When it comes to preventing cardiovascular disease—or at least lowering your risk — it's crucial to focus on numbers. Some are lifestyle-related, like tracking how many grams of saturated fat you consume and increasing your weekly exercise to 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity or 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity.
"Regular bloodwork is important if you have a known cardiovascular problem or if you are taking cholesterol medication," states Dr. Bradley Serwer, MD, an interventional cardiologist and chief medical officer at VitalSolution, an Ingenovis Health company. "It’s important to know about your risk or to determine if the medications are effective."
?SIGN UP for tips to stay healthy & fit with the top moves, clean eats, health trends & more delivered right to your inbox twice a week?
angelp/Getty Images
"Cholesterol is a significant modifiable risk factor for the development of coronary artery disease," he says. "Understanding your cholesterol levels enables you to assess your individual risk and facilitates early intervention, potentially preventing or mitigating future complications."
It sounds scary, but you won't know your risk until you roll up your sleeves, get lab work done and speak with your doctor about your LDL and triglyceride numbers.
From there, you can discuss how often to get blood drawn to check your LDL and triglyceride levels.
Related: This Is the Most Common Time of Day To Have a Heart Attack, According to Cardiologists
What To Know About LDL Cholesterol: Definition, Risks & Targets
He adds that LDL cholesterol can be deposited in the inner lining of your arteries. "Over time, these cholesterol deposits thicken and are walled off with calcium," he notes. "This process is called atherosclerosis. If this occurs in your coronary arteries, it can lead to chest pain or increase the risk of a heart attack."
"Sometimes, these pockets of cholesterol can rupture within the arterial wall," he says. "The body immediately attacks this rupture by forming a blood clot. This blood clot can very rapidly stop blood flow and thus cause a heart attack or stroke."
130 mg/dl for the general, low-risk population 100 mg/dl for intermediate-risk patients70mg/dl for high-risk patients55mg/dl for very high-risk patients
"Very high risk is defined by having known coronary artery disease and diabetes, kidney disease or active smoking history," Dr. Serwer shares, adding that you'll want to speak with your doctor about your personal risk level.
"Triglycerides are fats in your blood that tell us more about your diet within the past 24 hours," Dr. Serwer says.
"Some people have very high levels if they are unable to clear them effectively," he reports. "High triglyceride levels can lead to acute issues such as pancreatitis." So, you'll ideally want to keep your triglyceride levels below 150mg/dL, according to Dr. Serwer and the American Heart Association.
How To Manage Your Cholesterol
First things first, you'll need to know your cholesterol numbers to manage them. Besides understanding your LDL and triglyceride numbers, Dr. Serwer urges people to know their HDL ("good cholesterol") levels.
With your numbers in hand, you can start taking steps toward managing your cholesterol—and lowering your LDL and triglyceride numbers if needed. Below, Dr. Serwer shares some of the tips he gives patients after seeing that their LDL and triglyceride numbers are too high.
Prioritize physical activity. Your exercise minutes aren't the only number to focus on for your heart health, but it's still important to keep an eye on them. "Exercise is a great way to raise your HDL and thus lower your LDL," he explains. "When weight loss is achieved by 5-10% of your body weight, we can see a significant drop in LDL."Limit saturated fats. Dr. Serwer says diet is another important piece to managing cholesterol, especially if you're consuming a lot of saturated fats (found in foods like some baked goods and red and processed meats). The American Heart Association recommends limiting saturated fat intake to no more than 13 grams daily if you're following a 2,000-calorie diet.Boost fiber intake. Only about 5% of Americans get enough fiber. But getting enough fiber in your diet can help keep your cholesterol numbers in check. "Increasing daily fiber has shown a significant benefit," he reports. "This can be obtained from soluble fiber sources such as oats, barley and beans."Consider medication. Sometimes, diet and exercise aren't enough. In these cases, Dr. Serwer says it may be best to start a medication, such as a statin, ezetimibe or a PCSK9 inhibitor, to lower your cholesterol.Up Next:
Related: The One Carb (Yes, Carb) Cardiologists Swear by for Better Cholesterol
Sources:
Dr. Bradley Serwer, MD, an interventional cardiologist and chief medical officer at VitalSolution, an Ingenovis HealthAmerican Heart Association Recommendations for Physical Activity in Adults and Kids. American Heart Association.Coronary Artery Disease. Cleveland Clinic.Lower Your LDL. American Heart Association. What Your Cholesterol Levels Mean. American Heart Association.Saturated fats. American Heart Association.Closing America’s Fiber Intake Gap. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine.Hence then, the article about i m a cardiologist this is the first thing i always look at in a patient s lab results was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( ‘I’m a Cardiologist—This Is the First Thing I Always Look at in a Patient’s Lab Results' )
Also on site :