Regular cholesterol screening is an important part in maintaining good health, but may be confusing. By understanding the role cholesterol plays in the body, you can better understand why regular screening is important.
Understanding cholesterol
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat like product found in cells throughout your body. It helps in building hormones like estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and in the production of cortisol, the stress hormone. Cholesterol also helps the body in the absorption of vitamins A, D, K, and E. Although your body produces some cholesterol, it is found in many of the foods you eat. LDL verses HDL
There are two types of cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). LDL is
…show more content…
LDL carries plaque which attaches to the walls of arteries and beings to build up. The plaque is a combination of cholesterol, fat, calcium and other substances. As it builds up over time, it hardens and the arteries become narrow, a condition called atherosclerosis. The blood cannot flow as freely and oxygen cannot get throughout the body as it should. If the plaque ruptures or breaks open, a blood clot can form. If the clot becomes large enough, blood flow is impaired or blocked completely. You may experience extreme pressure or pain in the chest called angina or possible pain in the shoulders, jaw, arms, back, or the discomfort associated with indigestion. This is a heart attack. Heart damage or even death may result if blood flow is not quickly restored. However, arteries leading to other parts of the body can have plaque buildup resulting in strokes, carotid artery disease, and peripheral artery disease. On the other hand, if the HDL is higher, the risk for heart disease is lower. Understanding Your Screening
A routine cholesterol screening involves a simple blood test. An LDL number of 190 mg/dL is considered high, but an HDL level below 40 mg/dL is too low and is a risk for heart disease. The levels of both HDL and LDL are added together for a total cholesterol number. The risk breakdown for the levels are;
200 mg/dL or less -
“You're more likely to have high cholesterol that can lead to heart disease if you have any of these risk factors such as smoking, obesity, large waist circumference, poor diet, lack of exercise and diabetes.” (Mayo Clinic Staff)
The Framingham study and others that followed showed us that HDL-cholesterol is an independent cardiovascular risk factor and that the increase of HDL-cholesterol of only 10 mg/dL leads to a risk reduction of 2-3% (PubMed.gov, Nov. 2012). Higher levels of HDL cholesterol result in a risk of cardiovascular disease closer to the default risk. Cardiovascular disease risk increases then plateaus with greater ratios between total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol. Thus, higher levels of HDL cholesterol proportionate to levels of total cholesterol relate to lower cardiovascular disease risk (Lecture #3). Having a HDL-cholesterol of 60 mg/dL and above is the best place for a person to be. A bit lower, but considered a good HDL-cholesterol level standing is 40-49 mg/dL for men and 50-59 mg/dL for women. All three of us, me, my mother, and the case study Danny are in good standing regarding HDL-cholesterol levels, my mother with 55 mg/dL, me with 50 mg/dL, and Danny with 40
In a study conducted in 1985 observing primates, it was determined that the major effect of dietary cholesterol is its LDL raising effects. High intakes of cholesterol increase the number of circulating LDL’s and it can also change its size and composition. [12] It was during this time period that the mechanisms by which SFA are thought to increase blood cholesterol concentrations came about. One mechanism for the increase in LDL cholesterol levels is the suppression of LDL receptor activity. Studies in tissue cultures have shown that increasing the cholesterol content of a cell will down-regulate synthesis of LDL receptors. [13] This will lead to an increase in concentration of blood cholesterol. Another cause for an increase in blood cholesterol concentration through intake of dietary SFA is the composition of the newly secreted lipoproteins. With a high saturated fat intake, the LDL’s become rich in cholesterol esters, leaving the triglycerides in the blood. [14] The use of non-human primates in
However, there are also different types of foods and drinks that can raise your LDL levels which are fatty meats such as beef or pork, poultry skin, butterfat such as whole milk, ice cream, cheese, and tropical oils like coconut and palm oils (Healthwise). Other foods such as junk food that contain high levels of saturated fat and trans fat can raise cholesterol levels, so it is very important to consume vegetables, food high in fiber, whole grains, and fruits. It is also very essential for an individual to exercise on a daily basis to help lower cholesterol
Our body naturally produces cholesterol through the liver, we can also obtain cholesterol from consumed products. We need small amounts of cholesterol to produce hormones, bile, and vitamin D. Cholesterol doesn’t dissolve in the bloodstream once it is inside the body. It needs to be carried by two types of lipoproteins called low density lipoproteins(LDL) and high density lipoproteins(HDL). The more cholesterol we consume, the more LDL and HDL we produce. HDL is
High cholesterol is a dangerous disease that can lead to many life-threatening ailments, and can be lowered by eating healthy, while maintaining a balanced diet of leveled cholesterol. Cholesterol, the sleek-fat like substance that roams in the blood of a body. It is vital to life, but when there is too much intake of cholesterol, it can cause the body to malfunction and cause problems. There are two types of cholesterol HDL and LDL, which varies in the amount of protein and cholesterol it holds Too much cholesterol in a body is dangerous, and surprisingly, has no symptoms. The two main types of cholesterol are HDL and LDL, HDL helps reduce the chances of chronic heart disease, whereas LDL is the main reason for plaque build-up in artery
Sugerman, Deborah Tolmach. "Blood Lipids." Jama Patient Page Hyperlipidemia. N.p., 23 Oct. 2013. Web. 15 Nov. 2016.
