Cholesterol Health Channel

	Feature Article Illustrations for this article Click on an image below to enlarge Coronary artery disease Cholesterol producers High blood cholesterol and triglycerides Definition The medical term for high blood cholesterol and triglycerides is lipid disorder. Such a disorder occurs when you have too many fatty substances in your blood. These substances include cholesterol and triglycerides. A lipid disorder increases your risk for atherosclerosis and heart disease. Alternative Names Lipid disorders; Hyperlipoproteinemia; Hyperlipidemia; Dyslipidemia; Hypercholesterolemia Causes, incidence, and risk factors High cholesterol and other lipid disorders can be inherited (passed down through families) or associated with: Fatty diets Disease such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, Cushing syndrome, and kidney failure Certain medications, including birth control pills, estrogen, corticosteroids, certain diuretics, and beta blockers Lifestyle factors, including inactivity and regular, excessive alcohol use If you smoke and also have high cholesterol, you have an even greater risk for heart disease. Lipid disorders are more common in men than women. Signs and tests Tests to diagnose a lipid disorder may include: Lipoprotein test Lipoprotein-a analysis HDL test LDL test Treatment How you are treated depends on your age, health history, if you smoke, and other risk factors for heart disease, such as: Diabetes Poorly controlled high blood pressure Family history of heart disease There are steps that everyone can take to improve their cholesterol levels, and help prevent heart disease and heart attack. Here are the most important ones: Choose foods low in saturated fat. Exercise regularly. Lose weight if you are overweight. Get routine health checkups and cholesterol screenings. If lifestyle changes do not help or your cholesterol level remains very high, your doctor may may recommend medication. There are several types of drugs available to help lower blood cholesterol levels, and they work in different ways. Some are better at lowering LDL cholesterol, some are good at lowering triglycerides, while others help raise HDL cholesterol. The most commonly used drugs for treating high LDL cholesterol are called statins. Continue reading this article

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LDL test (1 Image) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
The LDL test measures how much low-density lipoprotein (LDL) you have in your blood. LDL is a type of cholesterol. Too much LDL in the blood can clog arteries. See also: High-density lipoprotein (HDL) test; Total cholesterol test; High blood cholesterol and triglycerides. Reviewer: A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Greg Juhn, MTPW, David R. Eltz. Previously reviewed by Glenn Gandelman, MD, MPH, Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network (1/23/2008).Date: 09/12/2008
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HDL test (1 Image) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
HDL stands for high density lipoprotein, a form of "good" cholesterol. Lipoproteins are made of fat and protein. They carry cholesterol, triglycerides, and other fats, called lipids, in the blood to various parts of the body. This article discusses the blood test used to measure levels of HDL cholesterol in your blood. See also: LDL test ("bad" cholesterol; Lipid profile; High blood cholesterol and triglycerides; Total cholesterol test. Reviewer: A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Greg Juhn, MTPW, David R. Eltz. Previously reviewed by Glenn Gandelman, MD, MPH, FACC, Asst. Clinical Prof. of Med, NY Medical College, Valhalla, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network (1/20/2008).Date: 09/12/2008
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VLDL (1 Image) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
VLDL stands for very low density lipoprotein. Lipoproteins are substances made of cholesterol, triglycerides, and proteins. They move cholesterol, triglycerides, and other lipids to different parts of the body. There are three major types of lipoproteins. VLDL contains the highest amount of triglycerides. VLDL is considered a type of bad cholesterol, because it helps cholesterol build up on the walls of arteries. This article discusses the laboratory test to measure the amount of VLDL in your blood. See also: High density lipoprotein; Low density lipoprotein. Reviewer: Glenn Gandelman, MD, MPH, Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 01/23/2008
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Cholesterol test (2 Images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
A total cholesterol test is a rough measure of all the cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood. Cholesterol is a soft, wax-like substance found in all parts of the body. Your body needs a little bit of cholesterol to work properly. But too much cholesterol can clog your arteries and lead to heart disease. Some cholesterol is considered "good" and some is considered "bad." Different blood tests are needed to individually measure each type of cholesterol. See also: HDL test ("good" cholesterol; LDL test ("bad" cholesterol; Lipid profile; High blood cholesterol and triglycerides. Reviewer: Larry A. Weinrauch, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, and Private practice specializing in Cardiovascular Disease, Watertown, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 01/22/2008
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Familial hypercholesterolemia (4 Images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Familial hypercholesterolemia is a condition passed down through families in which a person has high levels of "bad" cholesterol (low density lipoprotein, or LDL) beginning at birth. The condition can cause heart attacks at an early age. See also: Familial combined hyperlipidemia; Familial hypertriglyceridemia; Familial dysbetalipoproteinemia. Reviewer: A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Greg Juhn, MTPW, David R. Eltz. Previously reviewed by Glenn Gandelman, MD, MPH, Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network (1/23/2008).Date: 09/12/2008
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Familial combined hyperlipidemia (1 Image) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Familial combined hyperlipidemia is a disorder of high cholesterol and high blood triglycerides that is passed down through families. Reviewer: Glenn Gandelman, MD, MPH, Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 01/23/2008
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Fat free diet and children (1 Image) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Children over age of 2 can eat low-fat and nonfat foods. Fruits and vegetables are healthy snack foods. Children should be taught healthy eating habits early, so they may continue them throughout life. Reviewer: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 05/02/2009
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Margarine vs. butter (1 Image) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Is margarine healthier than butter? Neither is ideal, because butter is loaded with saturated fat, and almost all margarines have some saturated fat and trans fatty acids. However, if you must use one or the other, margarine may be better than butter. Here are some guidelines: Use canola or olive oil instead of butter or margarine; Choose soft margarine (tub or liquid) over harder stick forms; Choose margarines with liquid vegetable oil as the first ingredient; Even better, choose "light" margarines that list water as the first ingredient, because these are even lower in saturated fat; If you have high cholesterol, talk to your doctor about using margarines made from plant sterols or stanols. These substances, made from soybean and pine tree oils, can help lower your LDL cholesterol by as much as 20. The American Heart Association recommends further study for children, pregnant women, and those without high cholesterol. Limit: Margarines, shortening, and cooking oils that have more than 2 grams of saturated fat per tablespoon; "Hydrogenated" and "partially-hydrogenated" fats, because these are high in saturated fats and trans-fatty acids. Read ingredients on food labels; Coconut, palm, and palm kernel oils, because they are very high in saturated fat; Shortening or other fats made from animal sources. Reviewer: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 05/03/2009
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Losing weight (12 Videos, 8 Images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
To successfully lose weight, you must carry out a plan to balance your caloric intake with exercise. Ideally, dieting should be done by eating a nutritionally balanced, low-calorie diet and increasing physical activity. Related topics: Obesity; Overweight; Unintentional weight loss. Reviewer: Cynthia Dennison Haines, MD, family physician specializing in nutrition, fitness, and preventive health, St. John's Mercy Medical Center, St. Louis, MO, and Assistant Clinical Professor, St. Louis University's School of Medicine, Department of Community and Family Medicine.Date: 08/08/2007
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