What’s the good—and bad—news about cholesterol?

You hear a lot about cholesterol these days, but do you know the difference in good and bad cholesterol? And what each does to your heart? Knowing your numbers can help reduce your risk for heart disease and save your life.

Cholesterol is a soft, waxy substance in the lipids (fats) of the bloodstream and in all your body's cells. Your body needs cholesterol, but your liver manufactures all your body needs. The cholesterol from your diet is all excess.

Highly-desirable and least-desirable cholesterol
Your body turns cholesterol into good high-density cholesterol lipoproteins (HDLs) and bad low-density lipoproteins (LDLs). HDLs get rid of excess cholesterol, and LDLs promote fatty buildup in your arteries. Having high levels of LDLs can clog blood vessels and lead to heart disease, America’s number one killer.

If you have difficulty remembering which is the good and which is the bad cholesterol, try this reminder:  HDLs are good or “Highly Desirable,” while LDLs are bad or “Least Desirable.” Ideally, your total cholesterol level should be lower than 200 with HDL 60 or higher and LDL below 100. Triglycerides should be below 150. Cholesterol goals are patient-dependent; your physician will determine what number is best for you.

What factors influence cholesterol?
There are two sources:  heredity and food. While you cannot change your body’s chemical make-up, you can change how you eat. Select low-fat foods and limit your average daily cholesterol intake to less than 300 milligrams. Exercise is important, too. Regular physical activity increases HDL cholesterol in some people. A higher HDL cholesterol is linked with a lower risk of heart disease.

My levels are too high! What now?
Treating high cholesterol varies, but often includes these strategies:
• Change your diet. Select foods low in saturated fat. Saturated fatty acids are the main culprit in raising cholesterol, but trans fats—the man-made fats making news among fast food franchises—also raise cholesterol. The American Heart Association recommends no more than six ounces of lean meat, fish and poultry per day and using fat-free and low-fat dairy products. High-quality proteins from vegetable sources, such as beans, are good substitutes for animal sources of protein.
• Exercise. In addition to increasing the good cholesterol our body makes naturally, regular exercise also can help control weight, diabetes and high blood pressure.
• Take medication. Your doctor may prescribe cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins. In addition to lowering your cholesterol, they also may prevent clots from forming—a risk factor for heart disease.

How can I learn more?
To learn more about the risk factors, symptoms and treatment for heart disease, visit westernbaptist.com/heart. You can take a free, five-minute online heart risk survey and become eligible for reduced-cost cardiac screenings at Baptist Prime Care. You also may phone Baptist Health Line at (270) 575-2918.

Do you have a cardiac question tugging at your heart? Send it to heartbeat@bhsi.com or mail it to HeartBeat, 2501 Kentucky Ave., Paducah, KY  42003. If we use it in a future HeartBeat column, you will win a Baptist Heart Center T-shirt.