THE CHOLESTEROL BAHBIT
What you need to know about LDL
Dr. Don Kennedy, MBA
Author; 5 AM & Already Behind
Some have already had a heart attack or stroke. Some are at high risk due to other diseases such as diabetes, a strong family history, or their lifestyle. And some are just trying to understand what can be done to prevent problems that could ruin a long awaited retirement.
In the past, patients were taught to focus on their cholesterol levels, but over the past decade information has become more confusing. Their lab results are a blur; total cholesterol, HDL levels, triglycerides, and ratios. They have tried everything including red yeast rice, low fat diets, and even the long way home to avoid fast food restaurants. Yet, even with medication, people remain puzzled; what lab results really matter?
I tell my patients; it all matters, but try to keep it simple. For now, focus on the LDL-C levels. “L” stands for lousy cholesterol. The most recent studies show a notable decrease in heart attacks, strokes, and blockage of other arteries, by lowering the LDL-C levels. In addition, the longer these levels stay down, the less likely a cardiovascular event will occur. In my book, 5AM & Already Behind I describe a Bahbit™, it’s the on thing you need to change now that will have the greatest immediate impact on the story of your life. In this case, a high LDL is your Bahbit™.
LDL stands for low density lipoprotein. Coupled with other risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, lack of exercise, high fat American diets, and smoking, the LDL-C seems to be a better measure of your risk for developing, or progressing heart and vascular disease. High levels of LDL-C act to cause inflammation and eventually form fatty plaques in the walls of arteries. It’s these plaques that eventually rupture, causing a heart attack by spilling their contents into the heart artery.
More important are the new LDL-C level guidelines recently updated by the American Heart Association / American College of Cardiology. If you have higher risks for diseases of the arteries, as shown above, the level of LDL-C should be less than 100 mg/dl. If you already have heart disease, diabetes or other artery diseases, it is now suggested this level be 70 mg/dl or less. Pay attention: lowering your LDL-C to a level less than 70mg/dl may decrease the incidence of a stroke or heart attack by another 25%.
But getting to these levels is not easy. The most effective treatments are with Statin drugs and medicine combinations. A new strategy is more aggressive; treat initially with higher doses of medications and get the LDL-C level down as soon as possible. Usually, patients will find if the LDL-C is lower, the total cholesterol and other lipid levels will also improve.
Dr. Kennedy is a board certified family physician, professional speaker, and author of 5AM & Already Behind. He is the world’s leading authority on smoking cessation and the habits that drive our lives.
For more information on speaking and seminars please contact Dr. Kennedy via the contact page.
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