood vessel).

• As plaque builds up over time, the insides of your arteries narrow. This narrowing blocks blood flow to and from your heart and other organs. When blood flow to the heart is blocked, it can cause chest pain (also called angina) or a heart attack (also called myocardial infarction).

• High cholesterol also increases your risk for heart disease and stroke, two leading causes of death in the United States.

Prevention

Strong evidence shows that eating patterns that include less dietary cholesterol are associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. Learn how to prevent, treat, and manage high cholesterol. Your overall risk for high cholesterol depends on many factors. Learn what increases your risk for high cholesterol.

Source: Click HERE.