Cut Cholesterol And Reduce Heart Disease Risks
Description
This article is from the Health Articles series.
Cut Cholesterol And Reduce Heart Disease Risks
Where Are We Now?
Too few of us know our cholesterol counts and that's a major problem. High cholesterol is a leading risk factor for the heart attacks that kill more than a half-million Americans each year.
Adding to the confusion is that experts aren't sure how high is too high. Findings from a major study of more than 6,000 people suggest that cholesterol levels previously considered normal may be unhealthy. The study also found that adding cholesterol-lowering drugs to a diet and exercise program may cut heart attacks risks one-third for virtually all men over age 45 and all women over 55.
Additional research is trying to confirm the findings. But for now, doctors are considering the study's results, along with factors like a family history of cholesterol problems, when deciding whether to prescribe medications. A waxy fat, cholesterol is made of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL) and circulates with other fats called triglycerides. Cholesterol itself isn't harmful; in fact, your body needs it to build cell walls and make certain hormones. But your liver produces all you need, so whatever is taken in from food is surplus-and too much can clog arteries, blocking blood flow and setting the stage for a heart attack.
Your chance of developing heart disease increases as your total blood cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides rise. LDL is taken up by cells that accumulate within artery walls, where it helps create blood-blocking plaque. Excessive triglycerides thicken blood, reducing its ability to carry oxygen to the heart, and add to plaque buildup on artery walls. By contrast, high levels of HDL seem to protect the heart by carrying LDL to the liver, where it's excreted.
What's Your Level?
A blood test can tell you whether your cholesterol levels are safe or risky. Here's what the numbers mean:
Total Cholesterol
Less than 200 mg
per deciliter (dl) ... Desirable
200 to 239 mg/dl ... Borderline High
240 mg/dl and above ... High
HDL Cholesterol
35 mg/dl and above ... Desirable (It's best to have as much HDL as possible.)
LDL Cholesterol
Less than 130 mg/dl ... Desirable
130 to 159 mg/dl ... Borderline High
160 mg/dl and above ... High
* Anyone who already has heart disease should aim for less than 130 mg/dl and possibly less than 100. Scientists are working to pinpoint the ideal target number.
Triglycerides
150 mg/dl and above ... Considered high by some experts; others say anything below 250 mg/dl is normal.
Note: These numbers apply to adults ages 20 and over.
Possible Drug Interactions
Drugs or foods that may interact with, decrease, or increase the effects of the medication you're taking: Bile-acid resins may interact with warfarin (Coumadin); digitalis; thiazide diuretics; vitamins A, D, E and K; tetracycline; and thyroid hormones. They may also change the way other medicines work. Take other medicines one hour before or four to six hours after taking bile-acid resins.
- Some statins may interact with Coumadin; Lopid, cyclosporine
(Sandimmune), erythromycin, and niacin. Lopid may interact with
Coumadin or some statins.
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