New Cholesterol Guidelines Call for Lower LDL Levels for High-Risk Heart Patients
Understanding Cholesterol
Cholesterol is fat-like substance that appears in all animal and human cells. Similar to oil and water. Cholesterol is fatty and blood is watery, so they don't mix.
To travel in the bloodstream, cholesterol made in liver attaches to protein packages called lipoproteins. The two most common liproteins are HDL (high-density lipoproteins). HDL is considered "good cholesterol" because it carries cholesterol in the blood from other parts pf the body back to the liver, resulting in removal from the body. LDL is "bad cholesterol" because it is the main source of damaging buildup and blockage of the arteries.
A blood test called a lipoprotein profile measures a person's cholesterol levels, which is expressed in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) of blood.
September 2004 — If you're a high-risk heart patient, you need to be aware of new guidelines for low-density lipoproteins (LDL) — also known as "bad cholesterol." Established by the National Cholesterol Education Program (NECP) and endorsed by the American Heart Association, the new guideline for LDL is now 70 mg/dL, a significant drop from the previous guideline of 100 mg/dL. This number is especially important for the more than 1.2 million people in America who have had a heart attack, as well as for those who have cardiovascular disease plus diabetes, are persistent smokers or have high blood pressure.
"Under these new rules, doctors are being more aggressive than before in the way they prevent and treat cholesterol problems," says Silvio Sperber, MD, Director of Cardiac Rehabilitation at Memorial Regional Hospital Fitness & Rehabilitation Center. "It can make a major difference."
Greater diligence regarding a healthy diet, exercise and weight maintenance - with the possible addition of statin drugs that block formation of cholesterol - may play an increased role in helping to lower cholesterol.
"It is a patient's responsibility to know his or her cholesterol level. If you were tested before the new guidelines were issued, and your doctor said, 'Your numbers are a little bit high,' now is the time to learn what those numbers were," says Dr. Sperber. "Call your physician's office and find out whether your particular case warrants further lifestyle changes or medications. You may not be affected, but you won't know unless you ask."
Take Control of Your Diet
People who want to achieve or maintain reasonable cholesterol levels can accomplish a great deal just by making healthier lifestyle choices, according to Marilyn Gordon, a registered dietitian at Memorial Regional Hospital Fitness & Rehabilitation Center.
"Some people still need medication, but you can feel good knowing that diet and exercise are still very important. It puts you, not someone else, in control of your health," she says.
For specific advice on lowering your cholesterol, see your doctor. For general advice, here are a few tips from Gordon:
- Eat more soluble fiber, such as beans, oats, soy, fruits and vegetables.
- Limit your consumption of foods high in cholesterol, saturated fat and trans-fatty acids. Saturated fats are those associated with animal products, including eggs and full-fat dairy, while trans-fatty acids are often found in baked goods and fast foods.
- Plan low-fat meals that showcase vegetables and complex carbohydrates. Don't allow meat to take center stage at every meal. "Think of meat as a complement to the rest of your meal," says Gordon. "Most of us eat too much of it, when in fact a single serving of protein should be no larger than a deck of cards."
- Look for the new margarines that contain stanols and sterols, plant substances that help reduce cholesterol. Just be careful not to overdo it - these margarines are still sources of fat.
Need more dietary tips? Sign up for the Healthy Habits for Life program or make an appointment for individualized counseling with a registered dietitian by calling Memorial Regional Hospital Fitness & Rehabilitation Center at (954) 265-5800 or Memorial Hospital West Fitness & Rehabilitation Center at (954) 844-7125.
If you are concerned about your cholesterol levels or your risk of heart disease, contact your physician. For referral to a physician, call Memorial Physician Referral Service at (800) 944-DOCS.