Give Your Heart a Valentine’s Day Gift and Have Your Cholesterol Levels Checked!
As we mark Heart Health Month this February, let us take this opportunity to discuss your body’s cholesterol levels, and what those numbers can mean for your risk of stroke and for your overall cardiovascular health.
Achieving healthy cholesterol levels is an important factor in maintaining heart health, reducingthe risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease. What does it mean to have “healthy” cholesterol levels? To understand this question, we will examine the three primary factors that contribute to your cholesterol levels: LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides.
LDL is described as “bad” cholesterol because it contributes to fatty buildups in your arteries, increasing your risk for cardiovascular disease. HDL is described as “good” cholesterol because it carries some of your LDL cholesterol away from your arteries to the liver to be broken down and eliminated from your body. Triglycerides store excess energy from your food intake, and they are the most common type of fat found in the body. High levels of triglycerides are, like LDL, linked to fatty buildups in your arteries.
The American Heart Association recommends having your cholesterol levels checked at least every four to six years, and more frequently if your results indicate an elevated risk of stroke orheart disease. If your test results indicate that you should lower your LDL and triglyceride levels and/or raise your HDL level, the range of approaches include alterations to your diet, increasing your physical activity levels, and the use of prescription medications.
In terms of diet, recommended changes include reducing saturated fats in your meat and poultry, increasing your intake of omega-3 fatty acids (abundant in fish), substituting liquid vegetable oils for solid fats such as butter, and increasing the amount of whole grains and fiber you consume. With respect to physical activity, it is recommended that adults get at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, or at least 75 minutes per week of high-intensity aerobic activity, and adults should incorporate muscle-strengthening activity (such as weights or resistance training) on at least two days per week.
As far as prescription medication is concerned, the primary option on the market is one of several medications in a class called statins. These medications work in the liver to inhibit the production of cholesterol in the body. Statins are most effective in lowering LDL levels, and they also help lower triglyceride levels and increase HDL levels. If statins are unable to satisfactorily improve your cholesterol levels, or if statins induce problematic or persistent side effects (which are rare) your health care provider may prescribe other classes of medication to be used in combination with or instead of statins.
Another potentially valuable option to manage your cholesterol levels is to volunteer to participate in a clinical trial for medications that are being tested for effectiveness. Participants in these trials gain access to care at no cost and contribute a critical service to advancing medical research that could benefit them and many others in need of effective medication options.
Talk with your doctor about having your cholesterol levels checked. If tests indicate areas of concern, discuss with your doctor the best approaches to improving your results, reducing your cardiovascular risk, and improving your quality of life.
Sources: American Heart Association; Cleveland Clinic
