High cholesterol is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD), and more American men and women die of CHD than any other condition, including cancer.

Additionally, people with heart disease and high cholesterol are at increased risk of suffering a stroke--the third leading cause of death in the United States and the leading cause of long-term disability.

The good news is that you can survive high cholesterol by taking action now to lower it.  Your weapons are diet, exercise, and if necessary, medication.

Cholesterol is a white, waxy, fat-like substance that's found in everyone's body, to varying degrees.  We need cholesterol to survive, but too much of the wrong kind can cause problems.

You may have heard about "bad" vs. "good" cholesterol.  Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is considered bad because it can build up inside your arteries.  High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is considered good because it helps clear away the bad cholesterol.

When too much LDL cholesterol builds up on the inside of your arteries (blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood from the heart ot other parts of the body), it forms a substance called plaque. Perhaps you've heard of the term "hardening of the arteries."  The technical name for this is atherosclerosis, which means simply that the buildup of plaque in the arteries causes them to became thicker, harder, and less flexible--in short, less efficient at carrying blood.

• When blood flow is severely blocked (or stopped completely), a heart attack can result.
• When blood flow to the heart is restricted, angine (chest pain) can result.
• When blood flow to the brain is severely blocked (or stopped completely), a stroke can result.

• High LDL cholesterol.
• Low HDL cholesterol (less than 35 mg/dL).  High HDL cholesterol (60 mg/dL or higher) decreases your chances of developing heart disease.
• High blood pressure (treated or untreated).
• Diebetes.
• Age (45 or older for men; 55 or older for women).
• Heredity (a father, brother, or son who had heart disease before age 55 or a mother, sister, or daughter with heart disease before age 65).
• Smoking

Be sure to discuss any risk factors with your doctor so that you can take appropriate action.

What should my cholesterol level be?

These are the treatment goals recommended by the National Cholesterol Education Program.
 

There are no symptoms.  The only way to know you have high cholesterol is to go to your doctor for a cholesterol test.

There are three main ways to fight high cholesterol: diet, exercise, and, when appropriate, medication.

Remember to discuss with your doctor all treatment options available to you.

If you've already been diagnosed with high cholesterol, chances are your doctor has recommended a diet low in fat and cholesterol  This is important, because food is a major source of excess fat and cholesterol in your body.

Being more phyically active is an important way to keep your heart healthy.  Exercise not only helps decrease LDL cholesterol, it increases HDL cholesterol  The combination of diet and exercise also helps control yur weight, an extra benefit for people with heart disease or risk factors such as high blood pressure or diabetes.

To determine whether diet and exercise alone can effectively lower cholesterol, doctors usually monitor patients on a diet low in fat and cholesterol for a specific time--usually 6 to 12 weeks for patients with heart disease, and at least 6 months for other patients.

Some people, because of body chemistry or heredity, have too much LDL cholesterol.  Even the strictest diet and exercise program won't lower their cholesterol into the desirable range.

If diet and exercise alone aren't effective, your doctor may prescribe a medication that impacts your cholesterol levels as part of your overall treatment plan.  Be sure to tell your doctor about any medicines you are currently taking and if you change medications.  There are several medications available that can help control your cholesterol  Your doctor can decide the bets medication for you.

Once you're on the medication, take it only as your doctor recommends.  And don't stop taking your medication without talking with your doctor.

 
What else can I do to lower my LDL cholesterol?
 
• Read the labels on prepared foods.  Look for words such as "fat free," "low fat," and "cholesterol free."  The amount of total fat and saturated fat in each serving is listed.  Use this information to plan healthy meals and snacks that won't increase your cholesterol.
• Switch from saturated fats to unsaturated fats--especially monounsaturated fats.  Saturated fats are usually found in foods that come from animals (meat, butter, and milk).  "Tropical" vegetable oils (palm and coconut) and hydrogenated oils (solid margarine and shortening) also contain saturated fat.  Unsaturated fats can be either monounsaturated or polyunsaturated, and usually come from vegetables.  They include olive, canola, corn, and safflower oils.  Monounsaturated fats, the better choice, include olive and canola oils.
• Try to walk as often as possible instead of driving or using public transporation.
• Use the stairs instead of taking the elevetor or escalator.
• Do household chores such as vacuuming, lawn mowing, and gardening to increase your activity level.

If you have been prescribed medication, remember that diet, exercise, and medication all work together to lower LDL cholesterol.  The closer you stick to your plan, the easier it will be to reach your goal and maintain it.

American Heart Association
Web site: www.amhrt.org

American Dietetic Association
Web site: www.eatright.org