High cholesterol is a well known risk factor for heart disease and stroke. However, there are no symptoms of high cholesterol. The only way to find out if you have high cholesterol is to have your blood checked.
How often should cholesterol levels be checked?
The “National Cholesterol Education Program” recommends that all adults have their fasting lipid profile checked at 20 years of age and every five years thereafter. Also called a lipid profile, it is a simple blood test. It is best done fasting (not eating or drinking for 12 hours prior to the test).
The lipid profile will tell you about your total cholesterol, “good” cholesterol (HDL), “bad” cholesterol (LDL), and triglycerides. The role of HDL cholesterol is to remove LDL cholesterol from the bloodstream by carrying it to the liver, where it is eliminated from your body. LDL cholesterol causes plaque build up in your arteries resulting in atherosclerosis. This can make your arteries harden and can block blood flow to both your brain and your heart. Triglycerides are a type of fat stored in your cells. Your triglyceride levels are likely to be high if you eat a diet high in carbohydrates, are overweight, sedentary, or smoke. A high level of triglycerides can contribute to your risk of atherosclerosis.
What should the cholesterol levels be?
According to the “American Heart Association”:
- Total cholesterol level below 200 mg/dl is desirable. Levels above 240 are high and double the risk of heart disease.
- HDL levels at 60 mg/dl and above are protective against heart disease. If levels are below 40 mg/dL (men) and below 50 mg/dL (women), it is considered a risk factor for heart disease.
- LDL level less than 100 is optimal especially if you already have heart disease. Levels are considered borderline high at 130-159 mg/dL, and high at 160 mg/dL or higher.
- Triglyceride levels are best at 150 mg/dL or below; borderline high at 150-199 mg/dL and high at 200 mg/dL or above.
Don’t want to take drugs? Try lifestyle modifications first!
Simple modifications in your daily living are often a great first step to lowering your cholesterol. If these do not work, then medications may be your only alternative. The following are simple tips that you may try:
- Lose weight – losing even 5 percent of your body weight can bring your cholesterol levels down.
- Exercise – 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week is recommended. However, any amount of exercise (even walking) will help.
- Eat several servings of fruits and vegetables daily.
- Eat fish for its omega 3 fatty acids.
- Whole grains and Nuts are considered heart healthy.
- Quit smoking.
- Avoid trans-fats and saturated fats. Use unsaturated fats instead.
Every individual has his or her unique set of risk factors for cardiovascular disease. It is important that a discussion be held with your doctor about your risk factors (and cholesterol profile is an important part of that). Only then can you arrive at a strategy to lower your risk, which may include a combination of lifestyle modification and drugs.
This information is strictly an opinion of Dr Prakash, and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. Dr Chris Prakash is a contributing columnist, and author of eParisExtra’s “The Doctor is In” column. He is a medical oncologist at Texas Oncology Paris. He is board certified in Internal Medicine, Oncology and Hematology. He lives in Paris, TX with his wife and two children, and can be reached at 9037850031, or Sucharu.prakash@usoncology.com