Why is cholesterol important?
Your blood cholesterol level has a lot to do with your chances of getting heart disease. High blood cholesterol is one of the major risk factors for heart disease. In fact, the higher your blood cholesterol level, the greater your risk for developing heart disease or having a heart attack. Heart disease is the number one killer of women and men in the United States. Each year, more than a million Americans have heart attacks, and about a half million people die from heart disease.
Who should have their cholesterol measured?
Everyone age 20 and older should have their cholesterol measured at least once every 5 years. If you are due for a cholesterol test, you should schedule an appointment with your provider. It is best to have a blood test called a “lipoprotein profile” to find out your cholesterol numbers. This blood test is done after a 9- to 12-hour fast and gives information about your:
- Total cholesterol (less than 200)
- LDL (bad) cholesterol – the main source of cholesterol buildup and blockage in the arteries (under 130 - for some people, under 100)
- HDL (good) cholesterol – helps keep cholesterol from building up in the arteries (higher than 45)
- Triglycerides – another form of fat in your blood (under 150)
What is my risk for developing heart disease?
The most common risk factors for developing heart disease are:
- Cigarette smoking
- High blood pressure
- Family history
- Age (men 45 and older, women 55 and older)
- Obesity
- Physical inactivity
- Diabetes
You can use the online risk assessment tool to estimate your 10-year risk of having a heart attack.
What can I do to lower my risk?
The UW Medicine Neighborhood Clinic physicians and midlevel providers can help you determine whether lifestyle changes, and sometimes medication, are necessary to help lower your cholesterol level and reduce your risk of heart disease. There are also many things you can do on your own. A good place to start is taking the National Cholesterol Education Month Pledge to do at least three things to actively lower your cholesterol.
When should I see my doctor?
Your doctor can help you assess and modify your risk for heart disease. If you think you might be at risk, schedule an appointment to talk to your doctor.
If you are being treated for high cholesterol, and are in good control (cholesterol within normal ranges), you should be monitored by your doctor at least annually.
If your treatment has not yet brought your cholesterol under control, you should be seen every 3 months.
If you have other risk factors for heart disease, you should see your doctor as often as every 3 months.