High Cholesterol

High Cholesterol Type of fat Essential nutrient Foods high in saturated fat & cholesterol Liver produces up to 80%

Total Cholesterol Levels Less than 200 mg/dL is desirable 200 to 239 mg/dL is borderline high 240 mg/dL or higher is high cholesterol

Cholesterol Cholesterol travels through blood attached to a protein This cholesterol-protein package is called a lipoprotein Lipoproteins are either high density, low density or very low density –Depends on how much protein there is in relation to fat

LDL Low density lipoprotein cholesterol Mostly fat –only small amount of protein “Bad” or “lousy” cholesterol <100 mg/dL is optimal 160 to 189 mg/dL is high 190 and above is very high

HDL High density lipoprotein cholesterol Mostly protein—only a small amount of fat “Good” or “healthy” cholesterol 60 mg/dL or higher is desirable Below 40 mg/dL is low

Triglycerides Another type of fat Carried in the blood by very low- density lipoproteins (VLDL) Only small amount is normally found in the blood Most are stored in fat tissue Similar to LDL>>mostly fat, little protein

Triglycerides A high triglyceride level along with a high LDL cholesterol can increase the risk of heart attack 200 mg/dL is considered high

Blood Tests for Cholesterol Nonfasting cholesterol test –Shows total cholesterol and HDL (“good” cholesterol) Fasting cholesterol test –Called a lipid profile –Measures LDL (“bad” cholesterol), HDL and total cholesterol Also measures VLDL

Atherosclerosis Main complication Can lead to: –Coronary artery disease (CAD) –Stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) –Peripheral vascular disease

Diet Diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol Saturated fats and cholesterol are found in animal products Examples of animal products: meat poultry milk/milk products fish eggs

Diet Other examples of foods in which saturated fats and cholesterol are found: butter sour cream shortening margarine mayonnaise salad dressings many snack foods and desserts

Diet Snack foods often contain a lot of saturated fat, unless a special effort has been made to use unsaturated vegetable oil.

Diet Plant fats, such as vegetable oils, are usually low in saturated fats unless they have been hydrogenated. Hydrogenation is a process to make the fats solid or semisolid.

Medications Can be used to lower LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood and raise HDL cholesterol.

Effects of Regular Exercise Raises HDL cholesterol May lower LDL cholesterol levels Can help overweight people lose weight Lowers BP in some people Mental well-being and stress relief Increased flexibility & bone strength