Get a cholesterol screening in September and find out
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Daviess County Health Department is offering Cholesterol Screenings in September 2015.
September is National Cholesterol Awareness Month. The Daviess County Health Department is offering a Lipid Panel for $10 on the following dates in September from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Tuesday, Sept. 1; Tuesday, Sept. 8; Tuesday, Sept. 15; and Tuesday, Sept. 22.
This is a fasting test and you must not eat or drink after midnight the night prior to the test. Because this is a screening, you will not need to obtain a doctor’s order or call for an appointment. You must be 18-years-old or older, walk in on the above dates between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. and be fasting. Your results will be mailed to you on the next day.
The cholesterol screening (lipid panel) includes the following: Total Cholesterol, Triglycerides, LDL, HDL, and Cardiac Risk Ratio. The regular price for a lipid panel is $110. The health department’s cost is $10.
High blood cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke, the leading causes of death in the United States. Lowering cholesterol levels reduces the risk of heart disease death among persons either with or without coronary heart disease.
What is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in all body cells. Our bodies use cholesterol to digest food, make hormones, build cell walls, and perform other important functions.
Where Does Cholesterol Come From?
Our bodies make cholesterol in the liver. Dietary cholesterol comes only from animal products such as meat, dairy, eggs, and animal fats.
If blood cholesterol is too high, we can have health problems such as narrowing or blocking of blood vessels, heart disease and strokes.
Measuring Blood Cholesterol
200 or less is desirable. If your level is less than 200, ask your healthcare provider when you should have it rechecked.
200-239 means you are at moderate risk for heart disease and stroke, especially if you have other risk factors such as obesity or high blood pressure, if you are a smoker, or if you have family history of heart disease.
240+ means you are at high risk for developing heart disease. Ask your healthcare provider what you can do to lower your cholesterol.
LDL and HDL (parts of total cholesterol)
Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL)
LDL cholesterol is deposited on artery walls. They cause a waxy buildup called plaque. It is known as “bad cholesterol.”
Optimal LDL levels are less than 100 mg/dl or lower if you have heart disease or diabetes or other risk factors (such as family history of heart disease, or if you smoke).
Optimal LDL levels are less than 130 mg/dl if you have no risk factors for heart disease.
How Can I Lower My LDL Level?
Lose weight if you are overweight.
Reduce saturated fat found in dairy products, cheese and meat.
Reduce hydrogenated fats (trans fats) found in French fries, snack crackers, cookies, baking mixes, shortening, butter and stick margarine.
Use monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats such as canola, olive, safflower and sunflower oils when cooking.
High Density Lipoprotein (HDL)
HDL takes extra cholesterol out of the body and is called “good cholesterol.”
Desirable HDL levels are greater than 40 mg/dl.
Optimal levels are greater than 60 mg/dl.
A level of 60 or more is considered protective against heart disease.
To Raise Your HDL Level
Lose weight if you are overweight.
Exercise regularly (consult with your healthcare provider before beginning any exercise program).
Don’t smoke.
Replace saturated fat with unsaturated fats.
What About Triglycerides?
Triglycerides are a fat that the body makes from alcohol, sugar, or excess calories. High triglyceride levels may add to buildup of plaque in the blood vessels (atherosclerosis). High triglycerides are a risk factor for heart disease.
Less than 150 is a normal triglyceride level.
150-199 is considered borderline high.
200-499 is considered high.
500 or more is considered very high.
Decreasing Your Triglycerides
Lose weight if you are overweight.
Get regular physical activity (consult with your healthcare provider before beginning any exercise program).
Decrease or avoid alcohol.
Decrease sugar-containing foods.
The DCHD staff feels it’s important to educate our public and offer these special screenings as much as possible to help our community be more informed because prevention and education is the key to good health. If you are interested or have questions please feel free to call the health department at 660-663-2414.