September - National Cholesterol Education Awareness Month
Cholesterol is a fatty substance produced by the liver. It is also found in foods high in saturated fat such as egg yolks, fatty meat, shellfish, and whole-milk dairy products. Cholesterol can’t dissolve in the blood. It has to be transported through the bloodstream by lipoproteins. There are two types of lipoproteins, LDL (known as “bad cholesterol”) and HDL, (known as “good cholesterol.”)
One out of every two men and one out of every three women will develop heart disease sometime in their life. As part of The Health Plan commitment to wellness, we recommend that our members over the age of 19 have a fasting blood cholesterol screening at least every 5 years, or as recommended by your doctor.
TOTAL CHOLESTEROL: This is the sum total of all the cholesterol in your blood. A total cholesterol of greater than 200 increases your risk of heart disease.
LDL: When too much LDL circulates the in the blood, it can build up in the walls of the arteries, forming plaque, a thick, hard substance that narrows the arteries and makes them less flexible. This condition is called atherosclerosis. If a clot forms and blocks a narrowed artery, a heart attack or stroke can occur. An LDL of less than 100 mg/dL is desirable.
HDL: This is good cholesterol. HDL carries cholesterol back to the liver, which leads to removal from the body. Less than 40 mg/dL is a major risk factor for heart disease. An HDL above 60 mg/dL is considered protective against heart disease.
TRIGLYCERIDES: This is a fat made in the body. Obesity, cigarette smoking, physical inactivity, excess alcohol consumption, and a high carbohydrate diet can contribute to high triglycerides. People with heart disease or diabetes are also more likely to have elevated triglycerides. High triglyceride levels are often accompanied by high total cholesterol and LDL, and a low HDL level.
RISK FACTORS FOR HIGH CHOLESTEROL AND HEART DISEASE
- Cigarette smoking
- Men over 45
- Women over 55
- A history of diabetes
- A history of high blood pressure
- A personal or family history of heart disease
FOODS TO AVOID
- Fatty red and organ meat
- Butter
- Tropical oils (coconut, palm or palm kernel)
- Whole milk and whole dairy products (ice cream, yogurt)
If you have high cholesterol, talk with your doctor about starting a diet and exercise plan. If he or she determines that diet and exercise aren’t enough, you may be prescribed a cholesterol-lowering medication. Take your medication as prescribed and have your cholesterol rechecked as directed by your doctor. To learn more on how to reduce your risk go here.