We all have it. It's called cholesterol. But, like most things in life, we can get too much of it. For many reasons, having too much cholesterol in our bodies is not good and can lead to very devastating problems, coronary artery disease being the most serious. So, what is the key to monitoring your cholesterol and what should we know about it?
Cholesterol is needed in the body to make protein, amongst other things.. Without cholesterol, we wouldn't be able to re-manufacture protein. Without protein, well, we wouldn't exist. But, there is a real correlation between people with high cholesterol and coronary artery disease, heart attacks, and strokes. While coronary artery disease remains of paramount interest, other areas of the body can also become affected due to high cholesterol. The end result is the same - the development of plaque along the inside of the arteries which inhibits the flow of oxygen and nutrient rich blood to our vital organs. Without the blood, the organs will die.
Cholesterol, in the interest of simplification, is divided into two categories - High Density Lipoproteins and Low Density Lipoproteins. It's the LDLs (Low Density) we want to watch more closely; they are the ones that cause all of the problems. So, when you go to your doctor for a check up, have your "total cholesterol" divided into the two (there are others) categories, and understand your risks for heart disease. It can be that simple, with the proper education from your health care provider. The more difficult task would be to help control it, which will ultimately become your responsibility - the health care workers provide the tools, the patient uses the tools.
Coronary Heart Disease is a major factor when we talk about high cholesterol, which is termed "Hypercholesterolemia". Since we measure the LDL for risk factors (although a combined HDL and LDL are both used), there is evidence to show that people who have LDL cholesterol levels higher than 200 (mg/dl) should be placed on some sort of regime to correct the problem. That becomes the "red flag". For example, if one's low density lipoproteins (cholesterol) is equal to or above the suggested limit of 200, a number of issues should be considered. For one thing, the person should be placed on a low cholesterol diet (all of us should be, in fact). Next, it would be prudent to inform the individual that exercising helps lower the "bad" cholesterol and raise the "good" cholesterol. And, then, finally, if after six months of "therapy", there is not some recognizable decrease in the LDL cholesterol, the physician (or health care provider) should consider using some of the cholesterol reducing agents. A couple of these drugs are available over the counter, such as the bile-acid binders and niacin.
There are a number of different diseases that don't mix well with high cholesterol; in fact, some of them, if corrected or treated, can actually help lower the cholesterol. Risk factors are generally divided into two categories - those we can help and those we cannot. Well, for starters, let's consider the "modifiable" risk factors. They are smoking, weight, and life styles. Smoking has been linked to high cholesterol. A person's weight, if reduced, can help lower cholesterol, and, as mentioned already, exercise can help reduce the "bad" cholesterol. Now, if we look at the "non-modifiable" risk factors - such as diabetes, hypertension (essential hypertension, not hypertension caused by other factors, such as weight, stress, etc.), we can see a "different story", but a similar pattern. True, a person with diabetes cannot help it; either he or she was born with it or acquired it later in life. However, it has been shown that if a person with diabetes controls the high blood sugar as much as possible, the "risk" factors can be reduced - dramatically. Diabetes is an insidious disease and I wish it on no one; but it is very "treatable". Hypertension is also extremely treatable - with the proper work-up from your doctor and the necessary follow-ups. In the long run, it will be your responsibility to ask questions, continue to take the medication(s), follow your doctor's suggestions, and continue to monitor your cholesterol.
What are we saying about total cholesterol these days? Realize that these numbers have undergone an overhaul during the four to six years. A normal total cholesterol is defined as at or below 200 (mg/dl); borderline high cholesterol is between 200 and 240; and high cholesterol is defined as above 240. If you frequent the malls or stores and happen to run across the "stations" that offer a free cholesterol check - go ahead and do it, but see your doctor anyway. The fingerstick tests are not quite accurate; if you are told that your cholesterol is high, go see your doctor; chances are that it might be higher than you think. (The same holds true for the blood pressure stations (automatic) that seem to be popping up all over the place - they should be used as a guide, but be sure to see your doctor and have him or her take it - just to be safe).
There is a lot more to be said about cholesterol. For those who might want to read more about it, search the web - there are literally hundreds of sites out there that offer information about the problems associated with high cholesterol. Beware, however, the web is also inundated with people and programs who want to sell you some cholesterol "herbal" medicines or a new drink that is supposed to bring the problem under control. As with the rest of the story - talk with your doctor. Here are some sites you may want to visit:
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