Cholesterol

A blockage in the heart’s arteries may reduce or completely cut off the blood supply to a portion of the heart. This can cause a blood clot to form and totally stop blood flow in a coronary artery, resulting in a heart attack also called an acute myocardial infarction (MI). A major contributor to serious health problems like atherosclerosis (narrowing or blocking of blood vessels), heart disease, and stroke (brain attack) is high levels of cholesterol in the blood.

What is Cholesterol?
It’s a waxy, fat like substance found in all body cells. Our bodies need cholesterol to digest food, make hormones, build cell walls, and perform other important functions. We get it two ways: Blood Cholesterol is made in the liver, and Dietary Cholesterol comes from the foods we eat. It’s only found in foods from animals such as meats, dairy products, eggs, and animal fats. Cholesterol is carried in "packages" coated with protein. These packages are called "lipoproteins." There are two main types: Low-Density Lipoproteins (LDLs), and High-Density Lipoproteins (HDLs).

What is the Difference?
LDLs are deposited on artery walls, causing a waxy buildup called plaque. LDLs are commonly called "bad cholesterol." HDLs are helpful in carrying excess cholesterol out of the body and are commonly called "good cholesterol." Asking your healthcare provider for a blood test to measure your cholesterol is a good way to find out how your numbers of LDL and HDL add up.

Measuring Blood Cholesterol
In general, if your total cholesterol is less than 200, your level is OK. Ask your health care provider when to have it checked again.Between 200-239, you’re at moderate risk. Ask your healthcare provider for advice, especially if you have other risk factors, such as obesity, high blood pressure, a family history of heart disease, or if you smoke.

If your total cholesterol is 240 and over, you are at high risk of developing heart disease. Ask your provider what you can do to lower your risk.

How Can I Control My Cholesterol?
Controlling the types and amounts of fat in your diet is the first step. Harmful fats include saturated fats and hydrogenated fats. Helpful fats include polyunsaturated fats and monounsaturated fats. Saturated fats raise cholesterol levels more than anything else in your diet. These include all fats from meat and poultry, palm kernel oil, coconut oil, and fats from dairy products. "Hydrogenating" turns polyunsaturated fats into saturated fats by making them more solid. Hydrogenated fats are often found in prepared foods, such as baked goods, some cereals, nondairy creamers, ice cream, and some vegetable shortenings. Hydrogenated fats should be avoided.

Helpful Fats
Polyunsaturated fats may help lower total cholesterol levels. Use them (in small amounts) instead of saturated fats. Foods high in polyunsaturated fats include: sunflower, safflower and corn oils; and fatty fish such as tuna, salmon, and mackerel. Monounsaturated fats may help reduce LDL and total cholesterol levels and can be found in peanut oil, olive oil, and canola oil. In general, use fats that are liquid at room temperature and avoid fats that are solid at room temperature such as shortening, lard, butter, and stick margarine.

Other Ways to Control Cholesterol
Diet is important, but it is only one way to reduce cholesterol levels in your body. Other ways include controlling your weight, exercising regularly, and not smoking. Medication may also be necessary for some people. If your healthcare provider prescribes medication, remember to take it only as directed. Don’t stop unless advised by your healthcare provider. Remember, medication is meant to go hand-in-hand with a low-cholesterol, low-fat diet, and regular exercise.