More than 18 percent of the U.S. population suffers from high cholesterol, and many of those people may not know it. In fact, up to two-thirds of those suffering from high cholesterol may not have their cholesterol levels under control and, as a result, this silent killer may be doing grave damage to your employees, says Julie Sich, health promotions coordinator for SummaCare, Inc.
“People can’t feel their cholesterol levels rising and often don’t know their levels are high until a stroke or heart attack has occurred,” says Sich. “It is imperative to have regular screenings so that you can take action before irreversible damage has occurred.”
Smart Business spoke with Sich about the risks of high cholesterol and how to control cholesterol levels.
What is cholesterol, and what are the risks if levels are too high?
Cholesterol is a soft, waxy fat substance created by your body, and it is an essential part of the function of every part of your body. However, if you are producing too much of it, either as a result of the food you eat or heredity, the resulting plaque can accumulate on your blood vessel walls. That plaque can lead to a thickening of the walls of the blood vessels and can break off into clots, which can then result in stroke or heart attack.
Because the condition is often symptomless, it is important to be screened regularly.
How often should someone be screened?
Screening is simple — a blood test can establish cholesterol levels and should be done as a routine part of preventive care. In healthy adults, screening is recommended every five years, and more often — up to several times a year — for those whose levels are high and who are taking steps to lower them.
Screening should also be done more often for those who face one or more risk factors for heart disease. Risk factors include smoking, hypertension with blood pressure of 140/90 or higher, taking medication for high blood pressure, a family history of premature heart disease (before age 55 for male relatives and before age 65 for female relatives), pre-existing heart disease or a previous heart attack or diabetes mellitus. Men are also at greater risk after age 45, while the risk rises after age 55 for women.
What are the recommended cholesterol levels?
There are two types of cholesterol — LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol. In the past, the total cholesterol number was targeted. However, more recently, it is not the total number that matters as much as the levels of ‘good’ (HDL) and ‘bad’ (LDL) cholesterol.
Cholesterol levels are measured in terms of milligrams per deciliter of blood. For LDL, those at high risk of heart disease should aim for levels below 70 mg/dL; those at lower risk of heart disease should aim for below 100 mg/dL. For those without risk factors, 100-129 mg/dL is near ideal, while 130-159 mg/dL is borderline high, 160-189 mg/dL is considered high and anything over 190 mg/dL is considered very high. Higher levels of this cholesterol clog the arteries, making it harder for the blood to get through. That, in turn, makes the heart work harder, putting stress on the organ.
In addition, if the plaque on the walls of the arteries breaks loose, a clot can form. If that gets lodged in an artery it can choke off the blood supply and cells are deprived of oxygen and die. If a clot makes its way into the brain, blocking blood flow, a stroke can result. And if it moves to the coronary arteries, a heart attack may result.
HDL cholesterol, on the other hand, is often referred to as the ‘good’ cholesterol. This type attaches itself to bad cholesterol and routes it to the liver, which filters it out of the body, reducing the amount of bad cholesterol in your system. Levels of 60 mg/dL and above are recommended, while levels between 50 and 59 mg/dL are considered acceptable. Anything below 40 mg/dL for men and 50 mg/dL for women are considered poor levels.
In addition, triglyceride levels of 100 mg/dL or lower are considered optimal for heart health.
How can someone lower his or her cholesterol levels?
Increasing your levels of HDLs might be a better protector against heart disease than lowering your levels of LDLs, or bad cholesterol. Diet and exercise can play a big part in lowering cholesterol. For example, foods such as oatmeal, nuts and fish should be a regular part of your diet to help maintain healthy cholesterol levels. Vegetables, fruits and whole grains can also help increase dietary fiber and help lower bad LDL cholesterol. Reduce the amount of proteins in your diet, often consumed in meat and dairy products, and limit the amount of saturated fats and trans-fatty acids. When you must add fat, use those high in monounsaturated fats such as olive and peanut oil.
Also, limit the consumption of alcohol, as it can increase cholesterol levels. If you are taking cholesterol-lowering medication, it is important to continue taking it as directed by your physician. Because people on these types of medications don’t notice any difference in the way they feel as a result of taking them, it can be difficult to convince them that those drugs could be saving their lives.
So, how can employers help?
Encourage your employees to get their cholesterol checked regularly. Share information about the importance of diet and exercise. Consider offering healthy alternatives in vending machines and at company gatherings. Offer friendly ‘challenges’ with prizes for those who lower their levels — and maintain! Be creative — your employees will thank you for it!
JULIE SICH is the health promotions coordinator for SummaCare, Inc. Reach her at (330) 996-8779 or [email protected]. SummaCare offers a full line of health plans and ancillary products. Through its extensive network of more than 7,000 providers and more than 50 hospitals, SummaCare offers coverage to more than 115,000 members throughout northern Ohio.