Use the equation of HDL + LDL + 20% of the Triglyceride level to calculate your total cholesterol level. This number should be less than 180 mg/dL for healthy total cholesterol. Your “bad cholesterol” or low-density-lipoprotein or commonly known as LDL levels should be on the low side. Levels of less than 100 mg/dL are the best levels. 100- 129 mg/mL are close to ideal. Borderline high would be levels of 130-159 mg/mL, high risk levels are 160-189 mg/dL and the worse, highest risk levels would be over 190 mg/dL. (6) The American Heart Association or AHA guidelines snow state that LDL levels are no longer a guideline for preventing heart attacks and no longer need to be taken into account. The level is strictly used to calculate your total cholesterol level. The AHA guidelines also state that people taking statins no longer need to have their LDL levels under a certain level. In “good” Cholesterol or High-density-lipoprotein also known as HDL we look at higher level as being healthier. For Men their healthy levels need to be over 40 mg/dL and
Regular exercise of just half an hour a day can raise good cholesterol and lower bad cholesterol. Limiting fats, especially saturated fats and trans fats will deal with the 15% of cholesterol that comes from outside the body. If those methods are tried and further cholesterol testing shows little improvement, then medicine can be added to the regimen. The whole cycle begins with cholesterol testing and can end with improved odds for a long, healthy
Hi Mr. Brown how are you today? On today`s visit we will be going over your cholesterol panel we receive back all your test results for your cholesterol levels. Your triglycerides levels are at 145 milligrams per deciliter. Your levels are under the normal range of 145 milligrams per deciliter, which is good because your levels are under the high borderline which is between 150 to 199 milligrams per deciliter. This is great that your levels are normal Mr. Brown because Triglycerides are a type of fat known as lipid that’s found in your blood. When you eat food, your body converts any calories it doesn 't need to use right away into triglycerides. The triglycerides are stored in your fat cells. After the hormones are released into triglycerides for energy between meals. If you eat more calories than you burn, then the calories like fats and carbohydrates, can cause you to have a high triglycerides result. So basically, Triglycerides help in the digesting process and breaking down the fats in the food we eat. The results for your cholesterol level are 210 milligrams per deciliter which is borderline high considering, the normal range for cholesterol levels are less than 180 milligrams per deciliter. Since your body has to have cholesterol to make Vitamin D, your hormones, and it also helps with the digestion of the meals you eat. See cholesterol is like a wax, fat like substance that is found in the cells in our bodies.
Cholesterol is a compound chemical that contributes to coronary artery disease, which have a various risk factors which includes poor dieting, smoking, and a family medical history. This disease is very high risks, its one which runs in my family, and family history.
Statins lower the concentration of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in people with elevated triglycerides. Many
A person with Coronary Artery Disease may show no signs and symptoms. On the other hand, a person may experience heart problems related to the impaired blood flow through the arteries. A person with a reduction of blood flow due to CAD may experience chest pain, heart attack, dysrhythmias, heart failure, or sudden death. There are many known risk factors and diagnostic tests available to help recognize a person at risk or diagnose a person with CAD. There are two types of risk, factors modifiable and non-modifiable that can diagnose a person at risk for the development of CAD. Non-modifiable risk factors are risk factors that cannot be changed. A person over the age of 65, male gender, and a first-degree relative history of CAD are non-modifiable risk factors. Modifiable risk factors can be changed or controlled, such as lifestyle eating habits, physical activity, and control over health related problems. Also, laboratory testing can assess for risk factors of CAD such as a lipid profile. A lipid profile includes triglyceride, HDL, and LDL levels in the blood. Elevated lipid levels are an abnormal reading that increases the risk of CAD. However, diagnostic tests will be able to provide a more in-depth reading if a person has
The skin cells are tested for any signs of precancerous disease or any abnormalities. CHOLESTEROL: This test should be done every one to five years in healthy adults, those who already have heart disease or other cardiac issues will probably have these tests done routinely. A cholesterol test (or screening) is a grouping to tests that check your cholesterol and lipid levels in the blood. It is done with a simple blood sample taken in your physician's office or hospital lab.
As mentioned before, CAD is caused by the unwanted build-up of plaque within the walls of the coronary arteries which leads to restriction of blood flow to the heart (Mayo Clinic, 2017). Risk factors that are associated with increasing one’s chance of developing CAD are high cholesterol, smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes/obesity, sedentary lifestyle, high stress, and family history (Mayo Clinic, 2017). There are two forms of cholesterol that travel within the blood: HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein) known as the good cholesterol and LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) known as the bad cholesterol. High cholesterol is correlated with high levels of LDL cholesterol and low levels of HDL cholesterol. The reason high cholesterol levels increase