"Cholesterol can be both good and bad", explains Dr. George Groman, a cardiologist on staff at Howard County General Hospital: Johns Hopkins Medicine.  "Because having too much on one kind and not enough of the other can put you at risk for coronary heart disease, heart attack or stroke, it is important to understand the difference between the two and know the amount of each in your blood."

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Good versus Bad

"Good cholesterol (HDL) helps keep the bad cholesterol (LDL) from building up on the walls of the arteries supplying blood and oxygen to your heart and brain.  This build-up narrows the arteries and makes them less flexible- a condition called atherosclerosis.  If a clot forms and blocks the artery, you can have a heart attack or stroke, "says Dr. Groman.  While your body naturally produces LDL, your genes and the food you eat can elevate your LDL levels, putting you at risk.  In addition to your HDL and LDL levels, it's important to monitor your triglyceride level.  You can have elevated levels of this fat, which is formed by your body, if you are overweight/obese, physically inactive, smoke, consume excessive amounts of alcohol and have a diet very high in carbohydrates.  "Often people with high triglyceride levels have high LDL and low HDL levels," comments Dr. Groman.

Testing

The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends all adults age 20 and older should have a fasting lipoprotein profile- which measures total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, HDL (good) cholesterol and triglycerides- once every five years if there are no other cardiac risk factors. "This test is performed after you fast for nine to 12 hours," explains Dr. Cecily Agcaoili, a primary care physician on staff at HCGH. "To get a comprehensive picture of your heart disease risk, your doctor will factor in the reported total cholesterol,  HDL, LDL and triglyceride levels as well as other risk factors including your age, gender, family history, if you smoke, have high blood pressure or diabetes."

Being Proactive

"Because people do not usually exhibit symptoms as a result of having high cholesterol, it's very important to get tested.  High cholesterol can be controlled, and you play an active part in protecting your health by working with your physician to monitorand maintain healthy cholesterol levels," says Dr. Agcaoili.  Knowing your cholesterol levels and taking the necessary steps to maintain healthy HDL and LDL levels are part of the seven key steps the AHA has established for living healthier, know as Life's Simple 7.

 Resources in our Community

According to Marilyn Smedberg-Gobbett, support network coordinator for WomenHeart of Central Maryland, a program of the national Coalition of Women with heart Disease, being educated about heart disease, knowing your numbers- blood pressure and cholesterol- as well as your family history is vital.  Howard County General Hospital holds an ongoing WomenHeart Support group that provides education and expert speakers.  Call 443 854-8333 for information about group meeting times and locations.

Be sure to stop by at the Howard County General Hospital: Johns Hopkins Medicine FREE Cardiovascular Clinic at Center Court in the Mall in Columbia on March 3 from 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.  Registration is not required.  Visit our booths and speak with our physician experts.  Participate in screenings including height and weight measurements, total cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure and body mass index.

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