By: centraljersey.com
When it comes to understanding cholesterol, it can seem a little bit like trying to make sense out of alphabet soup.
But knowing the difference between HDL and LDL is just as important to preventing heart disease as knowing your blood pressure.
Just like high blood pressure, high cholesterol has no symptoms, but can easily be detected and managed with the help of your doctor.
Not all cholesterol is bad. In fact, cholesterol – a soft, waxy substance found in the fats in our bloodstream – is naturally created by our bodies to help keep us healthy. It’s also found in some of the foods we eat like red meat and dairy products.
It’s when we have too much cholesterol that problems can develop. High cholesterol is one of the leading causes of atherosclerosis, the thickening and hardening of the arteries, which puts you at greater risk for heart attack and stroke.
There are two types of cholesterol: good (HDL) and bad (LDL).
Combined, they should total less than 200 milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/DL). Separately, your HDL should be higher than your LDL.
In a sense, HDL acts like a vacuum, moving around your arteries and picking up bad cholesterol, reducing your risk for heart disease. Ideally, your HDL level should be 60 or above.
Conversely, the higher your LDL levels the greater your risk for heart disease. In general, your LDL levels should be less than 130.
To remember this, try associating the H in HDL with the words "happy" and "high" and the L in LDL with the words "lousy" and "low."
Your cholesterol levels are easily determined with a simple blood test by your doctor after you’ve fasted for between eight and 10 hours. In general, doctors recommend you have your cholesterol tested every five years. However, if you have been diagnosed with high cholesterol, are a man over age 45 or a woman over age 50, or you have other risk factors for heart disease, your doctor may want to check your cholesterol more often.
In addition to screening for cholesterol, your doctor will also screen for triglycerides, which are the most common types of fats in your body and a major source of energy for your body.
High triglycerides are often associated with heart disease and diabetes. Healthy triglyceride levels should be less than 150 mg/DL.
What causes high cholesterol?
– Genetics. Genetics play a significant role in your risk for developing high cholesterol. Many people inherit genes from their parents or grandparents that cause their bodies to produce too much cholesterol. If have a family history of high cholesterol, be sure to see your doctor for screening.
– Diet. A diet high in saturated fats can increase your cholesterol levels. Saturated fats are most commonly found in red meat, eggs, shellfish and dairy products. Limiting the amount of saturated fats you consume can help keep cholesterol under control.
– Smoking. Smoking lowers HDL levels and increases the tendency for your blood to clot.
Additionally, your risk for developing high cholesterol increases as you age in large part because physical activity and exercise, which can help keep cholesterol levels healthy, start to decline.
Once detected, high cholesterol is treatable. For some, diet and exercise may be enough to bring the numbers down to a healthy level. For many people, however, medication is also needed to help keep cholesterol under control. If you’ve been diagnosed with high cholesterol, you and your doctor will determine the right approach for you.
There are also steps you can take to help prevent high cholesterol and increase your HDL levels. Even if you are genetically pre-disposed to high cholesterol, these measures can help lower your levels and may reduce the amount of medication you need.
– Eat a heart healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables and low in saturated and trans fats and cholesterol. In addition, eat plenty of high-fiber foods along with fish high in omega 3 fatty acids, nuts, and olive oil, all of which can help boost your good cholesterol.
There has been much research about the benefits of moderate alcohol consumption in preventing heart disease, but the benefits are not enough to recommend alcohol to anyone who doesn’t already drink. If you do drink, limit your consumption to one glass a day for a woman and two drinks a day for a man.
– Exercise. Not only can exercise help reduce overall cholesterol, but it also can help raise your HDL level. Try to get between at least 30 and 60 minutes of exercise a day.
– Quit smoking. When you stop smoking, you improve your HDL levels and reduce your risk for heart disease.
– Lose weight. Being even just a few pounds overweight can contribute to high cholesterol. By losing weight, you can lower your cholesterol level.
To find a Princeton HealthCare System physician, call 888-742-7496 or visit www.princetonhcs.org.
Jeanne Mitterando, M.D., specializes in family medicine and is a member of the medical staff at University Medical Center at Princeton.
