High Cholesterol – Patient Education Overview
High cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia) is a “silent killer.” It is estimated that nearly one-quarter of the population has high cholesterol, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There are no symptoms or ominous signs that serve as a warning until it is too late. Left untreated, it can cause an increase in heart attacks, strokes, arterial narrowing and heart disease. This is why it is crucial to be screened for high cholesterol once every five years. Read more in this patient education guide.
High cholesterol does run in families. However, the following can increase your risk of developing high cholesterol:
- Obesity
- Drinking alcohol excessively
- Hypertension (damaged artery walls are more vulnerable to attachment of fatty deposits)
- Diabetes (high blood sugar lowers HDL and raises LDL)
- Smoking (damages blood vessels making them prey to cholesterol adherence)
- Lack of exercise (raises LDL and lowers HDL)
Though the danger of excess cholesterol has clearly been shown, there is an important function that cholesterol serves in our body.
Cholesterol, a waxy substance similar to fat and made in the liver, is needed by the body to create hormones, Vitamin D and bile acids. However, an excess of the wrong type of cholesterol can increase your risk for stroke, heart disease, heart attacks and plaque formation in the arteries.
There are two varieties of cholesterol–LDL (low density “bad” lipoproteins) and HDL (high density “good” lipoproteins)
HDL is considered the “good cholesterol” since it removes excess LDL from the bloodstream, protecting against heart disease. High levels reflect a healthy metabolic system.
LDL is considered the “bad cholesterol” since it adheres to arterial walls, creating obstructions or narrowing which increases risk of cardiovascular problems. There is a link between high levels and arterial artherosclerosis (plaque building on arterial walls causing narrowing or obstruction).
While triglycerides are not actually part of cholesterol, it is usually screened as part of the cholesterol panel since it also increases heart disease risk.
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Doctors Who Treat High Cholesterol – Patient Education
Most likely, a family physician will first detect high cholesterol from a routine blood test. It may also be diagnosed and treated by the following doctors listed:
- Gynecologist – Female health specialist.
- Pediatrician – Specialist in infant, childhood and adolescent care.
- Gerontologist – Doctor for senior or elder health.
Once a high cholesterol problem is discovered, it can be helpful to consider a team approach to the problem, especially if you are in a high-risk category. These specialists deal with the prevention and treatment of high cholesterol:
- Nutritionists - Formulate a diet plan that will lower LDL and triglycerides while assisting in a diet program.
- Personal trainers – Create a personal workout program that will help get a person into shape safely.
- Nurse educators – Assist individuals in understanding the condition and its significance along with the necessary treatment protocols.
- Psychologists/Therapists - Help individuals decrease stress or smoking as well as helping any mental adjustments that contribute to the condition.
- Cardiologists – Treats diseases to the heart and blood vessels. While high cholesterol itself may not merit a consultation with the cardiologist, it would be wise to see a cardiologist if there are other risk-factors present like diabetes, hypertension, obesity and/or family history of high cholesterol or heart problems.
How to Prepare for Your High Cholesterol Doctor Visit
Screening for high cholesterol involves a blood test. Here is some patient education information on steps you can take to make sure you have the most accurate reading.
- Before a blood test, it is important to fast prior to the test so that proper levels can be obtained.
- No food or beverage (other than water) should be consumed for 12-hours prior to the test.
- Abstain from alcoholic beverages for two days before the test.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor About High Cholesterol
From your initial diagnosis throughout your treatment and care, you will have questions about your high cholesterol. Our patient education guide lists questions to discuss with your doctor so you can make informed decisions about your condition.
Questions About My Diagnosis
- If I have a high triglyceride count and the total cholesterol number is normal, do I have a cholesterol problem?
- What does a lipid panel include?
- Are lipids and cholesterol the same?
- Do I have blocked arteries or plaque formation already? What is my risk for heart disease?
- How often should I have my cholesterol tested? What tests do I need?
Questions About My Treatment
- Is there a specialist for high cholesterol? Should I see one?
- Do I need medication to lower my cholesterol? What are the side effects to these drugs?
- Do I have to take the medication forever? Even if my values return to normal?
- Can I lower cholesterol by taking supplements?
- What risks do I have if I choose not to take medication?
- Are there alternative therapies to lower my cholesterol?
Questions About My Lifestyle and Family
- Does this run in families? Will my children get it?
- At what age should my children be tested?
- Will a special diet decrease my cholesterol? Will you recommend one or should I consult with a nutritionist?
- Are there foods that I should avoid? Should I give up alcohol?
- How much weight loss would change my cholesterol numbers?
- Is there exercise that I can do?
Tests or Labs to Diagnose High Cholesterol – Patient Education
While it is important to see the total cholesterol value, the entire panel is needed to appreciate the whole cholesterol picture and the extent of any problem. The values are tested from a blood sample. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises having a blood test done to check cholesterol levels once every five years.
|
What is Tested
|
Normal
|
Borderline
|
High
|
| Total Cholesterol |
Less than 200 mg/dL |
200-239 mg/dL |
240 mg/dl and over |
| Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL) |
Less than 100 mg/dL |
100-159 mg/dL |
160-189 mg/dL |
| High Density Lipoproteins (HDL)(protective) |
60 mg/dL or higher |
40-60 mg/dL |
40 mg/dL or less |
| Triglycerides |
less than 150 mg/dL |
150-200 mg/dL |
200 mg/dL and above |
Common Medications and Treatments for High Cholesterol
Once you are aware of a high cholesterol problem, it is important to take immediate steps. Proper patient education is the key. Acting now will decrease your risk for strokes, heart attacks or having a fatal heart disease.
Controlling both diet and weight while adopting a sensible exercise regimen, can decrease low-density lipoprotein type cholesterol (LDL) to normal. Aerobic exercise for 30-60 minutes a day has been shown to increase HDL.
Drugs are used to decrease cholesterol problems by:
- Decreasing cholesterol manufacture in the body
- Lowering cholesterol absorption in the gastrointestinal tract
- Promoting the rate of cholesterol excretion (with bile acids)
- Inhibiting cholesterol build-up in the arteries
Medication Chart
|
Category
|
How The Medication Works
|
| Statins |
Decreases manufacture of cholesterol by blocking an enzyme the liver needs for cholesterol building. |
| Bile Acid Sequestrants |
Lowers LDL levels.Used alone or in conjunction with statins. |
| Fibric Acids |
Lowers triglycerides and raises HDL levelsUsed with statins to decrease LDL |
| Vitamin |
Increases HDLDecreases LDL
Decreases triglycerides |
| Vitamin Combination |
Increases HDLDecreases LDL |
Because of the possible side effects from medications used to lower cholesterol, many people are seeking to treat high cholesterol with natural ingredients.
Natural Therapy Chart
|
Nutrient
|
Source
|
How the Medication Works
|
| Beta Sitosterol |
SoybeansWheat germ
Corn oil |
Decreases cholesterol absorptionBoosts immunity
Anti-cancer property |
| Green Tea Extract |
Green Tea Leaf |
Decreases LDLDecreases triglycerides
Increases HDL |
| Guggulipid Extract |
Indian Herb |
Lowers all cholesterol types |
| Policosanol |
Sugar cane wax |
Decreases LDLIncreases HDL |
