Cholesterol
This special sponsored feature is provided by Merck Frosst Schering Pharmaceuticals.
What is high cholesterol? Getting startedGetting control - diet and exerciseGetting control - medicationCholesterol quizPersonal LDL-C (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) goal diary
What is high cholesterol?Like most of us, you have probably never given a thought to cholesterol or how it might affect your heart or your arteries, until now. Your doctor has told you that your cholesterol is too high and that you need to begin medication along with the diet and exercise already prescribed.
High cholesterol is one of the most common medical conditions, affecting people from every walk of life. Yet because you cannot feel cholesterol or the effects it can have on your arteries and your heart, you may not fully understand your doctor's concern and what you should do.
Luckily, long-term treatments are available for your problem, including modern medicines like the one your doctor has prescribed for you. But before you can be comfortable with medicines, you probably need to know more about them -- what they do and how they work.
This information will help. You will get the facts you need to know to understand cholesterol and the way it affects your body, and how others have come to terms with their high cholesterol and its treatment.
Good health!
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Getting startedWhat is cholesterol?
At any given time, about a tablespoon of cholesterol circulates in the blood of an average adult man or woman. Cholesterol itself is a waxy material that your body needs for rebuilding cells and is carried in the bloodstream to where it is needed.
Where does cholesterol come from?
Although some cholesterol comes from foods you eat, like whole milk, cheese, and butter, your body makes most of its own cholesterol. One form of cholesterol -- called LDL -- is used to carry the fats to the rest of the body. That is why it is so important to reduce the fats in your diet -- eating saturated fats increases your LDL cholesterol. When you have too much, the extra cholesterol stays in your bloodstream, where it can cause problems.
What is saturated fat, and why is it important?
Fats come in many forms. Saturated fats come from animal sources, like meat, milk, butter, and cheese, as well as from some tropical plants, such as the oils found in coconuts and palms. Eating saturated fats can cause too much LDL cholesterol to build up in the blood. Finding out which foods contain saturated fats, and eating less of them, is an important part of reducing your cholesterol level.
How common is high cholesterol?
Very common. It is generally accepted that a cholesterol level above 5.2 mmol/L (200 mg/dl) adds to the risk of heart disease. Many millions of people worldwide have high cholesterol. That makes it almost as common as high blood pressure.
Why is high LDL cholesterol bad?
The problem with too much LDL cholesterol in your blood is that it helps to form "plaque" (pronounced "PLACK") that builds up in the walls of your arteries. Eventually, this plaque can rupture and stimulate the formation of a blood clot which may suddenly block the flow of oxygen-rich blood to part of your body. Should this rupture occur in an artery of the heart itself, the result is a heart attack. If this happens in a blood vessel of the brain, it is called a "stroke". Both can be very serious. In addition, small pieces of plaque or even the blood clot can break off (known as emboli) and cause blockages in smaller arteries downstream. So, excess cholesterol puts you at unnecessary risk -- extra risk you can avoid.
Does this mean that I am sick?
Having high cholesterol does not mean that you are sick. But it does mean you have a condition that can make you sick if you do not take charge of it. Untreated high cholesterol means extra risk for a heart attack or stroke.
Why do I have to take medicine for this?
The right treatment for you may very well be different from the right treatment for someone else. Some people can control their high cholesterol just by changing the way they eat and exercise. Some of your friends with high cholesterol, for instance, may only need to exercise and change their diet to bring their cholesterol levels back into balance.
Although both exercise and proper diet are important in your treatment, your doctor has decided that you also need medication. Many people who are being treated for high cholesterol are taking medication.
Here, you will find the answers to many of your questions about how you can control your cholesterol level. Afterward, you will find a quiz, so that you can test yourself on what you have learned about taking control of your high cholesterol.
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Getting control - diet and exerciseTo get control of high cholesterol, think about things that affect your cholesterol level. Then set up a practical plan to make the changes you need to get your level lower.
Exercise
Regular exercise raises the level of "good" cholesterol -- called HDL-C (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol). HDL helps remove free cholesterol from the bloodstream. Remember, it is the LDL cholesterol that can form plaque in your artery walls.
It is also important to remember that your heart is a muscle. Like any other muscle, it needs to stay active. That is another reason that exercise is such an important part of keeping healthy.
You should ask your doctor what exercise program is right for you. The most commonly stated goal for heart-healthy exercise is 30 minutes of moderate exercise four or five times a week.
Many people find that they are very good about exercising at first, but that after a while they find reasons to stop. You will find that it is easier to stay with your exercise program if you:
- Do a variety of exercise activities instead of just one.
- Do not start too suddenly.
Most of all, enjoy!
Take another step toward your LDL cholesterol goal with an exercise program
Everybody should get physical exercise, but it is especially important if you are trying to lower your cholesterol. Exercising can make a big difference in reducing your risk of heart disease as well as helping to keep your weight down. Once you start, you will be surprised at how much better you will feel and look.
Be more active in your daily routine
- Try to walk as often as possible instead of driving or using public transportation. Walking is a great form of exercise and can be done safely by almost everyone.
- Use the stairs instead of an elevator or escalator. Walking up stairs helps work the lower body (hips, thighs, and legs) and builds stamina.
