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In the Know
Ask A Professional
Ed Chafizadeh
Texas Cardiovascular Consultants
(512) 441-1633
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Q: How many times a year should I have my cholesterol checked?
A:Healthy people should have it checked about once every two years. If it’s abnormal, there is a strong family history, or if the person is taking cholesterol medications, it should be checked every six months or so.
Q:What is considered a high cholesterol level and how is it
broken down?
A:Total cholesterol is broken down into LDL (bad cholesterol), HDL (good cholesterol — helps scavenge the bad stuff and decreases plaque), and triglycerides (also contribute to arterial plaque). The goal is a total cholesterol level less than 200, LDL less than 130 (if healthy), less than 100 (if diabetic or with heart disease), and triglycerides less than 150.
Q:Is cholesterol the best predictor of heart disease? How does it rank in terms of other risk factors?
A:Cholesterol is one of many predictors, including diabetes, hypertension, smoking, family history and other metabolic derangements. All of these contribute to heart disease, and smoking and diabetes are probably the most powerful, but harder to control than cholesterol in many people.
Q: I exercise and eat right, but my cholesterol is still pretty high. What other steps can I take to get it down?
A:Cholesterol levels are only weakly correlated with diet and exercise. Those things are obviously good for overall health, but the liver can make bad cholesterol out of good food. A low-carb diet, such as Atkins or South Beach may help if refractory, or medications such as statins may be needed.
Q:Are there any foods that have an adverse effect on cholesterol level? Any that have a beneficial effect?
A:Sugars and starches are bad actors, as are trans-fatty acids. Seafood, with its omega-3-fatty acids, are beneficial. Beans and other legumes are also helpful.
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