Studies have shown that you can dramatically reduce your risk of heart disease by maintaining healthy levels of cholesterol (less than 200 mg/dl), HDL-cholesterol (the "good" cholesterol), and LDL-cholesterol (the "bad" cholesterol) in your blood. You can accomplish these goals by following a healthy diet that is low in fat and high in fiber, and by incorporating physical activity into your daily routine.
To help you reduce your risk of heart disease, the Mid-Florida Cardiology Specialists established the Lipid Clinic, which specializes in evaluating and treating patients with high cholesterol. The Lipid Clinic offers tests to determine the levels of lipids in your blood, and then offers practical guidance and long-term management to help you keep your cholesterol and lipoprotein levels in a healthy range.
Risk factors that lead to coronary artery disease
There are a number of factors that may put you at risk for coronary artery disease. They include:
Total cholesterol over 200 mg/dl
HDL less than 35 mg/dl
High blood pressure
Smoking
Diabetes
Obesity
Previous heart attack
Family history of premature heart disease
Sedentary lifestyle
Male - over 45 years of age
Female - over 55 years of age, or premature menopause without estrogen replacement
Your risk for disease is increased when you have high cholesterol plus two or more of the other risk factors listed above.
Lipids of concern
Cholesterol and triglycerides are fatty, wax-like substances found in all cells of the body, and also circulate in the blood. They are essential to life, but too much can lead to coronary artery disease. Of primary concern are HDL (high-density lipoproteins, or "good" cholesterol) and LDL (low-density lipoproteins, or "bad" cholesterol). HDL removes cholesterol from the body to prevent deposits or plaques from forming; LDL carries cholesterol to the artery walls to form deposits or plaques.
Sources of cholesterol
Cholesterol comes from many sources. Your liver produces all of the natural cholesterol your body needs - added cholesterol comes from the foods we eat. Egg yolks, whole milk dairy products, fatty meats, and palm and coconut oils are foods that can raise total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol.
To reduce total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, limit the amounts of saturated fat and total fat in your diet. To raise HDL cholesterol, exercise regularly, quit smoking, reduce dietary fat and maintain an ideal body weight.
Elevated triglycerides
Normal amounts of triglycerides - for most people, less than 200 mg/dl - are good for us, but too much can be bad for our health. Hereditary factors, other diseases (diabetes, for example), or too much alcohol, fat, carbohydrates or calories may cause elevated triglyceride levels.
Lipids and disease in coronary arteries
Cholesterol is the major cause of coronary artery disease, or atherosclerosis, a fatty buildup on the lining of arteries that results in more than 500,000 deaths in the U.S. each year. All too often, the first sign of atherosclerosis is a fatal heart attack.
The fatty buildup is called plaque. Plaque development begins in childhood, and increases as we grow older. Excessive plaque may cause severe narrowing of the coronary arteries, resulting in chest pain, a heart attack or stroke.
Reducing cholesterol and triglycerides can slow the buildup of plaque in the vessels and reduce the risk of heart attacks caused by coronary artery disease.
Lipid Clinic Services
Comprehensive Lipid Clinic visit by a certified Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant
Analysis of your blood work results to determine your lipid levels, including a comprehensive cholesterol evaluation that studies separate components of your blood and assists our doctors understand your risk for heart disease better than ever before
Long-term management and monitoring of high blood cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia)
Establishing individualized goals for cholesterol, triglycerides, diet, exercise and weight
Evaluation of your diet and nutritional counseling to help you follow a healthy diet