480 likes | 774 Views
September is national cholesterol education month. What is cholesterol?. It is a major risk factor for heart and cardiovascular disease. Kinds of cholesterol. good cholesterol because it helps remove LDL (low-density lipoprotein) from the blood.
E N D
What is cholesterol? • It is a major risk factor for heart and cardiovascular disease.
good cholesterol because it helps remove LDL (low-density lipoprotein) from the blood. • actually works to clear cholesterol from the blood. HDL (high-density lipoprotein)
considered harmful because it tends to fall apart and form deposits on the lining of arteries. • main source of artery clogging plaque. • can irritate the arteries, triggering a chain reaction that results in plaque build- up and possibly blocked arteries. LDL (low-density lipoprotein)
Diet • Exercise • Smoking cessation • Medication (if necessary) Factors that can lower your cholesterol
A cholesterol test is a simple blood test that can tell you about your total cholesterol, HDL and LDL levels, important indicators of a patient's risk of heart disease. People aged 20 years and older should have their cholesterol checked at least once every 5 years. Knowing your numbers and the facts on cholesterol can help you prevent cardiovascular disease. Do you know that..
Milk • Eggs • Meat What are the foods rich in cholesterol?
Other Facts.. *Too much cholesterol in your body is a major risk factor for heart disease. * Triglycerides are another fat in our bloodstream. Research is now showing that a high levels of triglycerides is also linked to heart disease.
Too much cholesterol in the body Build up of cholesterol in the walls of arteries blood flow to the heart muscle is slowed down or blocked ATHEROSCLEROSIS Arteries become narrowed
Heart disease begins when a cholesterol, fatty material, and calcium build up in the arteries, a process known as atherosclerosis
blood carries oxygen to the heart enough blood and oxygen cannot reach your heart CHEST PAIN!!
blood supply to a portion of the heart is completely cut off by blockage HEART ATTACK!!
High cholesterol itself does not cause any symptoms; so many people are unaware that their cholesterol levels are too high. Therefore, it is important to find out what your cholesterol numbers are because lowering cholesterol levels that are too high lessens the risk for developing heart disease and reduces the chance of a heart attack or dying of heart disease, even if you already have it.
everyone over the age of 20 should get their cholesterol levels measured at least once every 5 years. • The test that is performed is a blood test called a lipoprotein profile that includes: • Total cholesterol level • LDL (the “bad” cholesterol) • HDL (“good” cholesterol) • Triglycerides Recommendation..
*HDL (good) cholesterol protects against heart disease, so for HDL, higher numbers are better.
Saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol in the food you eat increase cholesterol levels • Reducing the amount of saturated fat and trans fats and cholesterol in your diet helps lower your blood cholesterol level • Increasing the amount of fiber and plant derived sterols can also help lower LDL cholesterol DIET
Being overweight can also increase your cholesterol • Losing weight can help lower your LDL, total cholesterol levels, and triglyceride levels, as well as raise you HDL. WEIGHT
Regular exercise can lower LDL cholesterol and raise HDL cholesterol • You should try to be physically active for 30 minutes on most days. EXERCISE
Before menopause, women tend to have lower total cholesterol levels than men of the same age • After menopause, however, women’s HDL levels tend to rise. AGE AND GENDER
Your genes partly determine how much cholesterol your body makes • High blood cholesterol can run in families. HEREDITY
Occasionally a medical condition may cause an elevation of cholesterol levels in the blood • These include hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid gland), liver disease and kidney disease. MEDICAL CONDITIONS
Some medicines like steroids and progestins may increase the “bad” cholesterol and decrease the “good” cholesterol. MEDICATIONS
TREATMENT • Eat a heart-healthy diet • Exercise regularly • Maintain a healthy weight • Cholesterol-lowering drugs
Risk factors • smoking, • high blood pressure (hypertension), • diabetes, • high cholesterol, • family history of heart disease, • peripheral artery disease, • obesity
if you have 0-1 risk factor for heart disease, you are at low-to-moderate risk. Generally, lifestyle changes are effective in keeping the cholesterol in check. Low to Moderate Risk
If you have 2 or more risk factor for heart disease, you are at moderate risk, depending on what heart disease risk factors you have. Sometimes your doctor will try lifestyle changes, but most people require cholesterol-lowering drugs or drugs to raise HDL plus an appropriate diet and exercise program. Moderate Risk
If you have known heart disease, diabetes, or multiple risk factors, you are at high risk. Most people in this group will require a combination of cholesterol-lowering drugs and lifestyle changes to control their cholesterol levels. High Risk
Control any other risk factors you may have, such as high blood pressure and smoking. • Follow a low saturated fat, low cholesterol eating plan • Maintain a desirable weight • Participate in regular physical activity • Begin medication therapy as directed by your physician PREVENTION
Statins • Niacin • Bile-acid derivatives • Selective cholesterol absorption Other information.. * Cholesterol-lowering medicine is most effective when combined with a low-cholesterol diet and exercise program.
Muscle aches • Abnormal liver function • Allergic reaction (skin rashes) • Heartburn • Dizziness • Abdominal pain • Constipation • Decreased sexual desire • Memory problems • *If you have muscle aches, call your doctor immediately. This could be a sign of life-threatening condition
ARE THERE FOODS OR OTHER DRUGS I SHOULD AVOID WHILE TAKING Cholesterol -LOWERING DRUGS?
Ask your doctor about the other drugs you are taking, including herbals and vitamins, and their impact on cholesterol-lowering drugs. You should not drink grapefruit juice while taking cholesterol-lowering drugs, as it can interfere with the liver’s ability to metabolize these medications.