Cholesterol Management
One in four American women has high blood
cholesterol levels (240 mg/dL or higher), which is a major
risk factor for CVD. Women with high cholesterol levels
are more than twice as likely to develop heart disease than
women with normal levels.
Although excess weight tends to increase your blood cholesterol
levels, heredity and diet also contribute to the condition.
High cholesterol can run in families, and people can raise
their blood cholesterol levels by eating too much food that’s
high in saturated fat and cholesterol.
Before age 45, women’s total blood cholesterol levels
average below 200 mg/dL (a desirable level). But between
ages 45 and 55, women’s average total blood cholesterol
levels rise to almost 220 mg/dL (a borderline level), and
then they rise to 240 mg/dL between ages 55 and 64.
Understanding HDL/LDL
Your body needs cholesterol to function well. But because
the body makes all the cholesterol it needs, the extra fat
and cholesterol that you eat sit in the walls of arteries
that carry blood to the heart. These fatty deposits cause
the arteries to narrow, less blood gets to the heart, and
the risk for coronary heart disease increases.
When you get the results of your cholesterol reading, it
will include an overall total, as well as your high-density
lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels.
Your level of LDL, known as "bad" cholesterol,
should be below 130 mg/dL. Readings of 130-159 mg/dL are
moderately increased, and levels of 160 mg/dL or more are
high. The higher your LDL level, the greater your risk for
developing heart disease.
In contrast, as the HDL level decreases, the heart-disease
risk increases. High levels of HDL (60 or higher) lower
the risk for heart disease. HDL is known as "good"
cholesterol because it removes cholesterol from the blood
and protects the heart. An HDL level under 35 increases
your risk for heart disease.
You Can Lower Your Cholesterol
You can lower your blood cholesterol level and, in turn,
slow, stop, or even reverse the buildup of this waxy substance
in your arteries. Unchecked, the deposits can cause hardening
of the arteries (atherosclerosis), the major cause of heart
attacks. Follow these tips from the National Cholesterol
Education Program:
- Exercise. Thirty to 40 minutes of physical activity
at least four times each week help to raise your HDL cholesterol
(the good kind) and lower your LDL level (the bad kind),
as well as improve the health of your heart and lungs.
- Lose extra weight. Overweight people tend to
have high blood cholesterol levels. See your doctor about
starting a weight-management plan to lower your cholesterol
and boost your health.
- Limit your alcohol intake. In women, drinking
more than one alcoholic beverage per day increases LDL
cholesterol (the bad kind).
- Follow Heart-Healthy Diets. These diets emphasize
foods that are low in saturated fat, total fat, and cholesterol,
and high in whole grains and fiber. (See Eating
for a Healthy Heart)
If your cholesterol level is still too high even after
following these guidelines for 6 to 12 months, you may need
to take medication to lower it. Talk with your physician
about medication options.
Reference
“High
Blood Cholesterol: What You Need to Know,” NHLBI,
May 2001.
Source of Material: RockHill Communications, 14
Rock Hill Road Bala, Cynwyd, PA 19004, (610) 667-2040, http://www.RockHillCommunications.com
Writer: Christine Norris
Editors: Andrea King, Joanne Poeggel, Erin Murphy, Ron
Wozny
Clinical Reviewer: Patt Panzer, M.D. - RockHill Communications
Date Written: 3/1/01
Last Reviewed & Updated: 5/31/2003 |
