Creating Your Personal Cholesterol Goals
Do you know that September is actually National Cholesterol Education Month? Well, this would be a good month to create your own personal cholesterol goals.
Why is creating and having a personal cholesterol goals important, you may ask? Let’s start with some facts. #1: your heart health is tied to your cholesterol, long -term. #2: every cell in your body needs cholesterol!
So, what exactly is cholesterol? Cholesterol is a waxy fat-like substance made in the liver and travels throughout your bloodstream. Contrary to popular belief, cholesterol is actually good for you as you need cholesterol to make hormones, vitamin D and bile acids. The problem is having too much of it in your bloodstream.
There are 2 main types cholesterol you should be aware of, called lipoprotein.
1) LDL (low density lipoprotein), the “bad” cholesterol. This cholesterol is considered “bad” because it is main cholesterol that contributes to fatty buildups in the arteries called plaques. When plaques are form in the arteries (blood vessels that deliver oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the tissues of the body) they narrow the arteries and increases the risk for heart attack, stroke and peripheral artery disease (PAD). So, the goal is to have less of the LDL in your blood stream.
2) HDL (high density lipoprotein) the “good” cholesterol. Good cholesterol because they carry some of the LDL “bad cholesterol” away from the arteries back to the liver to be eliminated. So, the goal is to have more of these in your blood stream.
Figure A shows a normal artery with normal blood flow. The inset image shows a cross-section of a normal artery. Figure B shows an artery with plaque buildup. The inset image shows a cross-section of an artery with plaque buildup. - UCSF.
YOUR 3- STEPS PERSONAL CHOLESTEROL GOALS
KNOW YOUR RISKS
KNOW YOUR NUMBERS
KNOW WHAT TO CHANGE
1. Know your Risks – Elevated LDL and low level of HDL cholesterol can put you at risk of long-term risk of cardiovascular (cardio meaning heart and vascular meaning blood vessel) diseases.
So, your first goal is to know your risk. This can depend on your age, gender, family history of early cardiovascular disease, your race, history of high blood pressure and diabetes.
2. Know your Numbers – When it comes to cholesterol, knowing your LDL and HDL numbers are very important, as elevated cholesterol is a major risk factor for long-term cardiovascular diseases. The only way to know is to check, this is usually done through blood test. The blood test measures the amount of each type of cholesterol and certain fats in your blood and gives you a reading. The reading tells you if you are within the normal range, below the normal range or above the normal range.
3. Know what to change – After knowing your numbers, the next step is to know if you need to make any changes. Changes will be needed if your numbers are below or above the normal range. Remember, there are other factors to consider like your risk factors as mentioned earlier to determine what changes you need to make. Your doctor can help you determine what the best options are for you but changing your diet and lifestyle, being physically active and keeping a healthy weight can definitely help improve your levels and keep your heart healthy!
References:
https://cardiacsurgery.ucsf.edu/conditions--procedures/atherosclerosis.aspx
https://heartinsight.heart.org/Fall-2019/What-Should-My-Cholesterol-Goals-Be/