- Vacuuming, lawn mowing, gardening, and other household chores also increase your activity level.
Diet and what surprises many people
If you are like the average adult, you eat as much fat as is in a stick of margarine every day. That kind of diet raises cholesterol and the risk of heart disease and stroke.
If you had to remember just one thing about a healthy diet, it would be to avoid fat -- especially saturated fat -- rather than just a "low-cholesterol" diet, which means eliminating fats as much as possible.
Controlling fat: a double bonus
Lowering fat in your diet helps in two ways:
- It makes it easier for your body to lose weight.
- It helps lower your cholesterol.
Foods to choose
- Cereals
- Fresh fruit
- Vegetables
- Fish
- Chicken
Snack foods that are good for you
- Fruits and vegetables
- Fat-free, cholesterol-free cookies
- Unsalted pretzels
- Air-popped or low-fat microwave popcorn
- Juices
- Sorbet, sherbert, and nonfat yogurt
Tips for eating in a restaurant
- Try broiled or baked, not fried, foods.
- Avoid creamy salad dressings.
- Avoid the cheese appetizers.
- Ask for sauce or gravy on the side.
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Getting control - medicationFor some people with high cholesterol, diet and exercise are not enough. Like you, they need to add medicine to their total, ongoing plan.
Cholesterol-reducing medications work in different ways. The two most common ways are:
- Slowing down the body's production of LDL.
- Making the body convert excess cholesterol into useful bile acids that aid digestion.
Remember, medications do not cure high cholesterol the way an antibiotic cures an ear infection; but for most people, they are a key to helping keep cholesterol under control.
What "control" means
Wearing glasses will not change your eyes, but as long as you wear them, you can see just fine -- and lead a normal life. Controlling high cholesterol is much the same: as long as you continue treatment, you may be able to keep your cholesterol level where it belongs and get on with an active life.
Control unnecessary risk
It is important to remember that heart disease can be decreased by controlling the conditions that put you at risk:
- Keep your blood pressure where it belongs.
- Keep your cholesterol level where it belongs.
- Maintain the right weight for your body.
- Find an exercise program you enjoy.
- If you smoke, try to quit.
Ask your doctor how you can lower your risks of heart and blood vessel disease.
Tips for remembering your medication
- Use daily events like dinner or bedtime to help you remember to take your medicine, rather than just trying to use the clock.
- Keep your medicine in a safe place, but one where you cannot miss it.
- Keep a spare bottle of medication at your job or in your purse or briefcase (ask your pharmacist for the right kind of bottle for your medication).
- When you have a concern, ask your doctor.
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Q
What is cholesterol?
A
Cholesterol is a fat-like substance that is vital to the normal functioning of your body. If levels of cholesterol in your bloodstream are too high, however, cholesterol can be deposited on the walls of your arteries, where it can build up to form "plaque", which can eventually block the blood vessel. If the arteries of your heart become affected, it slows down the flow of blood through them, possibly resulting in a heart attack.
Q
What can I do about it?
A
If you are diagnosed as having high cholesterol, you may be able to control it by making some changes to your lifestyle -- through diet and exercise. Your doctor can advise you on dietary changes and an exercise program that are just right for you.
Q
Where does cholesterol come from?
A
Your body makes most of its own cholesterol. In fact, we get only a small amount of cholesterol from our diet. Egg yolks and liver contain large amounts of cholesterol, but many foods like fruit, vegetables, and fish are quite low in cholesterol.
Q
What is meant by high cholesterol?
A
It is generally accepted that a total cholesterol level above 5.2 mmol/L (200 mg/dl) adds to the risk of heart disease. More specifically, the LDL cholesterol should be measured. In people with established heart disease or with many risk factors for heart disease (diabetes, hypertension, smoking, a positive family history for coronary heart disease), the LDL cholesterol should be kept at less than 2.6 mmol/L.
Q
What is unsaturated and saturated fat?
A
There are two main types of fat in the food we eat -- saturated and unsaturated. Unsaturated fats come mainly from plants. Saturated fats come mainly from animals. Examples are meat, milk, butter, and cheese. Food containing this type of fat should be avoided if you wish to lower your cholesterol. Many processed foods contain saturated fats and should be avoided.
Q
What sort of foods should I avoid and what should I add?
A
Dairy products, eggs, fatty meats, and processed foods are things you should cut down on if you want to reduce your cholesterol level. Cereals, fresh fruit, vegetables, fish, and chicken usually form part of a cholesterol-reducing diet. Sometimes, however, diet alone is not enough to reduce your cholesterol level. In this case, your doctor may prescribe a medicine to bring the level down.
Q
Is cholesterol the only factor that might contribute to heart disease?
A
No. Other factors that have been shown to increase the risk of developing heart disease include high blood pressure, obesity, lack of exercise, and smoking.
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Your Personal LDL goal diaryUse a diary to track your progress to your LDL cholesterol goal.
- Start with your current LDL cholesterol level at the top and write your personal goal, determined by your doctor, in the space underneath the chart.
- Each time you have your LDL cholesterol checked by a blood test, write in the new level and date it.
The diary will show the progress you have made from the beginning of your goal plan. Even after you achieve your goal, you should keep recording your LDL cholesterol level. This will show how successful you are at sticking to your plan and maintaining your goal.
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