Lipids
My Doctor wants to measure my blood levels...
Just what is a lipid anyway?
Definitions:
- Lipids are fats. (Cholesterol and triglycerides)
- Triglycerides are the major energy fats and go to fat tissue for storage when energy is plentiful
- Cholesterol is in membranes that surround all living cells; when in abundance it can form a "plaque" on the arterial wall. Cholesterol is needed to build new cells.
- LDL Cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) is called the "bad" form of cholesterol and is believed to be involved in atherosclerosis.
- HDL Cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) is called the "good" form of cholesterol and cannot only deliver cholesterol but it can carry it away.
What do I want my numbers to look like?
Cholesterol, total:
desirable < 200 mg/dl
borderline 200-239 mg/dl
high > 240 mg/dl
Triglycerides
normal < 200 mg/dl
borderline 200-400 mg/dl
high 400-1000 mg/dl
very high > 1000 mg/dl
HDL - "the good cholesterol"
desirable > 35 mg/dl
LDL - "the bad cholesterol"
desirable < 130 mg/dl
aggressive < 100 mg/dl- history of previous heart attack, heart disease, history of diabetes or strong family history
borderline 130-159 mg/dl - no risk factors - reevaluate annually
borderline 130-159 mg/d - with two or more risk factors - diet therapy trial, consider medications
high > 160 mg/dl
Lipid Reducing Methods
- Dietary reduction of saturated fats and cholesterol - As above - follow a diet low in fat and cholesterol according to the American Heart Association Guidelines.
- Body fat reduction- Remember if you can "pinch an inch" it's too much! Aerobic exercise is the only way to "burn" that extra body fat. Decreasing the amount of fat in your diet will help decrease further fat "storage".
- Regular aerobic exercise- Consult your primary care physician before exercising. It is recommended that you engage in an aerobic exercise (walking, biking, swimming, etc.) for at least 20-30 minutes 3 times a week at the minimum. Listen to your body, if you get tired stop! We recommend you enroll in a supervised exercise program to get started. Otherwise, some easy suggestions include taking an exercise break during television commercials by walking around the house. Park as far away as you can to go into the office, or shopping. That extra walk will do you good (remember safety first!). Use the stairs in stead of the elevator. When was the last time you went to the zoo, local park or museum?
- Stress reduction- Do what you can to reduce your daily stress. Limit your caffeine intake, take a walk when you feel stressed, remove yourself from the environment for a few minutes, take a long bath.... What suggestions do you have that work for you?
- Lipid lowering medications - There are medications that we use to lower triglycerides, lower total cholesterol, lower LDL, and increase HDL. Your doctor will review your lipid profile with you and make suggestions from there. Some of the medications require you to take them at night, and some require you to have other blood work checked regularly to follow you liver enzymes because that is where the medications is broken down. Consult your health care provider or pharmacist for further information.
Back to Risk Factors.