Don't be Afraid to Ask the Heart Questions

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask the
HEART QUESTIONS

Many people think heart health is all about their total cholesterol number. Others think having a healthy “good cholesterol” score is what really matters. But the best measure of your heart’s health involves asking the heart questions. Only you and your doctor can do this, and it comes down to measuring four important numbers:

1. Total cholesterol
2. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
3. High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
4. Triglycerides (Trigs)

These accurately reflect the amount of cholesterol, a soft, waxy substance, that has collected in your blood and blood cells. It sounds like cholesterol is bad for you, but not always.

Your body actually needs it to create new cell membranes and hormones, and to protect nerves. But having too much cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease.

Here’s what makes up your total cholesterol level:
three components called LDL, HDL, and Trigs.

What is LDL? It’s known as bad cholesterol. (Remember that
“L” stands for “low,” and you want this lipid level to be a low number.)
LDL’s job is to carry cholesterol through the bloodstream from the liver
to the rest of the cells in the body. 

What is HDL? It’s known as the good cholesterol. (The “H” stands for “high.” The higher this lipid number, the better it typically is for your heart health.) HDL moves unused cholesterol from the cells back to the liver, where it’s excreted.
But any “leftovers” that the HDL can’t handle stay in the body and may start collecting in the blood vessels. So, the higher your HDL level is, the more excess cholesterol will get disposed of by the liver—leaving less cholesterol to create problems in your body.

What are Trigs? These are fats that give your body energy. While that’s a good thing—just like cholesterol, any Trigs that are not used for energy stay in the blood. When that happens, Trig levels can jump considerably and then contribute to—and even speed up—hardening of the arteries or arteriosclerosis.

Know your levels
To diagnose high cholesterol, your doctor will likely perform a fasting cholesterol test—called a “fasting lipoprotein profile.” The test typically requires that you not eat or drink anything but water for 9-12 hours before having your blood drawn.
Everyone over 20—believe it or not—should get this test every five years. If you are 50 or older, doctors say you should get tested yearly—or even more often if it’s needed. If you already take medications to treat high cholesterol, your doctor may also suggest getting more frequent blood tests to be sure the medication is doing
its job.

That means you need to work with your doctor to monitor numbers. It also means you need to ask questions about the results of any tests you might take. Your levels may vary slightly, but don’t panic. They also depend on factors like your overall health and family history. You and your doctor can discuss your individual risks.