Who should get their cholesterol checked?

Anyone over the age of 20 year old should get a fasting cholesterol  blood test  and then every five years if it is in the normal range.

What do the numbers mean?

Total cholesterol includes the LDL and HDL.

Under 200 is ideal!

200 -240 intermediate risk

Over 240 high risk

LDL (lethal or bad cholesterol) The lower the better

Ideally under 100.

130-160- borderline risk for heart disease

160-190 high risk (recommend treatment)

over 190 is extreme risk (recommend treatment)

HDL (healthy or good cholesterol) The higher the better

Less than 40 – risk for heart disease.

40-60 good level

over 60 is protective for the heart.

Risk factors for heart disease:

Male over 45 years or female over 55 years

Family history of heart disease

Hypertension

Smoking

Low HDL

Behavior Modification to Decrease Risk for Heart Disease:

Quit smoking

Exercise (increases HDL)

Weight loss

Statin therapy

Stress management and anger management

Lipid-lowering Medications:

-Bile Acid Resins and Intestinal Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitors decrease absorption of cholesterol from food.

-Niacin lowers triglycerides and also increases HDL

-Folic Acid reduces Homocysteine levels

-Statins decrease total cholesterol, decreases LDL and increases HDL.