The National Institute of Health (NIH) has recently announced new guidelines for Cholesterol Management.

The NIH primarily recommends that you have a complete Lipoprotein Profile performed after fasting for at least 10 hours before having your blood sample drawn. Fasting means not having anything to eat or drink.* A complete Lipoprotein Profile includes: Total Cholesterol, HDL ‘good’ cholesterol , LDL ‘bad’ cholesterol, and Triglycerides levels.

Talk to your doctor about whether you are due to have your cholesterol levels checked. Also, discuss what you can do to decrease your risk factors for having high cholesterol.

Factors that may put you at risk for high cholesterol:

• Having a low HDL ‘good’ cholesterol
• Cigarette Smoking
• Having High Blood Pressure
• Family history of early heart disease
• Age (men 45 or older; women 55 or older)

Diet high in trans fatty acids and cholesterol Having high cholesterol puts you at risk for:

• Heart Attack
• Coronary Heart Disease
• Stroke

* If you take medication for diabetes, heart disease or some other illness, ask your doctor for special medication instructions while you are fasting.

High cholesterol itself does not cause symptoms, so find out what your cholesterol levels are today!

HOW DO YOUR NUMBERS COMPARE?

			MY TOTALS
TOTAL CHOLESTEROL
<200		Desirable
200-239		Borderline High
>=240		High
HDL ‘GOOD’ CHOLESTEROL
<40	Low	NOT Desirable
>=60	High	Desirable
LDL ‘BAD’ CHOLESTEROL
<100		Optimal (ideal)
100-129		Near Optimal
130-159		Borderline High
160-189		High
>=190		Very High
TRIGLYCERIDES
<150		Normal
150-199		Borderline High
200-499		High
>=500		Very High

Making changes in your diet and life style habits is the cornerstone to improving your cholesterol results!

Here’s How You Can Take Control of Cholesterol

• Eat Healthy – everything in moderation
• Add fiber to your diet
• Choose foods low in saturated fats & low in trans fatty acids
• Read Food Labels!
• Quit smoking
• Exercise on a regular basis
• Lose weight if your are overweight
• Get treatment if you already have heart disease

Cholesterol Lowering Medication
Talk to your doctor about what medication is best for you. Always take medication as prescribed.

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