Healthwise - Spring 2012 - (Page 5)

Cholesterol Questions Answered We answer three common questions about this important heart disease risk factor Quick, what’s the ﬁrst thing that comes to mind when you hear the word cholesterol. Is it eggs? A burger and fries? Trans fat? These items often are associated with cholesterol, and rightfully so. But they’re only a small part of the cholesterol story. If you want to fully understand the substance, you need to look at the bigger picture—the good, the bad and the greasy. NEED HELP WITH YOUR CHOLESTEROL? Schedule an appointment with Matthew C. Birdwhistell, D.O., by calling 606-784-6641 . Dr. Birdwhistell specializes in prevention, diagnosis and medical treatment for adults of all ages. Q. Just what is cholesterol? A. “Cholesterol is a waxy substance that’s essential to the body,” says Matthew C. Birdwhistell, D.O., St. Claire Regional internal medicine physician. “It’s a component that surrounds every cell in the body and is involved in the production of a variety of hormones, including cortisol, estrogen, progesterone and testosterone.” Q. If my body needs cholesterol, why is there such a push to lower the level of it? A. It’s true, your body needs cholesterol. “We synthesize some of it and then also get it in our diets,” Birdwhistell says. “The problem is that we’re not biologically designed to handle the amount of cholesterol we get in our diet.” There are two types of cholesterol: high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). The HDL variety is good for you. It helps clear the arteries of buildup. But LDL cholesterol causes buildup that clogs and hardens arteries, leading to a heart attack or stroke. It’s Never Too Early e eﬀects of cholesterol begin in childhood, according to the American Heart Association. So teaching your children how to protect themselves early can help prevent heart disease later in life. Here’s how: D Encourage regular aerobic exercise. D Don’t smoke, and don’t allow them to start either. D Help them establish healthy eating habits. D Ensure they have routine physicals and checkups. Q. How do I know if I have high cholesterol? A. The only way to know for sure is to have your blood tested. The results will yield three numbers: your HDL, LDL and total cholesterol. An HDL reading above 60 mg/dL is considered to help protect against heart disease. Aim for an LDL level below 100 mg/dL. And your total cholesterol should be less than 200 mg/dL. As an adult, have your cholesterol tested every ﬁve years or more often if you have other risk factors or your doctor recommends it. 1 FOLLOW the American Heart Association on Twitter at twitter.com/american_heart for heart-smart tips 5 http://www.twitter.com/american_heart

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Healthwise - Spring 2012

Healthwise - Spring 2012
Pill Camera Offers Inside View of Tummy Trouble
Your Cholesterol Questions Answered
Well & Wise at 50

Healthwise - Spring 2012