Managing Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a fatty substance, also called a lipid, that's produced by the liver. It's also found in foods high in saturated fat, like fatty meats, egg yolks, shellfish, and whole-milk dairy products. It's a vital part of the structure and functioning of our cells. However, too much cholesterol in your blood may lead to a serious, progressive disease of the arteries, called atherosclerosis.

A Closer Look

So how can something your body needs be harmful? Well, not all cholesterol is considered bad. There are actually three main components doctors evaluate when you have a blood test to check your cholesterol. They look at LDL (bad) cholesterol, HDL (good) cholesterol, and another substance called triglycerides.

The fact is that cholesterol can be harmful to your health when there's too much cholesterol in your blood. Whether you have high cholesterol may depend on your lifestyle. Eating a lot of fats and not getting enough exercise can cause cholesterol levels to rise. It's also, in part, a result of your genetic makeup. Some people inherit genes associated with elevated levels of cholesterol. One type is called familial hypercholesterolemia. People with this genetic makeup can eat a healthy diet and exercise, and still have high cholesterol.

Everyone with high cholesterol needs to keep it under control, but it may be even more important for some groups of people, such as

• People with a family history of early heart disease
• People with high blood pressure
• People with diabetes
• Males over age 45
• Females over age 55
• Smokers
• African Americans
• Hispanic Americans

If you fall into any of the categories above, ask your doctor to discuss how your cholesterol goals may be affected.

What's Your Cholesterol Goal?

Managing high cholesterol may be different for you depending on your medical history and your health. Your doctor will look at the results of your cholesterol test, also known as a fasting lipid profile, and, using this information along with your medical background, establish a cholesterol goal for you. Always ask what your cholesterol numbers mean, based on your complete health history so you can work together to manage your cholesterol.

Cholesterol Guidelines

National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) guidelines recommend that all adults over age 20 have their cholesterol checked at least once every 5 years. Take a look at the guidelines below to get a better idea of where your cholesterol numbers should be.

Source: National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP)

Depending on your overall health profile - which takes into consideration factors such as cigarette smoking, hypertension, low HDL cholesterol, a family history of early heart disease, and age (over 45 for men and over 55 for women) - your doctor may recommend that you have your cholesterol followed more closely.

It's important to manage your cholesterol and reach your goals because if you don't, your high cholesterol may contribute to the progression of atherosclerosis, the buildup of plaque in your arteries.