HIGH BLOOD CHOLESTEROL

1. HIGH BLOOD CHOLESTEROL Cholesterol is found in every cell in our body. Cholesterol is used to build healthy cells, as well as vital hormones. High Cholesterol you develop fatty deposits in your blood vessels. These deposits make it difficult for blood to flow. Risk increases for heart attack and stroke High Cholesterol is PREVENTABLE & TREATABLE

2. SYMPTOMS • High Cholesterol has no symptoms • A blood test can detect high cholesterol • Ask your doctor for test at age 20 • Then re-test every 5yrs if your numbers are good • KNOW YOUR NUMBERS

3. CAUSES Cholesterol is carried through your blood, attached to proteins. Lipoproteins LDL “BAD” builds up on walls of arteries VLDL “BAD” causes blood vessels to narrow HDL “GOOD” picks up excess cholesterol takes it back to the liver for elimination

4. FACTORS YOU CAN CONTROL • Inactivity • Obesity • Unhealthy diet • Because they raise LDL and lower HDL • Which is a “BAD” thing

5. FACTORS YOU CANNOT CONTROL Your genetic make up You may not remove LDL well Your liver may make too much cholesterol

6. RISK FACTORS • Smoking • Damages walls of blood vessels • Easier to accumulate fatty deposits • Lowers HDL “GOOD” cholesterol • Obesity • BMI 30 or > increases risk of high cholesterol • Poor Diet • Lack Of Exercise • High Blood Pressure • Diabetes • Family History

7. COMPLICATIONS • Atherosclerosis accumulation of cholesterol and other deposits on the walls of your arteries • These deposits reduce blood flow • If coronary arteries are affected you may have chest pain {angina} • If they tear or rupture blocking flow • You can have a heart attack or stroke

8. MAKE YOUR APPOINTMENT Best to check cholesterol levels fasting. Evening meal ok night before. Come in early am for blood test. Useful to have family history information for the provider to asses risk.

9. TESTS AND DIAGNOSIS Total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides a type of fat in the blood Total cholesterol goal <200, borderline high 200-239, high 240 and above LDL below 70 high risk people, below 100 if at risk for heart disease, 100-129 optimal, 130-159 borderline high, 160-189 high, 190 and above very high. Most people aim for less than 130. Triglycerides less than 150 HDL “GOOD GUYS” above 40 males, above 50 females

10. TREATMENT • Statins • They block a substance your liver needs to make cholesterol. They may also reverse accumulated deposits. • Bile acid binding resins • The liver uses excess cholesterol to make more bile acids {which help digestion},reducing cholesterol level in your blood. • Cholesterol absorption inhibitors. • Limit the absorption of dietary cholesterol • Fibrates • Reduce liver production of triglycerides • Niacin • Limits livers ability to produce LDL and triglycerides

11. LIFESTYLE AND HOME REMEDIES • Lose weight • Choose healthier fats • Olive, peanut and canola oils • Almonds and walnuts • Whole grains • Bread, brown rice, oatmeal and oat bran • Fruits and vegetables • Fish • Alcohol in moderation • Exercise • STOP SMOKING

12. ALTERNATIVES • Artichoke • Barley • Metamucil • Garlic • Oat bran • Oatmeal and Cheerios • Red yeast rice contains the active ingredient in statin drug Mevacor. This can be unsafe as there is no way to determine the quantity or quality of Mevacor in the supplement • No FDA regulation