Tracking blood cholesterol numbers key to health

High blood cholesterol affects more than 65 million Americans. It is a serious condition that increases your risk for heart disease. You can have high cholesterol and not know it. Lowering cholesterol levels that are too high lessens your risk for developing heart disease and reduces the chance of having a heart attack or dying of heart disease. Below are a few key aspects about cholesterol that you should know as part of your personal health and wellness plan:

What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance found in your body and many foods. Your body needs cholesterol to function normally and makes all that you need. Too much cholesterol can build up in your arteries. After a while, these deposits narrow your arteries, putting you at risk for heart disease and stroke.

How do I know if my cholesterol is high?

High cholesterol doesn’t have any symptoms. As a result, many people do not know that their cholesterol levels are too high. However, doctors can do a simple blood test to check your cholesterol. High cholesterol can be controlled through lifestyle changes and medications.

It’s important to check your cholesterol levels. High cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States. People who are overweight or obese and those who have a family history of high cholesterol or heart disease are at especially high risk of developing high cholesterol.

How often should you have your cholesterol checked?

The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) recommends that adults aged 20 years or older have their cholesterol checked every 5 years. A simple blood test called a lipoprotein profile can measure your total cholesterol levels, including LDL (low-density lipoprotein, or “bad” cholesterol), HDL (high-density lipoprotein, or “good” cholesterol), and triglycerides. The chart below shows the ideal cholesterol levels for adults:

Desirable Cholesterol Levels

Total cholesterol – Less than 200 mg/dL

LDL (“bad”) cholesterol – Less than 100 mg/dL

HDL (“good”) cholesterol – 60 mg/dL or higher

Triglycerides – Less than 150 mg/dL

If you have high cholesterol, what can you do to lower it?

Your doctor may prescribe medications to treat your high cholesterol. In addition, you can lower your cholesterol levels through lifestyle changes:

•  Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables.

• Get at least 2.5 hours of moderate or 1.25 hours of vigorous physical activity a week.

• Maintain a healthy weight.

• Don’t smoke.

• Lynda Metz is the director of community development at Bonner General Hospital. The facts and statistics in this article were provided courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.