Protect your heart

Cholesterol is key to understanding the risks of heart attack

People often ask: How important is cholesterol? How often should I be tested? What do the numbers mean? When people take an active interest in their health care, it’s a good sign.

One of the most important indicators of health is cholesterol—a soft, waxy substance found in the bloodstream. Cholesterol is actually a vital component used by our bodies to support many important functions. There is both good and bad cholesterol. Too much of the bad or too little of the good can lead to serious health problems such as the buildup of fatty deposits—or plaque—in the arteries, a process that can lead to atherosclerosis, heart attack and stroke.
 
Cholesterol and heart disease risk
While there are several different numbers that one can look at when measuring cholesterol and determining the risk it poses, it is good to start with a total cholesterol test. Total cholesterol is very important to know because of the direct correlation between high cholesterol levels and atherosclerosis. Too much cholesterol overall in the blood is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease (which leads to heart attacks and is the number one killer in the U.S.) and for stroke, the number three killer in the U.S.

Diagnosing and treating
A patient’s total cholesterol score should be less than 200. If it is higher than 200, then an additional test for more detailed cholesterol levels that include low density lipoproteins (LDL or bad cholesterol), high density lipoproteins (HDL or good cholesterol) and triglycerides (another type of fat in the bloodstream) should be completed. When it comes to dealing with high cholesterol, it is important to lower cholesterol levels enough to reduce the risk of developing heart disease, or having a heart attack or stroke. Together with your doctor, you’ll determine the best course of action. Typical measures to help lower bad cholesterol levels may include sticking to a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, and high in soluble fiber. Losing weight if you are overweight can also help lower LDL, and regular physical activity can help lower LDL as well as raise HDL.

Prevention
Current guidelines recommend that men and women 20 years and older undergo cholesterol screening every five years. An increasing number of people have been taking a proactive role in their own health. However, if there were one thing that is extremely important, it is how people eat. The process of atherosclerosis starts very early in life, and the effects of bad habits such as too much junk food and lack of exercise can start to show up at a very young age. Remember to check food and product labels, eat a balanced diet, eat less fat, more fiber and get plenty of exercise—and start early.

For more information, visit websites such as the Centers for Disease Control at cdc.gov, eMedicine at emedicine.com, and the American Heart Association at americanheart.org.

---

Magdy Danial, M.D., is a family medicine physician on staff at Sutter Solano Medical Center and Solano Regional Medical Group, members of the Solano Coalition for Better Health.

The Solano Coalition for Better Health is a countywide nonprofit organization comprised of health care providers, county health and social services, educational institutions, community organizations, and neighborhood advocates. Since its inception in 1988, the Coalition has developed successful programs through partnerships that have improved the health of county residents.

Do you like what you read? Subscribe to Solano Magazine »