All adults should have their cholesterol measured; learn their cholesterol numbers, and their risk for heart disease. Jennifer Robinson, MD, MPH, an associate professor, epidemiologist, and program director of the Lipid Research Clinic at The University of Iowa College of Public Health, talks about cholesterol and how to lower our risk of heart disease:
What is cholesterol and how is it tested and measured?
The cholesterol is kind of the fat in the blood and we all need it to make our cells and to make hormones. But when we get too much, it can build up in the body and block the arteries. We test it using a simple blood test.
When should a person start being screened for cholesterol?
We recommend that everybody start at age 20, and every five years after that. However, if a cholesterol disorder is identified, we need to do it more often—once a year or so.
What are the optimum numbers physicians like to see for cholesterol?
Every year it seem they keep getting lower—below 200 for the total number; probably below 100 for the bad cholesterol, or LDL. So those are quite low numbers. Triglycerides are another blood fat and we'd like to see those less than 150.
What role does cholesterol play in heart disease?
Cholesterol can build up in the arteries and cause blockages that then can develop into heart attacks (if they're in the heart arteries) or strokes (if they're in the brain arteries).
If cholesterol numbers are too high, what options does the person with high cholesterol have?
We always talk to people about the importance of eating a healthy diet and getting enough exercise and watching their weight. Unfortunately, those are harder than it sounds for a lot of people to do—at least to the extent needed to lower their cholesterol. Often we treat people with drugs to lower their cholesterol levelsl. Actually the statin-type drugs are very well studied in hundreds of thousands of people and are safer than aspirin.
Can cholesterol always be controlled by diet and exercise?
I think diet and exercise are really important. In somebody who has a severe cholesterol disorder, they're not enough. Certainly we want people to have a healthy diet and exercise because it prevents diseases that develop as you age. It keeps them healthier into old age.
What are statins and how do they affect cholesterol?
The statins are a type of drug like Lipitor, Crestor, Simvastatin, and Zocor. They've been on the market for a long time. They block your liver from making cholesterol, and that's how they lower the numbers.
For the person who is a healthy weight, eats well, exercises, and still has high cholesterol, are statins their only answer?
They're the best answer. We know that people who take statins, if we cut their cholesterol in half, we cut their risk of a heart attack, stroke, or dying of these diseases in half over in just five years. They're very, very powerful drugs. Sometimes people need other drugs or if they can't take a statin, there are other drugs that they can try, also.
Is the UI College of Public Health involved in any research with regard to cholesterol?
Yes, we have a number of studies going on and they can call 800-887-6917, or call 319-384-5046. |
