ON-CALL ADVICE
Blue Ridge Region physicians of Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital and Sentara RMH Medical Center answer your health and wellness questions
Getting Control of
Your Cholesterol ‘Good’ vs. ‘bad’ cholesterol, and what you can do about it There’s a lot of information
out there about cholesterol these days—particularly when it comes to foods that can help control cholesterol levels. For instance, you may have heard experts’ recommendations to eat more oatmeal and nuts, but less sugar and red meat. While that’s good advice, do you know what your cholesterol numbers actually mean? Let’s start with the basics. Cholesterol, which the body uses for a number of different biological functions, is found in all the cells in your body. Although the body typically produces all the cholesterol you need, you also take in cholesterol from the food you eat—and too much of the wrong type of cholesterol can lead to serious long-term health problems.
‘Good’ vs. ‘Bad’ Cholesterol There are two types of cholesterol: the “good” variety, known as high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and the “bad” variety, known as lowdensity lipoprotein (LDL). Since HDL plays a valuable role in helping to flush LDL out of the body, higher values of HDL are considered healthier. Following are some guidelines for desirable vs. at-risk HDL levels for men and women:
Desirable
At Risk
Men
60 or above
Less than 40
Women
60 or above
Less than 50
Source: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/hdl-cholesterol/ art-20046388
Too much LDL cholesterol, on the other hand, can build up in your blood vessels and increase your risk for heart disease and stroke. For that reason, lower values are considered desirable, with risk levels for various ranges outlined below (these numbers apply to both men and women): Optimal: Less than 100 Near optimal: 100-129 Borderline high: 130-159 High: 160-189 Very high: 190 or above Source: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseasesconditions/high-blood-cholesterol/diagnosistreatment/drc-20350806
What Can You Do About Your Cholesterol Levels? If your cholesterol numbers fall within the optimal range, keep up the good work! Those readings indicate that you’re living a healthy lifestyle. If your cholesterol numbers are outside of the normal range, however, you’re at an elevated risk for heart problems
and should see a doctor to help manage your levels. Here are a few tips to help you manage your cholesterol: • Schedule an appointment with a primary care provider. If you don’t know your numbers, get your cholesterol checked via a very simple blood test. High cholesterol requires medical diagnosis and can be treated by medication. If you are diagnosed with high cholesterol and need additional medical attention, your primary care provider will connect you with a cardiologist, who will work with you to develop a comprehensive treatment plan. • Exercise. Experts recommend exercising 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. • Lose weight. If you are overweight or obese, aim to lose at least 5 percent of your body fat. • Quit smoking. If you currently smoke, research shows that quitting smoking increases HDL levels. • Change what you eat. Avoid foods that raise cholesterol, such as fatty, fried, greasy food. Instead, add in more foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains and beans to help control cholesterol. sentara.com
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