According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), heart disease is the number one leading cause of death in the U.S. More than one million Americans have a heart attack each year and about 500,000 die of heart disease. One of the major risk facts of heart disease is having high cholesterol. This is why the CDC has taken the whole month of September as the National Cholesterol Education Month.
The American Heart Association defines cholesterol as “a waxy substance. It’s not inherently ‘bad.’ Your body needs it to build cells and make vitamins and other hormones. But too much cholesterol can pose a problem. Cholesterol comes from two sources. Your liver makes all the cholesterol you need. The remainder of the cholesterol in your body comes from food and animals.” Since cholesterol circulates in your bloodstream, having too much can cause clogs in the inner walls of your arteries.
Let’s use the commonly used “fasting lipoprotein profile” test to see how you stack up on your cholesterol levels from your last bloodwork date.
- Total Cholesterol: Goal is to be less than 200 mg/dL
- Triglycerides: Goal is to have less than 150 mg/dL
- Low Density Lipoprotein: Goal is to have less than 100 mg/dL
- High Density Lipoprotein: Goal is to have a level greater than 60 mg/dL
A good rule of thumb to follow here is that the higher Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) you have, the greater risk you are for heart disease. On the other hand, the higher High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) you have, the lower risk you are for heart disease. Are you concerned with how much cholesterol you have floating around your body? Cross Valley Health & Medicine’s Doctor Paul Saladino and Christian Plaza, FNP are here to answer all of your questions. For more information about how to control your high cholesterol, please call 845-561-7075 today to schedule an in-person or virtual through telemedicine appointment.
The following links come directly from the CDC website. If you would like to learn more about what cholesterol is, click the links below.
- How and When to Have Your Cholesterol Checked
This webpage introduces cholesterol screening as an important part of staying heart healthy. - Cholesterol Myths and Facts
Learn the answers to common questions about blood cholesterol. - Cholesterol Patient Education Handouts
These fact sheets and handouts can help patients better understand how high blood cholesterol affects their health and risk for heart disease and stroke. - Eat Smart, Move More!
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This fillable calendar can help people reach their healthy eating and physical activity goals one day at a time. - The Scoop on Statins: What Do You Need to Know?
Cross Valley Health & Medicine is a primary care practice located in Newburgh NY, allowing for both virtual and in-person appointments. The practice has two medical providers on staff, a medical doctor who is dual board-certified in Addiction Medicine and Internal Medicine and a family nurse practitioner. Both providers are eager to see new patients for the following programs: Addiction Medicine, Behavioral Health Management, HIV/AIDS Care Management, Internal Medicine, Medical Marijuana Certifications, Medication-Assisted Treatment, STD/STI Care Management, and Weight Loss Management. If you are interested in becoming a patient of Cross Valley, please click here to access our online paperwork portal.