HEART DISEASE IS THE NUMBER ONE KILLER OF MEN AND WOMEN IN THE UNITED STATES!
ARE YOU AT RISK?
What is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a waxy fat that is present in all human beings. Two sources contribute to the amount of cholesterol in the human body. First, the liver manufactures about 80 percent of it. Second, people consume it by eating animal products such as meat, eggs and dairy products. Cholesterol is carried through the bloodstream by certain proteins (apolipoproteins). When these proteins wrap around cholesterol and other types of fats (lipids) to transport them through the bloodstream, the resulting “packages” are called lipoproteins. There are different types of lipoproteins that carry cholesterol through the bloodstream.
What is a Lipid Profile?
A lipid profile is a detailed measurement of the fats in your blood. The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Guidelines recommend regular cholesterol screening with a lipid profile for all adults, as well as for children in families with cardiovascular risk factors. Periodic lipid testing will determine whether you have met your goals or need more intensive treatment. NCEP Guidelines recommend testing every 6 weeks until lipid goals are met and every 4-6 months thereafter. Cholesterol screening is fast and relatively painless. Blood is drawn from a vein or through a simple “fingerstick” test.
Know Your Numbers!
Total Cholesterol (TC) – Recommended Range: Less than 200 mg/dL
TC is the measurement of both the LDL and HDL cholesterol in your blood at a given time. TC is measured in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). A TC of less than 200 mg/dL is desirable, 200 to 239 mg/dL is ‘Borderline-high.’ A person with a TC level of 240 mg/dL or higher has more than twice the risk of heart disease compared to someone whose cholesterol is below 200 mg/dL.
LDL Cholesterol – Recommended Range: Less than 130 mg/dL
Known as the “Bad” cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) contain more fat and less protein than HDLs. LDLs are unstable; they tend to fall apart. Rather than being removed from the body by the liver, they stick to (and can damage) cells lining the inside of artery walls. Areas of cell damage provide a magnet-like attraction for other fatty substances (e.g., triglycerides). The waxy accumulation of these materials is known as plaque. This can eventually lead to hardened arteries (atherosclerosis) or coronary artery disease. Therefore, high levels of LDLs are strongly associated with increased risk for heart disease. A LDL level less than 100 is considered optimal for patients with other risk factors.
HDL Cholesterol – Recommended Range: Greater than 40 mg/dL
High-density lipoproteins (HDL). “Good” cholesterol, HDLs move easily through the blood and are actually beneficial to the body. They are stable and do not stick to artery walls. They help to prevent heart disease by carrying cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver, where the process of their removal from the body begins. Unlike other cholesterol levels-the higher your HDL the better! Less than 40 mg/dL is a major risk factor for heart disease. A HDL level over 60 mg/dL is actually considered to be protective against heart disease. How can you increase your HDL levels? Exercise! Also, in studies of postmenopausal women, calcium supplements (calcium citrate) were shown to increase HDL levels.
Triglycerides – Recommended Range: Less than 150 mg/dL
TRG are composed of fatty acids and glycerol. They circulate in your blood like cholesterol but are stored in body fat and used when the body needs extra energy. Your TRG levels can increase significantly after eating – but if your body processes the fat efficiently, the level will decrease naturally. Your fasting TRG level should be below 150 mg/dL.
Glucose – Fasting Recommended Range: less than 100 mg/dL
Glucose (GLU) is a measure of the sugar level in your blood. Fasting glucose levels should be 70-100 mg/dL. If you are overweight or have a family history of diabetes, your glucose level should be checked periodically to see if you have diabetes.
VLDL – Recommended Range: less than 40 mg/dL
Very Low Density Lipoprotein is often referred to as the “very bad” cholesterol. Elevations in VLDL in the bloodstream are associated with an increased risk of atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease.
TC/HDL Ratio – Recommended Range: 4.5 or less
Your TC/HDL Ratio is your total cholesterol divided by your HDL cholesterol. Some health care professionals may use this ratio to assess risk for developing heart disease. Lower ratios are associated with lower risk.
Arterial Stiffness Index – Recommended ASI range: 0-80
The Arterial Stiffness Index or ASI indicates the amount of plaque buildup in your arteries.
Blood Pressure – Recommended Range: Less than 120/80 mm Hg
Blood pressure is the force in the arteries when the heart beats (systolic pressure) and when the heart is at rest (diastolic pressure). According to the American Heart Association, blood pressure less than 120/80 mm Hg is generally considered ideal.
Framingham Risk Analysis
This assessment produces your percentage of risk for developing Coronary Heart Disease in the next ten years using statistics from your CardioVision® and Cholesterol screenings.
Call or email us for a screening location near you!