High Cholesterol

Keep it
Out of the Blood!!!
By: LANCY FERNANDES
HSEM

Overview of Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a type of FAT (LIPID), found in the
blood and body cells. It is carried in the blood
attached to a protein in the form of : LDL ,HDL &
VLDL.
It is Essential for many VITAL body functions:
Formation & Maintenance of cell membranes
Formation of several Hormones
Production of bile salts which help digest food.
Conversion into Vitamin D in the skin when exposed to
sunlight.

85% of cholesterol is ENDOGENOUS (Liver), 15%

from DIET (Dietary Cholesterol)

LDH and HDL are forms in

which fat and cholesterol get
transported in the blood

Cholesterol

Triglycerides
Lipoproteins
HDL

LDL

good

bad

HDL

LDL

VLDL

Why is Cholesterol Control

important?
It is ONE of the MAJOR RISK FACTORS for Heart
Disease.
High Cholesterol & other fats in the blood can
lead to heart disease & Stroke.
It causes a condition Called Atherosclerosis i.e.
Narrowing & Hardening of the arteries that supply
the: Heart , Brain, & Other organs

Too much Cholesterol

Results in !! ??
LDL

LDL
The problem with
cholesterol happens
when special cells catch
LDL and deposit the
cholesterol out of it in the
walls of the blood
vessels. This is called
ARTHEROSCLEROSIS.

What a blessing!!

LDL

HDL usually collects the bad

cholesterol and takes it back to
the liver. That is why HDL is
known as good cholesterol.

LDL
HDL

HELP

An easy way to remember that

HDL is good H=Help, since
HDL helps collect bad
cholesterol and, therefore,
helps prevent heart attack.

HDL

Overview of the Artery

How is high Cholesterol detected?

There are two types of Blood tests that determines
High Cholesterol:
1.Total Cholesterol (Non fasting)
Your total cholesterol level is the total amount of cholesterol in your blood.

2.Lipid profile (Lipoprotein Analysis):

i.
ii.
iii.
iv.

Total cholesterol
HDL Cholesterol
LDL Cholesterol
Triglycerides.

A lipid profile requires you to fast for 12 hours before the test.
This test, which most doctors use to help determine your risk for
problems

What is HIGH Cholesterol

Total Cholesterol Levels

6.2 mmol/L or more is

High Cholesterol
& it means you are at increased
risk for heart disease.

LDL Cholesterol Levels

4.1 mmol/L or more

you are at higher risk
for heart disease

Recommended level of Total Cholesterol

High Risk Borderline Desirable

Total Cholesterol

>6.2

5.2 6.2

<5.2

LDL - Chol

>4.1

3.4 4.1

<3.4

HDL- Chol

<0.9

0.9 1.55

>1.56

Greater than Normal values

Very high cholesterol and triglyceride levels may
mean you have
An inherited form of high cholesterol
(hypercholesterolemia or hyperlipidemia).

High cholesterol levels may also be related to other

conditions, such as
Diabetes
Hypothyroidism
Kidney or Liver disease.

HDL cholesterol levels greater than 1.56

mmol/L (100 mg/dL) can help protect a person
from developing coronary artery disease and
Stroke. (Negative Risk Factor)

Lower than Normal values

Unusually low cholesterol levels may
indicate
Liver disease (Cirrhosis or Hepatitis),
Malnutrition
Hyperthyroidism

HDL cholesterol levels lower than 1.04 mmol/L

(<40 mg/dL) increase a person's risk of developing
coronary artery disease, especially in people who
also have high total cholesterol levels.

Three RISK Categories

Risk Category

LDL- GOAL

Coronary
Heart Disease &
Diabetes

< 2.6 mmol/L

Multiple (2+)
risk factors

< 3.4 mmol/L

Zero to one
risk factor

< 4.1 mmol/L

Risk Factors of High Cholesterol

A Family History
Age
Gender
Diet
Cigarette Smoking
Obesity
Medical Conditions: Diabetes, High BP
Stress

PDO Medical Laboratory

Cholesterol Estimations
Jan Sept. 2003

Total Cholesterol analysed

in PDO Lab

High Cholesterol in PDO

High Cholesterol by Age

High Cholesterol by Gender

LDL Cholesterol Estimations

High LDL Cholesterol Detected

Jan to Aug 2003 -

High LDL Cholesterol Detected

Jan to Aug 2003 -

High LDL Cholesterol Detected

Jan to Aug 2003 -

High LDL Cholesterol by Ethnicity

Jan to Aug 2003 -

Steps to Prevent High Cholesterol

Quit Smoking
Reduce Excess Weight
Increase Physical Activity
Maintain Normal Blood pressure
Control Diabetes, Hypothyroidism
Modify Diet

Tips for Eating smart

Limit saturated fats, like dairy fats (in ice cream and butter),
palm and coconut oil (in baked goods) and Red meat and meat
products.
Limit high-cholesterol foods, like egg yolks, organ meats (such
as liver) and shellfish.
Choose lean cuts when you eat beef and lamb. Also eat smaller
portions.
Eat more fruits and vegetables.
Eat a variety of fibre-rich foods, like oats, dark breads and
apples.
Eat more boiled or grilled fish and skinless chicken breasts.
Avoid fried foods.
Choose low-fat or non-fat dairy products.

Balancing the Equation

Food
intake

+
Physical
activity

Weight gain results from food intake

being greater than physical activity

Balancing the Equation

Physical
activity

Food
intake

Weight loss results from food intake

being less than physical activity

Balancing the Equation

Food
intake

Physical
activity

Weight maintenance occurs from

food intake equaling physical activity

Beware - LDL cholesterol !

The main goal of checking your lipid profile is to determine your
LDL ("bad") cholesterol.
Your LDL measurement is very important because:
Your LDL level helps your doctor determine if you are at risk for
heart disease. Having a high LDL cholesterol level increases your
risk of having a heart attack.
Lowering your LDL level reduces your risk for having a heart attack.
Elevated LDL cholesterol is the primary target of Treatment
(Cholesterol-lowering therapy).

LDL value is also used to determine the most effective

treatment approach:

Lifestyle Changes.
Medication, or both.

Its time for you to enjoy your Lunch

Cholesterol-Free